Zenith Bank Plc has retained its status as Nigeria’s leading bank by Tier-1 Capital for the sixteenth consecutive year, according to the 2025 edition of the Top 1000 World Banks rankings published by The Banker, a Financial Times publication in the United Kingdom.
With a Tier-1 capital base of $2 billion, Zenith Bank ranked 581st globally in the list based on 2024 year-end data. This metric, widely used by international financial regulators, evaluates the strength and resilience of banking institutions.
Commenting on the recognition, the Group Managing Director/CEO of Zenith Bank Plc, Dame (Dr.) Adaora Umeoji, OON, said, “We are thrilled to have retained our position yet again as the number one bank in Nigeria by Tier-1 capital for the 16th consecutive year. This achievement is a reflection of the bank’s robust financial performance, prudent risk management, and steadfast dedication to delivering exceptional value to our customers and stakeholders.”
She credited the bank’s founder and chairman, Jim Ovia, CFR, for his visionary leadership. She acknowledged the support of customers, the board’s commitment to strong corporate governance, and the staff’s relentless efforts.
Tier-1 capital, as defined by the Bank for International Settlements (BIS), includes core capital such as common stock, retained earnings, disclosed reserves, and minority interests in subsidiaries. A high Tier-1 ratio is indicative of a bank’s capacity to withstand financial shocks and maintain investor and depositor confidence.
Zenith Bank’s audited financial statements for the 2024 fiscal year underscore its robust performance, with gross earnings rising by 86% to ₦3.97 trillion from ₦2.13 trillion in 2023. The bank attributed this growth to a 138% increase in interest income, driven by strategic investments in high-yield government securities and an expanding loan book.
Profit before tax (PBT) rose by 67% to ₦1.3 trillion, up from ₦796 billion in 2023. The outstanding performance enabled the bank to declare a record total dividend payout of ₦195.67 billion, translating to ₦5.00 per ordinary share.
Over the years, Zenith Bank has accumulated a portfolio of prestigious awards and recognitions, both locally and globally. These include:
Bank of the Year (Nigeria) by The Banker in 2020, 2022, and 2024.
Best Bank in Nigeria from Global Finance in 2020–2022, 2024, and 2025.
Best Bank for Digital Solutions in Nigeria by Euromoney in 2023.
Featured in the World Finance Top 100 Global Companies in 2023.
Best Commercial Bank (Nigeria) by World Finance (2021–2024).
Most Sustainable Bank (Nigeria) by International Banker in 2023 and 2024.
Best Corporate Governance Bank (Nigeria) from World Finance (2022–2024).
Recognised by Ethical Boardroom for ‘Best in Corporate Governance – Financial Services – Africa’ (2020–2023).
Named Most Valuable Banking Brand in Nigeria by The Banker (2020 and 2021).
Bank of the Year at the BusinessDay BAFI Awards (2023 and 2024).
Retail Bank of the Year at BAFI Awards in 2020–2022 and 2024.
Best Innovation in Retail Banking (Nigeria) and Best Commercial Bank (Nigeria) by International Banker in 2022.
Zenith Bank’s CSR leadership was also spotlighted at the SERAS CSR Awards Africa 2024, where it was honoured as the Most Responsible Organisation in Africa, alongside awards for Best Company in Transparency and Reporting and Best Company in Gender Equality and Women Empowerment.
The bank was also named Bank of the Year 2024 by ThisDay Newspaper and New Telegraph Newspaper. In 2023, it was awarded Best in MSME Trade Finance by Nairametrics, while its Hybrid Offer clinched the title of Rights Issue/Public Offer of the Year at the Nairametrics Capital Market Choice Awards 2025.
