“Our focus is clear — innovation, disciplined growth, and solutions that meet our clients’ evolving needs,” Zenith Bank Chief Executive Officer, Dame Adaora Umeoji, has revealed
Our Business Focus Is Clear — CEO Adaora Umeoji Says as Zenith Bank Maintains Strong Growth
The bank chief made the revelation against the backdrop of the financial institution’s nine-month results, which show sustained momentum despite economic headwinds.
Her emphasis on strategic focus set the tone for the Group’s performance, with gross earnings rising 16 percent year-on-year to N3.4 trillion for the period ended September 30, 2025.
The unaudited figures show interest income grew by 41 percent to N2.7 trillion, buoyed by a high-yield environment and an expanded investment book. Even with interest expense rising 22 percent to N814 billion due to tightened monetary conditions, the bank lifted its net interest margin to 12 percent from 10 percent recorded a year earlier. Non-interest income dropped 38 percent to N535 billion after a steep decline in trading gains.
Profit before tax stood at N917 billion compared to N1 trillion in the same period of 2024, while profit after tax moderated to N764 billion.
Zenith Bank said the dip in profitability reflects deliberate actions to strengthen the health of its loan portfolio, with Earnings Per Share closing at N18.60.
Total assets rose to N31 trillion from N30 trillion in December 2024; customer deposits climbed 8 percent to N23.7 trillion, while gross loans fell by 9 percent to N10 trillion as the bank intensified write-offs. The Non-Performing Loan ratio improved to 3 percent.
Return on average equity came in at 23.3 percent and return on average assets at 3.3 percent. Cost of funds rose to 4.5 percent amid elevated interest rates, while the cost-to-income ratio reached 45 percent. Liquidity and coverage ratios remained strong at 53 percent and 211.1 percent respectively, reflecting what the bank described as its solid capital position and conservative risk governance.
Dame Umeoji said the bank’s direction is intentional and anchored on long-term sustainability. “We have fortified our capital base, reset our asset quality, and are well positioned for sustainable and profitable growth,” she said.
She added that the bank’s strategic focus remains the lens through which every decision is taken. “Our focus on innovation, digital transformation, and developing solutions that address our clients’ changing needs positions us to capitalise on emerging opportunities whilst maintaining a disciplined approach to growth.”
In reinforcing the outlook for the final quarter of the year, she described the bank’s trajectory as solid and steady. “This result confirms the resilience of both our business model and our people. We’re well placed to sustain this momentum and deliver exceptional value to all our stakeholders,” the CEO emphasised.
Zenith Bank’s consistent performance has been matched by sustained recognition across global and local award platforms, including being ranked Nigeria’s Number One Bank by Tier-1 Capital for the sixteenth consecutive year in The Banker’s 2025 Top 1000 World Banks Ranking, alongside numerous honours for governance, digital innovation, sustainability, and brand strength.
As 2025 draws to a close, the bank signals that its focus — reaffirmed repeatedly by its CEO — will remain central to its operations: innovation-led expansion, prudent risk management, and value creation across all segments. Read More
