Zenith Bank Plc has been named “Nigeria’s Best Bank” at the prestigious Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2025, securing the most coveted country award and solidifying its position as a leader in Nigeria’s financial sector. The award, presented on Thursday, July 17, 2025, at The Peninsula in London, recognizes Zenith Bank’s exceptional financial performance, innovative strategies, and unwavering commitment to delivering superior banking services, digital transformation, and sustainability.
The Euromoney Awards for Excellence, established in 1992, are among the most respected accolades in global banking, celebrating institutions that demonstrate leadership, innovation, and resilience. This year’s edition saw a record-breaking 770+ entries from world-class financial institutions, including HSBC, Morgan Stanley, CitiBank, Barclays, Standard Bank, and the Development Bank of Singapore (DBS). Zenith Bank’s standout performance in a highly competitive field underscores its dominance in Nigeria’s banking landscape.
According to Euromoney, Zenith Bank excelled in a challenging economic environment marked by high interest rates and currency volatility. The bank reported a remarkable 67% increase in profit before tax in 2024, reaching ₦1.3 trillion ($850 million), and an 86% surge in gross earnings to ₦3.97 trillion, driven by robust growth in both interest and non-interest income. These results, combined with strategic investments in digital infrastructure and financial inclusion, set Zenith Bank apart as Nigeria’s top performer.
Commenting on the achievement, Dame Dr. Adaora Umeoji, OON, Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Zenith Bank, expressed her gratitude: “We are absolutely thrilled to be recognized as Nigeria’s Best Bank by Euromoney. This award is not just a testament to our relentless pursuit of excellence but also a validation of the unwavering trust and confidence our customers have placed in us. We are reminded that our success is about the impact we continue to have on the financial ecosystem.” She dedicated the award to Zenith Bank’s loyal customers, Founder and Chairman Jim Ovia, CFR, for his visionary leadership, the Board for their guidance, and the staff for their dedication to building a world-class institution.
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Zenith Bank’s track record of excellence is well-documented. The bank has been ranked the Number One Bank in Nigeria by Tier-1 Capital for the 16th consecutive year in the 2025 Top 1000 World Banks Rankings by The Banker, with a Tier-1 Capital of $2 billion, placing it 581st globally. It also secured the Best Bank in Nigeria title in the Global Finance World’s Best Banks Awards for 2020-2022, 2024, and 2025, and was named Best Bank for Digital Solutions in Nigeria at the Euromoney Awards 2023. Additional accolades include Best Commercial Bank, Nigeria, for five consecutive years (2021-2025) in the World Finance Banking Awards, Most Sustainable Bank, Nigeria, in the International Banker Awards for 2023 and 2024, and Best Corporate Governance Bank, Nigeria, for four consecutive years (2022-2025) in the World Finance Corporate Governance Awards.
The bank’s commitment to innovation was highlighted in its 2023 Euromoney award for Best Bank for Digital Solutions, driven by a 28% year-on-year increase in digitally active customers to 13.5 million and a 14% rise in electronic transaction volumes to 1,953 million. Zenith’s mobile banking app upgrades, including features like cardless withdrawals and wearables, have further enhanced customer experience.
Social media platforms, particularly X, have been filled with congratulatory messages. Posts from users like @Fabulous__Jr and @officialmrdeen celebrated Zenith Bank’s “unmatched leadership and financial excellence,” with hashtags like #ZenithBankOfTheYear2025 trending to mark the occasion.
Founded in 1990 by Jim Ovia, Zenith Bank has grown into one of Africa’s largest and most profitable financial institutions, renowned for its digital innovation, operational efficiency, and customer-centric approach. As the bank approaches its 35th anniversary in August 2025, this latest accolade reinforces its role as a trailblazer in Nigeria’s financial sector, committed to supporting economic growth and upholding the highest standards of governance, integrity, and transparency.
Zenith Bank’s recognition at the 2025 Euromoney Awards not only celebrates its past achievements but also signals its continued dedication to shaping the future of banking in Nigeria and beyond.
