Jaiz Bank appoints acting MD/CEO, shuffles board, management

Pioneer non-interest financial institution in Nigeria, Jaiz Bank, has effected a restructuring of its board and management, including the appointment of an acting MD/CEO.

The changes are in compliance with two recent circulars from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

A statement issued by the bank said the first circular led to the resignation of two non-executive directors: the former Chairman of the Board of Directors, Umaru Mutallab and Falalu Bello from the board and the subsequent appointment of a new chairman for the board.

It said the circular had also led to the recent resignation of two more non-executive directors: Ibrahim Maude and Bello Sani, which reduced the board members to 14.

The development made the board cascade the changes and restructuring process to the management level and ultimately to all staff cadre.

Accordingly, the board at its meeting held on August 14, 2023, accepted the voluntary resignation of Dr Sirajo Salisu, pioneer MD/CEO and appointed Ahmed Hassan as the acting MD/CEO. Until his appointment, Hassan was the Executive Director, Operation /CFO of the Bank, with over 29 years of cognate Banking, Industrial and Academic experiences started as a Lecturer of Accounting and Finance at Bayero University, Kano before joining the Banking/ Finance Industry.

“This strategic realignment aims to reposition the bank to serve its clientele and stakeholders better. This will help the bank to boost its profitability, increase its market share and sustain its competitive edge,” the statement said.

As a shrewd Banker, the new Jaiz Bank Ag. MD/CEO had worked in Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), former New Africa Merchant Bank Ltd, NAL Merchant Bank (now Sterling Bank), NUB / FINBANK (now part of FCMB) and had a brief stint with Dangote Group as the Financial Controller of Kano Flour Mills.

His banking experience covers Corporate Finance, Banking Operations, Risk Management, Financial Controls and Branch / Regional Banking. Ahmed is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria and an Associate of the Pension Institute of Nigeria. He was at various times a Branch Manager in Apapa, Victoria Island and Kaduna locations, and later became a Regional Manager in North Central and Kano II Regions of FINBank.

Hassan has attended local and international courses and workshops; he is an alumnus of Bayero University, Kano and University of Lagos.

A Fellow of the Compliance Institute of Nigeria (FCIN) and a Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS). He joined JAIZ Bank Plc. in October 2013 as Head of Financial Control and acting Chief Financial Officer before he was later appointed as the Bank’s Chief Compliance Officer (CCO).