Jim Ovia

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Jim Ovia
CFR CON
Born
Jim James Ovia

(1951-11-04) 4 November 1951 (age 72)
Agbor, Southern Region, British Nigeria (now in Delta State, Nigeria)
NationalityNigerian
OccupationBusinessman

Jim James Ovia CFR CON (born 4 November 1951) is a Nigerian businessman and author. He is known as the founder of Zenith Bank in 1990, which is now the country's most profitable bank.[1][2]

In 2018 Ovia published what he described as an "entrepreneurial manual", Africa Rise and Shine.[2] His memoir also tells about his early life, his business career and how he developed Zenith Bank and other related interests.

Early life and education[edit]

Jim James Ovia was born in 1951 into the large family of Obi Olihe of Agbor-Obi, in what is now Agbor, Delta State. His father died when the boy was four and older siblings helped support their mother and the family. One elder brother paid for his early education. Ovia moved to Lagos to live with that brother and started work as a clerk in a bank.[1]

After three years, he traveled to the United States for college and graduate school, earning a B.Sc. degree in Business Administration from Southern University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana (1977), and an MBA from the University of Louisiana, Monroe, in 1979.[3] He is also an alumnus of Harvard Business School.[4]

Career[edit]

He is the founder of Zenith Bank Plc,[5] Nigeria's tier-1 bank and one of the most profitable financial institutions in Nigeria. In 2010, he moved into the chairman role.[6][7][8] He was the recipient of a Nigerian national honor.[9][10]

Ovia is the founder of Visafone Communications Limited and the chairman of both the Nigerian Software Development Initiative (NSDI) and the National Information Technology Advisory Council (NITAC).[11][12] He is a member of the Honorary International Investor Council as well as the Digital Bridge Institute (DBI). He is the Chairman of Cyberspace Network Limited. He was awarded an honorary doctorate degree in the 50th convocation ceremony of the University of Lagos.[13]

In September 2018, Ovia announced the publication of his book Africa, Rise and Shine published with ForbesBooks.[14]

Leadership roles[edit]

He is a member of the Governing Council of Lagos State University, Lagos and a member of the Board of Trustees, Redeemer's University For Nations, Lagos. He was a member of the Governing Council of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (1999–2007) and served on the board of American International School, Lagos (2001–2003).

Ovia headed numerous NGO's at various times including serving as the first President of the Nigeria Internet Group (2001–2003). He is the founder and Chairman of Mankind United to Support Total Education (MUSTE), a philanthropic organization focused on providing scholarships for the less privileged. He is the founder of the Youth Empowerment / ICT Foundation, which focuses on improving the socioeconomic welfare of Nigerian youths by inspiring and motivating them to embrace Information and communication technology.[15][16]

Award[edit]

In October 2022, a Nigerian national honor of Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR) was conferred on him by President Muhammadu Buhari.[17]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Okwumbu, Ruth (2020-07-25). "Jim Ovia: From a clerk to founder of Nigeria's most profitable bank". Nairametrics. Retrieved 2021-02-03.
  2. ^ a b Releases, Forbes Press. "Founder Of Zenith Bank Publishes Inspirational Business Guide". Forbes. Retrieved 2021-02-03.
  3. ^ Hyde, Peace (2018-09-20). "'Not Necessary To Be Born Rich'". Forbes Africa. Retrieved 2021-02-03.
  4. ^ "Celebrating Banking Wizard, Jim Ovia, at 69". THISDAYLIVE. 2020-11-08. Retrieved 2021-02-03.
  5. ^ "Okowa salutes Jim Ovia at 70". Vanguard News. 2021-11-04. Retrieved 2022-03-04.
  6. ^ "Jim Ovia is one of Nigeria's most successful businessmen - here's how he makes and spends his money". www.pulse.ng. 2019-02-20. Retrieved 2019-05-15.
  7. ^ "Adversity Teaches Us to Innovate - Jim Ovia". Businessday NG. 2020-07-29. Retrieved 2021-02-03.
  8. ^ Nsehe, Mfonobong. "Nigerian Multi-Millionaire Banker Jim Ovia Becomes Chairman Of Zenith Bank". Forbes. Retrieved 2021-02-03.
  9. ^ "Jim Ovia Is A Zenith Man - Konnect Africa..." Konnect Africa. 2012-12-12. Retrieved 2017-11-10.
  10. ^ "Jim Ovia". Forbes. Retrieved 2017-11-10.
  11. ^ "ZENITHBANK.NG Company Profile & Executives - Zenith Bank PLC - Wall Street Journal". www.wsj.com. Retrieved 2021-02-03.
  12. ^ Nsehe, Mfonobong. "Nigerian Banking Tycoon Jim Ovia To Sell Stake In Telecoms Firm To MTN". Forbes. Retrieved 2021-02-03.
  13. ^ Africa, Forbes (2013-06-01). "The Godfather of Nigerian Banking". Forbes Africa. Retrieved 2021-02-03.
  14. ^ "Jim Ovia Releases "Africa, Rise and Shine" with ForbesBooks". Forbes. 24 September 2018. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
  15. ^ "Blog | Jim Ovia". www.jimoviafoundation.org. Retrieved 2023-08-31.
  16. ^ "Youth Empowerment & ICT Foundation sponsored by Jim Ovia » YNaija". YNaija. Retrieved 2023-08-31.
  17. ^ "FULL LIST: 2022 National Honours Award Recipients The Nation Newspaper". 2022-10-09. Retrieved 2022-10-29.
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