Can Ebenezer Kolawole Fill Tomi Somefun’s Big Shoes at Unity Bank?

For nearly a decade, Oluwatomi Somefun steered Unity Bank with a mix of grit and vision. Her leadership turned the bank into a battleground for innovation and resilience. Now, Ebenezer Kolawole steps in. The question is simple: can he keep the momentum or will the centre wobble?

Kolawole is no stranger to banking. His résumé, adorned with stints at Ecobank, UBA, and Mainstreet Bank, paints the picture of a man who understands financial trenches. But banking is not just about crunching numbers; it is about inspiring confidence. Somefun had that in abundance. Kolawole must prove he does too.

His arrival comes at a crucial time. Unity Bank, having posted N59.3 billion in gross earnings last year, has shown signs of resilience. But markets are fickle, and customers even more so. Kolawole needs more than technical expertise—he needs to convince investors and clients that the bank’s trajectory remains upward.Leadership transitions in banking are tricky. Somefun was a pioneer, pushing Unity Bank beyond traditional boundaries. She launched digital products, courted the entrepreneurial sector, and rebranded the institution’s image. Will Kolawole continue this legacy or take a more conservative approach? That remains to be seen.

Beyond strategy, there is reputation. Somefun was celebrated for her role in strengthening the bank’s credibility. She left with her head high. Kolawole’s appointment may be interim, but perception in finance is everything. If he stumbles, even briefly, questions about stability will follow.

His credentials are solid—a first-class degree, executive training at Columbia and Wharton, and years of experience. But banking in Nigeria is not just about degrees or past titles; it is about playing the long game, outmanoeuvring crises, and proving, day after day, that you belong in the seat.

Kolawole has the job for now. Whether he keeps it will depend on more than his past achievements. A banker is judged not by where he has been, but by where he takes his institution. If he hopes to fill Somefun’s shoes, he must first prove they fit.