Zenith Bank, supporting Tech innovations
<h4>As Zenith Bank Leads The Financial Space In Varying Metrics To End 2025</h4>
<h4></h4>
<p><strong><a href="https://openlife.ng/">OpenLife Nigeria</a></strong> reports that Zenith Bank is rounding off year 2025 as a leading bank in the financial space on varying metrics.</p>
<p><strong>Increased Gross Earnings</strong></p>
<p>Following the release of its unaudited financial results for the nine months ended 30 September 2025, Zenith Bank, as of November 2025,showed strong revenue with Gross Earnings hit N3.37 trillion (+16%), Profit After Tax (PAT) was N764.2 billion (-7.6%), with Total Assets at N31.18 trillion, and Customer Deposits at N23.69 trillion, reflecting solid growth despite challenging economic conditions.</p>
<figure id="attachment_29684" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-29684" style="width: 300px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img class="size-medium wp-image-29684" src="https://openlife.ng/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Adaora-Umeoji-800x420-1-e1749886476956-300x147.jpg" alt="As Zenith Bank Leads The Financial Space In Varying Metrics To End 2025, Governor Sanwo-Olu Applauds Founder, Jim Ovia, For Tech Revolution {Video}" width="300" height="147" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-29684" class="wp-caption-text"><em><strong>Zenith Bank {Pix: Group Ceo, Dame Adaora Umeoji}</strong></em></figcaption></figure>
<p>According to the financial results presented to the Nigerian Exchange (NGX), the Group’s performance continues to demonstrate resilience, strong momentum, disciplined execution and an ability to deliver long-term shareholder value in spite of challenging macroeconomic environment.</p>
<p>Technically, the growth in gross earnings was driven by a sustained growth in interest income which grew by 41% year-on-year to N2.7 trillion. The growth in interest income was supported by a high-yield rate environment and an expansion in the Bank’s investment portfolio.</p>
<figure id="attachment_27628" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-27628" style="width: 300px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img class="size-medium wp-image-27628" src="https://openlife.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Zenith-Bank-Paris-Commissioning-1-300x134.jpg" alt="As Zenith Bank Leads The Financial Space In Varying Metrics To End 2025, Governor Sanwo-Olu Applauds Founder, Jim Ovia, For Tech Revolution {Video}" width="300" height="134" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-27628" class="wp-caption-text"><em><strong>Zenith Bank Expands Global Footprints to Paris in France</strong></em></figcaption></figure>
<p>Despite the increase in interest expense by 22% to N814 billion on the back of a tightening monetary cycle and a growth in the Bank’s funding base, the Bank was able to achieve a healthy Net Interest Margin (NIM) of 12% as against 10% in September 2024. Non-interest income declined by 38% to N535 billion, underpinned by a 60% decline in trading gains.</p>
<p>Among other things, the Bank took bold measures to improve the quality of its loan portfolio.</p>
<p><strong>Assets Growth</strong></p>
<p>The Bank’s total assets grew by 4% from N30 trillion in December 2024 to <strong><a href="https://openlife.ng/">N31 trillion</a></strong> as at September 2025. This was largely supported by customer deposits, which rose by 8% to N23.7 trillion within the same period. Gross loans declined by 9% to N10 trillion as at September 2025, while Non-Performing Loan (NPL) ratio improved to 3% due to the write-off of non-performing loans.</p>
<p><strong>ROAE &; ROAA</strong></p>
<p>Return on Average Equity (ROAE) and Return on Average Assets (ROAA) stood at 23.3% and 3.3% respectively. Cost of funds increased to 4.5%, underscored by the broader elevated interest rate environment. The Group’s cost of risk stood at 10% while cost-to-income ratio rose to 45%.</p>
<p>Coverage ratio and liquidity ratio remain solid and well within regulatory limits at 211.1% and 53% respectively.</p>
