Zenith Bank Marks 35th Anniversary in Lagos

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,

By Ayomide Otitoju

Zenith Bank Plc on Friday, August 15, 2025, celebrated its 35th anniversary with a commemorative Chairman’s Dinner at the Eko Convention Centre, Eko Hotels & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The event, marked by pomp and elegance, featured the recognition of pioneer customers and long-serving staff members who have contributed significantly to the bank’s growth. Awards and plaques were presented to staff with 25 years and above of meritorious service.

The celebration drew a distinguished audience, including Vice President Kashim Shettima; Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa; Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas; Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum; Deputy Governor of Delta State, Sir Monday Onyeme, representing Governor Sheriff Oborevwori; Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote; as well as former governors Peter Obi and Udom Emmanuel, an alumnus of the bank.

In her welcome address, Group Managing Director and Chief Executive of Zenith Bank, Dame Dr. Adaora Umeoji, OON, commended the bank’s Founder and Chairman, Jim Ovia, CFR, describing him as “the Godfather of modern banking and the Nostradamus of our time,” whose foresight and integrity laid the foundation for the institution’s global success.

Vice President Shettima, a former staff member of the bank, lauded Ovia for pioneering technological innovation in Nigerian banking, noting that his legacy extends beyond financial achievements to human capital development. “His greatest investment has been in people—generation after generation of bankers and investors forged at Zenith Bank,” he said.

Expressing his gratitude, Jim Ovia thanked customers, shareholders, regulators, partners, staff, and family for their unwavering support. “This milestone is not just about the bank but about the collective vision, trust, and resilience that have brought us this far,” he remarked.

Founded in May 1990, Zenith Bank has evolved into one of Africa’s foremost financial institutions, with a presence across Nigeria’s 36 states and the FCT, as well as subsidiaries in the United Kingdom, Ghana, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, France, the United Arab Emirates, and a representative office in China.