He foundedZenith Bankin 1990. As Ovia recalled, they converted the garage to a customer service unit, and then made teller points out of the rooms, to create the first branch at Ajose Adeogun street, Victoria Island, Lagos. Opera News furthermore does not condone the use of our platform for the purposes encouraging/endorsing hate speech, violation of human rights and/or utterances of a defamatory nature. But Jim Ovia had a life (outside) his banking career, and has built businesses and mentored people. Jim was the Brain behind Visafone Communications Limited in 2007 and by 2015, it got acquired by MTN. At the moment, he serves as both the Chairman and the primary shareholder of Zenith General Insurance Limited, which is recognized as Nigerias most lucrative general insurance company. This has now been corrected. He was a member of the Governing Council of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (19992007) and served on the board of American International School, Lagos (20012003). Her stated motive is to unearth gems that might otherwise forever remain undiscovered due to deprivation. One of the most significant data breaches in history is represented by the 1.4 terabytes of information that has been nicknamed the Paradise Papers. This breach includes 13.4 million individual records. var size='300x250', The bank became a Public Limited Company in 2001 and was listed on the Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE), and later on the London Stock Exchange (LSE). In addition, he had also noticed that most developed countries and world powers, like USA, UK, Japan had red as one of the colours on their national flags, so he insisted that there must be something right about it. He was awarded an honorary doctorate degree in the 50th convocation ceremony of the University of Lagos. Here are some business lessons from Jim. Aren't The Ovia's Lovely? In 2014, the USD was exchanged for NGN183.21. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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). As the years went by, some banks which started off at the same time were forced to merge or sell out, but Zenith stayed strong. Jim James Ovia is Former CEO/Managing Director/Founder at Zenith Bank PLC. For Ovia, these arms have been his way of grooming the next generation. Jim Ovia is married to Kay Ovia, she is the MD/CEO at Quantum Markets Ltd. and their union is blessed with five children - Isioma, Zephia, Tito, Tomi and Jesse. Jim Ovia holds a master's degree in Business Administration from the University of Louisiana, Monroe, Louisiana, USA in 1979 and a B.Sc. Ovia headed numerous NGO's at various times including serving as the first President of the Nigeria Internet Group (20012003). In addition to Mrs. Kay Ovia, Jim Ovia's educationist wife, there is also Professor Ibidapo-Obe . He attended Ika Grammar School, Bojiboji-Owa for his secondary education, before going to Lagos to join his elder brother. Isioma Ovia, daughter of internationally acclaimed Nigerian banker, Jim Ovia, will walk down the aisle today, August 24, with her longtime partner, Ola Olowu, an advertising executive who. Jim Ovias income source is mostly from being a successful Businessman. Described as the Godfather of banking in Nigeria by Forbes Africa, Jim Ovia is quite popular for his business dexterity and leadership skills, especially in the banking sector. The quality of friendship, affection and care shared by his wife and her stepchildren (Ovias children by another woman) reportedly gladdens Ovias heart thus he is always eager to celebrate Kay as the best wife and mother ever. After his service year, Ovia joined International Merchant Bank (IMB) in 1980, working his way up from the position of financial analyst to bank manager. September 18, 2018. His father was widely regarded as one of the most powerful chiefs in the Agbor Kingdom of Delta State. Zenith Life is currently the market leader in Nigeria. But her husband, Jim has an estimated net worth of $550 million. If the content contained herein violates any of your rights, including those of copyright, and/or violates any the above mentioned factors, you are requested to immediately notify us using via the following email address operanews-external(at)opera.com and/or report the article using the available reporting functionality built into our Platform Jim Ovia is a business-growth thought leader, author, speaker, and coach impacting entrepreneurship in Africa and around the globe. During two decades of leadership, he helped position the bank as one of the largest and most profitable in Africa. Farooq A. Kperogi:Obi Seems to Be Poverty-Shaming the North, But Is He? Jim Ovia: Biography, Age, Wife, Children, Net worth, Source of Wealth, and Controversy, Meet Tinubu's ADC, Lieutenant Colonel Nurudeen Alowonle Yusuf, Profile: Jerry Springer, who hosted US talk show others saw as contributing to a dumbing-down decline in American social values, Profile: Harry Belafonte and the Social Power of Song,who grew up in poverty during the Great Depression, 20 Facts about sacked CNN Reporter Don Lemon, Israel Adesanya: Biography, Age, Wife, Career, Net Worth, Controversy, and More, Meet 33-year-old unionist who defeated Sokoto Rep seeking 5th