Jim Ovia to retire as Zenith Bank founder, group chairman
Lagos, Nigeria — May 4, 2026
Zenith Bank has announced that its founder and Group Chairman, Jim Ovia, will retire following the conclusion of his tenure.
The development marks the end of an era for one of Nigeria’s leading financial institutions, with Ovia widely credited for building Zenith Bank into a major player in the country’s banking sector.
Details regarding his successor and transition plans are expected to be communicated by the bank’s management in due course.
Ovia’s retirement is seen as a significant milestone in the institution’s corporate governance evolution, as the bank prepares for a new phase of leadership.
