Lagos, Nigeria – For an impressive sixteenth consecutive year, Zenith Bank Plc has been recognized as Nigeria's leading bank by Tier-1 Capital, as confirmed by The Banker's 2025 Top 1000 World Banks’ Rankings. This consistent top-tier performance by the Nigerian financial powerhouse has also positioned it as the 581st largest bank globally, boasting a robust Tier-1 Capital of $2 billion.
The latest global rankings, detailed in the July 2025 edition of The Banker (a publication of the Financial Times Group, UK), are based on banks' 2024 year-end Tier-1 capital figures. This metric is widely regarded as the primary indicator of a bank's financial strength and regulatory capital adequacy.
Dame (Dr.) Adaora Umeoji, OON, the Group Managing Director/CEO of Zenith Bank Plc, expressed immense satisfaction with this sustained achievement. "Maintaining our position as the Number One Bank in Nigeria by Tier-1 capital for the 16th consecutive year is truly thrilling. It underscores our bank's strong financial health, effective risk management, and unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional value to all our customers and stakeholders," she stated.
Dr. Umeoji particularly lauded the visionary and transformative leadership of the bank's Founder and Chairman, Jim Ovia, CFR, crediting him with building a resilient and flourishing institution. She also extended appreciation to the bank's loyal customers, the Board for its robust corporate governance, and the dedicated staff for their tireless contributions to the bank's success.
Financial Highlights Reinforce Dominance:
Zenith Bank's continued leadership is strongly supported by its outstanding financial results for the 2024 financial year. According to its audited reports submitted to the Nigerian Exchange (NGX), the bank achieved a remarkable 86% increase in gross earnings, rising from N2.13 trillion in 2023 to N3.97 trillion in 2024. This growth was significantly boosted by a 138% surge in interest income, driven by strategic investments in high-yield government securities and expansion of its loan portfolio.
The bank's profit before tax (PBT) also saw a substantial 67% increase, climbing to N1.3 trillion in 2024 from N796 billion in 2023. This strong performance enabled Zenith Bank to declare an unprecedented total dividend payout of N195.67 billion, equating to N5.00 per ordinary share, for the 2024 financial year.
A History of Accolades:
Zenith Bank's unwavering commitment to excellence has consistently earned it numerous prestigious awards, both domestically and internationally. These include multiple recognitions as "Bank of the Year" by The Banker and BusinessDay BAFI Awards, "Best Bank in Nigeria" by Global Finance World’s Best Banks Awards, and various accolades for digital solutions, commercial banking, sustainability, and corporate governance. Its consistency in these areas underscores its prominent and well-regarded position within the financial services industry.
