Jim Ovia is the founder and chairman of Zenith Bank Plc, one of Nigeria and Africa's largest banks by Shareholders' Funds. He was at the helm of affairs for 20 years until his resignation in July, 2010. Jim Ovia is currently the Chairman and founder of Visafone Communications Limited, a mobile phone company. He is also the Chairman and founder, Quantum Group. Jim Ovia is a member of the National Economic Management Team of Nigeria as well as a member of the Honorary International Investors' Council. Jim Ovia is a philanthropist. He is the founder of 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 an annual Youth Empowerment seminar. Jim Ovia was conferred with the national award of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) in November 2011.