Nigeria’s post-recapitalisation banking landscape is evolving as GTBank focuses on efficiency, ZenithBank strengthens stability, and Access Bank accelerates expansion across Africa, redefining competition in the financial sector. Discover more from Ameh News. Banking titan’sZenithBank and GT Bank are two of the most profitable banksinNigerian history. They were both the first to cross the N100 billion mark in after tax profits. This article looks at their rise to supremacy, their current state of competitiveness and muses about the future. ZenithBank, a dominant player inNigeria and West Africa’s financial sector, has been impacted by market fluctuations that have seen its stock price decline by 8.65 percent in just over a month. The bank’s shares, which were trading at N52 ($0.034) on Feb. ZenithBank’s performance has also earned it continued global recognition. For the 16th consecutive year, it was ranked Nigeria’s number one bank by Tier-1 capital in The Banker’s “Top 1000 World Banks” ranking—further validating its financial strength and global competitiveness. ZenithBank Plc currently has a shareholder base of more than half a million and is Nigeria’s biggest bank by tier-1 capital. In 2013, the Bank listed $850 million worth of its shares at $6.80 each on the London Stock Exchange (LSE). Nigeria’sbanking system is in overdrive—capital, code, and consolidation are reshaping financial power in 2026.Access, First Bank, GTCO, UBA, ZenithBank's Shareholders' Funds Hit N20.2tn Amid CBN's Recapitalisation Drive. Using the Nigerian capital market, the five banks were able to raise the N500 billion minimum capital required by the apex banking regulator. The breakdown showed that ZenithBank’s shareholders’ fund closed 2025 at N4.9 trillion, about a 22.2 per cent increase over N4.03 trillion in 2024. Meanwhile, GTCO, UBA, First Bank of Nigeria, and ZenithBank Plc processed ₦286.19 trillion through their mobile banking apps during the year.