term, Meet 28-year-old Akarachi Amadi, winner of Mbaitoli/Ikeduru House of Representative Election in Imo, Dauda Adamu: Biography, Age, Wife, Children, Net Worth, Source of Wealth and Controversy, Rainoil's Gabriel Ogbechie: Biography, Age, Wife, Net Worth, Source of Wealth and Controversy, Meet Abdulganiyu Johnson, lawmaker behind the bill seeking to ban doctors from travelling abroad, Who is the owner of Bet9ja? After his Primary Schooling, Jim proceeded to Ika Grammar School, Bojiboji- Owa for his Secondary Education where he Obtained his WASSCE. He was born in the year 1951. The two men are among a number of personalities around the world believed to have used artificial leasing schemes to avoid VAT on jets imported into the EU, PREMIUM TIMEShadreported. Adjacent to this, he built the Civic Towers, a 15 story office block that colloquially is referred to as Nigerias Empire State Building. He is the founder and Zenith Bank and also the largest individual shareholder of the bank. Talking about early life challenges that could have truncated his future, Ovia wrote in his memoir: When I was just four years old, my fatherwho was in his mid-fiftiessuffered a massive heart attack and died several weeks later due to inadequate medical facilities. 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). Opera News does not consent to nor does it condone the posting of any content that violates the rights (including the copyrights) of any third party, nor content that may malign, inter alia, any religion, ethnic group, organization, gender, company, or individual. He is a member of the Honorary International Investor Council as well as the Digital Bridge Institute (DBI). His father was one of the most revered chiefs in Agbor Kingdom, Delta State. He is the Chairman of Prudential Zenith Life Assurance Limited, he oversaw the landmark partnership of Prudential UK; one of the world's largest life assurance companies and Zenith Life Nigeria's fastest growing life assurance company. He is married to Kay Ovia who is Also a Successful Business Entrepreneur like himself. [13], In September 2018, Ovia announced the publication of his book Africa, Rise and Shine published with ForbesBooks.[14]. He is also an Alumnus of Harvard Business School. His uncle was against this decision, believing that it would become a distraction to him. [citation needed], 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). Zenith Bank started off with N20 million (then equivalent of $4 million) in shareholders funds. President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday commended the founder and Chairman of Zenith Bank, Jim Ovia, for his contributions to entrepreneurship in Nigeria. He is also an Alumnus of Harvard Business School. READ MORE:What weve learnt so far from Jim Ovias Africa Rise And Shine. "When . His father was one of the most revered chiefs in Agbor Kingdom, Delta State. Even then, he could see that technology would in the coming decades define the way business was done. The information in this article was curated from online sources. We have estimated He is a member of the Governing Council of Lagos State University, Digital Bridge Institute (DBI) and National Economic Management Team of Nigeria, and a member of Honorary International Investor Council and Board of Trustees, Redeemers University for Nations, Lagos. The name Kay Ovia, on the other hand, rings a bell to few. Kay and Jim have five Children together who are all Grown up and doing well in their Careers. She is also the MD/CEO of Quantum Markets Limited. Emefiele would later advance in his banking career, to head the Central Bank of Nigeria. [CDATA[ Always visitNewsWireNGRfor latest naija news and updated naija breaking news. If he was studying business administration, he reasoned, it was better for him to have advance knowledge of technology rather than being caught unawares. Ruth, thanks for putting this piece of concise information relating to the Genesis of Zenith Bank and partly early life of Ovia together. The bond between Jim Ovia, wife 21st August 2022 By Tofarati Ige An undisputed billionaire, Jim Ovia, is one man who does not fancy the limelight, except it has to do with his vast. He was awarded an honorary doctorate degree in the 50th convocation ceremony of the University of Lagos. He founded Zenith Bank in 1990. He is an alumnus of Harvard Business School (OPM), University of Louisiana (MBA) and Southern University, Louisiana (B.Sc). Jim Ovia has an estimated net worth of $550 million, according to Forbes. Prior to that, he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in the United States of America (1977). Why Nigeria should align with African Unions Health Information Exchange (HIE) Standards and Guidelines, Farooq A. Kperogi: Partisan Comparisons of Channel TVs Seun and Arise TVs Rufai. Jim Ovia is the second son in the family of Obi Olihe of Agbor-Obi. Jim Ovia is one of the biggest names in Nigeria's banking sector and the Zenith Bank Chairman. Factcheck please. He foundedZenith Bankin 1990. The two men are among a number of personalities around the world believed to have used artificial leasing schemes to avoid VAT on jets imported into the EU, PREMIUM TIMEShadreported. