Alternative Bank Names Gul Khan as MD and CEO

In Short

Alternative Bank has appointed Gul Khan as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer.

The appointment follows approval by the Central Bank of Nigeria.

Khan succeeds Hassan Yusuf, the bank’s founding Managing Director.

What Happened: Gul Khan Takes Over At Alternative Bank

The Alternative Bank Limited (Alt Bank) said Gul Khan has been appointed Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer.

The bank said the appointment was approved by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Khan previously served as Chief Executive Officer and Board Director of I&M Bank Kenya. He was also Group Head of Products for Airtel Money, the fintech business across 14 markets in Africa.

The bank said Khan has more than 25 years of international financial services experience, with work across Europe, America, Asia, the Middle East and Africa. The announcement also referenced prior roles including Global Head of Retail Banking and Wealth Management at HSBC Amanah, and executive leadership roles with banks in UAE, Egypt, and Qatar.

Muhtar Bakare, Chairman of Alternative Bank, said, “Gul’s expertise in non-interest banking and his leadership experience across African financial services position him well to lead Alternative Bank through its next phase of growth. The Board is confident in his ability to build on the Bank’s foundations and broaden its reach, while maintaining the strong governance and commercial discipline essential to long-term success.”

Why It Matters

Leadership changes at regulated banks in Nigeria require CBN approval, which can signal that a transition is formally cleared.

Alternative Bank is positioning Khan’s background across non-interest banking (banking structured to avoid interest) and technology-led financial services as relevant to its next phase.

The bank also said Khan will work with the Board and management team to guide the bank’s next phase of growth.