By 
Polaris Bank has ushered in a new phase of leadership with the appointment of two distinguished individuals to its executive team.
In a press release issued by the bank, it was announced that Chinwe Iloghalu assumes the role of Executive Director, Lagos and Corporate Banking, while Martins Izuogbe assumes the position of Executive Director, Service and Technology.
These appointments, the statement notes, “mark a significant milestone in Polaris Bank’s revamped strategy, which centers on technology and service as crucial pillars for growth. This strategy is already yielding results, evidenced by deposit growth, an expanded product portfolio, and streamlined services contributing to enhanced performance.”
According to the statement, “The newly formed management team is resolute in positioning the bank to thrive robustly in Nigeria’s dynamic financial landscape. Subsequent appointments will gradually extend the leadership team to accommodate more expertise.”
Commenting on the appointments, Adekunle Sonola, the Managing Director of Polaris Bank, expressed his enthusiasm: “I am delighted to welcome Chinwe and Martins to the executive leadership team at this exciting juncture for Polaris Bank. Both possess extensive experience in the Nigerian banking sector and have proven track records in corporate banking, innovation, and technology—essential elements of our strategy.”
He further emphasized, “With ambitious growth targets set for the coming years, I am confident that we have assembled the right leadership team to achieve these objectives. I look forward to collaborating with Chinwe and Martins in the months and years ahead.”
Chinwe Iloghalu was lauded as a seasoned banker with over 25 years of experience in the financial services domain. Prior to joining Polaris Bank, she held the position of General Manager/Regional Head at Fidelity Bank, where she supervised the bank’s operations in Lagos and acquired extensive knowledge across the digital and electronic banking sphere.
In addition, Martins Izuogbe, who brings 25 years of banking experience, all with Fidelity Bank, will oversee the Service and Technology function. He formerly served as the Regional Bank Head for Apapa before his appointment at Polaris Bank. His career has predominantly revolved around operations and IT leadership roles, making him a valuable addition to the service and technology facet of Polaris Bank.
As a result of these appointments, Segun Opeke (ED Lagos and Corporate Banking) and Abdullahi Mohammed (ED North) will be concluding their terms on the management team. Both executives played pivotal roles in stabilizing Polaris Bank after the transition from Skye Bank, contributing significantly to the bank’s return to profitability.
Reflecting on their contributions, Sonola conveyed his gratitude, saying: “I extend my heartfelt appreciation to Segun and Abdullahi for their invaluable help, unwavering support, and insightful guidance over the past six months. In the wake of SCIL’s acquisition of Polaris Bank, they played an instrumental role in the transition process, assisting the new board and CEO in building upon the solid foundations they laid.”
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