<figure id="attachment_29175" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-29175" style="width: 292px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img class="size-full wp-image-29175" src="https://openlife.ng/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Jim.jpg" alt="As Zenith Bank Leads The Financial Space In Varying Metrics To End 2025, Governor Sanwo-Olu Applauds Founder, Jim Ovia, For Tech Revolution {Video}" width="292" height="173" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-29175" class="wp-caption-text"><em><strong>L-R: Jim Ovia, founder of Zenith Bank Group with Nigeria&#8217;s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu</strong></em></figcaption></figure>
<p>This highlights the Bank’s strong capital position and liquidity profile as well as its ability to fund strategic growth opportunities. It also reflects its unwavering commitment to a prudent risk management, compliance and corporate governance culture.</p>
<p><strong>Optimistic Outlook</strong></p>
<p>In a review and commenting on the Q4 2025 results, the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dame Dr. Adaora Umeoji, OON, reinforced her optimistic outlook: <em><strong>“This result confirms the resilience of both our business model and our people. We’re on a solid growth path that we expect to maintain through the remainder of the year.</strong></em></p>
<figure id="attachment_27240" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-27240" style="width: 300px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img class="size-medium wp-image-27240" src="https://openlife.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/IMG-20241101-WA0020-300x174.jpg" alt="As Zenith Bank Leads The Financial Space In Varying Metrics To End 2025, Governor Sanwo-Olu Applauds Founder, Jim Ovia, For Tech Revolution {Video}" width="300" height="174" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-27240" class="wp-caption-text"><em>Zenith Bank Founder, Jim Ovia and CEO, Dame Adaora Umeoji</em></figcaption></figure>
<p><em><strong>&#8220;Our focus on innovation, digital transformation, and developing solutions that address our clients’ changing needs positions us to capitalise on emerging opportunities whilst maintaining our disciplined approach to growth.”</strong></em></p>
<p>She assured shareholders that the robust performance, combined with improved asset quality and the Bank’s strong capital base, positions Zenith Bank to deliver exceptional returns with expectations of sustained value creation. <em>“We’re well placed to sustain this momentum whilst maintaining responsible leadership in the Nigerian banking industry and delivering exceptional value to all our stakeholders.”</em></p>
<p><strong>Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu Commends Jim Ovia, Adaora Umeoji</strong></p>
<p>Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, at the Zenith Bank Tech Fair 5.0, praised Zenith Bank Founder, Jim Ovia, for his pioneering role in driving technology and digital transformation in Nigeria&#8217;s banking sector.</p>
<p>The Zenith Bank Tech Fair 5.0 featured a hackathon, product exhibitions and a start-up pitch competition, where finalists and winners entered a mentorship and incubation programme aimed at refining and scaling their solutions in which the bank gave a seed capital of over N140 million.</p>
<figure id="attachment_20041" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-20041" style="width: 300px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img class="size-medium wp-image-20041" src="https://openlife.ng/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Sanwo-Olu-300x209.jpg" alt="As Zenith Bank Leads The Financial Space In Varying Metrics To End 2025, Governor Sanwo-Olu Applauds Founder, Jim Ovia, For Tech Revolution {Video}" width="300" height="209" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-20041" class="wp-caption-text"><em><strong>Lagos Governor, Bababajide Sanwo-Olu, commends Zenith Bank founder, Jim Ovia</strong></em></figcaption></figure>
<p>At the event, Sanwo-Olu highlighted Ovia&#8217;s foundational work in tech adoption and youth empowerment.<br />
Being one of the first champions of digital adoption in Nigeria’s banking sector, governor Sanwo-Olu noted that many young people may not know how many innovations originated under Dr. Ovia’s leadership.</p>
