Standard Chartered Bank appoints Adelagun as acting CEO

Standard Chartered Bank, Nigeria has announced the appointment of Ayodeji Adelagun as its acting Chief Executive Officer.

Adelagun, who has been with the bank for over 19 years and has more than 26 years’ experience in the financial services sector, brings extensive expertise spanning financial markets, banking operations, securities trading, foreign exchange trading, asset and liability management, commercial banking, risk management, and credit.

The bank confirmed the appointment in a statement on Monday, January 19, 2026, that the appointment reflects its culture of promoting excellence and leadership continuity, while reinforcing confidence among stakeholders in the Nigerian financial industry.

Prior to his appointment, Adelagun served as Executive Director, Financial Markets, where he was credited with driving enhanced trading liquidity and strong risk management practices. He was also actively involved in the development of both local and regional markets.

Adelagun joined Standard Chartered in August 2007 as Head, Rates and Credit Trading, where he was responsible for setting up the Rates and Credit desk.

Prior to joining the bank, he worked in the Banking Operations, Commercial Banking, and Treasury departments of Access Bank Plc. He also previously worked at First Securities Discount House Limited, now FSDH Merchant Bank, where in 2003, he served as the pioneer bond dealer and was responsible for setting up and running the bond trading desk.

Adelagun takes over from Ajene, who was recently appointed Africa CEO and Head of Coverage at Standard Chartered Bank.

Adelagun is a graduate of Economics from the University of Ilorin and holds an MBA from Lagos Business School. He is also an alumnus of the IESE Business School Executive Management Programme and has attended executive management training at INSEAD.

He is an honorary senior member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria and the ACI Financial Markets Association, and holds various executive management and leadership certifications, including Executive Management Training at INSEAD.