Leadership

Phillips Oduoza with over 38 years banking experience in major financial institutions, is the founder and Chairman of the board of NOVA Bank.

Prior to promoting NOVA, he served as the global CEO of UBA Group and was part of the team that established Diamond Bank Plc where he rose to the position of Executive Director in 1999. He started his banking career in 1989 with Citibank where he trained in every aspect of banking after a brief stint with International Merchant Bank (IMB).

He has served on the board of some key names such as Diamond Bank Plc, Interswitch Plc, Value card Plc (Unified Payment Services Plc), Nigeria Interbank Settlement System (NIBSS), Nigeria Payment System, Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG), Financial Markets and Dealers Quotations (FMDQ), UBA Capital, UBA Plc, but he currently serves on the boards of Veritas University Abuja, Lagos State Security Trust Fund, Development Bank of Nigeria.

Mr. Oduoza is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers (FCIB) and has a BSc. Hons with First Class in Civil Engineering, an MBA (Finance), and is an alumnus (AMP) of Harvard Business School.

Chinwe Iloghalu is the Acting MD/CEO of NOVA Bank. Prior to her appointment, Chinwe had served as the Executive Director of Institutional & Commercial Banking at NOVA Bank. She also served as the Executive Director, Lagos & Corporate Bank at Polaris Bank.

She is a consummate professional of over 28 years’ experience with several awards in recognition for her contribution to the growth of the organizations where she has worked including Equatorial Trust Bank, Ecobank Nigeria Plc., Zenith Bank Plc, Fidelity Bank Plc, and Polaris Bank.

Chinwe has core-banking experience in diverse areas of banking including Operations, Marketing, Credit, Retail, Consumer, Corporate, and Commercial Banking, and has been involved in the structuring of transactions in various sectors including Oil & Gas, Manufacturing, Telecommunication, Power, Infrastructure, Aviation, Real estate, Agric & Exports, Fintech, Public Sector, amongst others.

She has attended executive management programs at Said Business School, University of Oxford, The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, Emeritus Institute of Management, Lagos Business School, Columbia Business School, London Business School, London School of Business and Finance, and Harvard Business School, amongst others.

Chinwe holds a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree in Industrial Chemistry from the University of Benin, an MBA from Esut Business School, and a Master of Sciences (M.Sc.) degree in Marketing Communications from the School of Media and Communication, Pan-Atlantic University.

She is a Fellow of The Institute of Credit Administration, Honorary Senior Member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, Member of notable professional bodies including the Nigerian Institute of Management, and the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, amongst others.

Chinwe brings a fresh perspective to banking relationships by building strong networks, leveraging business connections, and creating value, which brings to bear the delivery of maximum results.

Chief Malachy Nwaiwu retired in the Executive Cadre of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) where he worked for 45 years and is an Independent Director of NOVA Bank.

During his time at CBN, he pioneered many initiatives and worked in a wide range of areas covering currency & branch operations, development finance, human resources and information technology. He was a member and the Secretary of the Committee that handled the design, printing and launching of the N1000 banknote denomination for the Bank.

Chief Nwaiwu served on several committees in CBN that developed various initiatives in the transformation of the Bank and was in charge of Service Delivery Improvement Initiatives for the branches of the Bank prior to retirement.

Chief Nwaiwu possesses a Master of Business Administration (Management and Finance) from the University of Lagos, a B.Sc. Agricultural Economics from the University of Ibadan and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Abuja. He is a member of the Nigerian Institute of Management and the Association of Management and Administration (AMA) USA. He is currently an Attorney in the Law firm of Chukwuma-Machukwu Ume SAN (Firm of Lawyers & Arbitrators.

Chinedu is a top-level finance, banking and capital market professional with 43years experience in the banking industry and capital markets.

He worked with UBA, Fidelity Bank and Diamond Bank rising to a General Manager position before assuming the role of MD/CEO of Diamond Mortgages Ltd.

An astute ex-banker with decades of cognate experience in commercial and mortgage banking. He is an entrepreneur with solid Capital Markets experience, having served on the Boards of CSCS, Diamond Securities Ltd and To mil Trust Ltd at various times and a one-time authorized dealing clerk of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

Chinedu has attended several courses locally and internationally.

