Jim Ovia Takes Over American International School’s Lagos Property

By Emmanuel Aziken

Billionaire banker and businessman, Mr. Jim Ovia has acquired the Lekki, Lagos property of American International School as a branch of his Agbor, Delta State based James Hope College.

The transaction amount was not disclosed at the takeover agreement signing on Wednesday that was witnessed by some of Nigeria’s leading education stakeholders including Governor Jide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State and a representative of the United States embassy in Nigeria.

While commending Mr. Ovia’s initiative, Governor Sanwo-Olu said the administration was set to commence the renovation of about 300 of its 657 secondary schools. He called for support for the administration’s initiatives in the sector.

Giving an insight into his reasons for establishing a branch of the school, Ovia said:

“If you are in Lagos, you are taking care of at least 50 percent of the population of Nigeria one way or the other. The population is there and whatever resonates with the people here is regarded as being accepted all over the country.

“Also, within the six years that we have run James Hope College in Agbor, we have made great impact that I want us to replicate across the country. I have a deep passion for education and if you come to my office, the two prominent logos you would see are those of Zenith Bank and James Hope College.

“Education is the main key.  Our first set of graduating students got 100 percent in the last WAEC. Moreover, I believe in giving back to the society and the Jim Ovia Foundation gave not less than 40 percent of our students scholarships.

“By the grace of God, when the Lagos school starts by September next year, at least 40 percent of the students will be given scholarships as well.” he said.

Mr. Ovia has poured over N9 billion into the school at Agbor with at least 40% of the students on scholarship and successful graduates of the school also enjoying his scholarship to universities of their choice in the country.

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