Head of Public Sector, South Bank at Wema Bank Plc

Company: Wema Bank Plc | Job Title: Head of Public Sector, South Bank | Location: Port Harcourt, Rivers | Employment Type: Full-time

Wema Bank Plc is widely reputed as the longest-surviving and most resilient indigenous bank in Nigeria. Over the years, the bank has diligently provided a fully-fledged range of value-adding banking and financial advisory services to the Nigerian public.

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. The role will oversee deposit mobilisation, government relationship management, revenue optimisation and risk management.

The South-South and 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 knowledge of the public-sector ecosystem, expertise in structuring financial solutions and the 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 six months, aligned with the broader corporate growth directive.
• Drive the 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 and security institutions.
  • Water boards, transport agencies and 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 relationships with all tiers of government.

Stakeholder Engagement and 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 optimisation services and digital revenue automation.
• Ensure consistent visibility at high-level government meetings, public-sector forums and state economic summits.

Credit and Risk Asset Management

• Support the assessment, structuring and monitoring of public-sector-linked credit exposures, including:
  • Irrevocable Standing Payment Orders (ISPO).
  • Contract finance.
  • Salary-backed lending.
  • Infrastructure financing through 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 and Process Management

• Drive improvements in operational efficiency and reduce 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 the adoption of digital banking platforms in line with Wema Bank’s regionally deployed digital transformation strategy.

Leadership and 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 in line 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 and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Finance, Economics, Public Administration, Business or a related field.
• Master’s Degree or professional certification such as ACIB, ICAN or PMP is an added advantage.
• 8–12 years of experience in public-sector or corporate banking, with at least five years in a team leadership role.
• Strong understanding of government financial operations, IGR processes, public-sector ecosystems and liquidity management.
• Proven track record of driving high-value public-sector deals and mandates.
• Excellent relationship management, negotiation and stakeholder engagement skills.

Technical Competencies

• Government Relations and Stakeholder Influence.
• Strategic Planning and Execution.
• Public Sector Financial Advisory Expertise.
• Credit Structuring and Risk Management.
• Digital and Analytical Capability.
• Leadership and People Management.
• Negotiation and Deal Closing.
• Regulatory and Compliance Awareness.

How to Apply

Interested and qualified candidates should apply online through the official application portal:

Click here to apply online

Application Closing Date: 30th September, 2026