ACCOMPLISH MAGAZINE NOV 2023

INTERVIEW
What are the differences between banking
in the UK and other regions where Zenith Bank
operates in?
I believe this is basically captured in a
previous question. I would however add that
banking in Nigeria is more tasking to the staff,
with lots of marketing effort to grow accounts
as we have newer generation banks. In the UK
and the Western world, the terrain has older,
more established banks that put less pressure
on their staff to go and bring accounts. They are
more concerned about structured products for
wealth management, corporate finance, loan
syndications, corporate/capital restructuring
etc. Real estate and mortgage financing is big
in the Western world but Nigerian banks rarely
do them as we have limited long-term funds.
Treasury
transactions, using IT to drive business,
artificial Intelligence in banking, fraud
prevention, financing renewable energy to
meet sustainability targets etc. are high priority
areas in the Western world. African banks
are majorly trade-focused for short-tenured
transactions as we do more importation than
finance manufacturing.
How do you see the role of block-chain and
crypto-currencies evolving in the future of
banking?
They are still relatively new and unexplored
in Africa. People view them as risky and
untested for now. There should be more
legislation and regulation around them to
provide a safety net for investors in that
sub-sector. Also, more product knowledge
and awareness on block-chain and cryptocurrencies
should be put out there in the
market. However, they seem to be the wave
of the future, most especially for the younger
generation. Currently, demand is growing
seriously in the Middle East and will soon trigger
down to Africa. They are an area of potential
future growth as outlets for investments with
high returns seem to be fewer and always oversubscribed.
Tell us about your personal interests and
hobbies outside the banking world.
For hobbies, I love building real estate
projects and doing interior decoration. I am a
lover of horticulture and always pride myself
on having a beautiful garden with different
species of plants. I do play sports such as golf
and go to the gym regularly. I like long walks,
love dancing to Afrobeats, oldies and salsa. I
love going to watch live wrestling matches at
Madison Square Garden in New York or the
O2 Arena in London; a habit I formed when I
was in the university and going with my dad
in my late teens and as a young adult. I now
go with my son and also take him to football
matches in London to watch Man City and
Chelsea. I love travelling to exotic places and
going to fancy restaurants with my friends and
relatives. I consider myself to be somewhat of
a clothes horse and love fashion; hence, my
foray into owning a boutique as a hobby. I like
watching movies, attending Broadway plays
and live concerts of some of my favourite
musicians. Building for the Lord and chairing
harvest bazaars in the Catholic Church are
also some of my favourite charity activities.
I am currently the Chairman of the Building
Committee of the Catholic Church in Guzape,
Abuja. All these hobbies help to ensure that I
am never stressed and improve my work/life
balance.
How do you handle adversity and set
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Accomplish Magazine