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Career chronology

What roles did Jim Ovia hold, and when?

Jim Ovia

Nigerian banker who founded Zenith Bank Plc in 1990 and retired as its Group Chairman in 2026.

Latest source 12 Oct 2026Updated 26 Oct 20264 sources

FormerNow

6 dated roles on record; no current role confirmed.

Identity record: Public Figure Record Verified

Roles, most recent first

  1. 1990
    Founder Zenith Bank Plc Former

    Founded the bank in 1990.1

  2. Apr 2026
    Founder and Group Chairman Zenith Bank Plc Former

    Retired after completing the 12-year maximum tenure for a non-executive director and chairman under CBN corporate governance guidelines; Mustafa Bello succeeded him effective 27 April 2026.2 3

  3. Founder Visafone Communications Limited Date uncertain

    Described as the founder of the mobile operator.1

  4. President National Software Development Initiative Date uncertain

    Listed in profile.1

  5. Chairman National Advisory Committee on Information and Technology Date uncertain

    Listed in profile.1

  6. Member, Governing Board Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission Former

    Former board member.1

Where the dates come from

  1. SecondaryJim Ovia - portraitAfrica CEO Forum
  2. SecondaryJim Ovia retires as Zenith Bank Chairman, Mustafa Bello steps inNairametrics · 5 May 2026
  3. SecondaryZenith Bank announces retirement of founder Jim Ovia, appoints Mustafa Bello as new chairmanProshare (NGX corporate notice) · 5 May 2026

Changes

26 Oct 2026 Published after review.

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