The Institute of Directors Centre for Corporate Governance (IoDCCG) has announced the appointment of Mr. Urum Kalu Eke, MFR, F.loD, as the Chairman of the Board of Governors. This appointment follows the retirement of Alhaji Shuaibu Idris, mni, F.IoD, who diligently served as the Chairman of the Board for the past two years.
The decision to appoint Mr. Eke was ratified at the 43rd Board of Governors meeting held on October 18, 2023, at the IoDCCG secretariat in Ikoyi, Lagos.With his extensive experience and expertise, Mr. U.K. Eke is set to lead the forefront of corporate governance in Nigeria for the next two years.
Known as “UK” in professional circles, he boasts over four decades of experience in various fields, including financial services, banking, auditing, consulting, taxation, and more.
His career includes notable positions at FBN Holdings and its subsidiaries, where he held strategic leadership roles. In 2011, he joined the Board of First Bank of Nigeria Limited as Executive Director of Public Sector South, later becoming Executive Director of South, and eventually, the Group Managing Director of FBN Holdings Plc in 2016.
He has also served on the boards of other financial institutions and held non-executive directorships at First Bank of Nigeria Limited, FBNQuest Merchant Bank Limited, FBNBank United Kingdom, and First Pensions Custodian Ltd.Before his tenure at FBN Holdings, Mr. U.K. Eke worked at Diamond Bank Plc and Deloitte Haskins & Sells International.
His commitment to professional development is evident through his numerous fellowships and memberships in esteemed organizations, including the Chartered Institute of Directors of Nigeria, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, Institute of Management Consultants, and Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, among others.Mr. U.K. Eke’s academic qualifications include a degree in Political Science from the University of Lagos and an MBA in Project Management Technology from the Federal University of Technology, Owerri.
Currently, he serves as the Executive Chairman of FAIRCHILD GROUP, comprising multiple companies. Beyond his professional career, he is actively engaged in philanthropic efforts and mentoring, notably as the founder and chairman of the Elder K.U. Eke Memorial Foundation, Patron of Lagos State Council, Boys’ Brigade Nigeria, and a member of the exclusive Arch Klumph Society (AKS) of Rotary International.His exceptional contributions to societal development have been recognized with awards such as the Zik Prize in Professional Leadership in 2021 and Nigeria’s National Honour of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR).
The IoD Centre for Corporate Governance, a collaboration involving the Chartered Institute of Directors Nigeria, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), is dedicated to enhancing and promoting good corporate governance standards in Nigeria.
The center achieves this through advocacy, advisory services, research, and high-quality training programs for board members and management across public and private sector organizations.
Additionally, it is an Affiliate Member of the African Corporate Governance Network (ACGN) and collaborates with The Centre for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) in Washington, USA, for anti-corruption and ethics compliance training and services.
Mr. UK Eke’s appointment is poised to propel the IoDCCG forward, building on the legacies of its founders and solidifying the progress of previous years to establish itself as a prominent governance watchdog in Nigeria. His wealth of experience, professional knowledge, and valuable contacts will undoubtedly be invaluable in achieving this goal.
