Jim #Ovia Takes Helm as #NELFUND Chairman, Pledges to Empower #Nigerian Students

In a landmark decision, President Bola Tinubu has named Jim Ovia, the esteemed founder of Zenith Bank Plc, as the new Chairman of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND). The announcement came through a press release from Chief Ajuri Ngelale, the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, dated April 26, 2024.

President Tinubu is confident that Mr. Ovia’s extensive experience and esteemed professional reputation will be instrumental in realizing the critical mission of NELFUND. The President’s vision is clear: to ensure that financial constraints do not halt the educational aspirations of Nigerian students, and to equip the nation’s youth with the education and skills necessary to thrive in the global knowledge economy of the 21st century.

As the founder and guiding force behind Zenith Bank Plc, Jim Ovia has established one of Africa’s most formidable banking institutions, boasting assets exceeding $21.4 billion and shareholders’ equity surpassing $2.4 billion as of December 2023. With its inclusion on both the London and Nigerian Stock Exchanges, Zenith Bank’s influence extends well beyond its substantial presence in Nigeria and West Africa, reaching into financial centers like London and Dubai.

Jim Ovia is the Founder and Chancellor of James Hope University, Lekki, Lagos which was recently approved by the National Universities Commission (NUC) to offer postgraduate degrees in business courses. James Hope University commenced activities in September 2023.

Through his philanthropy – the Jim Ovia Foundation – he has shown the importance he accords good education. In support of the Nigerian youth, Jim Ovia Foundation offers scholarships to indigent students through the Mankind United to Support Total Education (MUSTE) initiative. Most of the beneficiaries of Jim Ovia Foundation scholarship are now accountants, business administrators, lawyers, engineers, doctors etc. He is the author of “Africa Rise and Shine”, published by ForbesBooks.

The book which encapsulates Zenith Bank’s meteoric rise, details the secrets of success in doing business in Africa. He is an alumnus of the Harvard Business School (OPM), University of Louisiana (MBA), and Southern University, Louisiana, (B.Sc. Business Administration). Jim Ovia is a member of the World Economic Forum (WEF) Community of Chairpersons, and a champion of the Forum’s EDISON Alliance.

In recognition of Jim Ovia’s contributions to the economic development of Nigeria, in 2022, the Federal Government of Nigeria honoured him with Commander of the Federal Republic, CFR. Also, in May 2022, Jim Ovia was conferred with the National Productivity Order of Merit (NPOM) Award by the Federal Government of Nigeria. Earlier, he has been conferred with the national awards of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic, MFR, and Commander of the Order of the Niger, CON, in 2000 and 2011, respectively, as a testament to his visionary leadership and contributions to Nigeria’s financial services sector.

Jim #Ovia Takes Helm as #NELFUND Chairman, Pledges to Empower #Nigerian Students

The National Student Loan Programme is a pivotal intervention that seeks to guarantee sustainable higher education and functional skill development for all Nigerian students and youths.The Nigerian Education Loan Fund, the implementing institution of this innovation, demands excellence and Nigerians of the finest professional ilk to guide and manage.