Founder and chairman of Zenith Bank Plc Jim Ovia has been admitted to the prestigious Freedom of the City of London at a ceremony which took place on Monday at Mansion House in the England capital.
The event was attended by a host of dignitaries, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Sheriff Oborevwori and Peter Mbah of Lagos, Delta and Enugu states respectively.
Also present were president of Dangote Group Aliko Dangote, Access Holdings chairman Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, minister of state for foreign affairs Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Oba of Oniru Abdulwasiu Lawal, John Cardinal Onaiyekan and Zenith Bank executives.
The Freedom of the City of London, a tradition dating back to the 13th century, is one of the United Kingdom’s oldest ceremonies. Originally conferring special privileges to its recipients, the honour now symbolises recognition of outstanding contributions to society.
It acknowledges Mr. Ovia’s exceptional contributions to the global financial sector, his dedication to fostering economic development, and his philanthropic efforts that have positively influenced countless lives.
Ovia joins a distinguished group of past recipients that include global icons such as Nelson Mandela, Bill Gates, Sir Winston Churchill, Desmond Tutu, Harry Kane, Morgan Freeman and Ian Wright.
Commenting on the honour, Jim Ovia expressed his gratitude, stating “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.”
President Bola Tinubu joined in congratulating Ovia, describing the recognition as a well-deserved testament to his remarkable contributions to business, innovation, and the financial services industry in Nigeria. In a statement issued by his special adviser on information and strategy Bayo Onanuga, the president praised Mr. Ovia for his visionary leadership and his role in strengthening economic ties between Africa and the rest of the world.
“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,” the statement read.
Jim Ovia’s recognition as a Freeman of the City of London is the latest in a series of honours that celebrate his exceptional career. He has been conferred with the Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) and the National Productivity Order of Merit (NPOM) Award by the Federal Government of Nigeria. Other accolades include being named Banker of the Year in 2007, Titan of the Year in 2024 by ThisDay Newspaper and receiving 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.
