InstinctBusiness CEO of the Week: Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, MD & CEO of Fidelity Bank PLC

Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe (OON), the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Fidelity Bank PLC, is the InstinctBusiness CEO of the Week.

With a career spanning more than 10 years at Fidelity, including six years as Executive Director of Commercial and Consumer Banking for the Lagos and Southwest Directorate, she brings a wealth of expertise to her role. Her tenure is defined by strategic oversight and a robust skill set encompassing financial management, leadership, economics, and corporate banking.

Before her current role, Dr. Onyeali-Ikpe’s career reflects a steady ascent through Nigeria’s financial landscape. At Enterprise Bank Ltd., she served as Executive Director for Lagos and the Southwest, South-South, and Southeast regions, driving retail and SME growth with her signature blend of strategic planning and people management.

Her four-year stint at Standard Chartered Bank saw her rise from Regional Manager to Acting Head of Distribution, sharpening her skills in credit analysis and communication. As Senior Manager and Branch Head at Zenith Bank Plc and across nine years at Citizens Bank International Limited —including roles as Branch Manager and Assistant Manager in commercial banking—she honed her leadership in treasury and remedial operations.

Dr. Onyeali-Ikpe’s foundational years include treasury management at Commercial Trust Bank Ltd, a stint as Senior Banking Officer at First African Trust Bank, and legal roles at African Continental Bank and Nwodo & Associates. Her career began with a National Youth Service Corps placement at Shell in legal and community relations, laying the groundwork for her multifaceted expertise.

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Under her watch, the bank recorded a remarkable 210.0% increase in Profit Before Tax (PBT), rising from ₦124.3 billion in 2023 to ₦385.2 billion in 2024. The bank’s gross earnings grew by 87.7% to ₦1,043.4 billion, driven by a 106.9% surge in interest income to ₦950.6 billion.

Net interest income climbed by 127.1% to ₦629.8 billion, boosted by a high-yield environment and a strong base of low-cost deposits, leading to a declared total dividend of ₦2.10 per share.

Amongst awards bagged, she is a recipient of the Order of the Niger (OON), she steers Fidelity Bank with a blend of performance management, cementing her legacy as a trailblazer in Nigeria’s financial services sector—a leader whose influence resonates far beyond the boardroom.

InstinctBusiness Magazine’s recognition celebrates top-performing executives globally, honouring exceptional leadership, innovation, and transformative impact across diverse industries.