The Head of Public Sector, South Bank will provide strategic leadership for driving public-sector banking growth across the South-South and Mid-West regions, overseeing deposit mobilization, government relationship management, revenue optimization, and risk management. The South-South/Mid-West region supported by Wema Bank's regional training and operational structure serves as a key hub for government institutions and parastatals. The role requires strong stakeholder management, deep public-sector ecosystem knowledge, expertise in structuring financial solutions, and ability to lead public-sector business expansion in an increasingly competitive environment.
Public Sector Business Development
- Lead deposit growth and liquidity acquisition from state governments, local governments, ministries, agencies, parastatals, and public institutions.
- Develop strategies to grow public-sector deposits by 50% within 6 months (aligned with the broader corporate growth directive).
- Drive onboarding of new public-sector clients and deepen existing government wallet share.
- Identify and segment opportunities within:
- State MDAs
- Local government councils
- Educational institutions
- Judicial & security institutions
- Water boards, transport agencies, & state-owned enterprises
- Leverage Wema Bank's digital and corporate banking capabilities to deliver tailored solutions in cash management, collections, TSA-compliant systems, payroll, trade services, and project financing.
- Develop relationship with all tiers of government.
Stakeholder Engagement & Government Relationship Management
- Serve as the primary liaison with state executives, commissioners, permanent secretaries, revenue boards, and institutional decision-makers.
- Lead negotiations for state-level partnerships, collections mandates, IGR optimization services, and digital revenue automation.
- Ensure consistent visibility at high-level government meetings, public-sector forums, and state economic summits.
Credit & Risk Asset Management
Support assessment, structuring, and monitoring of public-sector-linked credit exposures including:
- Irrevocable Standing Payment Orders (ISPO)
- Contract finance
- Salary-backed lending
- Infrastructure financing (PPP/JV models)
- Strengthen compliance with the bank's credit evaluation and risk frameworks, ensuring high-quality credit proposals and alignment with regulatory standards.
- Drive portfolio diversification to reduce concentration risk across states, MDAs, and revenue types.
- Use early-warning indicators to proactively manage exposures and ensure balance-sheet quality.
Operational Excellence & Process Management
- Drive improvements in operational efficiency, reducing turnaround times for government-related transactions, mandates, and onboarding.
- Ensure effective collaboration with Treasury, Operations, E-Business, Trade Services, and Legal teams to execute public-sector deals seamlessly.
- Promote adoption of digital banking platforms, aligning with Wema Bank's regionally deployed digital transformation strategy.
LEADERSHIP & MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES
- Lead a region-wide Public Sector Banking team with clear accountability and defined performance metrics.
- Drive a culture of compliance, professionalism, and ethical standards in public-sector dealings.
- Foster strong collaboration across credit, risk, operations, and corporate banking teams.
- Inspire and coach team members, aligned with Wema Bank's leadership development culture and structured talent-building approach.
- Drive change management initiatives supporting digital transformation and improved revenue efficiency.
- Oversee governance, ensuring transparency and audit-readiness in all public-sector engagements.
QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE
- Bachelor's degree in Finance, Economics, Public Administration, Business, or related fields.
- Master's degree or professional certification (ACIB, ICAN, PMP) is an added advantage.
- Minimum of 8 - 12 years' experience in public-sector or corporate banking, with at least 5 years in a team leadership role.
- Strong understanding of government financial operations, IGR processes, public-sector ecosystems, and liquidity management.
- Proven track record driving high-value public-sector deals and mandates.
- Excellent relationship management, negotiation, and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Government Relations & Stakeholder Influence
- Strategic Planning & Execution
- Public Sector Financial Advisory Expertise
- Credit Structuring & Risk Management
- Digital & Analytical Capability
- Leadership & People Management
- Negotiation & Deal Closing
- Regulatory & Compliance Awareness