Alex Otti |
Alex Otti is a Nigerian economist, banker, and entrepreneur who has made a significant impact in the Nigerian financial sector. He was born on November 18, 1965, in Abia State, Nigeria.
Alex Otti began his career in the banking sector in 1988 when he joined Diamond Bank Plc (now Access Bank Plc) as a graduate trainee. He rose through the ranks to become the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the bank in 2014. During his tenure, he led the bank's transformation from a regional bank to a national and international financial institution, and oversaw its merger with Access Bank in 2019, which created one of the largest banks in Africa.
In 2015, Otti resigned from Diamond Bank to pursue a career in politics. He contested for the governorship of Abia State under the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) but was defeated by the incumbent governor, Okezie Ikpeazu.
Aside from his banking and political career, Otti is also a renowned economist and financial expert. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Economics from the University of Port Harcourt and a Master's degree in Economics from the University of Lagos. He also holds a PhD in Political Economy from the University of Port Harcourt. He has served as a member of several economic and financial committees in Nigeria, including the Presidential Committee on National Dialogue, the Federal Government of Nigeria's Technical Committee on Privatization and Commercialization, and the Central Bank of Nigeria's Bankers' Committee.
In addition to his professional and academic accomplishments, Otti is also a philanthropist and community leader. He is the founder of the Alex Otti Foundation, a non-profit organization that focuses on providing education and healthcare services to underprivileged communities in Nigeria. He is also a traditional chief in his hometown of Arochukwu in Abia State, where he is known for his contributions to community development and empowerment.