Jim Ovia Receives Freedom of the City of London Honour
Jim Ovia, CFR, Founder and Chairman of Zenith Bank Plc, has been conferred with the prestigious Freedom of the City of London, one of the oldest and most respected civic honours in the United Kingdom. The distinguished ceremony took place at the Mansion House, City of London, celebrating Mr. Ovia’s remarkable contributions to global finance, economic development, and philanthropy.
Dating back to the 13th century, the Freedom of the City of London traditionally conferred specific privileges upon its recipients. In modern times, it has evolved into a symbolic honour bestowed upon individuals who have demonstrated exceptional service to London or to society at large. Mr. Ovia now joins a distinguished list of recipients that includes global icons such as Nelson Mandela, Bill Gates, Sir Winston Churchill, Desmond Tutu, Harry Kane, Morgan Freeman, and Ian Wright.
In his remarks, Mr. Ovia expressed gratitude for the recognition, dedicating the honour to his team and the people of Africa.
“It is indeed a great honour to be admitted to the prestigious Freedom of the City of London,” he said. “This is not just a recognition of my personal achievements but a testament to the tireless efforts of the entire Zenith team. I dedicate this to the people of Nigeria and Africa who continue to inspire me with their resilience and determination.”
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu extended his congratulations through a statement released by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. The President praised Ovia as a trailblazer in Nigeria’s private sector and a symbol of innovation and excellence.
“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,” the statement read.
The high-profile event was graced by several dignitaries, including former Nigerian President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, GCFR; Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. (Elder) Sheriff Oborevwori; Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah; President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, GCON; and a host of federal ministers and traditional rulers. Also present were top executives of Zenith Bank, who joined in celebrating their Chairman’s international recognition.
This latest accolade adds to a long list of honours bestowed on Mr. Ovia, including the national award of Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR), the National Productivity Order of Merit (NPOM), the African Business Leader Award from the Africa-America Institute, and multiple honorary degrees from leading Nigerian universities. He was named Banker of the Year in 2007 and Titan of the Year in 2024 by ThisDay Newspaper, and has been recognized by Forbes Africa as one of the continent’s most influential banking figures.
Mr. Ovia’s recognition in London not only highlights his personal achievements but also underscores the increasing global impact of Nigerian leadership in finance and development.