Ijeoma Clara Onwuegbule is an Independent Non-Executive Director of NOVA Bank and a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (FCA) with about three decades of progressive experience spanning Corporate Governance, Risk Management & Compliance (GRC), Treasury, and Finance Systems within the Oil & Gas industry.

Before joining Crown Jewels Eclectics International Schools as Executive Director, Clara had a distinguished career at Nigeria LNG Limited, where she served in several leadership roles, including Head of Corporate Risk & Quality Management Systems, Head of Nigerian Content Strategy Development, and Head of Treasury Middle Office. Her early professional journey began at Price Waterhouse Nigeria (now PwC), where she gained solid grounding in management consulting and information systems.

She holds a B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Computer Science from the University of Ibadan and the University of Lagos respectively, and is a Certified Governance, Risk, and Compliance Specialist (CGRCS) as well as a RIMS-Certified Risk Management Professional. Clara is also passionate about leadership development and is a Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) in view.

Dr. David Isiavwe is the Executive Director of Operations and Technology at NOVA Bank, where he is responsible for driving the bank's strategic initiatives in operations and technology.

Before joining NOVA Bank, David was the General Manager and Head of Operations & Technology at Ecobank Nigeria. He currently serves as the President and Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Information Security Society of Africa, Nigeria (ISSAN), a not-for-profit organization dedicated to securing Africa's cyberspace. His previous roles include General Manager at Union Bank of Nigeria Plc, Chief Operating Officer at UBA Africa, and Deputy Managing Director and COO of Banque Internationale du Burkina (BIB) in Burkina Faso.

With nearly 33 years of experience in banking and academia, David began his career as a lecturer in the Department of Accounting at the University of Benin in 1989 before transitioning to Citibank in 1992, where he rose to the position of Vice President, based in Cape Town, South Africa.

David holds a Ph.D. in Accounting and specializes in areas such as Digital Transformation, Corporate Governance, Business Transformation, and Information Systems Security. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (FCA), an Honorary Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (HCIB), and a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) by (ISC)², USA. He is also certified in the Governance of Enterprise IT (CGEIT) by ISACA, USA.

David has pursued professional certifications and attended numerous international courses from prestigious institutions such as Harvard University, Boston University, the University of Oxford’s Saïd Business School, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), among others.

Osemwengie Ede is an Independent Non-Executive Director of NOVA Bank and a seasoned financial services executive with over three decades of experience spanning banking, capital markets, and strategic financial management.

He has held several leadership positions across commercial and investment banking, demonstrating exceptional skill in corporate governance, business growth, and financial performance management.

He currently serves as Chairman of ISI Capital Limited, where he oversees capital-raising activities and business strategy. He also served as Chairman, Board of Directors, NOVA Bank Asset Management Limited (2024–2025), providing strategic leadership, ensuring regulatory alignment, and driving board oversight for sustainable growth.

Mr. Ede’s career includes senior management roles at FinBank (now FCMB) and Inland Bank, where he achieved record-breaking branch profitability and regional performance improvements.

His broad expertise covers credit risk management, business development, compliance, and enterprise governance.

He holds an MBA in Finance from Lagos State University, a PGD in Management Finance from Ladoke Akintola University, and an HND in Accountancy from the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro. A Chartered Accountant (ICAN), he is also an active member of Ikoyi Club 1938.

Elizabeth Theodora Osunde is an independent Non-Executive Director of NOVA Bank and a consummate banker and financial services professional with over 30 years of experience spanning commercial banking, microfinance, and financial consultancy.

She has held senior leadership roles across top-tier financial institutions, including UBA Plc and Diamond Bank Plc, where she led major strategic initiatives in private banking, financial institutions, and regional management.

She served as Managing Director of Shelter Microfinance Bank and UBA Microfinance Bank, pioneering innovative financial inclusion models and driving business expansion across Nigeria. Elizabeth is also the Lead Consultant at KSBC Knowledge Resources Ltd, where she trains mid and senior-level executives in banking, finance, and leadership development.

She also served on the Board of NOVA Bank Asset Management Limited as an Independent Non-Executive Director and Chairperson of the Board Investment Committee.

A Fellow of the Lagos Business School Senior Management Program, she holds a B.Sc. in Economics from the University of Calabar.

Nnadozie Ohaji is the Company Secretary/General Counsel at NOVA Bank Limited. An exceptional legal practitioner with an extensive background in governance and corporate secretarial practices. He is entrusted with the responsibility of organizing and hosting statutory meetings for the Bank’s board and committees, as well as ensuring rigorous compliance with corporate governance codes mandated by regulatory bodies.

