Nigeria’s Zenith Bank posts $754 million profit in 2025

Zenith Bank Plc, the flagship financial institution founded and led by Nigeria’s richest banker, Jim Ovia, delivered a resilient performance in 2025, reporting net profit exceeding $750 million despite a slight dip in pre-tax earnings, underscoring its strength as one of Africa’s most profitable lenders amid rising costs and macroeconomic challenges.

Zenith Bank profit exceeds $750 million despite earnings pressure
According to audited results, profit after tax edged by 0.74% up to N1.04 trillion ($753.76 million) in 2025, compared to N1.03 trillion ($748.2 million) a year earlier, reflecting steady bottom-line expansion amid macroeconomic headwinds.

However, profit before tax declined by 5% to N1.26 trillion ($915.6 million), down from N1.33 trillion ($961.5 million), as rising impairment charges and operating costs weighed on earnings.

Gross earnings surpass $3 billion as scale expands
Zenith Bank’s gross earnings rose 6% to N4.19 trillion ($3.04 billion), up from N3.97 trillion ($2.88 billion) in 2024, driven by strong interest income and continued growth in core banking operations.

Net interest income surged significantly, supported by higher yields, while fees and commissions also strengthened, reinforcing the bank’s diversified income base. Zenith Bank’s footprint expanded modestly, with total branches rising to 456, alongside over 2,148 ATMs and more than 473,000 POS terminals, reflecting its deepening retail and digital reach.

Still, trading performance reversed sharply, swinging to a loss of N63.1 billion ($45.7 million) from a N1.1 trillion ($797 million) gain in 2024, highlighting volatility in market-related income.

Zenith Bank’s balance sheet soars under Jim Ovia’s leadership
Founded in 1990 by Ovia, Zenith Bank has played a key role in the evolution and digitalization of the Nigerian banking sector. The group’s total assets climbed to N31.46 trillion ($22.8 billion), up from N29.96 trillion ($21.7 billion), driven by growth in loans and investment securities. Customer deposits also increased to N24.33 trillion ($17.6 billion), reinforcing its strong liquidity position. 

As of December 31, 2025, Ovia holds a total of 5.8 billion shares, combining direct and indirect stakes, representing 14.13% of the bank’s issued share capital, reflecting both its continued commitment and the impact of the bank’s recent capital expansion.

Dividend doubles, Ovia set to pocket $42 million
In a strong signal to investors, the bank proposed a total dividend of N10 per share ($0.00725), doubling from N5 ($0.00362) in 2024, supported by sustained profitability and robust capital reserves. Ovia is poised to receive N58.01 billion ($42.04 million) in dividends.

Despite pressure on some income lines, Zenith Bank’s 2025 performance highlights its ability to scale earnings, manage costs, and maintain its position at the forefront of Nigeria’s banking sector.