Zenith Bank Plc has secured the prestigious title of "Best Bank in Nigeria" in the Global Finance Best Banks Awards 2025, marking the fifth time the financial institution has received this recognition in six years.
The bank was among winners from 36 African countries acknowledged by Global Finance in its 32nd Annual Best Bank Awards. This year's winners were selected for their attentiveness to customer needs in challenging markets while achieving strong results and establishing foundations for future success.
Selection Criteria and Evaluation Process
Global Finance's editors made their selections following extensive consultations with corporate financial executives, bankers, banking consultants, and analysts worldwide. The evaluation considered both quantitative and qualitative factors.
Objective criteria included growth in assets, profitability, geographic reach, strategic relationships, new business development, and product innovation. Subjective criteria incorporated opinions from equity analysts, credit rating analysts, banking consultants, and other industry experts.
Leadership Response
Commenting on the achievement, Dame (Dr.) Adaora Umeoji, OON, Group Managing Director/Chief Executive of Zenith Bank, expressed delight at retaining the position 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," she stated.
Umeoji acknowledged key stakeholders' contributions, including Founder and Chairman Jim Ovia, CFR, for his visionary leadership, the Board for their guidance, staff for their dedication, and customers for their loyalty to the Zenith brand.
Global Recognition
Joseph D. Giarraputo, publisher and editorial director of Global Finance, highlighted the banking sector's continued adaptation and evolution. "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 noted.
Giarraputo added that the awards honor financial institutions excelling in diversity of offerings, long-term stability, and technological innovation.
Global Finance's "Best Banks Awards" are recognized among the world's most influential banking/finance professionals as highly credible accolades in the industry, with winners chosen across 150 countries and territories worldwide.
Zenith Bank's Track Record
Zenith Bank's consistent performance has earned numerous awards, including recognition as Nigeria's Number One Bank by Tier-1 Capital for fifteen consecutive years in the 2024 Top 1000 World Banks Ranking by The Banker Magazine.
The bank has also received Bank of the Year (Nigeria) in The Banker's Awards for 2020, 2022, and 2024; Best Bank in Nigeria from 2020 to 2022 and in 2024 in the Global Finance World's Best Banks Awards; and Best Bank for Digital Solutions in Nigeria in the Euromoney Awards 2023.
Additional accolades include Best Commercial Bank in Nigeria for four consecutive years (2021-2024) in the World Finance Banking Awards, Most Sustainable Bank in Nigeria in the International Banker 2023 and 2024 Banking Awards, and recognition for corporate governance excellence across multiple platforms.
The bank's commitment to excellence and innovation continues to position it as a leader in Nigeria's financial services sector, with recognition spanning retail banking, commercial banking, corporate governance, and corporate social responsibility.
