Jim Ovia

Co-founder and CEO of Zenith Bank Plc., Jim Ovia brings more than 25 years of experience in banking to millions of clients across Nigeria. Based in Lagos, Jim Ovia laid the foundations for his financial career while a student at Southern University and A&M; College in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. A business major focusing on banking and finance, Jim Ovia earned a B.Sc. degree in Business Administration from Southern University and A&M; College in 1977.

With an unwavering focus on his professional development, Jim Ovia began advanced studies at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, pursuing a Master’s degree in Business Administration. Upon receipt of his MBA in 1979, Jim Ovia entered the competitive world of finance and banking. Jim Ovia later enriched his career and knowledge of the industry through completion of the Executive Management Program at Harvard Business School. After 10 years performing various duties as a financial manager and executive at a wide range of institutions, Jim Ovia co-founded Zenith Bank Plc. in 1990. A native-born Nigerian, Jim Ovia quickly established Zenith Bank Plc. as the largest bank–and eventually, company–in the country. Employing a variety of proven organic growth strategies for his organization, CEO Jim Ovia built his company from the ground up, gaining widespread recognition from colleagues and competitors alike. Since the founding of Zenith Bank Plc., Jim Ovia has overseen the expansion of his company around the country and beyond, setting up branches in Sierra Leona, Ghana, South Africa, the Gambia and the United Kingdom. In July 2004, Jim Ovia successfully orchestrated the initial public offering of Zenith Bank Plc. on the Nigerian Stock Exchange. The same year, Zenith Bank Plc. earned a strong, long-term credit score of AA- from Fitch Ratings, further punctuating Jim Ovia’s leadership and setting the stage for exponential growth of the company. Today, Zenith Bank Plc. enjoys annual revenues of ₦192 billion and a net income of ₦50 billion and possess total assets of ₦1.9 trillion.