Zenith Bank Named Nigeria’s Best Bank In Global Finance Best Banks Awards 2025

Zenith Bank Plc has been named the “Best Bank in Nigeria” for 2025 in the Global Finance Best Banks Awards.

This marks the fifth time in six years the bank has received the recognition from Global Finance, which announced the winners of its 32nd annual awards spanning 36 countries across Africa.

According to Global Finance, the selection process identified banks that successfully responded to customer needs in challenging economic environments while also maintaining strong financial outcomes and laying the groundwork for sustained future performance.

The publication noted that successful banks managed assets and liabilities effectively amid fast-changing interest rate conditions.

In making its selections, Global Finance stated that it conducted extensive consultations with corporate finance executives, bankers, analysts, and consultants around the world.

Criteria used included both objective factors, such as asset growth, profitability, strategic partnerships, product innovation, and geographic reach, and subjective assessments from industry specialists and equity analysts.

Commenting on the award, Adaora Umeoji, Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Zenith Bank, said the honour “is a testament to our unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional customer service, innovative financial solutions, and dedication to serving our customers with efficiency and a strong focus on corporate governance.”

Umeoji added that the bank would continue to invest in people, technology, and systems “to ensure that we consistently maintain the highest level of service delivery.”

She acknowledged the contributions of stakeholders, noting the role of the bank’s founder and chairman, Jim Ovia, “for his visionary leadership and role in laying the foundation for an enduring and successful institution.”

She also commended the board for its guidance, the staff for their commitment, and the customers for their continued loyalty.

Joseph D. Giarraputo, publisher and editorial director of Global Finance, said that global banking is continuing to adapt in the face of new challenges, particularly as artificial intelligence plays a growing role.

“AI has quickly taken a pivotal role in the transformation of banking, and its growth promises to reshape the financial sector at an unprecedented pace,” he said.

Giarraputo noted that the Best Bank Awards recognise institutions for their strength in diversity of offerings, long-term stability, and technology-driven innovation.

Founded in 1987, Global Finance annually recognises the top-performing financial institutions across 150 countries and territories.

The awards have become a widely respected benchmark for excellence in banking and finance.

Zenith Bank’s recognition in 2025 adds to a series of accolades in recent years. The bank has been ranked the number one bank in Nigeria by Tier-1 Capital for 15 consecutive years in The Banker magazine’s Top 1000 World Banks ranking.

It also received the Bank of the Year (Nigeria) award from The Banker in 2020, 2022, and 2024; Best Bank in Nigeria from Global Finance between 2020 and 2022, and again in 2024; and Best Bank for Digital Solutions in Nigeria from Euromoney in 2023.

Additional awards include Best Commercial Bank and Most Sustainable Bank in Nigeria from International Banker between 2021 and 2024; Best Corporate Governance Bank in Nigeria from World Finance from 2022 to 2024; and four consecutive Best in Corporate Governance – Financial Services Africa awards from Ethical Boardroom between 2020 and 2023.

Zenith Bank was also named Most Valuable Banking Brand in Nigeria by The Banker magazine in 2020 and 2021, Bank of the Year at the BusinessDay BAFI Awards in 2023 and 2024, and Retail Bank of the Year for three years between 2020 and 2024.

At the SERAS CSR Awards Africa 2024, the bank was recognised as the Most Responsible Organisation in Africa, and was also named Best Company in Transparency and Reporting and Best Company in Gender Equality and Women Empowerment.

In addition, Zenith Bank received the award for Best in MSME Trade Finance in 2023 from Nairametrics, while its Hybrid Offer was adjudged Rights Issue/Public Offer of the Year at the Nairametrics Capital Market Choice Awards 2025.