Godfather of Banking, Jim Ovia, admitted to the Freedom of the City of London

The Founder and Chairman of Zenith Bank Plc, Jim Ovia, has been admitted to the prestigious Freedom of the City of London in a distinguished ceremony which held at the Mansion House, City of London on Monday, 7 April, 2025. This prestigious accolade is a testament to Mr Ovia’s exceptional contributions to the global financial landscape, unwavering commitment to fostering economic development, and dedication to philanthropic
endeavours that have positively impacted countless lives.

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The Freedom of the City of London, a time-honoured tradition dating back to the 13th century, is one of the oldest surviving ceremonies in the United Kingdom. Historically, it granted freemen certain rights and privileges within the city. Today, it stands as a symbolic recognition of individuals who have made outstanding contributions to London or the wider society. This honour places Mr Ovia among a distinguished group of recipients, which includes notable figures from various fields such as Nelson Mandela, Bill Gates, Sir Winston Churchill, Desmond Tutu, Harry Kane, Morgan Freeman and Ian Wright.

Commenting on his new status as a Freeman of the City of London, the distinguished honoree, Jim Ovia, said “It is indeed a great honour to be admitted to the prestigious Freedom of the City of London. This is not just a recognition of my personal achievements, but also a testament to the tireless efforts of the entire Zenith team who have worked diligently to establish our institution as a leading force in global finance. I am proud to be part of a legacy that celebrates innovation, excellence and the spirit of entrepreneurship. I dedicate this to the people of Nigeria and Africa who continue to inspire me with their resilience and determination. I look forward to continuing to play a role in shaping the economic landscape of our great continent and beyond.”

Joining the nation in congratulating Mr Ovia, President Bola Tinubu, through a press statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, commended Mr Ovia for being a distinguished ambassador of the nation’s private sector. He described the honour as a fitting recognition of his exceptional contributions to business, innovation, and technology, as well as for his role in shaping Nigeria’s financial landscape and strengthening economic ties between Africa and the rest of the world.

According to him, “This honour is a testament to your unwavering commitment to excellence, your pioneering role in the growth of the financial services sector in Nigeria, and your visionary leadership that continues to inspire generations. As an accomplished entrepreneur and advocate of innovation-driven development, your recognition in the City of London affirms the global relevance of Nigerian excellence and enterprise”.

Dignitaries at the ceremony include Former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo; Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-olu; Governor of Delta State, Mr Sherrif Oborevwori; Governor of Enugu State, Dr Peter Mbah; President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote; Minister of State for Finance, Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole; Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Mrs Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu; Oba of Oniru, Oba Abdulwasiu Lawal; Group Managing Director, TGI Group of Companies, Rahul Savara; Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe, and His Eminence John Cardinal Onaiyekan, who joined Zenith Bank Executives in celebrating this significant milestone.

This well-deserved recognition rides on the back of many other prestigious awards that Mr Ovia has received for his outstanding contributions to banking, education and philanthropy including conferment of Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) and National Productivity Order of Merit (NPOM) Award in 2022 by the Federal Government of Nigeria. He was also named the Banker of the Year in 2007 and Titan of the year in 2024 by

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ThisDay Newspaper, and received the African Business Leader Award from the Africa- America Institute. He received honorary degrees from the University of Lagos as well as from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and was recognised by Forbes Africa as one of the most influential figures in banking.