Head of Public Sector, South Bank

Job title : Head of Public Sector, South Bank

Job Location : Rivers Deadline : October 09, 2026 Quick Recommended Links

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Job Summary

• 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.

Job Details
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 Responsibilties:

• 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.

Requirements
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.
• 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.

Technical Competencies:

• 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.