Zenith Bank Plc on Friday, August 15, marked its 35th anniversary with a chairman’s dinner at the Eko Convention Centre, Lagos.
The event, attended by top political actors, business moguls and banking executives, highlighted the bank’s journey from its 1990 founding to becoming Nigeria’s biggest lender by tier-one capital.
Guests and awardees
Vice President Kashim Shettima led the list of dignitaries at the celebration. He was joined by Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Agbu Kefas and Babagana Zulum of Lagos, Ondo, Taraba and Borno states respectively. Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State was represented by Deputy Governor Sir Monday Onyeme.
Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, as well as former governors Peter Obi and Udom Emmanuel, were also present.
As part of the ceremony, commemorative plaques were presented to pioneer customers and staff who have served the bank for over 25 years.
Tributes to the founder
Group managing director/CEO, Adaora Umeoji, in her address, described founder and chairman, Jim Ovia, as “the Godfather of modern banking and the Nostradamus of our time”, praising his foresight and integrity in transforming Zenith into a global financial powerhouse.
Vice President Shettima, a Zenith Bank alumnus, also paid glowing tribute. “Long before technology became the bloodstream of global finance, Jim Ovia had already woven it into the DNA of Nigerian banking,” he said. “For him, the people make an institution. His greatest investment has been in human capital.”
Ovia gives thanks
In his remarks, Ovia thanked customers, shareholders, regulators, and partners for their trust and support. He also commended the Zenith Bank team led by Umeoji, while appreciating his wife and family for their encouragement.
From Lagos to the world
Founded in May 1990, Zenith Bank has grown from a modest start-up into one of Africa’s leading financial institutions. It operates branches across Nigeria and the FCT, with subsidiaries in the UK, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Gambia, France, and the UAE, and a representative office in China.
The anniversary dinner, layered with music, awards, and tributes, was both a celebration of past achievements and a statement of intent for the future.
