Dr. Adaora Umeogu. Zenith Bank managing director?CEO
As global attention continues to center on sustainability, Zenith Bank has emerged for the second time in quick succession, 2023 – 2024, winner of International Banker 2024 Banking Awards’ Most Sustainable Bank Awardee.
This may not be unrelated to Zenith Bank”s commitment and compliance to GRI (global standards for sustainability impacts) standards.
It’s on record that Zenith bank is the first Bank in Africa to publish a stand-alone sustainability report as required by the GRI Standards in 2016, (Core Option). Ever since then, Zenith Bank has consistently published its stand-alone sustainability reports.
It is also one of the few institutions in Nigeria that track their carbon emissions in line with internationally recognised Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol. The bank is in the fore front as far as monitoring and reporting its sustainability impact is concerned.
According to the Bank’s Managing Director, Dr. Adora Umeoji, Zenith Bank is deeply committed to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) values, and propelled by the Triple Bottom Line principle of People, Planet, and Profit.
Reacting to the Award, Dr. Umeoji says: This recognition reaffirms Zenith Bank’s position as a trailblazer in sustainable banking practices, setting a benchmark for excellence within the Nigerian banking industry and beyond.
Furthermore, the first female managing director of Zenith bank, Dr. Umeoji added: We are deeply honoured to be recognised as the Most Sustainable Bank in Nigeria for the second time in a row. This prestigious award underscores our steadfast commitment to sustainability and reinforces our belief that responsible banking is essential for long-term success and societal impact.
While she acknowledged that the Award is a collective effort of staff, management, customers and all other stakeholders, she dedicated the Award to Founder and Chairman, Board of Directors of the bank, Dr. Jim Ovia, CFR, saying the bank is reaping from the solid foundation he laid for it as she described the honour as a testament to the visionary and impactful leadership of the Founder and Chairman of Zenith Bank.
