OAU Celebrates Alumnus, Ebenezer Kolawole, Appointed Acting MD/CEO Of Unity Bank

Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, has celebrated one of its distinguished alumni, Mr. Ebenezer Kolawole (FCA), who emerged as the Acting Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Unity Bank Plc.

The institution said this in an official post on the university’s social media platforms on Saturday.

His appointment follows the retirement of Mrs. Oluwatomi Somefun, the immediate past MD/CEO, who has concluded her impactful tenure.

Mr. Kolawole’s appointment was announced during the bank’s 18th Annual General Meeting held recently in Lagos, having received the full approval of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the bank’s primary regulator.

According to the university, Mr. Kolawole’s elevation to this esteemed role affirms his remarkable career and the exceptional foundation laid during his time at OAU.

A graduate of the University’s Accounting programme, he earned a First-Class Honours Degree, showcasing the academic rigor and excellence that have propelled him to the pinnacle of Nigeria’s financial sector.

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OAU added: “His journey from the hallowed halls of OAU to the leadership of Unity Bank reflects the University’s legacy of producing trailblazers who shape industries and inspire generations.”

Continuing, OAU, said : “With over three decades of experience in banking and financial services, Mr. Kolawole takes a wealth of expertise to his new role. His professional journey began in 1992 at Caribbean Finance Limited in Kaduna, an affiliate of CFL in the Cayman Islands. He later joined Ecobank, where he excelled in various roles across Operations and Finance, eventually rising to Deputy Financial Controller. His strategic acumen shone during his tenure at Standard Trust Bank (STB), where he played a pivotal role in the merger with the United Bank for Africa (UBA). Post-merger, he served as UBA’s Chief Financial Officer, cementing his reputation as a financial leader.

“Mr. Kolawole’s expertise further deepened as Group Chief Finance Officer at Mainstreet Bank, where he spearheaded turnaround and transformation initiatives that revitalized the institution. His versatility extended beyond banking into telecommunications, with a notable stint at Globacom, Nigeria’s leading indigenous telecom company, where he contributed to corporate business development.”

Since joining Unity Bank in 2015 as Chief Financial Officer, he has been a driving force behind the bank’s strategic transformation and cost optimization efforts. In February 2018, he was appointed Executive Director, overseeing Finance, Operations, and Information Technology, where his leadership bolstered the bank’s market positioning.

In his new role as Acting MD/CEO, Mr. Kolawole is tasked with steering Unity Bank through its ongoing corporate programs and advancing its strategic business initiatives, ensuring continuity and sustained growth.

His appointment marks a new chapter for the bank, built on the solid foundation of his extensive experience and visionary leadership.

“Mr. Kolawole’s academic and professional credentials are as impressive as his career achievements. Beyond his First-Class Honours Degree from OAU, he has enriched his knowledge through executive education programs at Columbia Business School in New York and The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (FCA), a Fellow of the Institute of Credit Administration (FICA), an Honorary Member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (HCIB), an Associate Member of the Nigeria Institute of Management (AMNIM), and a Member of the Institute of Directors. These distinctions reflect his unwavering commitment to excellence and lifelong learning,” the university said.

In his response to the development, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Adebayo Simeon Bamire, hailed Mr. Kolawole’s appointment as a moment of profound pride and jubilation for the University community.

“Mr. Kolawole’s ascent to the leadership of Unity Bank is a luminous testament to the intellectual rigor, moral fortitude, and transformative vision fostered here at Obafemi Awolowo University,” he remarked.

“His journey from our campus to the helm of one of Nigeria’s prominent financial institutions exemplifies the boundless potential of our graduates. We rejoice in this milestone, confident that his leadership will illuminate new pathways of progress for Unity Bank and inspire countless others to pursue excellence with unrelenting zeal. So, I am delighted to share this news with our vibrant community and esteemed external stakeholders,” Professor Bamire added.

The VC further emphasized: “Mr. Kolawole’s appointment not only celebrates his personal triumph but also reinforces OAU’s enduring legacy as a cradle of leaders who drive innovation and progress across diverse sectors. His success is a beacon of inspiration for our students, alumni, and faculty, affirming the transformative power of an OAU education.”