Amaka Onwughalu Appointed Fidelity Bank Chairman, Advancing Gender Inclusion

Mrs. Amaka Onwughalu has been appointed Chairman of the Board of Directors of Fidelity Bank Plc, effective January 1, 2026, succeeding the outgoing chairman at a critical juncture for the institution. Her appointment follows a period of significant milestones under the previous leadership, including the repayment of the bank’s Eurobond, a successful oversubscribed public offer and rights issue, and the expansion of operations into the United Kingdom. These achievements have strengthened market confidence and set the stage for further growth.

The bank has also met stringent recapitalisation targets, raising over N259 billion through a landmark private placement in a single day, lifting eligible capital above the N500 billion threshold required for international banks. This positions Fidelity Bank to pursue its long-term strategy with greater agility and resilience.

Mrs. Onwughalu brings more than three decades of banking experience, including over ten years in executive management across commercial banking, retail banking, treasury management, banking operations, and corporate banking. She previously served as Group Managing Director of legacy Mainstreet Bank Limited, where she led its integration with Skye Bank Plc, and later as Deputy Managing Director until her retirement in July 2016.

Currently, she is Chief Executive Officer of Blueshield Financial Services Limited. Her academic credentials include a BSc in Economics from the University of Buckingham, an MSc in Corporate Governance from Leeds Metropolitan University, and an MBA from the University of Port Harcourt. She has also completed executive education programmes at INSEAD, IMD Business School, Judge Business School at the University of Cambridge, and Columbia Business School.

Her professional affiliations include Senior Fellow of the Institute of Internal Auditors of Nigeria, Fellow of the Institute of Credit Administration, Member of the Nigeria Institute of Management, Honorary Member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, and Fellow of the Institute of Directors. She is widely recognised for her values-driven leadership and commitment to mentoring women in business.

With a proven track record in governance, strategic execution, and crisis management, Mrs. Onwughalu is well positioned to guide Fidelity Bank Plc through its next phase of growth, reinforcing its governance framework and advancing its international ambitions.