<p>He also commended Umeoji and the board for empowering young innovators through the hackathon and pitch competition.</p>
<p><strong>The video of governor Sanwo-Olu&#8217;s Commendations</strong></p>
<div style="width: 640px;" class="wp-video"><video class="wp-video-shortcode" id="video-31319-2" width="640" height="368" preload="metadata" controls="controls"><source type="video/mp4" src="https://openlife.ng/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/VID-20251206-WA0101.mp4?_=2" /><a href="https://openlife.ng/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/VID-20251206-WA0101.mp4">https://openlife.ng/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/VID-20251206-WA0101.mp4</a></video></div>
<p><strong>The Highlights Of the Governor&#8217;s Comments</strong></p>
<p><em>• Digital Champion: He recognized Jim Ovia as a frontrunner in adopting digital solutions, making Zenith Bank a leader in tech-driven banking.</em><br />
<em>• Future-Focused: At the &#8220;Future Forward 5.0&#8221; Tech Fair, Sanwo-Olu commended Ovia&#8217;s focus on innovation and building a strong tech future for Nigeria.</em><br />
<em>• Youth &; Entrepreneurship: The Governor noted Ovia&#8217;s commitment to empowering young people through initiatives like hackathons and mentorship, echoing Ovia&#8217;s broader impact on education and entrepreneurship.</em></p>
<figure id="attachment_26183" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-26183" style="width: 300px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img class="size-medium wp-image-26183" src="https://openlife.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/debit_cards-300x170.jpg" alt="As Zenith Bank Leads The Financial Space In Varying Metrics To End 2025, Governor Sanwo-Olu Applauds Founder, Jim Ovia, For Tech Revolution {Video}" width="300" height="170" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-26183" class="wp-caption-text"><em><strong>Zenith Bank debit cards</strong></em></figcaption></figure>
<p><em>• Inspiration: Sanwo-Olu sees Ovia&#8217;s career as an inspiration for young Nigerians, emphasizing mentorship and building lasting platforms for success. </em><br />
<em>In essence, Sanwo-Olu celebrates Jim Ovia as a visionary whose early embrace of technology fundamentally shaped modern Nigerian banking, setting standards for innovation and corporate growth.</em></p>
<p><strong>Recognitions And Awards</strong></p>
<p>The Bank’s track record of excellent performance has continued to earn the brand numerous awards, including being recognised as the Number One Bank in Nigeria by Tier-1 Capital for the sixteenth consecutive year in the 2025 Top 1000 World Banks Ranking, published by The Banker and “Nigeria’s Best Bank” at the Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2025.</p>
<p>The Bank was also awarded Bank of the Year (Nigeria) in The Banker’s Bank of the Year Awards for 2020, 2022 and 2024; Best Bank in Nigeria from 2020 to 2022, 2024 and 2025, in the Global Finance <strong><a href="https://openlife.ng/">World’s Best</a></strong> Banks Awards; Best Bank for Digital Solutions in Nigeria in the Euromoney Awards 2023; and was listed in the World Finance Top 100 Global Companies in 2023.</p>
<p>Further recognitions include Best Commercial Bank, Nigeria for five consecutive years from 2021 to 2025 in the World Finance Banking Awards and Most Sustainable Bank, Nigeria in the International Banker 2023 and 2024 Banking Awards.</p>
<figure id="attachment_30957" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-30957" style="width: 279px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img class="size-medium wp-image-30957" src="https://openlife.ng/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Jim-Ovia-279x300.jpg" alt="As Zenith Bank Leads The Financial Space In Varying Metrics To End 2025, Governor Sanwo-Olu Applauds Founder, Jim Ovia, For Tech Revolution {Video}" width="279" height="300" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-30957" class="wp-caption-text"><em><strong>Jim Ovia, founder, Zenith Bank Group</strong></em></figcaption></figure>
