Board Of Directors
Profiles of the Board of Directors of Paragon Microfinance Bank.
Mr. Polycarp Udo is a distinguished Associate of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) and a member of the Certified Institute of Cost Managers of Nigeria, with over 30 years of experience across the financial services sector. A graduate with a B.Sc. in Banking and Finance from Ogun State University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, in 2000. He Started his Banking career in the then Cooperative Development Bank (CDB) Plc before transitioning to First City Monuments Bank (FCMB) Plc. He has held roles in banking operations, Fincon, loan review, recovery, and strategic leadership, earning a reputation for integrity and deep technical expertise before his retirement. Mr. Polycarp Udo is a distinguished Associate of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) and a member of the Certified Institute of Cost Managers of Nigeria, with over 30 years of experience across the financial services sector. A graduate with a B.Sc. in Banking and Finance from Ogun State University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, in 2000. He Started his Banking career in the then Cooperative Development Bank (CDB) Plc before transitioning to First City Monuments Bank (FCMB) Plc. He has held roles in banking operations, Fincon, loan review, recovery, and strategic leadership, earning a reputation for integrity and deep technical expertise before his retirement. Currently serving as a Director in Paragon Microfinance Bank Ltd, Mr. Polycarp Udo leverages his deep understanding of corporate governance and risk management to drive financial inclusion and organizational growth. Beyond his directorial duties, he is a proactive entrepreneur who manages a private consultancy focused on financial planning and wealth management. He brings a unique "borrower’s perspective" to the board through his extensive entrepreneurial background in the Agro-allied, general contracts, and supplies sectors. This hands-on experience in managing supply chains and agricultural value chains allows him to offer practical strategic guidance on MSME lending and market expansion. He remains a committed member of the professional banking community, focusing on mentorship and the sustainable evolution of modern banking practices. He is happily married with children.
Mr. Polycarp Brown Udo
Mr. Uduak Ewitat is an accomplished financial professional whose career spans over four decades of distinguished service in banking, corporate governance, and private accounting practice. Mr. Ewitat has established himself as a highly respected Certified National Accountant and veteran banker. His extensive contributions to the financial sector reflect a deep-seated commitment to institutional growth, operational excellence, and professional integrity.His journey into corporate leadership is anchored by a solid academic and professional foundation. He earned a degree in Business Studies from the University of Port Harcourt, followed by a Master’s degree in Banking and Finance from the prestigious University of Ibadan. To further solidify his expertise, Mr. Ewitat achieved professional certification as an Associate of both the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN) and the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN). This rare combination of advanced education and elite professional certifications equipped him with the technical skill and strategic vision required to navigate Nigeria's complex financial landscape.Mr. Ewitat’s banking career is a testament to longevity and impact, spanning 25 years across some of the country’s most prominent financial institutions. He began his banking journey at Chase Merchant Bank, before moving to the Merchant Bank of Africa, and later to United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc. Throughout his quarter-century in the industry, he amassed versatile experience by working in diverse specialized departments, including Internal Control, Banking Operations, Corporate Finance, Business Process Redesign, and Branch Banking. His exceptional performance and leadership qualities led to his elevation as the Regional Director for UBA Plc, where he successfully oversaw operations across the Akwa Ibom and Cross River State branches.Upon retiring from corporate banking in 2009, Mr. Ewitat channeled his wealth of experience into entrepreneurship and public service. He established his private accounting practice, Uduak Ewitat & Co. (Certified National Accountants), where he currently serves as the Principal Partner and Head of Practice. In addition to his thriving private practice, he has made significant contributions to regional economic development through institutional governance. He served as the immediate past Board Chairman of Akwa Savings and Loans Ltd (Mortgage Bankers), successfully steering the institution through its transition into what is now Ibom Mortgage Bank.Beyond his demanding professional responsibilities, Mr. Ewitat maintains a fulfilling personal life. He is happily married and blessed with four children, successfully balancing a monumental corporate legacy with the values of family. Through his enduring dedication to accounting, banking, and strategic leadership, Mr. Uduak Ewitat continues to stand as a beacon of excellence and a trusted authority in the Nigerian financial services industry.
