Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria Limited has confirmed Ayodeji Adelagun as its substantive Chief Executive Officer following approval by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
Adelagun, who had served as Acting CEO since January, brings more than two decades of experience in banking and financial markets, including nearly 20 years at Standard Chartered, where he has built his career around fixed income trading, treasury operations and financial markets management.
Standard Chartered Career
Adelagun joined Standard Chartered in 2007 as Head of Fixed Income Trading, taking responsibility for a business central to the bank’s activities in Nigeria’s debt and money markets.
Between 2018 and 2020, he served as Executive Principal and Head of Rates and Credit Trading for West Africa, before becoming Managing Director and Head of Financial Markets Nigeria, with additional responsibility for Rates and Credit Trading across West Africa in July 2020.
He continues to hold these responsibilities alongside his new position as CEO, giving him oversight of both the bank’s broader Nigerian operations and a significant part of its regional markets business.
Early Finance Career
Before joining Standard Chartered, Adelagun worked at First Securities Discount House Limited (FSDH) between 2004 and 2007 as Head of Bond Dealing and Acting Treasurer.
At FSDH, he was among the early professionals involved in bond and treasury bills trading, gaining experience in Nigeria’s developing fixed income market.
His earlier career also included a stint at Access Bank Plc, where he worked across branch operations and sales before moving into treasury and financial markets roles. He eventually rose to become Head of the Local Currency Trading Desk and Acting Treasurer.
Education and professional Background
Adelagun holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from the University of Ilorin, where he studied between 1993 and 1999.
He subsequently obtained an MBA in Business Administration and Management from Lagos Business School between 2013 and 2014.
He also completed his National Youth Service Corps programme at the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Jos office, where he gained exposure to banking operations and agricultural finance.
Adelagun’s confirmation provides continuity in the leadership of Standard Chartered’s Nigerian business at a time when banks are navigating changing monetary conditions, evolving regulatory requirements and increasing competition for corporate and institutional clients.
