Vice President Kashim Shettima praised Zenith Bank for its enduring culture of innovation and integrity, highlighting its significant role in shaping Nigeria’s financial sector.
Speaking at the bank’s 35th anniversary celebration in Lagos, Shettima credited the institution with not only safeguarding Nigeria’s wealth but also fostering the nation’s aspirations, solidifying its position as the country’s largest bank by Tier-One capital.
Shettima, a proud alumnus of the bank, observed that since its founding in July 1990, Zenith Bank has initiated a “revolution in the nation’s corporate culture.”
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He noted that its consistent excellence has made it a benchmark in African enterprise, having held the top spot as Nigeria’s number one bank for 16 consecutive years.
He emphasised that the celebration was more than just a milestone; it was a recognition of a corporate culture where innovation is instinct and integrity is non-negotiable.
“On behalf of the Government and people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I salute Zenith Bank, I honour Mr. Jim Ovia, and I commend Dame Adaora Umeoji,” he stated, expressing hope for the bank’s continued success in the future.
Shettima paid tribute to Zenith Bank’s founder and chairman, Chief Jim Ovia, describing him as a “master of foresight” who recognised the future of banking long before others.
He lauded Ovia for weaving technology into the very fabric of Nigerian finance, not as a trend, but as a core philosophy.
Shettima, who worked under Ovia’s leadership as a banker, remarked that the founder’s true legacy is not just on the balance sheet but in the people he has empowered.
He also commended Dame Adaora Umeoji, the bank’s first female Group Managing Director and CEO.
He highlighted her rise through the ranks, which he said exemplifies the institution’s robust succession planning.
“Her journey demonstrates the succession planning that characterises Jim Ovia’s school of leadership,” Shettima said, noting that she has blended strategic vision with empathy in her new role.
In her address, Umeoji highlighted the bank’s remarkable journey from a humble beginning to a global financial powerhouse with a market capitalization of N3 trillion.
She confirmed that Zenith Bank remains Nigeria’s most profitable bank, boasting a shareholders’ fund of N4.44 trillion—the highest in the Nigerian banking industry.
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Umeoji thanked the founder and the bank’s customers for their trust and loyalty, vowing to uphold the institution’s vision.
The celebration was attended by several notable dignitaries, including the governors of Lagos, Ondo, Borno, and Taraba states, as well as several ministers and prominent figures from both the private and public sectors.
