Wema Bank Plc appoints two new Directors Yusuf Zubair Kazaure and Segun Opeke to its Board

Wema Bank Plc has announced the addition of two new Directors to its Board effective February 2, 2024. The two new Directors are strong leaders in their relevant sectors and will bring a wealth of experience and expertise to the Board of the Bank.

The Bank has received approval from the Central Bank of Nigeria to appoint the new directors, namely: Mr. Yusuf Zubair Kazaure, Non-Executive Director and Mr. Segun Opeke, Executive Director.

Mr. Kazaure is a seasoned professional with over thirty-five (35) years cumulative multi sector working experience spanning Architecture, Construction, Banking, as well as Information and Communication Technology (ICT). He is an experienced corporate and technology industry executive, focused on transformative outcomes and motivated by challenges. Mr. Kazaure obtained a BSc and MSc in Architecture from the prestigious Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Nigeria. He is also an alumnus of Bayero University Kano, Nigeria and Oxford University, United Kingdom where he obtained an MBA and Diploma in Computing respectively. He is currently pursuing a PhD in Cybersecurity at the Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Nigeria.

He started his career in the public service in 1987 as an Architect in the Kano State Ministry of Works and Housing before moving into the banking sector where he worked for 10 years. He served as the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Commerce and that of Urban & Regional Planning in Jigawa State and later became a Director General in charge of International and Governmental Affairs in the Executive Governor’s Office of Jigawa State between 1999 and 2002. He was the pioneer Managing Director /CEO of Galaxy Information Technology and Telecommunication Ltd – the Jigawa State owned ICT company in 2002, and later the CEO of Galaxy Backbone Ltd – a Federal Government owned ICT company in 2014 up until December 2019. He was also the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Nigeria Satellite Communications Ltd between January 2020 to June 2023 and a director of MAG Group Ltd, a multinational conglomerate with about eight (8) subsidiaries/ affiliates that have a presence in over 20 countries.

Mr. Kazaure has attended several executive training courses at various universities and institutions across the world including Leading the Effective Sales Team at INSEAD, in France; Strategic Alliance at Wharton, University of Pennsylvania, USA; Securitization for Housing Finance, Fannie Mae, USA; the Advance Management Training Program (AMP) of the Lagos Business School; the CIO Institute of Carnegie Mellon University, USA to mention a few. He is a fellow of the Nigeria Computer Society, a fellow of the Nigeria Institute of Management Consultants and a fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Architects.

Mr. Segun Opeke is a result oriented professional banker with over thirty-five (35) years working experience from leading Nigerian commercial banks. He studied Banking and Finance at the University of Lagos and thereafter obtained an MBA from the same University of Lagos in 1999. He is also an alumnus of the Columbia Business School, New York and the London Business School, United Kingdom.

Segun started his career at Chartered Bank Limited and played diverse strategic roles in various banking institutions including leading the consumer banking team in FSB International Bank before proceeding to Prudent Bank as an Area Manager.

Following the consolidation of Skye Bank in 2006, Segun worked as the bank’s Treasurer, Regional Director and later became the Group Head of Corporate Banking, Aviation and Maritime group. Upon Polaris Bank taking over the defunct Skye Bank in 2018, Segun was made an Executive Director in charge of Lagos Business and Corporate Banking directorates until June 2023 when he retired from the Bank.

Segun has attended several professional, management and leadership programs in world class institutions including INSEAD and Euromoney, London. He is a strong team player, and he is credited with making immense contributions in the areas of business development, corporate finance/restructuring and digital transformation.

The addition of the two new directors will significantly enhance the wealth of knowledge within the Board of Directors of the Bank.