Zenith Bank Plc has honoured pioneer customers and staff who have served for over 25 years, as part of activities marking its 35th anniversary celebration held on Friday, August 15, 2025 at the Eko Convention Centre, Lagos.

The commemorative awards and plaques were presented in recognition of their immense contributions to the bank’s remarkable growth into a leading financial powerhouse in Nigeria and across Africa. The milestone event brought together customers, past and present staff, regulators, partners, and friends of the bank.

Distinguished guests in attendance included Nigeria’s Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima; Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa; Taraba State Governor, Dr. Agbu Kefas; Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum; Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori (represented by his deputy, Sir Monday Onyeme); Africa’s richest man, Alhaji Aliko Dangote; and former governors Peter Obi and Udom Emmanuel, among others.

In her welcome remarks, the Group Managing Director/CEO, Dame Dr. Adaora Umeoji, OON, applauded the Founder and Chairman, Jim Ovia, CFR, describing him as the “Godfather of modern banking” whose foresight, innovation, and integrity built Zenith Bank into a globally recognised institution.

Vice President Shettima, an alumnus of the bank, praised Ovia for embedding technology and innovation into Nigerian banking long before it became a global norm. He noted that Ovia’s greatest investment was not only in technology but in human capital development, producing generations of top bankers and investors.

Speaking at the event, Jim Ovia expressed deep appreciation to customers, shareholders, regulators, partners, staff, and family for their trust and support in making Zenith Bank a household name over the past 35 years.

Founded in May 1990, Zenith Bank has grown from humble beginnings into one of Africa’s largest financial institutions, with operations across Nigeria’s 36 states and FCT, and international subsidiaries in the UK, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Gambia, France, UAE, as well as a representative office in China.