Simon Aranonu
Simon Aranonu | |
|---|---|
| Born | May 22, 1961 Onitsha, Anambra State, Nigeria |
| Occupation(s) | Banking professional, accountant, executive director |
| Years active | 1980s–present |
| Known for | Executive Director for Large Enterprises at the Bank of Industry |
Simon Aranonu (born 22 May 1961) is a Nigerian banking professional and accountant, currently holding the position of executive director for Large Enterprises at the Bank of Industry.
Early life
Born in Onitsha, Anambra State, Aranonu is the son of Augustine Ejidike Aranonu, who was engaged in petty trading, and Theresa Nwoye Aranonu, a seamstress by profession. He completed his primary education in a rural area of Onitsha before attending Oraifite Secondary School, an Anglican missionary institution located in southeastern Nigeria. Proficient in both English and Igbo languages, he initially intended to pursue medicine; however, guidance from a school counselor redirected him toward Accounting and Finance, which became the foundation for his extensive career in finance exceeding three decades.
Education
Following his primary schooling, Aranonu enrolled at Oraifite Community Secondary School, founded by the Anglican Diocese of Onitsha in Anambra State. To support his university studies financially, he spent one year teaching at his former primary school. In 1980, he gained admission to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka in Enugu State to study finance and graduated as the top student in his class in 1984. He further advanced his education by obtaining a graduate degree from Stanford University's Graduate School of Business in 1998. Additionally, he attended executive programs at Harvard Business School, Chicago Business School, and Cranfield University in the United Kingdom. In 2000, he was selected for the USAID-sponsored Best and Brightest African Bankers training initiative held in the United States.
Career
After completing his university degree, Aranonu fulfilled his National Youth Service Corps obligation in Benin City, Edo State. Between 1985 and 1987, he gained experience working with a courier company and a trading firm based in Lagos before entering the banking sector with Continental Merchant Bank in 1987. His banking career also included a tenure at Chase Bank, an American financial institution.
Aranonu’s expertise lies primarily in credit management and corporate governance; he is certified by the International Finance Corporation (an affiliate of the World Bank) to conduct training programs for corporate directors on governance matters. Prior to his current role, he was executive director at Global Bank and later joined Intercontinental Bank as an executive director in 2008. He achieved chartered accountant status through the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) in 1998.
With over thirty years of experience spanning banking and finance sectors, Aranonu has held significant leadership positions such as Managing Director of Intercontinental Bank’s Southern Africa operations (now part of Access Bank), Chief Financial Officer and Acting Chief Executive Officer at Sapele Power PLC, as well as program coordinator at KRC Limited. Presently, he is serving as Executive Director responsible for Large Enterprise at the Bank of Industry (BOI).
Personal life
Simon Aranonu is married to Ijeoma Aranonu, together raising four children. He credits his accomplishments to what he calls the "3Hs": Hard work, Humility, and Holiness, emphasizing that diligent effort is crucial for success. Additionally, he serves as a pastor within the Redeemed Christian Church of God. He resides and works in Lagos, Nigeria.