Zenith Bank Plc has achieved a significant milestone by being named the “Best Bank in Nigeria” in the Global Finance Best Banks Awards 2025. This marks the fifth time in six years that the bank has secured this prestigious title, highlighting its consistent excellence in the Nigerian banking sector. The recognition places Zenith Bank among esteemed winners from 36 African countries in Global Finance's 32nd Annual Best Bank Awards.

The Global Finance Best Banks Awards commend institutions that have adeptly navigated challenging market conditions, meticulously attended to their customers' needs, and achieved robust financial results while simultaneously preparing for future growth. Winning organizations demonstrated astute management of their assets and liabilities, particularly in the face of fluctuating interest rate environments. The selection process, conducted by Global Finance editors, involved extensive consultations with corporate financial executives, bankers, banking consultants, and analysts worldwide.

The evaluation criteria for selecting the top banks encompassed both quantitative and qualitative factors. Objective criteria included growth in assets, profitability, geographical reach, strategic relationships, new business development, and product innovation. Subjective considerations involved the opinions of equity analysts, credit rating analysts, banking consultants, and other industry experts.

Commenting on the award, Dame (Dr.) Adaora Umeoji, OON, Group Managing Director/Chief Executive of Zenith Bank, expressed her delight at the bank's continued recognition. She stated, “We are thrilled to retain our position as the Best Bank in Nigeria for the fifth year since 2020. This achievement 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. We will continue to invest in our people, technology and processes to ensure that we consistently maintain the highest level of service delivery.” Dr. Umeoji also lauded the invaluable contributions of key stakeholders, including the Founder and Chairman, Jim Ovia, CFR, for his visionary leadership and role in laying the foundation for an enduring and successful institution; the Board for the consistent guidance they provide; the staff for their commitment and dedication; and the Bank’s customers for their unwavering loyalty and support to the Zenith brand.

Recent positive developments further highlight Zenith Bank's strong performance. The bank reported a ₦311 billion profit after tax in Q1 2025 and secured shareholder approval for a N195.67 billion dividend. These events, along with high-profile engagements such as the Oniru's visit to the bank's headquarters to strengthen ties for inclusive development, underscore the bank's robust financial health and commitment to broader community engagement.

Joseph D. Giarraputo, Publisher and Editorial Director of Global Finance, commented on the evolving banking landscape. He remarked, “Global banking continues to adapt and evolve, meeting challenges and capitalizing on opportunities with resilience and innovation. 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 further added that “Global Finance’s Best Bank Awards honor financial institutions that excel in diversity of offerings, long-term stability, and technological innovation.”

Global Finance’s “Best Banks Awards,” established in 1987, are widely recognized among the world’s most influential banking, finance, and corporate professionals as highly coveted and credible accolades in the banking industry. Winners are selected from 150 countries and territories across Africa, Asia Pacific, the Caribbean, Central America, Central & Eastern Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, North America, and Western Europe, with the awards serving as a trusted benchmark of excellence for the global financial community.

Zenith Bank's sustained track record of excellent performance is further underscored by numerous other awards. The bank has been recognised as the Number One Bank in Nigeria by Tier-1 Capital for the fifteenth consecutive year in the 2024 Top 1000 World Banks Ranking, published by The Banker Magazine. It also received the Bank of the Year (Nigeria) award in The Banker’s Bank of the Year Awards for 2020, 2022, and 2024, and was named Best Bank in Nigeria from 2020 to 2022 and again in 2024 in the Global Finance World’s Best Banks Awards (distinct from the 2025 award).

Further accolades include Best Bank for Digital Solutions in Nigeria in the Euromoney Awards 2023, and a listing in the World Finance Top 100 Global Companies in 2023. Zenith Bank was also named Best Commercial Bank, Nigeria for four consecutive years (2021-2024) in the World Finance Banking Awards, and Most Sustainable Bank, Nigeria in the International Banker 2023 and 2024 Banking Awards. Its commitment to corporate governance is evidenced by awards such as Best Corporate Governance Bank, Nigeria in the World Finance Corporate Governance Awards (2022, 2023, 2024) and ‘Best in Corporate Governance’ Financial Services’ Africa by the Ethical Boardroom for four consecutive years (2020-2023).

The bank's brand strength and market performance have been acknowledged through recognitions like Most Valuable Banking Brand in Nigeria by The Banker Magazine Top 500 Banking Brands (2020, 2021), and Bank of the Year at the BusinessDay Banks and Other Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards (2023, 2024). It also earned Retail Bank of the Year for three consecutive years from 2020 to 2022 and again in 2024 at the BAFI Awards. Additional awards include Best Commercial Bank, Nigeria, and Best Innovation in Retail Banking, Nigeria, in the International Banker 2022 Banking Awards.

Zenith Bank's dedication to social responsibility and industry leadership has been recognized with titles such as Most Responsible Organisation in Africa, Best Company in Transparency and Reporting, and Best Company in Gender Equality and Women Empowerment at the SERAS CSR Awards Africa 2024. Media houses have also acclaimed the bank, with THISDAY Newspaper and New Telegraph Newspaper naming it Bank of the Year 2024. Furthermore, Zenith Bank was awarded Best in MSME Trade Finance in 2023 by Nairametrics, and its Hybrid Offer was adjudged ‘Rights Issue/Public Offer of the Year’ at the Nairametrics Capital Market Choice Awards 2025.