Mustafa Bello has been appointed chairman of Zenith Bank Plc following the retirement of founder and former chairman Jim Ovia.
The bank announced the appointment in a corporate notice issued on Tuesday, May 5, stating that Mr Bello’s appointment has been approved by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
Bello joined the board of Zenith Bank on December 29, 2017 and served as a non-executive director before his elevation to chairman.
He studied civil engineering at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he graduated in 1978.
He began his career with the Directorate of Quartering and Engineering Service of the Nigerian Army between 1978 and 1979.
He later worked at the Niger State Housing Corporation from 1980 to 1983 as a civil engineer.
Bello served as minister of commerce between 1999 and 2002. He was later appointed executive secretary and chief executive officer of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission, where he served from 2003 to 2014.
He is also chairman of Invest-in-Northern Nigeria Limited, a company set up to support economic activities in the northern region.
Over the years, Mustafa Bello has been involved in public and private sector roles, including work on trade policy and government projects.
Zenith Bank said his appointment is part of its leadership transition following the completion of Ovia’s tenure.
The bank added that the change is aimed at maintaining continuity in its operations.
