By: Tunji Okunlola
Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria Limited has confirmed Ayodeji Adelagun, widely known as “Deji,” as Chief Executive Officer following approval from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). He had served as Acting CEO since January 2026.
The bank described the appointment as an important next chapter for its Nigerian business, combining local market expertise, leadership experience and an understanding of opportunities in the country’s financial sector.
Adelagun has more than 26 years of experience in banking and financial markets across Africa. He joined Standard Chartered in 2007 and has held several senior roles, including Executive Director and Head of Markets, Nigeria & Africa, and Head of Rates and Credit Trading, West Africa. He is also Chairman of the Board of Standard Chartered Capital and Advisory Nigeria (SCCAN) and Head of Markets, Africa.
Commenting on his confirmation, Adelagun said Nigeria represents a significant long-term opportunity for the bank, and that its ambition is to build on its franchise to deliver more value to clients and the wider economy. He said his focus will be on deepening client relationships, driving disciplined and sustainable growth, and bringing the bank’s international network to Nigerian clients. He added that the bank has a role in connecting Nigerian businesses and investors to opportunities across Africa, Asia, the Middle East and beyond, and in supporting the capital and investment flows that can help unlock the country’s growth potential. He described leading the team as an honour and pledged to build a stronger, more resilient franchise that earns clients’ trust and delivers sustainable value for shareholders, colleagues and communities.
The bank said Adelagun has contributed to the development of Nigeria’s domestic capital markets. As a Fellow of the Financial Markets Dealers Association (FMDA), he led the work-stream that introduced benchmark bonds in Nigeria, which 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 Standard Chartered and earlier worked across Banking Operations, Commercial Banking and Treasury at Access Bank Plc.
Adelagun holds an MBA from Lagos Business School and a BSc in Economics from the University of Ilorin. He is an alumnus of IESE Business School’s Executive Management Programme, has completed executive education at INSEAD, and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) and the ACI Financial Markets Association.
The bank said his confirmation underscores its focus on strong local leadership and disciplined execution as it supports economic development and pursues long-term opportunities in Nigeria.
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