Nnadozie has established himself as a leading authority in his field with over 17 years of experience, with a specific focus on legal advisory, compliance, and corporate governance within the financial services sector. Prior to joining NOVA, he held several distinguished senior positions, including Senior Legal Consultant, Head of Legal Operations, and Chief Compliance Officer in some renowned banks in Nigeria where he made groundbreaking strides.

Nnadozie’s academic achievements include a Certificate in Management Development Program from Access Campus in Berlin, Germany. He holds an LL. B from Imo State University, Uturu, and an LL.M from the prestigious University of Lagos as well as specialized courses and seminars, focusing on International Trade, Corporate Governance, and Finance.

Chijioke Uzoukwu serves as the Head of Operations at NOVA Bank Limited, overseeing Corporate Services, Treasury Operations, International Operations, Customer Services, Domestic Operations & Subsidiaries, Reconciliation, and Correspondent Banking Liaison. With a career spanning over three decades, he brings a wealth of experience in International Trade, Treasury Operations, Domestic Operations, and Customer Service.

Chijioke commenced his banking journey at Diamond Bank (now Access Bank), where he held various positions in Trade Services and Treasury Operations. He then transitioned to First Atlantic Bank as the Head of International Trade Services, followed by roles at Fin Bank (now FCMB) and Ecobank, where he served as Acting Business Head for Trade Finance and subsequently as Head of Trade Products and Sales.

He holds a Bachelor’s degree in engineering from the University of Agriculture Makurdi, an MBA from the University of Manchester, and several professional certifications from esteemed institutions worldwide. Chijioke is a member of the Nigerian Institute of Shipping (NIS), the Institute of Chartered Economists of Nigeria, and the Nigeria Institute of Management (NIM).

Esther Adino is the Group Head of Commercial Banking of NOVA Bank. Prior to this, she served as the Group Head of Retail and Digital Banking, where she played a pivotal role in shaping NOVA's customer-facing strategy..

With an extensive track record in the banking industry, Esther has led high-impact initiatives that significantly improved loan book visibility and strengthened balance sheet management. Her leadership has consistently translated into measurable outcomes, including remarkable increases in profitability and asset growth across the teams and regions she managed.

She has overseen large-scale operations across multiple branches and was instrumental in the establishment of a Retail Digital Bank Division, driving innovation and delivering superior customer experiences. Esther’s strategic focus on customer-centricity, risk management, and digital transformation has made her a catalyst for growth and operational excellence.

Beyond the boardroom, Esther is passionate about leadership development. She has conducted capacity-building training across several regions in Nigeria, helping to groom the next generation of banking professionals.

Esther continues to drive NOVA Bank’s commercial growth with a blend of strategic vision, hands-on leadership, and deep industry insight.

Uyoyoukaro Ewhe is a seasoned compliance and risk management professional with over 25 years of experience in regulatory compliance, corporate governance, and financial crime prevention across leading Nigerian and International banks.

As Chief Compliance Officer at NOVA Bank, he provides strategic leadership in ensuring full regulatory adherence, ethical business conduct, and strong governance frameworks that promote integrity and trust across the institution.

Before joining NOVA Bank, Uyoyoukaro served as Chief Compliance Officer at Lotus Bank Limited, where he successfully strengthened the bank’s compliance culture, enhanced risk controls, and ensured alignment with local and global regulatory standards. His extensive career at Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, Access Bank Plc and Access Bank UK covered key roles in regulatory surveillance, internal control, financial crime compliance, and relationship management, where he led teams that drove operational excellence and ensured consistent compliance with supervisory expectations.

Uyoyoukaro is a Fellow of the Compliance Institute of Nigeria (FCIN), an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (ACIB), and a Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS). He holds an MBA in Financial Management from Lagos State University and a B.Sc. (Hons.) in Biochemistry from the University of Lagos.

A firm advocate of ethics, accountability, and professional excellence, he continues to champion a culture of compliance and transparency that supports NOVA Bank’s long-term growth and reputation.

Ayonmike Uzoma is a seasoned banking executive with over 25 years of experience spanning corporate and commercial banking, treasury management, business development, and risk management. As Group Head, Corporate Banking at NOVA Bank, she drives strategic initiatives that deepen client relationships, grow market share, and deliver sustainable business performance across key sectors.

