THe Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Adaora Umeoji, recently made headlines with her strategic acquisition of over 68.75 million shares in the bank. This move, executed on Tuesday, June 18, 2025, came amid a wave of panic selling in the Nigerian equities market, spurred by regulatory uncertainty surrounding the Central Bank of Nigeria’s forbearance policy on capital adequacy for banks.
According to filings submitted to the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX), Dr. Umeoji purchased the shares at an average price of ₦47.95 per share, with transactions split between ₦47.90 and ₦48.00. The total investment amounted to approximately ₦3.3 billion, marking one of the largest insider trades in the Nigerian banking sector in recent years. This insider buying not only signaled internal confidence in Zenith Bank’s resilience but also served as a reassurance to investors amid market volatility.
Remarkably, within 24 hours of the acquisition, the share price of Zenith Bank surged to ₦50.30, reflecting growing investor confidence and a swift market reaction to the high-profile trade. The share price rebound effectively translated into a paper profit of over ₦161.5 million for Dr. Umeoji, reaffirming the value of strategic timing and belief in corporate stability.
Market analysts have interpreted this development as a strong vote of confidence in Zenith Bank’s financial health and long-term strategy. The move also coincided with the bank’s announcement that it remains on track to exit the Central Bank’s regulatory forbearance window by June 30, 2025, and has maintained robust capital buffers exceeding the minimum requirements. These declarations have helped ease market tensions triggered by the CBN’s recent directive barring certain banks under forbearance from paying dividends or issuing executive bonuses.
Zenith Bank’s financial results for Q1 2025 further support the positive sentiment. The bank reported double-digit growth across key metrics, including profit-before-tax, customer deposits, and loan books. The capital adequacy ratio remained strong, and non-performing loans were kept within manageable thresholds, demonstrating prudent risk management despite macroeconomic headwinds.
Dr. Adaora Umeoji, who was appointed as the first female CEO of the bank earlier this year, has consistently emphasized transparency, investor engagement, and stakeholder alignment. Her personal investment in Zenith’s stock is viewed not only as a strategic financial decision but also as a message of assurance to shareholders and regulators that the institution remains well-positioned for sustainable growth.
