Jim Ovia Honoured with Prestigious Freedom of the City of London Title

Founder and Chairman of Zenith Bank Plc, Jim Ovia, CFR, has been conferred with the Freedom of the City of London, one of the United Kingdom’s oldest and most prestigious honours.

The ceremonial presentation took place on Monday, April 7, 2025, at the historic Mansion House in the City of London, celebrating Ovia’s profound impact on the global financial landscape, commitment to economic development, and far-reaching philanthropic efforts.

The Freedom of the City of London, a tradition that dates back to the 13th century, is a symbolic recognition bestowed upon individuals who have made outstanding contributions to society.

While originally granting freemen specific rights within the city, today it stands as a ceremonial distinction reserved for individuals of extraordinary influence and achievement.

Mr. Ovia now joins an elite roll of recipients that includes Nelson Mandela, Bill Gates, Sir Winston Churchill, Desmond Tutu, Harry Kane, Morgan Freeman, and Ian Wright.

In his acceptance speech, a visibly honoured Jim Ovia stated: “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 Ahmed Tinubu extended heartfelt congratulations to Mr. Ovia through a statement by Bayo Onanuga, his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy.

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The President praised Ovia as a “distinguished ambassador of the nation’s private sector,” and lauded the honour as a “fitting recognition” of his exceptional contributions to business, innovation, technology, and financial sector development in Nigeria.

“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 President said.

The high-profile event drew a distinguished audience from Nigeria’s political, traditional, and corporate spheres.

Among those in attendance were: Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, GCFR – Former President of Nigeria; Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu – Governor of Lagos State; Rt. Hon. (Elder) Sherrif Oborevwori – Governor of Delta State; Dr. Peter Mbah – Governor of Enugu State; Alhaji Aliko Dangote, GCON – President, Dangote Group; Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite – Minister of State for Finance.

Others are: Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, MFR – Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment; Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu – Minister of State for Foreign Affairs; Oba Abdulwasiu Lawal – Oba of Oniru; Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe, CFR – Obi of Onitsha; His Eminence John Cardinal Onaiyekan; Rahul Savara – Group Managing Director, TGI Group of Companies.

Mr. Ovia’s recognition in London adds to a long list of accolades garnered over the years for his trailblazing work in banking, education, and philanthropy. Notably, he was awarded the Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) and the National Productivity Order of Merit (NPOM) in 2022 by the Nigerian government.

He was named Banker of the Year (2007) and Titan of the Year (2024) by ThisDay Newspaper, and earned the African Business Leader Award from the Africa-America Institute.

In academia, he holds honorary doctorate degrees from both the University of Lagos and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and was listed by Forbes Africa as one of the most influential figures in African banking.