Meet 10 CTOs powering digital innovation in Nigeria’s banking ecosystem 

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Nigeria’s banking sector is undergoing a digital renaissance, driven by a generation of tech-savvy executives who are reshaping how financial services are delivered across the country.

From artificial intelligence to blockchain-based security, these leaders are pioneering solutions that make banking more inclusive, efficient, and customer-centric.

At the heart of this transformation are digital executives who blend deep technical expertise with strategic vision.

Their work spans mobile banking, payment gateways, biometric verification, and fintech partnerships, all aimed at building a resilient and future-ready financial ecosystem.

As Nigeria pushes toward a deeper financial inclusion, these innovators are setting the pace.

Here are 10 standout digital leaders whose contributions are redefining the Nigerian banking experience

Rachel Adeshina – Chief Technology Officer, FirstBank 

Rachel Adeshina is the Chief Technology Officer at FirstBank, where she has spent 15 years rising through the ranks. A seasoned IT leader, she brings over a decade of experience in designing and delivering transformational technology solutions. Her tenure has seen the FirstMobile app surpass 10 million downloads, with a strong user rating of 4.2.

Under her leadership, FirstBank has introduced cutting-edge features such as facial biometric verification, virtual credit cards, and seamless credit card activation. These innovations reflect the bank’s commitment to secure, user-friendly digital banking experiences.

Adeshina holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from the University of Lagos and a Master’s in Information Technology. Her work continues to position FirstBank as a leader in mobile banking and digital security.

Onyebuchi Akosa – Group Chief Information Officer, UBA Group 

Onyebuchi Akosa serves as the Group Chief Information Officer at United Bank for Africa (UBA), where he has played a pivotal role in driving the bank’s digital transformation across its pan-African footprint. A seasoned technologist, Akosa brings deep expertise in solution architecture, enterprise collaboration, business process automation, and product development.

Since joining UBA in 2013 after a two-year stint at FirstBank and another four years with Zain Nigeria, Akosa has overseen the development and expansion of UBA’s digital ecosystem, including the widely adopted UBA Mobile app, which has surpassed 10 million downloads on the Play Store with a 3.9 user rating.

The app offers users a unified dashboard to manage accounts, cards, bills, and transfers, with features such as biometric login, real-time balance checks, and branch/ATM locator tools, all designed to deliver secure, 24/7 banking access.

Under his leadership, UBA launched its AI-powered virtual banking bot, Leo, including a partnership with Paga and Visa to introduce USD virtual cards, enabling customers to make cross-border transactions more easily and expanding digital payment options.

Akosa holds a degree in Electronic Engineering from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. His leadership continues to position UBA as a digital banking leader, committed to innovation, customer convenience, and financial inclusion across Africa.

Daniel Akumabor – Chief Information Officer, Access Bank 

Daniel Akumabor serves as CIO for Access Bank, bringing over two decades of experience in banking and fintech. After a 19-year career at Diamond Bank, he joined Access Bank four years ago, previously serving as Chief Technology Officer.

His leadership has driven innovations such as the Access More app, which features AI-driven financial insights, automated budgeting, and real-time fraud detection, serving over 10 million users.

According to its 2024 financial statement, Access Holdings Plc spent a record N193.5 billion ($120.5 million) on technology infrastructure and electronic business last year, as its fraud-related losses dropped sharply by 73%.

Access Bank’s digital lending platform, QuickBooks, and its aggressive fintech investments have positioned it as a future leader in Africa’s digital banking space.

Akumabor holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting and an MBA from the University of Benin.

Ayodele Awe – Group Chief Information Officer, Zenith Bank 

Ayodele Awe has spent nearly two decades at Zenith Bank, where he currently serves as Group Chief Information Officer. With over 30 years of experience in technology across multiple industries, Awe has been instrumental in positioning Zenith as a digital-first institution. His leadership has helped the bank achieve over 5 million downloads on the Google Play Store with a 4.0 user rating, a testament to its growing digital footprint.

