The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has appointed a full Board of Directors for Polaris Bank Limited, with a 10-member team led by Dr. Kassim Gidado as Chairman.
In a statement released on Monday, the bank announced the appointment of other Non-Executive Directors, including Dr. Akwa Effiong Okon, Mallam Ambursa Abubakar Umar, Mrs. Ayaba M. Ayo-Joseph, Mrs. Giwa-Amu Subulade Ibironke, and Dr. Onosode Christopher.
Mr. Kayode Lawal, Managing Director/CEO of Polaris Bank, expressed confidence that the new board members’ diverse expertise and experience would enhance the bank’s strategic efforts to solidify its position as a leading digital bank.
“We are excited to welcome these seasoned professionals to Polaris Bank’s board. Their leadership and vast experience will greatly support our ongoing initiatives aimed at strengthening the bank’s position as a leading digital bank in Nigeria. These appointments represent a key milestone in our journey toward sustained growth and delivering exceptional value to our stakeholders.”
Dr. Gidado, the new Board Chairman, is a seasoned academic with over 35 years of experience in engineering, project management, and strategic development. He previously served as Group Managing Director and Chief of Staff at MAG Group Limited, overseeing a diverse portfolio of companies across 35 countries. His expertise in public-private partnerships and infrastructure development will be instrumental in driving the growth of Polaris Bank.
In addition to his professional background, Gidado is also a respected community leader, serving as the Wazirin Jam’are in Jam’are Local Government, Bauchi State. His academic and professional experience is expected to provide strong leadership as he takes on the role of Board Chairman.
Dr. Akwa Effiong Okon, a legal expert with a doctorate in Law, has served as Special Assistant on Finance and later Managing Director at the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), as well as a Non-Executive Director of FHA Mortgage Bank Limited.
Mallam Ambursa Abubakar Umar is a specialist in enterprise transformation and development finance, with over 30 years of banking experience, including notable roles at the CBN. His strong risk management skills and experience in areas like credit and regulatory capital will contribute significantly to the board.
Mrs. Ayaba M. Ayo-Joseph brings over 30 years of banking experience and is a member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN). Her previous role as Executive Director at Bank PHB, where she facilitated critical transitional changes, highlights her expertise in corporate management and strategy execution.
Mrs. Giwa-Amu Subulade Ibironke, a lawyer with an MBA from the University of Warwick, UK, has over 27 years of experience in financial services, real estate investment, and business process re-engineering. She will support Polaris Bank’s corporate banking initiatives with her extensive background in strategic management and corporate transformation.
Dr. Onosode Christopher, an economist with a doctorate from Kent University, UK, joins the board with over 30 years of experience in business systems analysis, project management, and policy analysis. His previous roles with Shell Petroleum, PricewaterhouseCoopers, and the Debt Management Office of Nigeria will provide valuable insight for Polaris Bank’s operations and strategic direction moving forward.