Zenith Bank Plc has retained its position 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 publication of the Financial Times Group.

The ranking, based on 2024 year-end Tier-1 capital figures, places Zenith Bank 581st globally, with a Tier-1 capital base of $2 billion.

Reacting to the news, Group Managing Director and CEO Dame (Dr) Adaora Umeoji, OON, expressed delight at the recognition. “This achievement reflects our strong financial performance, prudent risk management, and unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional value to our customers and stakeholders,” she said.

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, governance support, and hard work.

Tier-1 capital is a key measure of a bank’s financial resilience and includes equity, disclosed reserves, retained earnings, and other loss-absorbing capital.

According to its 2024 audited financial results filed with the Nigerian Exchange (NGX), Zenith Bank recorded an 86% growth in gross earnings—from ₦2.13 trillion in 2023 to ₦3.97 trillion in 2024. This was driven by a 138% rise in interest income and growth in the bank’s loan portfolio.

Profit before tax rose by 67% to ₦1.3 trillion in 2024, up from ₦796 billion in 2023. Shareholders received a record dividend payout of ₦195.67 billion (₦5.00 per ordinary share) for the year.

Zenith Bank’s consistent performance has earned it multiple accolades, including: Bank of the Year (Nigeria) by The Banker in 2020, 2022, and 2024; Best Bank in Nigeria (Global Finance) from 2020–2022, and again in 2024–2025; Best Bank for Digital Solutions (Euromoney, 2023); Best Commercial Bank (World Finance, 2021–2024); Most Sustainable Bank (International Banker, 2023 and 2024); Best Corporate Governance Bank (World Finance, 2022–2024); Best in Corporate Governance Financial Services Africa (Ethical Boardroom, 2020–2023).

The others are: Most Valuable Banking Brand in Nigeria (Banker Magazine, 2020–2021); Bank of the Year (BusinessDay and New Telegraph, 2024); Best in MSME Trade Finance (Nairametrics, 2023); Rights Issue/Public Offer of the Year (Nairametrics Capital Market Choice Awards, 2025); Most Responsible Organisation in Africa (SERAS CSR Awards, 2024).