CEO Umeoji Speaks As Global Finance Names Zenith Bank Nigeria’s Best for 5th Time In 6 Years

Zenith Bank Plc has clinched the prestigious title of “Best Bank in Nigeria” at the Global Finance Best Banks Awards 2025, marking the fifth time in six years that the bank has earned this honor.

Recognized among winners from 36 countries across Africa in the 32nd edition of these awards, Zenith Bank’s achievement underscores its resilience and excellence in a challenging market environment.

Global Finance editors chose the winners after extensive consultations with corporate financial executives, bankers, banking consultants, and analysts worldwide. The selection process blended quantitative measures—such as growth in assets, profitability, geographic reach, strategic partnerships, business development, and product innovation—with subjective evaluations from equity analysts, credit rating experts, and industry insiders.

“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,” said Dame (Dr.) Adaora Umeoji, OON, Group Managing Director and Chief Executive of Zenith Bank. “We will continue to invest in our people, technology, and processes to ensure that we consistently maintain the highest level of service delivery.”

Umeoji also acknowledged the contributions of the bank’s key stakeholders. She praised Founder and Chairman Jim Ovia, CFR, for his visionary leadership and for laying the foundation of the institution’s enduring success; the Board of Directors for their consistent guidance; staff for their dedication; and the bank’s customers for their loyalty and trust.

Global Finance publisher and editorial director Joseph D. Giarraputo highlighted the challenges and opportunities in today’s banking sector, noting that AI has become a transformative force. “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,” Giarraputo said. He also praised the award-winning banks for excelling in diversity of offerings, long-term stability, and technological innovation.

Zenith Bank’s reputation for excellence has attracted a steady stream of accolades over the years. The bank was recently ranked Number One in Nigeria by Tier-1 Capital for the fifteenth consecutive year in the 2024 Top 1000 World Banks Ranking by The Banker Magazine. It has also been named Bank of the Year (Nigeria) by The Banker’s Bank of the Year Awards in 2020, 2022, and 2024, and consistently recognized as Best Bank in Nigeria by Global Finance from 2020 to 2022 and again in 2024.

Other notable recognitions include Best Bank for Digital Solutions in Nigeria at the Euromoney Awards 2023 and a listing in the World Finance Top 100 Global Companies 2023. Zenith Bank was also named Best Commercial Bank, Nigeria, for four consecutive years (2021–2024) by the World Finance Banking Awards, and Most Sustainable Bank, Nigeria, at the International Banker 2023 and 2024 Banking Awards.

Zenith Bank’s commitment to corporate governance earned it the Best Corporate Governance Bank, Nigeria, title in the World Finance Corporate Governance Awards (2022, 2023, 2024) and ‘Best in Corporate Governance’ Financial Services Africa by Ethical Boardroom (2020–2023).

The bank’s strong brand and innovative drive have also been recognized: Most Valuable Banking Brand in Nigeria by The Banker Magazine (2020, 2021); Bank of the Year at the BusinessDay Banks and Other Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards (2023, 2024); and Retail Bank of the Year for three consecutive years (2020–2022, and 2024) at the BAFI Awards.

Further accolades include Best Commercial Bank and Best Innovation in Retail Banking in Nigeria at the International Banker 2022 Banking Awards. At the SERAS CSR Awards Africa 2024, Zenith Bank was recognized as the Most Responsible Organisation in Africa and Best Company in both Transparency and Reporting and Gender Equality and Women Empowerment.

The bank also clinched Bank of the Year 2024 by both ThisDay and New Telegraph newspapers, Best in MSME Trade Finance 2023 by Nairametrics, and Rights Issue/Public Offer of the Year at the Nairametrics Capital Market Choice Awards 2025 for its Hybrid Offer.

With this latest recognition from Global Finance, CEO Umeoji affirmed Zenith Bank’s commitment to even greater heights