Capital Strength Ranking: Nigeria’s Largest Banks by Share Capital in 2025
A newly published “Capital League Table” already grabbing attention places Zenith Bank Plc at the top of Nigeria’s banking industry by share capital, underscoring the mighty financial muscle of the country’s leading lenders.
According to the 2025 report, Zenith Bank leads with a robust share capital and share premium base of about ₦614.65 billion — a mark of strength that comfortably surpasses the regulatory threshold set for banks with international licences.
Close behind is Access Holdings Plc (parent of Access Bank), with a share capital and premium of roughly ₦594.90 billion.
This places both institutions firmly ahead of peers such as Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO) and United Bank for Africa Plc (UBA), which lag behind with share equity of ₦353.51 billion and ₦345.30 billion respectively.
The significance of the ranking goes beyond just balance-sheet size. It reflects compliance with the recapitalisation drive mandated by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), which demands banks with international operations to meet a ₦500 billion minimum capital threshold.
As the report notes, the large capital bases of Zenith Bank and Access Holdings not only secure their Tier-1 status but also allow them greater capacity for lending, investment, and expansion — strengthening their resilience in a volatile macroeconomic environment.
“This achievement is a reflection of the bank’s robust financial performance, prudent risk management and steadfast dedication to delivering exceptional value to our customers and stakeholders,” said Zenith Bank’s Group CEO.
With these developments, the 2025 Capital League Table signals a re-ordering of competitive advantage — showing that banks able to build deep capital buffers stand to dominate Nigeria’s banking landscape in the coming years.
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