The Board of Directors

CHAIRMAN, BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Jim Ovia is the founder and pioneer Group Managing Director / CEO of Zenith Bank Plc, Nigeria’s largest and Africa’s 6th largest bank by Shareholders’ Funds. He was at the helm of affairs, from inception, for 20 years until his resignation in July, 2010. He was reappointed the Chairman of the bank in 2014.

Jim Ovia was a member of the National Economic Management Team of Nigeria and he is a member of the Honorary International Investors’ Council.

Jim Ovia is a philanthropist and the founder and proprietor of James Hope College, Agbor, Delta State. His foundation, which focuses on providing scholarship to the less-privileged, has a number of beneficiaries that are now qualified medical doctors, engineers, etc.

He is also the Founder of several enterprises and philanthropic institutions including the Youth Empowerment & ICT Foundation, which focuses on improving the socio-economic welfare of Nigerian youths by empowering them to embrace Information and Communication Technology. The initiative holds annual Youth Empowerment seminars.

In recognition of his achievements particularly in support of the Nigerian economy, Jim Ovia was conferred with the national award of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) in November, 2011.

Jim Ovia holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Louisiana, Louisiana, USA obtained in 1979 and a B.Sc degree in Business Administration from Southern University, Louisiana, USA (1977). He is an alumnus of Harvard Business School (OPM).

Jim Ovia is a writer and motivational speaker. He has been interviewed by a number of global networks including CNN, CNBC, Bloomberg and Arise TV.

DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR

Dr. Adaora Umeoji is the Deputy Managing Director of Zenith Bank Plc.

With over 20 years cognate banking and broad executive management experience, Dr Adaora Umeoji rose through the ranks to her current position.

She holds a Bachelor’s degree from University of Jos, an MBA from University of Calabar and a Doctorate degree in Business Administration from Apollos University, Great Falls, Montana, USA. Her dissertation was on inspirational leadership and her findings have been recognized as a major contribution in leadership and people management.

She was trained in strategic thinking and management at Wharton Business School, Pennsylvania, USA and also holds a Certificate in Management from Harvard Business School, Boston, USA.

She is a member of notable professional bodies including the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, Institute of Credit Administration, Nigerian Institute of Management, Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Nigeria and Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators.

Dr. Adaora Umeoji has presented lead papers at major academic conferences and symposia. Recently, she was a keynote speaker at the Zenith Global Economic Forum held in New York City, USA where she delivered a thought-provoking lecture on Financing Growth Drivers in the Nigerian Economy.

Dr. Adaora Umeoji has at different times participated in high-level Bankers’ meetings with impactful contributions towards the advancement of the banking industry and national economic growth and development. She has delivered several motivational speeches at strategic sessions aimed at mentoring youths and managers, especially banking professionals.

Beyond banking, Dr. Adaora Umeoji supports research and learning on inspirational leadership, mentorship, talent development, collaboration, change and adaptability, strategic thinking, innovation and creativity, amongst others.

Dr Adaora Umeoji promotes the Pink Breath Cancer Care Foundation which supports several healthcare programs within the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria.

Dr. Adaora Umeoji has won numerous awards for excellence and creativity in management. Her contribution towards improving humanity has been recognized by the Nigerian Red Cross, Catholic Women organization of Nigeria and the Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators among other non-governmental organizations both within and outside the country. 

As a result of her passion in promoting professionalism in the banking industry and improving the well-being of the less privileged, Dr Adaora Umeoji founded the Catholic Bankers Association of Nigeria (CBAN), a platform she uses to promote ethical banking and service to humanity.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Non-Executive Director

He is a Professor, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs at San Diego State University, California, United States of America. Prior to this appointment, he was the Professor and Dean, College of Health Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, United States of America. He was also Professor and Dean, School of Health Professions, New York Institute of Technology, Old Westbury, New York, United States of America and Professor/Chairman, University of Kansas (Medical Center), Kansas City, United States of America as well as Associate Professor of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, University of Miami, School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, United States of America.

