Jim Ovia is a Nigerian businessman, motivational speaker and writer. He is the Chairman and pioneer CEO of Zenith Bank PLC, Nigeria’s largest and Africa’s 6th largest bank by Shareholders’ Funds. He is a versatile businessman who is not just making waves in one sector of the economy. We can feel his impact in the IT sector in Nigeria.
Jim Ovia Biography
Jim Ovia was born on the 4th of November, 1957 to a large family in Agbor, Delta State. He is the second son of Obi Olihe of Agbor-Obi, one of the most revered chiefs in Agbor Kingdom, Delta State.
Ovia attended Ika Grammar School, Bojiboji-Owa for his secondary education before going to oversee for his tertiary education. He has a B.Sc. degree in Business Administration from Southern University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, U.S.A in 1977 and Master’s degree in Business Administration from University of Louisiana, Monroe, Louisiana, USA in 1979. Jim Ovia is an alumnus of Harvard Business School.
He is married to Kay Ovia, Chief Executive Officer of Quantum Markets Ltd and initiator of Star Rising Talent Hunt for children and young adults.
Jim Ovia Net Worth
His net worth as at 2015 was $550 million according to Forbes.
Early Career Of Jim Ovia
While growing up, young Jim Ovia always pondered about the career path to choose and was encouraged by his uncle to study business administration. Heeding to his uncle advice and hard work made him what he is today.
Ovia started out as a clerk at Union Bank, formerly Barclays Bank in 1973. This was shortly after he finished his secondary school. He worked for 3 years as a bank clerk before moving to USA where he obtained his Bachelor’s and Master’s degree.
Along the line, he developed a keen interest in computer science and information technology. He worked as part- time computer operator at the defunct Baton Rouge Bank and Trust Company.
After graduating, he 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. Soon after, Jim Ovia joined International Merchant Bank (IMB) in 1980 and was promoted from the position of financial analyst to bank manager. From IMB, he moved to Merchant Bank of Africa where he set up a thriving corporate division. Talk about fiercely climbing the corporate ladder! Needless to say that the sky became his starting point from then onward.