Zenith Bank Tops Tier-1 Ranking in Nigeria for 16th Straight Year

Zenith Bank Plc has maintained its position as Nigeria’s number one bank by Tier-1 Capital for the 16th straight year, according to the 2025 edition of the Top 1000 World Banks’ Rankings published by The Banker, a publication of the Financial Times Group, UK.

The bank was ranked 581st globally with a Tier-1 Capital of $2 billion, based on the 2024 year-end financials. The Tier-1 Capital metric, widely used by global financial institutions and regulators, reflects a bank’s financial strength, including components such as common equity, disclosed reserves, retained earnings, and minority interest in subsidiaries.

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A strong Tier-1 capital ratio is seen as a critical indicator of a bank’s ability to withstand financial stress and reinforces confidence among investors and depositors.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Zenith Bank Plc, Dr. Adaora Umeoji, expressed pride in the recognition.
“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,” Umeoji stated.

She acknowledged the role of the bank’s Founder and Chairman, Jim Ovia, whose visionary leadership has helped build a resilient institution. She also extended appreciation to customers for their loyalty, the board for its governance oversight, and the staff for their continued dedication.

Zenith Bank’s audited financial results for the 2024 fiscal year revealed a strong performance, with gross earnings rising by 86% from N2.13 trillion in 2023 to N3.97 trillion in 2024. This growth was attributed to a 138% increase in interest income, driven by investments in high-yield government securities and an expanded loan book.

Profit before tax surged by 67%, climbing to N1.3 trillion in 2024 from N796 billion in the previous year. In line with this performance, the bank declared a total dividend of N195.67 billion, representing N5.00 per ordinary share for the 2024 financial year.