Quest Merchant Bank Strengthens Governance and Risk Leadership with Appointment of Ayo Lewis as Executive Director, Risk Management & ECO

Quest Merchant Bank has announced the appointment of Mr. Andrew Olufunmilayo Lewis (Ayo Lewis) as Executive Director, Risk Management and Executive Compliance Officer (ECO), following regulatory approval by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The appointment reinforces the Bank’s strategic commitment to strong governance, disciplined risk management, and institutional resilience as it advances its longterm growth and transformation agenda.

Ayo Lewis brings over 33 years of deep, crossfunctional experience in the financial services industry, spanning enterprise risk management, regulatory compliance, and banking operations. He joins Quest Merchant Bank from Sterling Financial Holdings Company, where he served as Group Chief Risk Officer, providing strategic leadership in the design and implementation of integrated risk management frameworks and the optimisation of enterprisewide risk portfolios across multiple subsidiaries.

Earlier in his career, Ayo spent more than two decades in marketfacing roles across consumer, commercial, and corporate banking. This blend of frontline banking experience and senior risk leadership equips him with a balanced, marketinformed perspective on risk, performance management, and value creation—an asset that will be critical as the Bank continues to scale responsibly.

In his capacity as Executive Director, Risk Management & ECO, Ayo Lewis will drive operational efficiency and reinforce a risk culture aligned with sustainable growth and regulatory excellence.

Commenting on the appointment, Afolabi Olorode, Ag. Managing Director/CEO, Quest Merchant Bank, said:

“Ayo’s appointment reflects our deliberate and disciplined approach to building a strong, forwardlooking institution anchored on robust governance and sound risk practices. His depth of experience and proven leadership will be instrumental as we continue to execute our strategy and deliver longterm value to our clients and stakeholders.”

Ayo Lewis holds a degree in Actuarial Science from the University of Lagos and has completed executive education programmes at leading global institutions, including Stanford University, The Wharton School, London School of Management and Leadership, and Lagos Business School.