The appointments, according to the bank, have been approved by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN.

Dr. Opara will assume office as the Executive Director in charge of the Lagos & South West Directorate on January 1, 2021, taking over leadership of the Directorate from Mrs. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe who was recently appointed Managing Director/CEO-Designate.

Mrs. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe will succeed Mr. Nnamdi Okonkwo who retires as Managing Director/CEO on December 31, 2020, upon the completion of his contract tenure in line with the internal policies of the bank.

“Both appointments are in furtherance of our positioning for the next growth phase.  We welcome Henry and Ken to the Board and believe they will make significant contributions that will sustain the performance trajectory of the bank in line with our strategic intent,” said Mr. Mustafa Chike-Obi, Chairman, Board of Directors, Fidelity Bank Plc.

Engr. Obih was the Group Executive Director/Chief Operating Officer (GED/COO), Downstream, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, until his retirement in 2019 and was subsequently appointed to the Board of Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited, NLNG, in July 2020.

He joins the Board of Fidelity Bank Plc with significant cross-functional work  experience  and exposure  spanning over three decades, across different climes, including Africa, Europe, Asia and the Americas.

On his part, Dr. Opara, who currently serves as General Manager/Regional Bank Head, Ikeja Region, has over 29 years’ experience in banking and worked at various financial institutions, including legacy Omega Bank Plc, Equatorial Trust Bank Plc and Manny Bank Plc, before joining Fidelity Bank Plc in 2006, following its merger with Manny Bank Plc.

He has core-banking experience in diverse areas of banking, including Credit, Treasury, Retail, Consumer and Commercial Banking, International Operations and Corporate Banking and has held senior management positions in the industry including Divisional Head, Managed SMEs, Multilateral Agencies & Trade Missions; Division Head, SMEs, Electronic & Consumer Banking; Head, Private & Consumer Banking, Head, Affinity Banking & Corporate Consumer Banking; and Head Consumer &   Commercial Banking.