Board of Directors

Jim Ovia is the founder and chairman of Zenith Bank Plc, one of Nigeria and Africa’s largest banks by Shareholders’ Funds. He was at the helm of affairs for 20 years until his resignation in July, 2010. Jim Ovia is currently the Chairman and founder of Visafone Communications Limited, a mobile phone company. He is also the Chairman and founder, Quantum Group.

Jim Ovia is a member of the National Economic Management Team of Nigeria as well as a member of the Honorary International Investors’ Council.

He is the founder and proprietor of James Hope College, Agbor, Delta State. Jim Ovia is a philanthropist. He is the founder of the Youth Empowerment & ICT Foundation, which focuses on improving the socio-economic welfare of Nigerian youths by empowering them to embrace Information and Communication Technology. The initiative holds an annual Youth Empowerment seminar.

In recognition of his achievements particularly in support of the Nigerian economy, Jim Ovia was conferred with the national award of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) in November 2011.

Jim Ovia holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Louisiana, Louisiana, USA in 1979 and a B.Sc degree in Business Administration from Southern University, Louisiana, USA (1977). He is an alumnus of Harvard Business School (OPM). Jim Ovia is a writer and motivational speaker. He has been interviewed by the following global networks: CNN, CNBC, Bloomberg and ARISE TV.