Mr. Uduak Ewitat
Mr. Samuel Friday Nkobo is a distinguished Chartered Banker and the Managing Director of Paragon Microfinance Bank, where he leads one of South-South Nigeria's premier digital banking hubs. With nearly three decades in banking, Mr. Nkobo held key leadership roles at First Bank, UBA, and Access Bank, and later founded Nun Microfinance Bank as its first Managing Director, while also serving in a senior management role at Palmcoast MFB Ltd. A graduate of the University of Uyo with a B.Sc. in Accounting and an MBA, he is a prominent member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN). Mr. Nkobo’s professional profile is defined by a robust suite of core competencies, including institutional pioneering, digital banking transformation, and advanced credit risk management. He is a specialist in navigating CBN and NDIC regulatory frameworks, ensuring that financial innovation remains anchored in strong corporate governance. Throughout his career, he has successfully bridged the gap between traditional banking discipline and modern fintech agility. With his expertise in MSME lending and strategic business development, he has turned Paragon MFB into a catalyst for regional growth. Moving forward, Mr. Nkobo remains committed to scaling Paragon MFB into a leading national digital powerhouse, ensuring that world-class financial tools are accessible to every entrepreneur in the South-South region and beyond.
Mr. Samuel Friday Nkobo
Mr. Samuel Inyang is an eminent corporate leader and financial services expert whose distinguished career spans over thirty-five years of impactful service in the banking and pension sectors. As the pioneer Chairman of the Board for Paragon Microfinance Bank Limited, Mr. Inyang has built a formidable reputation rooted in strategic governance, financial planning, and organizational transformation. With more than twenty-five years spent in senior management and executive positions, his career stands as a masterclass in institutional leadership and corporate stewardship within Nigeria's financial landscape.His exceptional leadership journey is anchored on a rigorous academic background and elite international exposure. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Management Studies, with a specialization in Banking and Finance, from the University of Calabar. Demonstrating a lifelong commitment to learning, he furthered his academic pursuits at the same institution, obtaining an Executive Master of Business Administration. To complement his local academic foundation, Mr. Inyang attended prestigious global institutions, becoming an alumnus of both Manchester Business School and Oxford University in the United Kingdom. This blend of robust local experience and advanced international training equipped him with the global perspective required to navigate complex corporate challenges.In the corporate arena, Mr. Inyang’s professional trajectory highlights his versatility and deep institutional knowledge across multiple sub-sectors. He is the immediate past Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Oak Pensions Limited, where he successfully spearheaded long-term growth and compliance. Prior to his executive leadership in the pension industry, he carved out a stellar career in commercial banking. He served with distinction as a Deputy General Manager and Regional Director (South-South 1) at Finbank Plc (now FCMB), and as a Senior Manager and Head of Credit Administration at Intercity Bank (now Unity Bank), alongside key roles at several other notable Nigerian banking institutions.Beyond his primary executive assignments, Mr. Inyang has consistently been sought after for his governance expertise, contributing to the strategic direction of various prominent corporations. His extensive board-level experience includes past directorships at Anchor Insurance Company Limited and Oceanic Health Management Company Limited. Today, he channels his wealth of knowledge into high-level advisory roles as an independent financial planner and consultant. Driven by a passion for human capital development, he also serves as the Chairman of Lintel International Schools Limited in Port Harcourt.Mr. Inyang’s contributions to corporate excellence are formally recognized by elite professional bodies. He is a member of the Institute of Directors (IoD), Nigeria, and a Fellow of the Association of Corporate Governance Professionals of Nigeria, reflecting his unyielding adherence to ethics and best practices. Through his decades of dedicated service, strategic vision, and commitment to institutional building, Mr. Samuel Inyang continues to leave an indelible mark on Nigeria's economic and financial landscape.
Mr. Samuel Inyang Chairman