Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria Limited has named Ayodeji Adelagun as its substantive Chief Executive Officer, after the Central Bank of Nigeria granted the required regulatory approval.
Adelagun had been running the bank in an acting capacity since January 2026. He brings over 26 years of banking and financial markets experience across Africa to the position.
He joined Standard Chartered in 2007 and has since held a number of senior roles, among them Executive Director and Head of Markets for Nigeria and Africa, and Head of Rates and Credit Trading for West Africa.
He also serves as Chairman of Standard Chartered Capital and Advisory Nigeria and as Head of Markets, Africa.
Speaking on his appointment, Adelagun said Nigeria remained a significant long-term growth market for the bank.
He stated: “Nigeria represents a significant long-term opportunity for Standard Chartered, and our ambition is to build on the strength of our franchise to deliver even greater value for our clients and the wider economy.
“As we enter this next chapter, my focus will be on deepening our client relationships, driving disciplined and sustainable growth, and bringing the full strength of Standard Chartered’s international network and capabilities to clients in Nigeria.”
A Fellow of the Financial Markets Dealers Association (FMDA), Adelagun led the workstream that introduced benchmark bonds in Nigeria. The initiative helped deepen the domestic bond market and supported the country’s inclusion in the JP Morgan Emerging Markets Index.
He also pioneered bond trading desks at FSDH and at Standard Chartered Bank.
Earlier in his career, he worked in Banking Operations, Commercial Banking and Treasury at Access Bank Plc.
