Zenith Bank Celebrates 35 Years of Excellence, Honours Pioneer Customers and Long-Serving Staff
By People’s Voice Nigeria | News
Amidst a dazzling display of elegance and celebration, Zenith Bank Plc marked its 35th anniversary with a commemorative Chairman’s Dinner held at the Eko Convention Centre, Eko Hotels & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos on Friday, 15 August 2025.
The event served not only as a celebration of the bank’s remarkable journey since its founding in May 1990, but also as a moment to recognise the immense contributions of its pioneer customers and long-serving staff. Commemorative awards and plaques were presented to individuals who have served the bank meritoriously for 25 years and beyond.
L-R: Representative of the Nigerian First Lady and Secretary to the Lagos State Government, Barr. Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin; Chief of Staff to Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Adeniyi Adebayo; Group Managing Director/CEO, Zenith Bank Plc, Dame Dr. Adaora Umeoji, OON; Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Wife of the Founder & Chairman of Zenith Bank Plc, Mrs. Kay Ovia; Vice President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Kashim Shettima, GCON; Founder & Chairman, Zenith Bank Plc, Jim Ovia, CFR; Governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Zulum; Governor of Ondo State, Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa; Deputy Governor of Osun State, Prince Kola Adewusi; Chairman of Access Holding Plc, Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, CFR; Minister of Industry, Trade & Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole; and the Publisher of Thisday Newspaper, Prince Nduka Obaigbena at the Zenith Bank 35th Anniversary and Chairman’s Dinner held at Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, at the weekend.
The ceremony brought together a distinguished gathering of stakeholders, including customers, past and present staff, regulators, partners, and friends of the bank, all united in celebrating Zenith Bank’s legacy of excellence and innovation that has propelled it to the forefront of Nigeria’s financial sector.
Among the eminent personalities in attendance were the Vice President of Nigeria, Senator Kashim Shettima, GCON; Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Ondo State Governor, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa; Taraba State Governor, Dr Agbu Kefas; Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum; and Delta State Governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, represented by Deputy Governor Sir Monday Onyeme. Also present were business magnate Alhaji Aliko Dangote, GCON, and former governors Mr Peter Obi and Mr Udom Emmanuel, the latter also being an alumnus of Zenith Bank.
In her welcome address, Group Managing Director/Chief Executive of Zenith Bank Plc, Dame Dr Adaora Umeoji, OON, paid glowing tribute to the bank’s Founder and Chairman, Jim Ovia, CFR. She described him as “the Godfather of modern banking and the Nostradamus of our time,” praising his tenacity, foresight, and unwavering integrity in transforming a modest vision into a globally recognised financial powerhouse.
Vice President Shettima, himself a proud alumnus of Zenith Bank, delivered a heartfelt goodwill message in which he lauded Mr Ovia’s pioneering role in shaping the bank’s success. “Long before technology became the bloodstream of global finance, Jim Ovia had already woven it into the DNA of Nigerian banking,” he said. “He introduced innovation not as a fashion but as a philosophy, placing Zenith Bank on a path where excellence is not an ambition but a standard. Yet his true signature is not only on the balance sheet. His greatest investment has been in human capital—transferring his experience and sense of adventure to generation after generation of bankers and investors forged at Zenith Bank.”
In his closing remarks, Mr Jim Ovia expressed deep appreciation to all who have supported the bank’s journey. He extended heartfelt thanks to Zenith Bank’s customers and shareholders for their trust and shared vision; to regulators for their guidance; to friends and partners for their enduring support; to the Zenith Bank family led by Dame Dr Adaora Umeoji for their loyalty and commitment; and to his beloved wife and family for their love and encouragement.
Zenith Bank, founded in May 1990, has grown from humble beginnings into one of Africa’s leading financial institutions. It operates across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, and maintains subsidiaries in the United Kingdom, Ghana, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, France, the United Arab Emirates, and a representative office in China.