He graduated and obtained his first degree in 1978 from the University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. He obtained his Master's degree in 1983 from the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, United States of America and thereafter proceeded to the New York University, New York, United States of America where he bagged his Ph.D. in 1985.

Professor Enwemeka is a distinguished scholar who has authored several books and has provided administrative oversight and academic leadership for various degree programs and in various prestigious Universities.

FAAS FTWAS, FAS, FAEng, OFR

Professor Oyewusi Ibidapo-Obe, a Distinguished Professor of Systems Engineering and former Vice Chancellor (2000-2007) of the University of Lagos and former Vice Chancellor of the new Federal University Ndufu Alike Ikwo Ebonyi State Nigeria (2011-2016); was the President of the Nigerian Academy of Science from 2009-2013.

He attended the University of Lagos from 1968-1971. He was awarded a Bachelor of Science [B.Sc. (Hon)] degree in Mathematics in the 1st Class Division by the University of Lagos, Nigeria in 1971; a Master of Mathematics (M. Maths) degree in Applied Mathematics with a minor in Computer Science in 1973 and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Civil Engineering with specialisation in Applied Mechanics/Systems in 1976 both from the University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. He attended the Round Table at Oxford University in 2003 and also the 2007 MIT Research and Development Conference and Innovations for Economic Development Course as well as Harvard University of Kennedy School of Government in 2013.

Professor Ibidapo-Obe was also a Commonwealth Scholar (Canada) (1972-1976); an NSERC/CIDA (Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council/Canadian International Development Agency (1977-1980) and a Senior Fulbright Research Scholar (1980-1981). He served the University of Lagos from October 1, 1972 as a Graduate Assistant through 1976 as Lecturer Grade II till 1983 as Professor. He was the Chairman of the Committee of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities. He was awarded the Best Vice Chancellor’s Prize (2004, 2005) for the Nigerian University System (NUS). He was conferred with the national honour of the Officer of the Federal Republic (OFR) by the Nigerian Government in 2004.

He serves as an honorary International Scholar-in-Residence at the Pennsylvania State University and a Visiting Research Professor at Texas Southern University (2007 – present) both in the United States. He has similar recognitions with Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, Germany. He has provided several consulting services on Science, Technology including Human Resources development to the United Nations and several of its agencies (UNDP, UNESCO, ILO et al) as well as the World Bank.

Professor Ibidapo-Obe was invested in 2004 with the prestigious Fellowships of the Academy of Science and Academy of Engineering Nigerian Computer Society and Mathematical Association of Nigeria. He was elected Fellow of the African Academy of Science (AAS) as well as The World Academy of Science (TWAS) in 2012. He was the Vice President of NASAC (Network of African Science Academies) (2011-2013).

A distinguished scholar who has authored several books and journals, Professor Ibidapo-Obe sits on the board of many companies as well as international organisations.

NON-EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER

Engr. Mustafa Bello graduated with B.Engr. (Civil Engineering), from the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria in 1978 with Second Class Upper Division and won the Shell prize for best project and thesis for Faculty of Engineering in 1978.

He served in the Directorate of Quartering and Engineering Service (Nigerian Army) between 1978 / 1979 and later joined the Niger State Housing Corporation between 1980 and 1983 as a Senior Civil Engineer.

He served as a cabinet Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as the Federal Minister of Commerce between 1999 and 2002.  He was subsequently appointed Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Investments Promotion Commission (NIPC) between November 2003 and February 2014.

He is currently the Chairman of Invest-in-Northern Nigeria Limited, a special purpose vehicle for the economic and social transformation of the Northern Nigerian Economy.

He has been involved in several projects in Nigeria including CAC on-line project in 2002, developed WTO consistent Trade Policy for the Federal Republic of Nigeria etc.

He has attended several conferences, missions and meetings and represented the Federal Government of Nigeria.