Zenith Bank Plc has maintained its position as Nigeria’s leading bank by Tier-1 Capital for the 16th consecutive year, according to the 2025 Top 1000 World Banks’ Rankings published by The Banker, a publication of the Financial Times Group, UK. The ranking, based on 2024 year-end figures, places Zenith Bank 581st globally, with Tier-1 Capital of $2 billion.
Tier-1 Capital represents a core measure of a bank’s financial strength, including equity capital and disclosed reserves. A strong Tier-1 ratio reflects a bank’s ability to absorb losses and remain financially stable, bolstering investor and customer confidence.
Group Managing Director/CEO of Zenith Bank Plc, Dame (Dr.) Adaora Umeoji, OON, described the achievement as a testament to the bank’s strong financial performance, prudent risk management, and dedication to customer value. She credited the bank’s Founder and Chairman, Jim Ovia, CFR, for his visionary leadership, and expressed gratitude to customers, the board, and staff for their loyalty and contributions to the bank’s success.
According to Zenith Bank’s audited results for the 2024 financial year, the bank recorded an 86% increase in gross earnings, rising from ₦2.13 trillion in 2023 to ₦3.97 trillion in 2024. This was driven by a 138% rise in interest income, supported by investments in high-yield government securities and growth in the bank’s loan portfolio. Profit before tax also grew by 67% to ₦1.3 trillion, up from ₦796 billion in 2023. Consequently, the bank declared a total dividend payout of ₦195.67 billion, equivalent to ₦5.00 per ordinary share.
Zenith Bank’s consistent excellence has earned it a long list of prestigious local and international awards. These include Bank of the Year (Nigeria) by The Banker in 2020, 2022, and 2024; Best Bank in Nigeria from Global Finance in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2024, and 2025; and Best Bank for Digital Solutions in Nigeria by Euromoney in 2023.
Other recognitions include:
- Best Commercial Bank, Nigeria (2021–2024) – World Finance
- Most Sustainable Bank, Nigeria (2023, 2024) – International Banker
- Best Corporate Governance Bank, Nigeria (2022–2024) – World Finance
- Best in Corporate Governance – Financial Services, Africa (2020–2023) – Ethical Boardroom
- Most Valuable Banking Brand in Nigeria (2020, 2021) – The Banker Magazine
- Bank of the Year (2023, 2024) – BusinessDay BAFI Awards
- Retail Bank of the Year (2020–2022, 2024) – BAFI Awards
- Best Innovation in Retail Banking (2022) – International Banker
- Most Responsible Organisation in Africa, Best in Transparency, Best in Gender Equality – SERAS CSR Awards Africa 2024
- Bank of the Year 2024 – ThisDay and New Telegraph
- Best in MSME Trade Finance 2023 – Nairametrics
- Rights Issue/Public Offer of the Year 2025 – Nairametrics Capital Market Choice Awards
Zenith Bank’s continued dominance in Nigeria’s banking industry underscores its resilience, innovation, and commitment to sustainable growth.