His strategic approach to digital transformation has enabled Zenith Bank to embark on a comprehensive upgrade of its legacy Phoenix core banking system and supporting infrastructure, aimed at delivering greater scalability, resilience, and agility across its retail operations and product offerings. As part of this transformation in 2024, the bank deployed a suite of advanced technology solutions, including Oracle FLEXCUBE for core banking, Kastle Universal Lending System for loan management, Calypso for treasury operations, and Oracle Banking Trade Finance to enhance trade finance capabilities.

To further strengthen its digital ecosystem, Zenith also implemented an Enterprise Service Bus (ESB), enabling seamless integration across diverse applications and interfaces while significantly improving system robustness and scalability.

A graduate of Computer Science from the University of Ibadan, Awe also holds a Master’s in Business Administration from Lagos State University.

Christopher Onyeneke – Chief Technology Officer, Fidelity Bank Plc 

Christopher Onyeneke serves as the Chief Technology Officer at Fidelity Bank Plc, where he has played a pivotal role in shaping the bank’s digital strategy and operational excellence for over 16 years. With a strong foundation in project management and business analysis, Onyeneke has spearheaded numerous technology-driven initiatives that have significantly enhanced customer experience and operational efficiency.

Under his leadership, Fidelity Bank’s mobile banking platform has achieved notable success, surpassing one million downloads and maintaining a user rating of 3.9. The app offers a comprehensive suite of services, including account monitoring, funds transfer, bill payments, and mobile check deposits. Beyond these core functions, the platform integrates advanced features such as CardControl for card management, branch and ATM locator services, statement generation, and personalized security options, including biometric authentication.

A key innovation within Fidelity Bank’s digital ecosystem is Ivy, the bank’s Intelligent Virtual Assistant. Designed to streamline customer support and e-banking services, Ivy enables users to perform transactions, seek assistance, and access information through conversational interfaces on platforms like WhatsApp and other supported channels.

One of Onyeneke’s most distinguished achievements is leading the successful implementation and certification of ISO 27001 (Information Security Management) and ISO 20000 (IT Service Management) standards. These certifications have fortified the bank’s governance and cybersecurity frameworks while accelerating project delivery timelines by 25%. His expertise in navigating complex regulatory environments and aligning technology with strategic business goals underscores his value as a transformational leader.

Onyeneke holds a Master’s degree in Leading Innovation and Change from York St. John University, UK, and a Higher National Diploma in Computer Science from the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Nigeria. His academic background, combined with extensive industry experience, positions him as a key driver of innovation and digital growth within Nigeria’s financial services sector.

Okechukwu Nwoke – Chief Information Officer, Stanbic IBTC 

Okechukwu Nwoke has spent the last decade at Stanbic IBTC, where he currently serves as Chief Information Officer. A seasoned technology executive, Nwoke brings a wealth of experience in IT leadership and digital transformation, with a focus on driving financial inclusion through innovation.

Under his guidance, Stanbic IBTC has developed one of Nigeria’s most comprehensive banking apps, boasting over one million downloads on the Play Store with a 3.6 user rating. The app seamlessly integrates banking, mobile wallet, pension management, and mutual fund investments into a single, user-friendly platform. Its sleek design and intuitive interface give users full control over their financial lives.

Key features include biometric login, voice banking, cardless ATM withdrawals, and access to insurance and investment products.

In 2024, Stanbic IBTC spent around N33.5 billion on IT infrastructure and technology upgrade, reflecting a broader strategy to enhance its digital banking capabilities.

Nwoke holds a BSc in Computer Science and Physics from the University of Nigeria and is currently pursuing an MBA at the University of Liverpool, further strengthening his strategic leadership capabilities.

Blessing Ehize – Chief Technology Officer, FCMB

Blessing Ehize is the Chief Technology Officer at First City Monument Bank (FCMB), where he leads the bank’s technology operations with a strategic focus on automation, artificial intelligence, and infrastructure optimization.

