He is the founder and pioneer Group Managing Director/CEO of Zenith Bank PLC. According to the Zenith Bank official website, it is Nigeria’s largest and Africa’s 6th largest bank by Shareholders’ Funds.
Jim Ovia was at the helm of affairs of the bank from inception, for 20 years until his resignation in July 2010. He was reappointed the Chairman of the bank in 2014.
We'd be seeing Jim Ovia's biography, date of birth, age, early life, family, parents, relationship status, education, career, net worth, houses, cars, social media handles and everything else you'd love to know about him.
Don't forget to drop us a comment and share to your friends at the end of the article.
Jim Ovia Profile
Full names: Jim Ovia
Date of birth: 4th November 1951
Age: 69 years (2020)
Place of birth: Delta State, Nigeria
Nationality: Nigerian
Education: Southern University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, U.S.A
Spouse: Kay Ovia
Children: Isioma Ovia, Jesse Ovia
Occupation: Businessman, writer
Net worth: $550 million
Jim Ovia Biography, Date Of Birth, Early Life, Family And Education
He had his primary education in Delta State, after which he enrolled at the prestigious Ika Grammar School, Bojiboji-Owa for his secondary education.
Jim Ovia in pursuit of a greener pasture travelled to the United States for his tertiary education. He gained admission to study at the Southern University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, graduating in 1977 with a B.Sc. degree in Business Administration.
He further proceeded to the University of Louisiana, Monroe, Louisiana, the USA for his master's degree in Business Administration in 1979. He is also an alumnus of Harvard Business School.
Career
Jim's first professional career was at Union Bank (formerly Barclays Bank) where he worked as a clerk in 1973. This was shortly after he completed his secondary education and he worked with them for 3 years before moving to the United States.
Sometime along the line, he developed a keen interest in computer science and information technology. This led him into taking up a job as a part-time computer operator at the defunct Baton Rouge Bank and Trust Company.
On returning to Nigeria after his graduation from the higher institution, Jim Ovia 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.
His next move was in 1980 when he joined International Merchant Bank (IMB) as a financial analyst. In no distant time, he was promoted to the position of a bank manager.
On leaving International Merchant Bank (IMB), Jim joined the Merchant Bank of Africa where he set up a thriving corporate division. He also performed very well there.
The Genesis And Success Of Zenith Bank
Zenith Bank is currently ranked 325th in the world (The Banker, Top 1000 World Banks, 2016), with over 300 branches in Nigeria and a strategic international presence in the United Kingdom, Sierra Leone, China, Dubai, Ghana and the Gambia.
Jim resigned in July 2010, after over two decades of being at the helm of affairs of the bank. He is currently the chairman (he was reappointed in 2014) and largest individual shareholder with a stake of slightly more than 9% stake.
Aside from the banking industry, Jim Ovia also has an interest in tech. In 1995, he founded Cyberspace Network Limited to provide various internet services like 4G LTE, CYBER MAX and METRONET.
He also in 2007, founded Visafone Communications Limited, a Nigerian wireless network provider. Visafone was later acquired by MTN for an undisclosed sum in 2015.
Jim Ovia has properties worth billions of Naira in Lagos, including Lagos Marriott Hotel, the Aquamarine Boat Club, and the Civic Towers which has over a 15-storeys.
Jim Ovia is also a public speaker and author. He published his first book, 'Africa: Rise and Shine' in September 2018.
Personal Life
Jim Ovia is happily married to Kay Ovia and they're blessed with two children, Isioma and Jesse Ovia. Kay is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Quantum Markets and initiator of the Star Rising Talent Hunt for children and young people.Awards and Recognitions
Jim Ovia's numerous contributions to the Nigerian economy has earned him a number of awards and recognition, including:• Zik Award for professional leadership (April 1999)
• Member Federal Republic (MFR, 2000)
• The Business Day Newspaper award for the top 10 bankers in Nigeria (2002)
• Vanguard Newspaper’s award for 20 most outstanding CEO’s in corporate Nigeria
• ThisDay Newspaper award for Banker of the Year (2007)
• Commander of the Order of Niger (CON, 2011)
• In 2005, he was awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of Science (D.Sc.) in Finance by the Lagos State University (LASU)• In 2017, he was awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) by the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN)
• AAI 2017 Business Leadership Award by The Africa-America Institute, New York
• He is an alumnus of Harvard Business School (OPM)
Jim Ovia Net Worth
Jim Ovia is among the first ten richest bankers in Nigeria. He is the founder and Zenith Bank and also the largest individual shareholder of the bank. He has assets worth billions of Naira in different parts of the country, including Lagos Marriott Hotel, the Aquamarine Boat Club, and the Civic Towers which has over a 15-storeys.According to Forbes, Jim Ovia has an estimated net worth of $550 million.
What's more? Thanks a lot for reading along. Don't forget to drop us a comment and share to your friends.
Before you leave, also check out our next article on the biography and net worth of Tony Elumelu, chairman of Heirs Holdings, the United Bank for Africa, Transcorp and founder of The Tony Elumelu Foundation.
We give you the best daily information on news, technology, lifestyle, career, health tips, agriculture, business and entertainment. If you can write very well and want to make a living writing online, click HERE!