President Bola Tinubu has appointed Jim Ovia, the Founder and Chairman of Zenith Bank Plc, as the Chairman of the Board of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).
This appointment was announced in a recent State House Press Release by Ajuri Ngelale, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity.
According to the release, President Tinubu believes that Ovia’s vast experience and professional standing will greatly contribute to the vision of ensuring that every Nigerian student has access to higher education without financial constraints.
Ovia’s appointment aims to ensure that Nigerian youths have the opportunity to acquire the necessary education and skills to become valuable members of society and active participants in the global knowledge-based economy.
The Founder and Chairman of Zenith Bank Plc, oversees one of Africa’s largest banks with assets totaling over $21.4 billion and shareholders’ funds exceeding US$2.4 billion as of December 2023.
Zenith Bank is a renowned global brand listed on the London Stock Exchange and the Nigerian Stock Exchange, with operations in Nigeria, other West African countries, London, and Dubai.
In addition to his role at Zenith Bank, Ovia is also the Founder and Chancellor of James Hope University in Lagos, which recently received approval from the National Universities Commission to offer postgraduate degrees in business courses.
Through his philanthropic efforts with the Jim Ovia Foundation, he has demonstrated a commitment to providing educational opportunities to Nigerian youth, offering scholarships through the Mankind United to Support Total Education (MUSTE) initiative.
Ovia, an alumnus of Harvard Business School, University of Louisiana, and Southern University, has authored the book “Africa Rise and Shine,” which highlights Zenith Bank’s success story and provides insights into doing business in Africa.
His contributions to Nigeria’s economic development have been recognized with several national awards, including the Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) and the National Productivity Order of Merit (NPOM) Award.
The National Student Loan Programme, facilitated by the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, aims to ensure sustainable higher education and skill development for Nigerian students and youths.
Ovia’s appointment as Chairman of NELFUND underscores the importance of having exceptional professionals guide and manage this critical initiative.
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