• Zenith Bank Plc has retained its position as the Number One Bank in Nigeria by Tier-1 Capital for

  the sixteenth consecutive year, in the 2025 Top 1000 World Banks’ Rankings, published by The

  Banker,FinancialTimesGroup,UnitedKingdom.ThisrankingplacesZenithBankPlcasthe

  581st Bank globally, with a Tier-1 Capital of $2 billion.

  The global rankings, published inthe July 2025 edition of TheBanker, was based on the 2024

  year-end Tier-1capital ofbanks. Thisis theprimary basisformost internationalorganizations’

  assessments of banks.

  Commenting on this achievement, the Group Managing Director/CEO of Zenith Bank Plc, Dame

  (Dr.) Adaora Umeoji, OON, said, “We are thrilled to have retained our position yet again as the

  Number One Bank in Nigeria by Tier-1 capital for the 16th consecutive year. This achievement is

  a reflection of the bank’s robust financial performance, prudent risk management and steadfast

  dedication to delivering exceptional value to our customers and stakeholders”. She thanked the

  Founder and Chairman, Jim Ovia, CFR, for his visionary and transformative leadership which has

  playedapivotalroleincultivatingaresilientandthrivinginstitution.Shealsoexpressedher

  deepest appreciation to the bank’s esteemed customers for their continued loyalty to the Zenith

  brand, the Board for the sound corporate governance, and the staff for their relentless & tireless

  efforts in ensuring the bank’s success.

  Tier-1 Capital describes capital adequacy, the core measure of a bank’s financial strength from a

  regulator’sperspective.Accordingtotheranking,Tier-1Capital,asdefinedbytheBankfor

  International Settlements(BIS) guidelines,includes loss-absorbingcapital, i.e.,common stock,

  disclosed reserves, retained earnings, and minority interests in the equity of subsidiaries that are

  less than whollyowned. A strongTier-1 capital ratio boostsinvestor and depositorconfidence,

  indicating the Bank is well-capitalised and financially stable.

  Accordingtotheaudited financialresultsforthe2024financialyearpresented totheNigerian

  Exchange (NGX), the Bank recorded a double-digit growth of 86% in gross earnings, increasing

  from N2.13 trillion in 2023 to N3.97 trillion in 2024. This growth was driven by a 138% increase in

  interest income, supported by investment in high-yield government securities, and growth in the

  Bank’s loan book. Zenith Bank’s profit before tax (PBT) rose by 67%, reaching N1.3 trillion in 2024

  from N796 billion in 2023. This performance saw the bank record an unprecedented total dividend

  payout of N195.67 billion at N5.00 per ordinary share in the 2024 financial year.

  Zenith Bank’s track record of excellent performance has continued to earn the brand numerous

  awards including being recognised as the Bank of the Year (Nigeria) in The Banker’s Bank of the

  Year Awards for 2020, 2022 and 2024; Best Bank in Nigeria from 2020 to 2022, 2024 and 2025,

  in the Global Finance World’s Best Banks Awards; Best Bank for Digital Solutions in Nigeria in the
• Euromoney Awards 2023; and being listed in the World Finance Top 100 Global Companies in

  2023.

  Further recognitions include Best Commercial Bank, Nigeria for four consecutive years from 2021

  to2024intheWorldFinanceBankingAwardsandMostSustainableBank,Nigeriainthe

  InternationalBanker2023and2024BankingAwards.Additionally,ZenithBankwas

  acknowledged as the Best Corporate Governance Bank, Nigeria, in the World Finance Corporate

  Governance Awards from 2022 to 2024 and ‘Best in Corporate Governance’ Financial Services’

  Africa for four consecutive years from 2020 to 2023 by the Ethical Boardroom.

  The Bank’s commitment to excellence saw it being named the Most Valuable Banking Brand in

  Nigeria in the Banker Magazine Top 500 Banking Brands for 2020 and 2021, Bank of the Year

  2023 and 2024 at the BusinessDayBanks and Other Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards, and

  Retail Bank of the Year for three consecutive years from 2020 to 2022 and in 2024 at the BAFI

  Awards.TheBankalsoreceivedtheaccoladesofBestCommercialBank,NigeriaandBest

  Innovation in Retail Banking, Nigeria, in the International Banker 2022 Banking Awards.

