Zenith Bank Plc has reaffirmed its position as Nigeria’s top bank by Tier-1 capital for the sixteenth consecutive year, according to the 2025 Top 1000 World Banks’ Rankings published by The Banker, Financial Times Group, United Kingdom.
The latest report places Zenith Bank as the 581st bank globally, with a Tier-1 capital base of $2 billion as at the end of the 2024 financial year.
The annual ranking, which is regarded as a key benchmark by international financial institutions, is based on the year-end Tier-1 capital of banks. Tier-1 capital represents a bank’s core equity capital and disclosed reserves, providing the primary measure of its financial strength and resilience.
Reacting to the new ranking, Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Zenith Bank Plc, Dame (Dr.) Adaora Umeoji, OON, described the milestone as a testament to the bank’s robust fundamentals, prudent risk management framework and commitment to delivering sustained value to stakeholders.
“We are thrilled to have retained our position yet again as the Number One Bank in Nigeria by Tier-1 capital for the sixteenth consecutive year,” Umeoji stated.
She attributed the bank’s consistent performance to the visionary leadership of the Founder and Chairman, Jim Ovia, CFR, and expressed appreciation to the bank’s customers, Board, and workforce for their contributions to the institution’s steady growth trajectory.
Zenith Bank’s audited financial results for the 2024 financial year showed gross earnings rose by 86% year-on-year from ₦2.13 trillion in 2023 to ₦3.97 trillion in 2024. Profit before tax increased by 67% to ₦1.3 trillion, up from ₦796 billion recorded in the previous year, driven by significant growth in interest income and expansion of its loan portfolio.
The bank also declared a total dividend of ₦195.67 billion, amounting to ₦5.00 per ordinary share, underlining its commitment to delivering strong returns to shareholders.
Zenith Bank has consistently received recognition for its strong corporate governance, digital innovation, and sustainability initiatives. It was named Bank of the Year (Nigeria) by The Banker for 2020, 2022 and 2024 and has maintained the Best Bank in Nigeria title in the Global Finance World’s Best Banks Awards across multiple years.
Additional accolades include Best Commercial Bank Nigeria (2021-2024) by World Finance, Most Sustainable Bank Nigeria by International Banker in 2023 and 2024, and Best Corporate Governance Bank Nigeria by World Finance from 2022 to 2024.
With a strong Tier-1 capital ratio aligned with the Basel framework, Zenith Bank continues to strengthen investor and depositor confidence, reinforcing its status as one of Africa’s leading financial institutions.
