Nigeria: Chris Ofikulu appointed as new ED of Polaris bank

Chris Ofikulu, a seasoned banker, has recently assumed the role of Executive Director at Polaris Bank.

Following the dissolution of the board of directors for Polaris, Union, and Keystone banks, the Central Bank of Nigeria has appointed new leadership for these financial institutions.

The central bank pointed to reasons such as regulatory non-compliance, corporate governance shortcomings, and involvement in activities posing risks to financial stability as grounds for taking this action.

Chris Ofikulu graduated with a First-Class B.Sc. Degree in Industrial Mathematics from the University of Benin, Benin-City. He pursued his education further, earning an MBA from the University of Lagos.

With over thirty (30) years of banking experience, Chris brings a wealth of expertise to the table, with twenty-eight (28) years specifically focused on Business Development.

Prior to becoming the MD/CEO of UBA Ghana, Chris held the position of Directorate Head, Apapa 1 (Corporate) at UBA Group in Nigeria.

In the banking sector, Chris played substantial roles at Diamond Bank, a prominent commercial bank in Nigeria.

At Diamond Bank, he held diverse positions, including Directorate Head overseeing South Businesses and Directorate Head managing Lagos and West Businesses.

Notably, Chris played a pioneering role as the Managing Director of Diamond Pension Fund Custodian Limited.

His extensive background showcases a diverse history in banking, encompassing corporate leadership and strategic business development.

Between May 2007 and November 2008, Chris Ofiluku held the position of Divisional Head of Retail Banking at Diamond Bank in Lagos.

Subsequently, he assumed the role of Regional Head and Business Development as a Regional Manager from September 2008 to October 2011.

In the subsequent phase of his career, Chris transitioned to the position of Regional Manager, focusing on Business Development from October 2011 to January 2014, contributing significantly to regional growth.

Building on this trajectory, he took on the role of Head of Regional Businesses in the South Directorate from January 2014 to April 2017.

Following that, his professional journey led him to the position of Head of Regional Businesses in the Lagos Directorate from April 2017 to January 2019, allowing Chris to further refine his expertise.

These roles involved business development, strategic leadership, and management responsibilities within the regional and divisional landscape, showcasing his dedication and ongoing growth in the field.