  ZenithBankwasalsonamedMostResponsibleOrganisationinAfrica,BestCompanyin

  Transparency and Reporting and Best Company in Gender Equality and Women Empowerment

  at the SERAS CSR Awards Africa 2024; Bank of the Year 2024 by ThisDay Newspaper; Bank of

  theYear2024byNewTelegraphNewspaper;andBestinMSMETradeFinance,2023by

  Nairametrics. The Bank’s Hybrid Offer was also adjudged ‘Rights Issue/ Public Offer of the Year’

  at the Nairametrics Capital Market Choice Awards 2025

Pix 1 L-R: Registrar & Chief Executive of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) Akin Morakinyo; Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Keystone Bank Limited, Mr. Hassan Imam; Group Managing Director/Chief Executive, Zenith Bank, Dame (Dr.) Adaora Umeoji; The Executive Governor of Niger State, His Excellency, Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago; Chairman, Body of Bank CEOs and Group Managing Director/CEO, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, Oliver Alawuba; Managing Director Taj Bank Mr. Hamid Joda; and Secretary to the Government of Niger State (SSG), Alhaji Abubakar Usman during the donation of relief materials from the Body of Bank CEOs in Nigeria, aimed at supporting victims of the recent devastating floods in Mokwa Local Government Area held at the Niger State House in Abuja at the weekend.

The Executive Governor of Niger State, His Excellency, Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago; Chairman, Body of Bank CEOs and Group Managing Director/CEO, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, Oliver Alawuba during the donation of relief materials from the Body of Bank CEOs in Nigeria, aimed at supporting victims of the recent devastating floods in Mokwa Local Government Area held at the Niger State House in Abuja at the weekend

Pix 3: L-R: Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Keystone Bank Limited, Mr. Hassan Imam; Group Managing Director/Chief Executive, Zenith Bank, Dame (Dr.) Adaora Umeoji; The Executive Governor of Niger State, His Excellency, Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago; Chairman, Body of Bank CEOs and Group Managing Director/CEO, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, Oliver Alawuba; and Managing Director Taj Bank Mr. Hamid Joda, during the donation of relief materials from the Body of Bank CEOs in Nigeria, aimed at supporting victims of the recent devastating floods in Mokwa Local Government Area held at the Niger State House in Abuja at the weekend.

In a heartwarming display of corporate social responsibility and solidarity, a consortium of Nigerian Bank CEOs, has pledged significant support to alleviate the suffering of flood victims in Niger State

The Executive Governor of Niger State, His Excellency, Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago on Saturday in Abuja received relief materials from the Body of Bank CEOs led by its Chairman, Mr Oliver Alawuba.

The gesture is aimed at supporting victims of the recent devastating floods in Mokwa Local Government Area of the state.

Oliver Alawuba who is also the Group Managing Director/CEO of United Bank for Africa(UBA), led the delegation to the Niger State Government house Abuja, where they presented essential relief items, including bags of rice, beverages, vegetable oil, and mattresses, valued at millions of naira.

The devastating floods, which have affected thousands of families in the region, have prompted the banking community to come together in a show of empathy and support to those displaced and affected by the disaster.

In his address, Alawuba expressed the banking industry’s deep sympathy for the affected communities and reaffirmed their dedication to sustainable support while pointing out that the gesture underscores the banking sector’s commitment to corporate social responsibility and humanitarian intervention especially in times of crisis.

He said, “Today, we stand with the people of Niger State in their time of need. We want you to know that we feel your pain and we give you our firm resolve to assist in rebuilding lives. This donation is just the beginning; we pledge continued collaboration with the Niger State Government to ensure long-term recovery and resilience.”