<p>Additionally, <strong><a href="https://openlife.ng/">Zenith Bank</a></strong> has been acknowledged as the Best Corporate Governance Bank, Nigeria, in the World Finance Corporate Governance Awards for four consecutive years from 2022 to 2025 and ‘Best in Corporate Governance’ Financial Services’ Africa for four consecutive years from 2020 to 2023 by the Ethical Boardroom.</p>
<p>The Bank’s commitment to excellence led to Zenith being also being named the Most Valuable Banking Brand in Nigeria in The Banker’s Top 500 Banking Brands for 2020 and 2021, Bank of the Year 2023 to 2025 at the BusinessDay Banks and Other Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards, and Retail Bank of the Year for three consecutive years from 2020 to 2022 and 2024 to 2025.</p>
<p>The Bank also received the accolades of Best Commercial Bank, Nigeria and Best Innovation in Retail Banking, Nigeria, in the International Banker 2022 Banking Awards, Bank of the Year 2024 by ThisDay Newspaper; Bank of the Year 2024 by New Telegraph Newspaper; and Best in MSME Trade Finance, 2023 by Nairametrics.</p>
<figure id="attachment_30686" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-30686" style="width: 296px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img class="size-full wp-image-30686" src="https://openlife.ng/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/images-6.jpeg" alt="As Zenith Bank Leads The Financial Space In Varying Metrics To End 2025, Governor Sanwo-Olu Applauds Founder, Jim Ovia, For Tech Revolution {Video}" width="296" height="170" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-30686" class="wp-caption-text"><em><strong>Dame Adaora Umeoji, Group CEO, Zenith Bank Plc</strong></em></figcaption></figure>
<p>The Bank’s Hybrid Offer was also adjudged ‘Rights Issue/ Public Offer of the Year at the Nairametrics Capital Market Choice Awards 2025.</p>
<p>Zenith Bank has also bagged several non-financial awards including, Most Responsible Organisation in Africa, Best Company in Transparency and <a href="https://www.vanguardngr.com/">Reporting</a> and Best Company in Gender Equality and Women Empowerment at the SERAS CSR Awards Africa 2024.</p>
<p><strong>Key Financial Highlights (9 Months Ended Sept 30, 2025)</strong></p>
<p><em>• Gross Earnings: N3.37 trillion, an increase of 16.3% year-over-year.</em><br />
<em>• Profit Before Tax (PBT): N917.4 billion</em><br />
<em>• Profit After Tax (PAT): N764.2 billion</em><br />
<em>• Net Interest Income: N1.93 trillion, a significant increase of 50.4% year-over-year.</em><br />
<em>• Total Assets: N31.18 trillion.</em><br />
<em>• Customer Deposits: N23.69 trillion.</em><br />
<em>• Total Equity: N4.73 trillion, an increase of 17.4%.</em><br />
<em>• Loans &; Advances: N9.37 trillion.</em></p>
<figure id="attachment_31186" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-31186" style="width: 300px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img class="size-medium wp-image-31186" src="https://openlife.ng/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Zenith-Bank-Tech-Fair-2025-scaled-e1763967442454-300x127.jpg" alt="As Zenith Bank Leads The Financial Space In Varying Metrics To End 2025, Governor Sanwo-Olu Applauds Founder, Jim Ovia, For Tech Revolution {Video}" width="300" height="127" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-31186" class="wp-caption-text"><em><strong>L-R: Executive Vice President, CNN International Commercial, Phil Nelson; Founder &; CEO, Beyond Limits Africa and Non-Executive Director, Zenith Bank, Dr. Juliet Ehimuan; Managing Director/CEO, NIBSS, Premier Oiwoh; Executive Director, Zenith Bank, Mrs. Adobi Nwapa; Founder &; Chairman, Zenith Bank, Jim Ovia, CFR; Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Group Managing Director/CEO, Zenith Bank, Dame Dr. Adaora Umeoji, OON; Executive Director, Zenith Bank, Mr. Akin Ogunranti; Executive Director, Zenith Bank, Mr. Louis Odom; Executive Director, Zenith Bank, Mr. Adamu Lawani; and Director, Information Technology Infrastructure Solutions, NITDA, Mr. Oladejo Olawumi during the Zenith Bank Tech Fair Future Forward 5.0 held at the Eko Convention Centre, Eko Hotels &; Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos</strong></em></figcaption></figure>

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