Zenith Bank Leads The Financial Space
OpenLife Nigeria reports that Zenith Bank Plc has joined the financial institutions leading the global financial space.
Founded in 1990 by a financial engineer, Dr. Jim Ovia with continuous success stories, the bank has entered a new phase of momentum marked by stronger performance, investor confidence and bold strategic direction since Adaora Umeoji took over as Group Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer.
From a share price surge from ₦64 to over ₦100 and maintaining its position as one of Nigeria’s most profitable banks, the results speak clearly.
With over ₦532 billion recorded in H1 2025 and expectations high for full-year results, Zenith continues to prove its strength as a top-performing financial institution.
Now, with the recent launch of its Manchester branch and a growing international footprint, the bank is stepping into a new era of calculated global expansion, including listing on the London Stock Exchange, a move to further strengthen investor confidence and international capital access.
Unlocking Opportunities in North America
In March, Dame Adaora Umeoji hosted the Deputy High Commissioner of Canada in Nigeria, Carlos Rojas-Arbulu at Zenith Heights head office, Lagos.
Talks centred around strengthening financial instruments to unlock business opportunities between both countries.
Flowing from Nigerian Export Promotion Council, NEPC, that recently confirmed Zenith Bank as a leading financier of Nigerian non-oil export businesses, having processed the highest share of Nigeria Export Proceeds (NXP) transactions in 2025, representing 32.31% of total export transactions and supporting the nation’s non-oil export growth, the enthusiastic Canadian envoy hinted his country’s preparedness for the new phase of business developments.
“We had a great conversation on strengthening Nigeria-Canada relations and unlocking new opportunities for growth,” Adaora Umeoji said.
N1.041 Trillion Profit In 2025
Zenith Bank PLC has released its audited group financial results for the full year ended December 31, 2025, reporting a record 5-year profit after tax (PAT) of N1.041 trillion, reflecting a 0.74% increase compared to N1.033 trillion in 2024.
The bank’s strong performance was driven by the growth in interest income, particularly from Treasury Bills, loans and advances to customers, and government bonds.
In recognition of the bank’s strong financial performance, the Board of Directors has recommended a final dividend of N8.75 per share.
Combined with the interim dividend of N1.25, this brings the total dividend for 2025 to N10.00 per share, representing a 100.00% increase over the N5.00 total dividend paid for 2024.
CEO’s remarks on the results
Commenting on the results, the Group Managing Director/CEO, Dame Dr. Adaora Umeoji, OON, stated:
• “Our 2025 results are a reflection of the discipline and focus with which we executed our strategy. We successfully strengthened our asset quality, optimized our balance sheet, and invested in the capabilities that will propel our next phase of growth.”
The bank’s asset quality, as reflected by the decrease in the Non-Performing Loan (NPL) ratio, a strong coverage ratio, and a lower cost of risk, confirms the CEO’s assertion that Zenith Bank has successfully strengthened its asset quality.
The NPL ratio improved to 3.8% (from 4.7% in 2024), and the coverage ratio remained robust at 172.6%, indicating the bank’s strong provisioning against bad loans.
Additionally, the cost of risk decreased by 8.2%, from 7.3% in 2024 to 6.7% in 2025, further reflecting the bank’s effective credit risk management and prudent provisioning approach.
What are driving the record profits
Zenith Bank Plc recorded profit after tax of N1.041 trillion in 2025; a 0.74% increase from 2024, was driven by a combination of factors, with interest income contributing largely.
• The Group reported a 35% year-on-year (YoY) growth in interest income, reaching N3.673 trillion in 2025, up from N2.721 trillion in 2024.
• Its contribution to gross earnings also increased to 88% from 60% in 2024, showing the dominant role of interest-bearing assets in the bank’s overall revenue.
Of course, the substantial increase in interest income can be attributed to the growth in high-yielding assets, such as Treasury Bills, government bonds, and loans and advances to customers.
• The bank earned N1.13 trillion from treasury bills alone. It increased its holding in treasury bills to N4.663 trillion (+74% YoY). This amounts to a yield of 24.2% up from 21.7% in 2024.
• Its loan and advances at N10.45 trillion, up 4.85% YoY earned the bank interest of N1.823 trillion, 20% higher than the N1.52 trillion in 2024, depicting a higher yield of 17.45%.
• Investment securities grew by 18%, from N445.5 billion in 2024 to N525.7 billion in 2025, indicating the bank’s continued focus on generating stable income streams from government bonds and other secure investments
Interest expenses
While interest expenses on customer deposits increased by 23% YoY to NGN 764.29 billion, this was more than offset by the strong growth in net interest income, which grew by 53% YoY, reaching N2.64 trillion.
Loan loss provision
Despite loan loss provision rising by 13% YoY to N742.19 billion, the bank’s income after impairment still grew by more than 77%, reaching N1.9 trillion in 2025.
Non-interest income
Net fees and commission income of N291.8 billion and foreign currency revaluation gains of NGN 106 billion also contributed to the strong bottom line.
This diversified income generation helped to cushion the impact of higher personnel and operating expenses that amounted to N963 billion.
Balance sheet
Zenith Bank’s total assets grew to N31.5 trillion, driven by an increase in customer deposits (+73.54% YoY).
• Customer deposits at N23.33 trillion, now make up over 77% of the bank’s balance sheet size, supporting the bank’s liquidity and ability to fund future growth.
Market performance
Zenith Bank’s share price closed at N103 on April 7 2026, marking a 67% year-to-date gain.
The strong share price performance reflects the market’s positive reception of the bank’s record financial results, signaling investor confidence in the bank’s growth prospects and robust financial health.
Outlook
The Group’s strong financial performance in 2025, marked by record profit growth, strong interest income, and prudent asset management, sets the stage for continued success in the coming years.
Commenting on the outlook for 2026, the Group Managing Director/CEO, Dame Dr. Adaora Umeoji, OON, stated:
“We entered 2026 as a stronger, more resilient institution that remains dedicated to supporting our customers as they build scale and capture emerging business opportunities.
“With our strong corporate governance, an expanding global footprint, and above all, our unicorn workforce, we remain confident in our ability to continue to deliver long-term value for all our stakeholders.”
With a firm focus on corporate governance, customer-centric innovation, and sustainable financial practices, Zenith Bank is confident in its ability to navigate challenges, capture new opportunities, and continue providing long-term value for its shareholders, customers, and stakeholders.
The outlook for 2026 is promising, and with Zenith Bank’s strong position in the market, it remains well-prepared to capitalize on emerging business opportunities and sustain its leadership in the banking industry.
Key 2024-2025 Awards & Recognition
Zenith Bank has solidified its position as a leading financial institution, earning several awards and recognitions.
• Best Bank in Nigeria: Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2025, Global Finance World’s Best Banks Awards (2020-2022, 2024, 2025).
• Bank of the Year (Nigeria): The Banker’s Bank of the Year Awards 2024, ThisDay Newspaper 2024, New Telegraph Newspaper 2024.
• Best Commercial Bank, Nigeria: World Finance Banking Awards (2021-2025).
• Most Sustainable Bank, Nigeria: International Banker Banking Awards 2023, 2024.
• Best Corporate Governance Bank, Nigeria: World Finance Corporate Governance Awards (2022-2025).
• CSR Recognition: Most Responsible Organisation in Africa, Best Company in Transparency and Reporting, and Best Company in Gender Equality and Women Empowerment at the SERAS CSR Awards Africa 2024.
• Other Accolades: Retail Bank of the Year (BAFI Awards) 2024 [Best in MSME Trade Finance
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