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. This helped put Zenith Bank at a Strategic position as being One of the First Most Profitable Banks in Nigeria. She does not traffic in public admiration and has no use for hired vuvuzelas. Your IP: Jim James Ovia is a Nigerian businessman and a resident of Agbor, which is located in Delta State. What Happened to Carolyn Bryant? The delectable wife of Zenith Bank chief, Jim Ovia, effortlessly combines motherhood and wifehood in the same girth. Ovia also founded the Quantum Group, Inc, where his wife, Kay Ovia, is CEO. Despite retiring from the position as CEO, he was appointed Non-Executive Director and Chairman, Board of Directors, four years later. She is also a Philanthropist Who have an Inner desire to cater for those who are not opportune to have a Good Life. He worked for 3 years as a bank clerk before moving to USA, where he obtained his Bachelors and Masters degrees. Any/all written content and images displayed are provided by the blogger/author, appear herein as submitted by the blogger/author and are unedited by Opera News. Send Us A Press Statement/News Tips on 9ja Happenings:[emailprotected], Cosmas Maduka: Biography, Age, Wife, Children, Net worth, Source of Wealth, and Controversy, Timini Egbuson: Biography, Age, Education, Girlfriend, Movies and Things You May Not Know, FrankNnaemekaNweke Jnr: Biography, Age, Education, Wife, Children, Net Worth, and Controversy, Top 10 richest rappers in the world and their net worth, Suicidal thoughts among American kids on the rise Study, Your email address will not be published. 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 Stepping down from Zenith bank was a very big blessing for me, because it afforded me the time to pursue other things which I would never have been able to do as CEO of Zenith bank, he later remarked in an interview. More than 3500 youths have been empowered since 2002, with over 500 entrepreneurs empowered with ICT skills. READ ALSO: CBNs heterodox policies buoys credit growth. Jim Ovias contribution to the Nigerian economy has been recognized by successive governments; he was conferred with the national awards of Member Federal Republic (MFR, 2000) and Commander of the Order of Niger (CON, 2011). Jim James Ovia (born November 4, 1951) is a Nigerian businessman. This was lucrative for him as a lot of people want to be taught from his well of wisdom. After retiring from the bank, he went on to establish other businesses based on potentials he could identify in the space. Jim Ovia Biography, The family of Obi Olihe of Agbor-Obi includes Jim Ovia, who is the second son in the family. Zenith Bank's Chairman, Jim Ovia Zenith Bank is Nigeria's most profitable bank and the largest listed financial services group on the Nigerian Exchange. degree in Business Administration from Southern University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA in 1977. In This Program Young People are Given the Opportunity to harness their potentials and afterwards they are being Empowered to start up on their own. The revelations came to the fore as more than 380 journalists from 96 media organisations in 67 countries scrutinized leaked data obtained by German newspaper, Suddeutsche Zeitung, and the International Consortium of International Journalists (ICIJ) from two offshore secrecy providers (Appleby and Asiaciti Trust) and 19 secrecy jurisdictions around the world. He was succeeded by Godwin Emefiele, one of his pioneer staff who had grown through the ranks to become Deputy Managing Director. He is the Chairman of Cyberspace Network Limited. Your email address will not be published. Cause of Death, Age, Bio, Career, Family, Drama as MC Oluomo snubs Shina Peller at an event over politics (Video), I have rejoiced with people and now its my turn Regina Chukwu fulfills her covenant with God. Jim Ovia is the founder of Zenith Bank Plc, Nigeria's tier-1 bank and one of the most profitable financial institutions in Nigeria until 2010, when he moved into the chairman role. Why billionaire housewives dread them. He was a member of the Governing Council of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (19992007) and served on the board of American International School, Lagos (20012003). Cause of Death, Bio, Age, Husband, Children, Net Worth, Victor Radley Bio, Age, Parents, Siblings, Nationality, Wife, Children, Height, Weight, Net Worth, Chaitanya Master Dhee Bio, Wiki, Cause of Death, Age, Wife, Children, Net Worth, Who is Craig Chamberlin? Quran reciter Passed Away. Moreover, his net worth is expected to grow, considering his massive business success. Discover today's celebrity birthdays and explore famous people who share your birthday. Femi Fani-Kayode expends fortune on mother-in-laws cancer treatment, CBN Speaks On Viral Report Of Planning To Stop New N1000, N500, N200 Notes, Tinubu Battles Intrigue As Masari, El-Rufai, Bagudu Jostle for SGF Slot, Kano Gov-Elect Will Review Sanusis Dethronement Kwankwaso, And the Matharoos meet their waterloo! His memoir, Africa Rise And Shine was presented in 2018 with all his business secrets and life philosophies. Jim Ovia was born on the 4th of November, 1951 to the large family of Obi Olihe of Agbor-Obi, in Agbor, Delta State. Jim Ovia is married to Kay