Abubakar Suleiman
Abubakar Suleiman | |
|---|---|
| Born | August 19, 1973 Otukpo, Benue State, Nigeria |
| Occupation(s) | Banking executive, economist |
| Years active | 1996–present |
| Known for | Managing Director and CEO of Sterling Bank |
Abubakar Suleiman (born 19 August 1973), commonly referred to as Abu, is a seasoned Nigerian expert in banking and economics, currently holding the position of Managing Director and CEO at Sterling Bank, a prominent commercial banking institution in Nigeria. He took over from Yemi Adeola, who retired on April 1, 2018.
Early life
Abubakar was raised in Otukpo, located in Benue State. His father worked in the public sector and had a background in journalism, while his mother was engaged in trading activities. He completed his secondary education at Government Secondary School, Otukpo, initially contemplating a career in literature before ultimately pursuing economics. In 2019, he disclosed that he lost his father when he was eleven years old.
Education
He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in economics from the University of Abuja and later obtained a Master of Science in Major Programs Management from the Said Business School at the University of Oxford.
Career
Abubakar’s professional journey encompasses expertise in Financial Advisory, Treasury functions, Asset and Liability Management, Risk Management, Corporate Finance, and Strategic Planning.
His career commenced in 1996 at Arthur Anderson & Co., now known as KPMG Nigeria. Between 1998 and 1999, he worked with MBC International Bank, which has since become part of FBN Holdings. From January 2000 until October 2003, he served as a Trader at Citibank, where his responsibilities included Currency and Securities Trading, Risk Asset Management, and overseeing Market Risk.
In November 2003, Abubakar joined Sterling Bank as Group Treasurer, a role he held until October 2011. He subsequently led the acquisition and integration process of Equatorial Trust Bank as Head of Interim Management and Integration Director. Between 2013 and 2014, he was Executive Director of Retail Banking while simultaneously acting as Chief Financial Officer until March 2018. In April 2018, he was elevated to CEO of Sterling Bank.
He holds memberships with the Institute of Directors and is part of the governing council for the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria. Additionally, he contributes to the Nigerian Economic Summit Group’s committee on Agriculture and Food Security and serves on the advisory council for Lagos Business School.
Publications
During his studies at Oxford University, Abubakar produced scholarly works addressing Monetary Theory, Macroeconomic Management in Nigeria, and Gendered Leadership within Major Programs.
Activism and philanthropy
Abubakar dedicates efforts toward empowering youth and fostering economic growth through strategic initiatives aimed at critical sectors essential for Nigeria’s advancement.
This vision influenced Sterling Bank’s H.E.A.R.T. strategy—an acronym for Health, Education, Agriculture, Renewable Energy, and Transportation—which directs the bank’s investment focus beyond conventional industries.
Awards and achievements
Abubakar holds the distinction of being the first Nigerian CEO to ring the closing bell virtually at the Nigerian Stock Exchange.
Under his stewardship, Sterling Bank achieved record-breaking profits that more than doubled those of the prior year. The bank earned recognition as one of Nigeria’s top 100 workplaces in 2018 and received the Best Quality of Life Award for excellence in human resource management.
In 2020, Abubakar was honored among Nigeria’s leading CEOs at the Businessday Annual Top CEO and Next Bulls awards.