Business
PROFILE: JESSICA AMARACHI OKU BY CHINEDU NSOFOR
PROFILE: JESSICA AMARACHI OKU
BY
CHINEDU NSOFOR
Jessica Amarachi Oku is an accomplished Senior Treasury and Finance professional with 12 years of distinguished experience in enhancing liquidity, managing debt, optimizing investments, driving process efficiency, and comprehensive financial reporting for multi-million dollar portfolios. Her career is marked by a proven track record of inspiring finance teams to drive value creation, achieve outstanding results, mentorship and coaching talent within organizations.
Educational and Professional Development
Jessica’s academic and professional development journey showcases her commitment to excellence and continuous improvement. In June 2011, she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management with an impressive Upper Class (4.1 GPA) from the University of Nigeria, an achievement assessed by the World Education Services (WES). Continuing her educational pursuits, she completed a Project Management Training at Astute Trainers Consulting in June 2014, equipping her with essential project management skills. By December 2020, she had obtained an International Post Graduate Diploma in Strategic Management from the Metropolitan School of Business and Management, UK, further enhancing her strategic planning and management capabilities. Most recently, in October 2021, Jessica attended the Corporate Treasury Management program at the New York Institute of Finance (NYIF), where she honed her skills in advanced treasury operations and financial strategies. She is also a Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP) and is finalizing her Master of Business Administration (MBA) program at a recognized institution in Canada.
Awards and Recognition
Jessica’s exceptional contributions to her field have been recognized through several prestigious awards. In June 2020, she was honored with an Award for Outstanding Performance, reflecting her exceptional achievements and contributions. Following this, in April 2021, she received the Professional Achievers Award, acknowledging her outstanding performance and dedication to excellence. Additionally, she emerged as a top linked voice in Treasury Management in 2024.
Professional Trajectory
Jessica’s career trajectory is marked by significant roles and achievements in various esteemed organizations. At Guaranty Trust Bank Plc., from 2013 to 2016, Jessica served as a Commercial Banking Account Officer. In this role, she prepared budgets, income statements, and balance sheets. Additionally, she was instrumental in acquiring new customers, managing client relationships, and providing financial advisory services. Her analytical skills and dedication to customer service paved the way for her next position at Coronation Merchant Bank Limited. From 2016 to September 2019, as a Corporate Banking Relationship Manager and Team Lead for FMCG Sector, she drove business development initiatives with the primary aim of building the banks income, prospected new customers, and managed existing client relationships. Jessica also excelled in financial analysis, preparing cash flow forecasts, and overseeing credit management processes.
In September 2019, Jessica transitioned to Seven Up Bottling Company Limited as the Assistant Treasury Manager, a role she held until 2020. Here, she managed the company’s cash and debt portfolio, prepared financial reports, and forecasted cash flow requirements, maintaining vital banking relationships. Due to her exceptional performance, she was promoted to Head of Treasury, a position she held from 2020 to 2023. In this role, she was responsible for strategic cash flow planning, working capital optimization, and liaising with banks and lenders to structure financing solutions. Her financial acumen and impact investing led her to the Women’s Health Coalition of Canada in Alberta, where she currently serves as the Director of Fund Development since 2023. Jessica leads strategic planning and coordination of fund development initiatives and oversees treasury operations.
Conclusion
Jessica Amarachi Oku’s journey in the treasury and finance sector is a testament to her expertise, dedication, and leadership. Her extensive experience, combined with her continuous pursuit of professional development, positions her as a leading figure in the field. Her ability to drive strategic initiatives, manage complex financial operations, and inspire teams underscores her invaluable contributions to every organization she has been a part of.
Alpha Morgan to Host 19th Economic Review Webinar
In an economy shaped by constant shifts, the edge often belongs to those with the right information.
On Wednesday, February 25, 2026, Alpha Morgan Bank will host the 19th edition of its Economic Review Webinar, a high-level thought leadership session designed to equip businesses, investors, and individuals with timely financial and economic insight.
The session, which will hold live on Zoom at 10:00am WAT and will feature economist Bismarck Rewane, who will examine the key signals influencing Nigeria’s economic direction in 2026, including policy trends, market movements, and global developments shaping the local landscape.
With a consistent track record of delivering clarity in uncertain times, the Alpha Morgan Economic Review continues to provide practical context for decision-making in a dynamic environment.
Registration for the 19th Alpha Morgan Economic Review is free and can be completed via https://bit.ly/registeramerseries19
It is a bi-monthly platform that is open to the public and is held virtually.
Visit www.alphamorganbank to know more.
GTBank Launches Quick Airtime Loan at 2.95%
Guaranty Trust Bank Ltd (GTBank), the flagship banking franchise of GTCO Plc, Africa’s leading financial services group, today announced the launch of Quick Airtime Loan, an innovative digital solution that gives customers instant access to airtime when they run out of call credit and have limited funds in their bank accounts, ensuring customers can stay connected when it matters most.
In today’s always-on world, running out of airtime is more than a minor inconvenience. It can mean missed opportunities, disrupted plans, and lost connections, often at the very moment when funds are tight, and options are limited. Quick Airtime Loan was created to solve this problem, offering customers instant access to airtime on credit, directly from their bank. With Quick Airtime Loan, eligible GTBank customers can access from ₦100 and up to ₦10,000 by dialing *737*90#. Available across all major mobile networks in Nigeria, the service will soon expand to include data loans, further strengthening its proposition as a reliable on-demand platform.
