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| Dr. Jim Ovia, Chairman, Zenith Bank Plc |
Biography
Dr. Jim
Ovia was born on the 4th of November, 1957 to a large family in Agbor, Delta State. He is the second
son of Obi Olihe of Agbor-Obi, one of the most revered
chiefs in Agbor Kingdom, Delta State.
Dr. Ovia
attended Ika Grammar School,
Bojiboji-Owa for his secondary education before going to oversee for his
tertiary education. He has a B.Sc.
degree in Business Administration from Southern
University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, U.S.A in 1977 and Master’s degree in Business Administration from University of Louisiana, Monroe, Louisiana,
USA in 1979. Jim Ovia is an alumnus of Harvard Business School. He is
married to Kay Ovia, Chief Executive
Officer of Quantum Markets Ltd and
initiator of Star Rising Talent Hunt
for children and young adults.
Early Career
While
growing up, young Dr. Jim Ovia always pondered about the career path to choose
and was encouraged by his uncle to study business administration. Heeding to
his uncle advice and hard work made him what he is today. Ovia started out as a
clerk at Union Bank, formerly Barclays Bank in 1973. This was shortly after he
finished his secondary school. He worked for 3 years as a bank clerk before
moving to USA where he obtained his Bachelor’s and Master’s degree. Along the
line, he developed a keen interest in computer science and information
technology. He worked as part- time computer operator at the defunct Baton Rouge Bank and Trust Company.
After
graduating, he joined Union Bank to complete his National Youth Service Corps
(NYSC). He also worked in Lion Bank
where he rose to the post of branch manager in Lagos. Soon after, Jim Ovia
joined International Merchant Bank (IMB)
in 1980 and was promoted from the position of financial analyst to bank
manager. From IMB, he moved to Merchant
Bank of Africa where he set up a thriving corporate division. Talk about
fiercely climbing the corporate ladder! Needless to say that the sky became his
starting point from then onward.
Zenith Bank PLC
And Jim Ovia Entrepreneurial Journey
Following
the deregulation of banking sector during Babangida’s administration in the
late 1980’s, Jim Ovia alongside some investors started Zenith Bank in 1990. He
was at the helm of affairs of the bank for 20 years until his resignation in
July 2010. He was reappointed the chairman of the bank in 2014.
Under
his leadership, Zenith Bank grew and is recognised as the largest financial
service provider in Nigeria and Anglophone West Africa. The bank offers a range
of corporate investment, business and personal banking products and solutions.
Its headquarter is in Victoria Island, Lagos and has over 500 branches and
offices across the country.
Zenith
Bank became a Public Limited Company in 2001 and was listed on the Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE) as well as
the London Stock Exchange (LSE). On
27th of April 2007, Zenith Bank PLC became the first Nigerian bank in 25 years
to be licensed by the UK Financial Services Authority (FSA), giving rise to Zenith Bank UK Limited. The bank also
has subsidiaries in Ghana, Sierra Leone, Gambia, South Africa and China.
Dr. Jim
Ovia had transformed Zenith Bank, a small commercial bank into a financial
service conglomerate. He has built an iconic corporate identity for the bank
leveraging technology and reliable customer services.
Other Interest of
Jim Ovia
Asides
banking, Dr. Jim Ovia also has an interest in technology. He founded Cyberspace Network Limited in 1995.
Cyberspace Network Limited was one of the pioneers of internet services in
Nigeria. The company provides software services and network services including
4G LTE, CYBER MAX, METRONET. He also founded Visafone Communications Limited, a Nigerian wireless network
provider in 2007. The company was later acquired by MTN, a leading telecommunications company in Africa in 2015. Before
the acquisition, Visafone had more than 3million subscribers.
Dr. Ovia
is also a writer and motivational speaker. In September 2018, he published his
first book, ‘Africa Rise and Shine’. Africa Rise And Shine is Jim Ovia’s
memoir. He bared it all in Africa Rise And Shine his business success secrets
and how he was able to create one of Africa’s largest banks. The book was
published in US by Forbes Books in South
California.
Philanthropy
Jim
Ovia recognised the role sound education played in his life success which is
why he established Jim Ovia Foundation in
1998, a non-profit organisation in Nigeria. The aim of Jim Ovia Foundation is
to invest in the Nigerian youth’s unlimited and untapped potential as the key
to socio-economic growth. He believes investing in the youths will enhance the
standard of living of the society and improve the Nigerian economy.
Dr. Jim
Ovia Foundation has four arms; The James Hope College, Jim Ovia Scholarship,
Jim Ovia ICT Entrepreneurs Programme and Empower YOUth Program. Over 1,500
students have been provided with university scholarships, more than 3,500 youth
has been empowered since 2002. Also, over 500 entrepreneurs have been empowered
with ICT skills.
Appointments and
Boards Where Jim Ovia Serves
Four
years after Jim resigned as CEO of Zenith Bank PLC, he was appointed as the Chairman,
Boards of Directors and non-executive Director in June 2014. Jim Ovia also
chairs a number of boards including Nigerian Software Development Initiative
(NSDI), National Information Technology Advisory Council (NITAC) and Quantum
Markets Limited and Cyberspace Network Limited.
He is
a member of the Governing Council of Lagos
State University, Digital Bridge Institute (DBI) and National Economic
Management Team of Nigeria. Jim Ovia is also a member of Honorary International Investor Council
and Board of Trustees, Redeemer’s
University for Nations, Lagos.
Recognition and
Awards
Professional
Leadership Award at Zik Awards
1999
Vanguard’s
20 Most Outstanding CEO’s in Corporate Nigeria
2002
Honorary
Doctorate in Finance by Lagos State University
2005
CEO of
the Year at ThisDay Award of Excellence
2008
Commander
of Order of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
2011
Lifetime
Achievement Award at Africans Banker Awards
2015
Forbes’
Africa’s 50 Richest
2015
Africa’s
Business Leader at Africa American Institute Awards
2017
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