For Zenith Bank to attain and sustain top spot in the banking sector for over 30 years is indeed a mystery that is yet to be unraveled. All thanks to the Founder, Mr Jim Ovia, who laid a solid foundation for one of Nigeria’s biggest financial powerhouses with its unique ‘Red and White colour’.
Zenith bank was built on various core values but with a decision to always put customers first in all their dealings and decision. This singular act has helped the bank navigate through hard times.
Despite the turbulent waters of Nigeria’s financial sector, the bank, under the leadership of Jim Ovia, retained and maintained top spot leveraging on its core value built on integrity, professionalism, corporate governance, loyalty and excellent service.
You would wonder how, despite the global pandemic in 2020, Zenith has stayed afloat, towering high above its competitors, recording massive Return on Investment (ROI) for its investors and providing updated technological banking experience.
In spite of COVID-19 pandemic, when many businesses were struggling to find their feet, maintaining their work force, and throwing wage cut at their staff, Zenith Bank distinguished itself by devising means to retain its work force.
One would wonder what strategy the Managing Director of the bank, Mr Ebenezer Onyeagwu employed to remain on top.
For those who wants to earn a degree in risk management and business success, scheduling a meeting with the M.D of Zenith bank will further solidify and broaden your knowledge of managing a brand in time of crisis.
Ever since he was appointed in 2019 as the Managing Director and Chief Executive, Onyeagwu has mentored and groomed leaders within and outside the bank. He is a team player who believes in collective effort. He is a leader who gives equal opportunity to his staff and allow them grow astronomically.
Further building on the legacy of his predecessor, Mr Peter Amanbo; Ebenezer took the bank to another level, thereby; beating and surpassing the banks projection within the short he has being in charge.
As the MD of Zenith, the Accounting graduate of Auchi Polytechnic, Edo State, infused, in his dealings, strategic thinking, inspirational leadership, energetic and entrepreneurial skills.
Under Ebenezer’s watch, Zenith was rewarded with several high flying awards like:
Biggest Bank in Nigeria by tier-1 Capital 2019 – The Banker Magazine
Best Commercial Bank in Nigeria 2019 – World Finance, London
Most Valuable Banking Brand in Nigeria 2019 – The Banker, London
Best Digital Bank in Nigeria 2019 – Agusto & Co.
Best Company Promoting Good Health and Well-Being 2019 – SERAS Awards, Nigeria
Bank of the Year 2019 – BusinessDay Newspaper, Nigeria
Best Bank in Retail Banking 2019 – BusinessDay Newspaper, Nigeria
Most Innovative Bank of the Year 2019 – Tribune Newspaper, Nigeria
Sectoral Leadership (Financial Services – Banking) 2019 – Pearl Awards Nigeria.
Also in year 2020, the bank also won; Biggest Bank in Nigeria by tier-1 Capital 2020 – The Banker Magazine
Best Bank in Nigeria 2020 – Global Finance Magazine
Most Valuable Banking Brand in Nigeria 2020 – The Banker, London
Bank of the Decade (People’s Choice) – Thisday Newspaper, Nigeria
Bank of the Year 2020 – Independent Newspaper, Nigeria
With this numerous awards under his leadership and with less than two years in charge as the head honcho of the bank, one could only wonder how he would have transformed the bank by the end of his tenure as Chief Executive.
CITYSPY gathered that, his detractors are hell-bent on throwing off balance by casting aspersions and making some derogatory statement on his persona but the boardroom guru remains unperturbed. He used his achievements to shutdown detractors. Naysayers were also marveled with the recent award of Zenith as the ‘Most Valuable Banking brand’ by the Banker Magazine Top 500 Banking Brands 2021.
