Citigroup Inc. has appointed Ireti Samuel-Ogbu as its first female Nigerian country officer. She would be the first woman appointed to the bank’s top post after 36 years of operating in Africa’s largest economy.
Samuel-Ogbu will officially resume in the new role on September 1, replacing Akin Dawodu, who was appointed as cluster head for sub-Saharan Africa in November, Citigroup’s Nigerian unit said in an email.
The new group’s chief in the last five years has served as managing director of payments and receivables, treasury and trade solutions for Europe, Middle East and Africa at the lender’s office in London, according to her LinkedIn profile. She will relocate to Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial hub to take on her new role and will report to Dawodu.
According to Bloomberg, Samuel-Ogbu’s new appointment is coming at a time when Nigeria’s banking industry is struggling to cope with the descent from the coronavirus pandemic, a slump in oil prices, and a dollar scarcity that is choking the economy and hampering businesses.
The new country officer has a “talented and experienced team in Nigeria,” and will assist institutional clients in the country by plugging into Citigroup’s regional and global reach, the company said. Citigroup has offices in 11 countries on the continent.
