Zenith Bank and UBA Win 2026 Euromoney Awards

Two major Nigerian financial institutions received top honors at the 2026 Euromoney Awards for Excellence held on July 16 and 17 at The Peninsula London Hotel in London. Zenith Bank Plc was named both Africa’s Best Bank and Nigeria’s Best Bank, marking its second consecutive year as the top bank in Nigeria. The selection followed a competitive process with over 770 global entries, including institutions such as HSBC and Morgan Stanley.

Zenith Bank reported strong 2025 financial performance, with gross earnings increasing six percent to N4.19 trillion and a profit after tax of N1.04 trillion. The bank also lowered its non-performing loan ratio from 4.7 percent to 3.8 percent. Group Managing Director and CEO Dame Dr. Adaora Umeoji credited the success to the trust of customers and the dedication of the workforce, dedicating the awards to founder Jim Ovia.

United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc earned titles for Nigeria's Best Bank for Retail and Sustainability Leadership (ESG). Euromoney recognized UBA's commitment to net-zero emissions by 2050, its Green Financing Facility, and a N5 billion program for women-owned businesses. The bank's retail growth was highlighted by a customer base exceeding 37 million and retail revenue of N429.5 billion by the end of 2025, supported by digital tools like the LEO AI chatbot.