For years, the airtime credit market has been dominated by Telcos, where charges for this service are at 15%. GTBank is now changing the narrative by offering a customer-centric, bank-led digital alternative priced at 2.95%. Built on transparency, convenience and affordability, Quick Airtime Loan has the potential to broaden access to airtime, deliver meaningful cost savings for millions of Nigerians, and redefine how financial services show up in everyday life, not just in banking moments.
Commenting on the product launch, Miriam Olusanya, Managing Director of Guaranty Trust Bank Ltd, said: “Quick Airtime Loan reflects GTBank’s continued focus on delivering digital solutions that are relevant, accessible, and built around real customer needs. The solution underscores the power of a connected financial ecosystem, combining GTBank’s digital reach and lending expertise with the capabilities of HabariPay to deliver a smooth, end-to-end experience. By leveraging unique strengths across the Group, we are able to accelerate innovation, strengthen execution, and deliver a more integrated customer experience across all our service channels.”
Importantly, Quick Airtime Loan highlights GTCO’s evolution as a fully diversified financial services group. Leveraging HabariPay’s Squad, the solution reinforces the Group’s ecosystem proposition by bringing together banking, payment technology, and digital channels to deliver intuitive, one-stop experiences for customers.
With this new product launch, Guaranty Trust Bank is extending its legacy of pioneering digital-first solutions that have redefined customer access to financial services across the industry, building on the proven strength of its widely adopted QuickCredit offering and the convenience of the Bank’s iconic *737# USSD Banking platform.
About Guaranty Trust Bank
Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) is the flagship banking franchise of GTCO Plc, a leading financial services group with a strong presence across Africa and the United Kingdom. The Bank is widely recognized for its leadership in digital banking, customer experience, and innovative financial solutions that deliver value to individuals, businesses, and communities.
About HabariPay
HabariPay is the payments fintech subsidiary of GTCO Plc, focused on enabling fast, secure, and accessible digital payments for individuals and businesses. By integrating payments and digital technology, HabariPay supports innovative services that make everyday financial interactions simpler and more seamless.
Enquiries:
GTCO
Group Corporate Communication
[email protected]
+234-1-2715227
www.gtcoplc.com
Business
BUA Group, AD Ports Group and MAIR Group Launch Strategic Plan for World-Class Sugar and Agro-Logistics Hub at Khalifa Port
BUA Group, AD Ports Group and MAIR Group Sign MoU to Explore Collaboration in Sugar Refining, Agro-Industrial Development, and Integrated Global Logistics Solutions
Abu Dhabi, UAE – Monday, 16th February 2026
BUA Group, AD Ports Group, and MAIR Group of Abu Dhabi today signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore collaboration in sugar refining, agro-industrial development, and integrated global logistics solutions. The partnership aims to create a world-class platform that strengthens regional food security, supports industrial diversification, and reinforces Abu Dhabi’s position as a hub for trade and manufacturing.
The proposed collaboration will leverage BUA Group’s industrial and logistics expertise, Khalifa Port’s world-class infrastructure, and AD Ports Group’s operational experience. The initiative aligns with the objectives of the UAE Food Security Strategy 2051, which seeks to position the UAE as a global leader in sustainable food production and resilient supply chains. It also aligns with Nigeria’s food production- and export-oriented agricultural transformation agenda, focused on scaling domestic capacity, strengthening value addition, improving post-harvest logistics, and unlocking new markets for Nigerian produce across the Middle East, Asia, and beyond.
Photo Caption: L-R: Kabiru Rabiu, Group Executive Director, BUA Group; Cpt. Mohammed J. Al Shamisi, MD/Group CEO, AD Ports Group; Saif Al Mazrouei, CEO (Ports Cluster) AD Ports Group; Abdul Samad Rabiu, Founder/Executive Chairman, BUA Group; and Steve Green, Group CFO, MAIR Group
Through structured aggregation, processing, storage, and maritime export channels, the partnership is designed to reduce supply chain inefficiencies, enhance traceability and quality standards, and also create a predictable trade corridor between West Africa and the Gulf.
BUA Group—recognised as one of Africa’s largest and most diversified conglomerates, with major investments across sugar refining, food production, flour milling, cement manufacturing, and infrastructure- brings extensive industrial expertise and large-scale operational capability to the venture. MAIR Group will provide strategic support in developing integrated logistics and agro-industrial solutions, creating a seamless platform for production, storage, and distribution.
Abdul Samad Rabiu, Founder and Chairman of BUA Group, said:
“This MoU marks an important milestone in BUA’s international expansion and reflects our long-term vision of building globally competitive industrial platforms. Together with AD Ports Group and MAIR Group, we aim to develop sustainable food production and logistics solutions that strengthen regional supply chains and support the UAE’s Food Security Strategy 2051.”
He further added that, “This partnership represents not just a commercial arrangement but a strategic food corridor anchored on shared economic ambition, resilient infrastructure, and disciplined execution, reinforcing long-term food security objectives for both nations.”
A representative of MAIR Group added:
“This collaboration underscores our commitment to advancing strategic industries in Abu Dhabi and building integrated solutions that reinforce the UAE’s position as a global hub for trade, food security, and industrial excellence.”
A spokesperson from AD Ports Group commented:
“Our partnership with BUA Group and MAIR Group highlights Khalifa Port’s role as a catalyst for high-impact industrial investments. This initiative will enhance regional food security, strengthen global trade connectivity, and support Abu Dhabi’s economic diversification goals.”
This MoU marks a historic collaboration that combines world-class infrastructure, industrial expertise, and strategic vision, setting the stage for a sustainable and resilient food and logistics ecosystem that will benefit the UAE, the region, and global markets alike.
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