Urum Kalu Eke Biography
Urum Kalu Eke, also known as UK Eke, is a Nigerian banker and entrepreneur. He was the Group Managing Director of FBN Holdings Plc, one of the largest financial services groups in Africa, from 2016 to 2021. He is also the Executive Chairman of Fairchild Group, a diversified investment company.
With more than 36 years of expertise, he possesses extensive experience across various domains including financial services, strategy, auditing, consulting, taxation, and capital market operations. He is a recipient of the Nigerian National Order of Merit (NNOM) and Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) awards. He is also a board member of the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority and the NSIA-LUTH Cancer Centre.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Lagos and an MBA in projects management technology from the Federal University of Technology, Owerri. He is married to Dr. Uganze Eke and they have four children.
Urum Kalu Eke Age
Urum Kalu Eke is 61 years old as of 2024.
Urum Kalu Eke State Of Origin
Urum Kalu Eke hails from Abia State, Nigeria.
Urum Kalu Eke Early Life and Education
Urum Kalu Eke was born on October 7, 1962, in Aba, Abia State, to a middle-class family of civil servants. He was the second of six children and had a keen interest in learning from a young age.
He attended St. Michael’s Primary School in Aba, where he excelled in his academics and extracurricular activities. He was the head boy of his school and represented his state in several competitions. He proceeded to Government College, Umuahia, for his secondary education, where he continued to distinguish himself as a brilliant and charismatic student.
He gained admission to the University of Lagos in 1980 to study political science, a course he chose because of his fascination with the Nigerian political system and its challenges. He graduated with a first-class honors degree in 1984 and was the best graduating student in his department. He also won several awards and scholarships for his academic excellence and leadership skills.
He decided to pursue a career in banking, which he saw as a dynamic and rewarding profession that would enable him to apply his knowledge and skills to the development of the nation. He enrolled for a master’s degree in projects management technology at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, in 1985. He completed his MBA in 1987 and emerged as the best student in his class. He also obtained several professional certifications in banking, accounting, auditing, and taxation.
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Urum Kalu Eke Career and Achievements
Urum Kalu Eke started his career in 1987 as a trainee consultant at Arthur Andersen, an international accounting and consulting firm. He rose through the ranks to become a senior manager and a partner in the firm. He worked on various projects and assignments for clients in the banking, oil and gas, manufacturing, and public sectors.
He left Arthur Andersen in 2004 to join Diamond Bank Plc, one of the leading commercial banks in Nigeria, as an Executive Director. He was responsible for the bank’s corporate banking, treasury, and financial institutions businesses. He played a key role in the bank’s growth and expansion, especially in the areas of corporate finance, project finance, trade finance, and syndicated loans.
He was appointed as the Deputy Managing Director of Diamond Bank Plc in 2011, a position he held until 2016. He oversaw the bank’s operations, technology, retail banking, and public sector businesses. He led the bank’s digital transformation and innovation agenda, which resulted in the launch of several products and services that enhanced the bank’s customer experience and market share.
He joined FBN Holdings Plc, one of the largest financial services groups in Africa, as the Group Managing Director in 2016. He was responsible for the overall performance and strategic direction of the group, which comprises First Bank of Nigeria Limited, FBNQuest Merchant Bank, FBNQuest Capital, FBN Insurance, and FBN Microfinance Bank.
He successfully completed his tenure as the Group Managing Director of FBN Holdings Plc in 2021, after achieving remarkable results and milestones. Under his leadership, the group recorded significant improvements in its financial performance, asset quality, capital adequacy, liquidity, and profitability. The group also increased its market share and customer base across its various businesses and segments. The group also won several awards and accolades for its excellence and innovation in banking and financial services.
He founded Fairchild Group in 2021, a diversified investment company that focuses on creating value and impact in various sectors and industries. He is the Executive Chairman of the company, which has interests in banking, insurance, real estate, energy, agriculture, technology, and entertainment. He is also the Chairman of Fairchild Foundation, a philanthropic organization that supports causes and initiatives that promote education, health, and empowerment.
He is also a board member of the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority, the agency that manages Nigeria’s sovereign wealth fund, and the NSIA-LUTH Cancer Centre, a state-of-the-art facility that provides world-class cancer treatment and care. He is affiliated with numerous professional and social organizations, including the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, the Nigerian Economic Summit Group, and the Ikoyi Club. His accolades include the Nigerian National Order of Merit (NNOM) and Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) awards, among others.
Urum Kalu Eke Wife and Children
Urum Kalu Eke is married to Dr. Uganze Eke, a pharmacist. The couple have four daughters.
Urum Kalu Eke Net Worth
Urum Kalu Eke has an estimated net worth of $3.5 million as of 2024.