Ovia, she is the MD/CEO at Quantum Markets Ltd. and their union is blessed with five children Isioma, Zephia, Tito, Tomi and Jesse. Learn how your comment data is processed. Opera News does not consent to nor does it condone the posting of any content that violates the rights (including the copyrights) of any third party, nor content that may malign, inter alia, any religion, ethnic group, organization, gender, company, or individual. An inspiring profile it is. About it, Richard Branson said, His story is a living testament to his message that success results when we act with courage and dare to try., READ MORE: Digitization of the U.S Dollar faces U.S Senate hearing. Ovias peculiar interest in technology was a strong factor in favour of the bank, as he was way ahead of the others in that regard. In September 2018, Ovia announced the publication of his book Africa, Rise and Shine published with ForbesBooks. Jim is married to Kay Ovia, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer at Quantum Markets Ltd. Forbes Africa bestowed the title of Godfather of Banking upon Jim Ovia for his accomplishment of establishing the most successful bank in Nigeria. His net worth has been growing significantly in 2022-2023. Follow your instinct Discover Jim Ovia's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. See Jim James Ovia's compensation, career history, education, & memberships. He is currently the Chairman and majority shareholder of Zenith General Insurance Limited; Nigerias most profitable general insurance company. Kay certainly understands the rigours involved in bringing a child to the world. In 2014, Jim Ovia was named the 34th richest human in Africa. In his role as Chairman of Prudential Zenith Life Assurance Limited, he oversaw the historic partnership between Prudential UK, one of the largest life insurance companies in the world, and Zenith Life, Nigerias most rapidly expanding life insurance company. 67.205.40.127 More than 380 journalists from 96 media organizations in 67 countries scrutinized leaked data obtained by the German newspaper Suddeutsche Zeitung and the International Consortium of International Journalists (ICIJ) from two offshore secrecy providers (Appleby and Asiaciti Trust) and 19 secrecy jurisdictions around the world. He is the founder and Chairman of Zenith Bank Plc, one of Nigeria's largest and most profitable banks. In 2017, the Bank issued a 500 million dollar Eurobond, which was oversubscribed by a factor of four and priced at a level that was superior to the comparable home country sovereign bond. So, there is actually more to Jim Ovia than Zenith Bank Plc, which Nairametrics will uncover in this weeks Founders Profile. He is also an Alumnus ofHarvard Business School(OPM. This led Kay to launch a programcalled the Star Rising Talent Hunt for children and young people. He is among the first ten richest bankers in Nigeria. Cause of Death, Age, Bio, Career, Family, Drama as MC Oluomo snubs Shina Peller at an event over politics (Video), I have rejoiced with people and now its my turn Regina Chukwu fulfills her covenant with God. They are Isioma, Zephia, Tito, Tomi and Jesse. 1950 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). While in Lagos, he started his banking career in 1973 as a clerk at Union Bank, (formerly Barclays Bank) working at the branch at Oba Akran way, Ikeja. He is an alumnus of Harvard Business School (OPM), University of Louisiana (MBA) and Southern University, Louisiana (B.Sc). He one of the Richest Businessman who was born in Nigerian. 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. She has experienced the bittersweet miseries of pregnancy and the excruciating pains of giving birth hence her undying love and care for her stepchildren. He doubles as the chairman of various IT Softwares which includes Cyberspace Network Limited, Nigerian Software Development Initiative (NSDI) and the National Information Technology Advisory Council (NITAC). Download Opera News APP, By Pepsy48 (self media writer) | 2 years ago. Jim Ovia Marriag:Kay Ovia, she istheMD/CEO at Quantum Markets Ltd. Jim Ovia Children:Jim Ovia is married to Kay Ovia and their union is blessed with five children Isioma, Zephia, Tito, Tomi and Jesse. Jim Ovias impact on the Nigerian economy has been acknowledged by multiple governments, and in recognition of this, he was made a Member of the Federal Republic (MFR, 2000) and a Commander of the Order of Niger (CON, 2011). Jim Ovia Wife Jim is married to Kay Ovia, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer at Quantum Markets Ltd. Jim Ovia Source of Wealth - Zenith Bank PLC Forbes Africa bestowed the title of "Godfather of Banking" upon Jim Ovia for his accomplishment of establishing the most successful bank in Nigeria. And the amazing wife of the Zenith Bank supremo wouldn't have it any other way. 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Godwin Emefiele, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, and Jim Ovia, the Chairman of Zenith Bank Plc, have become embroiled in a major tax evasion scandal in Europe as a result of revelations that they most likely avoided the payment of approximately 11 million in value-added tax while importing luxury jets into the European Union.