Known for his results-driven approach, Ehize has built a reputation for steering large-scale digital projects and delivering operational excellence in the financial technology space.

He assumed the CTO role in April 2025, following an eight-year tenure at Ecobank, where he played a key role in advancing digital banking initiatives.

Under his leadership, FCMB’s mobile app has grown to over 1 million downloads, offering users a seamless experience that includes instant account opening without paperwork, secure transactions, and intuitive navigation. The app, rated 4.1 on the Play Store, was first released in November 2018 and most recently updated in May 2025, with a compact download size of 47.32 MB and compatibility with Android 7.0 and above.

In 2024, FCMB spent about N26.8 billion to enhance its digital infrastructure, including upgrades to its core banking system, mobile app, and online banking platform, along with the expansion of digital communication tools and self-service channels.

Ehize holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Manchester Business School and a Master of Science in Management Information Systems and Services from The University of Salford. His forward-thinking leadership continues to shape FCMB’s digital strategy and enhance customer engagement through technology.

Dele Adeyinka – Chief Digital Officer, Polaris Bank 

Dele Adeyinka is the digital architect behind Polaris Bank’s VULTe platform, which achieved one million downloads within four months of launch and a 3.5 user rating. A Chartered Accountant with 27 years of experience, Adeyinka blends financial acumen with deep IT expertise.

Before joining Polaris, he played a pivotal role in building ALAT by Wema, Nigeria’s first fully digital bank. At Polaris, he leads digital banking and IT teams focused on delivering seamless, secure, and user-friendly banking experiences.

VULTe’s API banking, powered by OnePipe, allows businesses to integrate VULTe with their systems for various services like risk assessment, bank statement requests, and direct debits. It incorporates advanced security measures such as facial recognition and fingerprint login, as well as biometric validation for transactions.

Adeyinka holds a BSc from the University of Ibadan and an MBA from Ahmadu Bello University. His work continues to shape Nigeria’s digital banking evolution.

Olayinka Oni – Executive Director/COO & Chief Digital Officer, Sterling Financial Holdings 

Olayinka Oni is a veteran technology executive with nearly 30 years of experience in Nigeria’s financial and tech sectors. Currently serving as Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer at Sterling Financial Holdings Company, he also holds the role of Chief Digital Officer, spearheading the bank’s digital transformation.

Under Oni’s leadership, Sterling’s OneBank app has surpassed one million downloads with a 3.9 user rating, offering a fully digital banking experience. Users can open accounts instantly, transfer funds, pay bills, invest, and access loans—all without visiting a physical branch. The app’s zero transfer charges and business-friendly features make it a favorite among entrepreneurs and digital natives.

Sterling Bank has also adopted SeaBaaS (Secure, Efficient, Agile Banking as a Service), its new advanced core banking system, utilizing cutting-edge technologies such as microservices architecture, cloud-native infrastructure, open APIs, and AI-driven analytics.

Oni graduated from the University of Ilorin with a degree in Agricultural Economics. His strategic vision continues to shape Sterling’s reputation as a forward-thinking institution committed to customer empowerment through technology.

Akinlabi Adegoke – Chief Digital Officer, Lotus Bank 

Akinlabi G. Adegoke leads digital transformation at Lotus Bank, focusing on ethical fintech and non-interest banking. He was part of the foundational team behind ALAT by Wema, which now has over one million downloads, and has held senior roles at Keystone Bank and Polaris Bank.

Adegoke’s work at Lotus Bank includes launching a robust USSD platform and a mobile app with over 100,000 downloads and a 3.5 user rating. His strategic fintech partnerships and customer-centric campaigns are redefining digital banking in Nigeria’s Islamic finance space.

He holds a BSc in Mass Communication from Covenant University and an MBA from Hult International Business School. His career reflects a commitment to inclusive, tech-driven financial services.