FirstHoldCo and Dangote Cement, controlled by Forbes-ranked billionaires, join the FTSE Frontier 50
FirstHoldCo and Dangote Cement join the FTSE Frontier 50, a far more selective index than the broader series 10 Nigerian firms entered.
Jim Ovia
6 Nigerian billionaires have companies joining the FTSE frontier index this month
Ten Nigerian stocks join FTSE Russell's frontier index on Sept. 21, including companies part-owned by Aliko Dangote, Femi Otedola and Victor Odili.
Billionaire Femi Otedola owns more of FirstHoldCo than fellow bank chairmen Elumelu, Aig-Imoukhede or Ovia ever did
Femi Otedola now owns 20.42 percent of FirstHoldCo, more than any sitting Nigerian banking chairman, and the comparison with Elumelu, Aig-Imoukhede and Ovia tells a compelling story.
Nigerian billionaire Jim Ovia bets on Lagos luxury real estate after stepping down as Zenith chairman
Zenith Bank founder Jim Ovia is building two luxury residential towers in Lagos with units from $1.85 million as he pivots to real estate after leaving the bank's chairmanship.
How Jim Ovia's $5.5 million bet on Moniepoint built a billion-dollar unicorn
A $5.5 million Series A cheque from Jim Ovia's investment firm helped build Moniepoint from a bank software startup into a billion-dollar unicorn.
Nigerian billionaire Jim Ovia's Zenith Bank stake hits $643 million as shares surge
Jim Ovia's Zenith Bank stake has more than doubled in naira terms in 2026 and is now worth $643 million after the naira's strengthening added a dollar bonus.
Jim Ovia, Ogunlesi, Mwangi and Jonah named Lifetime Achievement winners at ABLA 2026
Jim Ovia, Adebayo Ogunlesi, James Mwangi and Sam Jonah have been named Lifetime Achievement Award winners at the 16th African Business Leadership Awards 2026.
Jim Ovia's Zenith Bank opens in Côte d'Ivoire, breaking into Francophone West Africa for the first time
Jim Ovia's Zenith Bank has formally launched its Côte d'Ivoire subsidiary in Abidjan, marking its first entry into Francophone West Africa's banking market.
Nigerian billionaire Jim Ovia to pocket $41.5 million in Zenith Bank dividends
Zenith Bank plans to double its total dividend to N10 per share for 2025, which would hand founder and chairman Jim Ovia a payout of approximately N58 billion.
Jim Ovia's Zenith Bank posts Africa's highest brand value growth at 33.6%
Jim Ovia's Zenith Bank recorded the highest banking brand value growth in Africa in 2026, climbing 33.6 percent to $380 million.
Jim Ovia's Zenith Bank promotes insider Kennedy Okwudili to executive director
Zenith Bank has named Kennedy Onuwa Okwudili as an executive director in a move reinforcing its leadership pipeline under chairman Jim Ovia and CEO Umeoji.
Jim Ovia's Zenith Bank reclaims Nigeria's most valued lender
Jim Ovia's Zenith Bank Plc reclaimed its position as Nigeria's most valuable lender after shares surged to an all-time high of N111.
Nigerian banker Jim Ovia reflects on a $5 million decision that became $3.3 billion
Nigerian banker Jim Ovia reflects on turning a $5 million bet in 1990 into a bank with more than $3.3 billion in shareholders’ funds.
Nigerian banker Jim Ovia gains $18.5 million from Zenith Bank shares
Jim Ovia’s Zenith Bank stake gains $18.5 million as shares rise, lifting investor confidence and boosting the lender’s market value.
Nigerian banker Jim Ovia’s Zenith Bank stake hits $220 million
Nigerian banker Jim Ovia’s Zenith Bank stake rises above $220 million after a recent share rally.
Kenya’s Paramount Bank hits $24 million as Jim Ovia’s Zenith Bank plans buy
Kenya’s Paramount Bank raises capital to $24 million as Jim Ovia’s Zenith Bank plans a strategic acquisition.