Before joining NOVA Bank, she served as Divisional Head, Emerging Corporates II at First City Monument Bank (FCMB), where she led asset quality optimization, risk management, and liability generation initiatives that significantly strengthened portfolio performance.

Her earlier career includes leadership roles at Zenith Bank, where she rose to Assistant General Manager and Group Zonal Head for Lagos Central Zone. She spearheaded major business expansion projects, revitalized underperforming branches, and launched the bank’s first Private Banking office at Bourdillon Branch, one of Lagos’ most profitable units.

Uzoma also brings experience from the insurance brokerage sector, having served as Chief Marketing Officer at Insurers Brokers of Nigeria (IBN), where she enhanced corporate relationships and brand positioning.

She holds a Bachelor’s degree from Abia State University and a Master’s in Industrial Relations and Personnel Management from the University of Lagos. She is an alumna of Harvard Business School, London Business School, and Lagos Business School, and a Senior Member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) as well as the Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM).

With a proven track record in leadership and business growth, Ayonmike Uzoma continues to shape the future of corporate banking in Nigeria through strategic innovation and excellence.

Abayomi Adeoye is the Acting Chief Financial Officer at NOVA Bank, an accomplished finance professional with over 18 years of experience in financial reporting, performance management, business analysis, and strategic planning. Renowned for his innovative approach and process-driven mindset, he consistently challenges the status quo to enhance efficiency and organizational performance.

Before his appointment as Acting Chief Financial Officer at NOVA Bank, Abayomi held key leadership positions at Union Bank, Ecobank, and Zenith Bank. At Union Bank, he served as Head of Finance Business Management and Corporate Planning, where he led major transformation initiatives in budgeting, performance management, balance sheet optimization, and process automation—delivering measurable cost savings and improved operational agility.

He holds an MBA in Finance from Obafemi Awolowo University and a Higher National Diploma (Distinction) in Accountancy and Finance from Yaba College of Technology. Abayomi is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Associate of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (UK), and the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers, among others.

An ICAN prize winner and recipient of several professional awards, including Union Bank’s Star Award for Innovation and Outstanding Performance, Abayomi is committed to driving financial excellence and sustainable growth at NOVA Bank, reinforcing its mission to deliver enduring value to stakeholders.

Wole is a dynamic technology expert with over 25 years of experience in digital transformation, IT strategy, and enterprise innovation across Africa’s financial sector. As Chief Information Officer at NOVA Bank, he drives the bank’s technology vision, advancing digital modernization, cloud adoption, and cybersecurity resilience.

Before joining NOVA Bank, he held senior leadership roles at the Ecobank Group, where he led large-scale cloud migrations and data centre modernization initiatives that improved efficiency, reduced costs, and achieved 99.9% service uptime. His earlier experience spans UBA and MTN Nigeria, where he delivered key infrastructure and systems optimization projects.

Dr. Wole holds a Ph.D. in Information Technology, an M.Sc. in Computer Science, and an MBA in Finance, alongside global certifications in TOGAF, PRINCE2, ISO, and Agile Leadership. He is passionate about leveraging technology to deliver secure, innovative, and scalable banking solutions.

Chukwunenye Chinedu Okonkwo is an accomplished banking professional with over 21 years of experience spanning treasury management, corporate banking, and financial institutions.

As Treasurer of NOVA Bank, he leads the Bank’s treasury strategy, optimizing liquidity, balance sheet performance, and financial market activities to drive sustained profitability and financial resilience.

Before joining NOVA Bank, Chinedu held key roles at Keystone Bank, including Chief Dealer and Zonal Head, Lagos Mainland, where he successfully led treasury operations and managed multiple branches, delivering strong growth across commercial, MSME, and retail segments.

He also headed the Specialized Assets and Other Markets Group, structuring financing solutions for priority sectors such as power, aviation, logistics, and manufacturing. Earlier, at Diamond Bank, he excelled in treasury sales and financial institutions relationship management, achieving over ₦70 billion in treasury product sales within a year, demonstrating exceptional market insight and strategic execution.

Chinedu holds a Chartered Banker MBA from Bangor University, UK, and a BSc in Geology and Mining from Enugu State University of Science and Technology. He is an alumnus of Lagos Business School (SMP 84), a Fellow of the Institute of Credit Administration (FICA), and an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (ACIB).