Other top CEOs and executives at the presentation included by the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive of Zenith Bank, Dame (Dr.) Adaora Umeoji, the Registrar and Chief Executive of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Mr. Akin Morakinyo, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Keystone Bank Limited, Mr. Hassan Imam; Managing Director Taj Bank Mr. Hamid Joda; Secretary to the Government of Niger State (SSG), Alhaji Abubakar Usman senior government officials, banking executives, and media representatives, marking a significant step in public-private collaboration for humanitarian relief.

Governor Bago, who received the relief materials on behalf of the state, commending the banking sector for its timely intervention.

“This gesture reinforces the critical role of private-sector partnerships in disaster response,” Governor Bago stated. “We are grateful for this support and look forward to deeper collaboration in safeguarding our communities against future challenges. On behalf of the good people of Niger State, particularly the affected families in Mokwa, I extend our sincerest thanks for this timely and compassionate intervention,” Bago stated.

“The recent floods in the state brought immense hardship to the people, displacing families, destroying livelihoods, and disrupting communities and the banking sector, under the leadership of Alawuba and his esteemed colleagues, has demonstrated that beyond financial stewardship, they are true partners in national development and humanitarian service.

This donation is not just about the physical items; it is a symbol of hope, resilience, and the unwavering support of Nigeria’s financial institutions in times of need. It reassures our people that they are not forgotten, the governor stated.

…

 FirstBank, the West Africa premier bank and financial inclusion services provider, is thrilled to announce that its Corporate University, FirstAcademy, has been awarded the Gold Award for Best Corporate University in Social & Climate Change at the Global Council of Corporate Universities (GlobalCCU) Awards 2025.

This highly acclaimed award recognises FirstAcademy’s outstanding commitment to driving social and climate change learning initiatives, aligning its learning and development programs with internal stakeholder needs, and promoting Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

The GlobalCCU Awards is a prestigious, biannual recognition of excellence in corporate universities, setting the highest standard for the industry. With a rich 12-year history dating back to its inaugural ceremony in Paris in 2013, the awards have consistently honoured outstanding Corporate Universities, learning and development structures worldwide. The GlobalCCU Awards celebrate institutions that create remarkable value for people, businesses, society and the planet.

FirstBank’s FirstAcademy exemplifies this mission by earning the Gold Award for Best Corporate University in Social & Climate Change at the 2025 ceremony in Paris, France. This distinction reflects FirstAcademy’s dedication to fostering sustainability and environmental responsibility; developing impactful learning initiatives that transcends traditional corporate training, with broader societal goals; integrating climate action into its portfolio and operations;  expanding climate finance offerings and developing a climate action capacity building training program.

FirstAcademy was inaugurated in 2012 as the Bank’s designated corporate academy designed to provide structured talent development, knowledge management and culture change initiatives. One major objective of the academy is to equip staff with the requisite knowledge and skills required to deliver on the Bank’s strategic aspirations and to thrive in an ever-evolving work environment while contributing to social and environmental responsibility.

According to the Founder and Chairman of the GlobalCCU Awards, Annick Renaud-Coulon, “FirstAcademy is an outstanding Corporate University that is clearly the Best Corporate University globally for driving social and climate change learning initiatives.”

Congratulating FirstAcademy, the Founder and Chairman of the GlobalCCU Awards, Annick Renaud-Coulon, said “FirstAcademy is a very mature Corporate University which demonstrates a strong alignment with FirstBank’s vision of responsible banking and sustainable development, with clear support from senior leadership and a governance model that strategically connects learning to business priorities. Congratulations to FirstAcademy for setting a visionary standard in advancing meaningful social and climate change impact through learning and inclusive capacity building!”

In the words of Olayinka Ijabiyi, the Acting Group Head, Marketing and Corporate Communications, FirstBank “We are delighted to receive this international recognition for our efforts in promoting social responsibility and climate action. This award serves as a testament to our belief that businesses can be a force for good, driving transformation that extends beyond profit to create sustainable and equitable futures for all.  FirstAcademy’s programs have not only enhanced employee skills but also contributed to the well-being of society and the environment.”

As FirstBank’s FirstAcademy continues to bridge the gap between corporate initiatives and community needs, it sets a leading example for corporate universities around the globe, inspiring others to follow suit in the quest for meaningful change.