“From Ovia’s Foresight To Umeoji’s Breaking Barriers, Zenith Bank Sets The Standard,” V.P Shettima Declares

Vice-President Kashim Shettima lauded Zenith Bank as a benchmark of corporate excellence in Nigeria, attributing its enduring success to the visionary stewardship of its founder, Jim Ovia, and the barrier-shattering leadership of its first female CEO, Dame Adaora Umeoji, in remarks delivered at the bank’s 35th anniversary gala in Lagos on August 15, 2025.

Shettima described Ovia as “the master of foresight, the architect of dreams, the conjurer of possibilities, the alchemist who turns vision into gold,” noting that long before global banking was powered by technology, Ovia had already embedded innovation into Zenith’s DNA. “Where others see risks, he invents solutions; where they feel lost, he provides a compass,” the Vice-President said, crediting Ovia’s approach for positioning Zenith as Nigeria’s largest bank by Tier-One capital for 16 consecutive years—a pillar of financial stability and institutional discipline.

Shettima pointed to a countless accolades home and abroad as further evidence of Zenith’s dominance: it was named Best Bank in Nigeria by Global Finance for 2025—its fifth win since 2020; recognised as Nigeria’s Best Bank at the Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2025; designated Most Sustainable Bank, Nigeria by the International Banker for 2023 and 2024; and crowned Bank of the Year (Nigeria) at The Banker’s Awards in 2024.

Additionally, the bank has consistently won Best Commercial Bank, Nigeria and Best Corporate Governance Bank—further cementing its reputation for sound management and ethical leadership.

Shettima, identifying himself as a proud Zenith alumnus, emphasised that the bank’s greatest asset has always been its people.

He attributed the seamless succession of leadership to Ovia’s mentorship culture, which has cultivated a generation of leaders well beyond the boardroom.

Turning to new CEO Umeoji, Shettima praised her as the embodiment of continuity and innovation—one who has “shattered a glass ceiling and replaced it with a skylight through which others can glimpse the possibilities above them.” Since assuming office in mid-2024, Umeoji has presided over record-breaking performance while making inclusion and empathy central to her leadership style.

Shettima also credited Ovia’s long-held principle—that “no decision should be made in any place where women are absent”—as the bedrock for Umeoji’s rise and the bank’s inclusive culture.

As the anniversary unfolded, Shettima concluded with a stirring tribute: “As we celebrate Zenith at 35, we are honouring a culture where innovation is instinct, integrity is non-negotiable, and service to humanity stands as tall as service to shareholders. May the next 35 years see you continue breaking barriers and setting standards—proving that in Nigeria, greatness is not an exception; it is an expectation.”