Zenith Bank Plc has been awarded ‘Bank of the Year’ and ‘Retail Bank of the Year’ at the 2024 BusinessDay Banks and Other Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards, marking the second consecutive year it has taken home the top honour. The ceremony was held at the Lagos Continental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, on Friday, 25 October 2024.

The BAFI Awards are recognised as the benchmark of excellence in Nigeria’s financial services sector, celebrating organisations, teams, and individuals who demonstrate outstanding service across the industry.

In her comments on the accolades, Group Managing Director/CEO of Zenith Bank Plc, Dame (Dr) Adaora Umeoji, OON, said, “We are deeply honoured to be recognised as ‘Bank of the Year’ and ‘Retail Bank of the Year’ at the BAFI Awards 2024. These awards underscore our commitment to customer satisfaction, sustainable growth, and innovation. They highlight our adaptability and resilience as a brand navigating the dynamic financial landscape.”

She dedicated the awards to the bank’s founder and chairman, Dr Jim Ovia, CFR, whose visionary leadership has guided Zenith Bank to success, as well as the board for their strategic insights, the dedicated staff, and loyal customers.

Zenith Bank’s exemplary performance has consistently earned it numerous recognitions. It was recently named the Number One Bank in Nigeria by Tier-1 Capital for the 15th consecutive year in the 2024 Top 1000 World Banks Ranking by The Banker magazine. The bank was also awarded Bank of the Year (Nigeria) in The Banker’s Bank of the Year Awards in 2020 and 2022, and Most Sustainable Bank, Nigeria in 2023 and 2024 by the International Banker Banking Awards.

Other accolades include Best Bank in Nigeria from 2020 to 2022 and in 2024 in the Global Finance World’s Best Banks Awards; Best Commercial Bank, Nigeria from 2021 to 2024 by the World Finance Banking Awards; and Best Corporate Governance Bank, Nigeria, in the World Finance Corporate Governance Awards from 2022 to 2024. Additionally, the bank has been recognised as Best in Corporate Governance in Financial Services, Africa, by Ethical Boardroom from 2020 to 2023.

Zenith Bank’s dedication to excellence and innovation was also highlighted in its recognition as Nigeria’s Most Valuable Banking Brand in The Banker magazine’s Top 500 Banking Brands for 2020 and 2021. The bank was also awarded Retail Bank of the Year at the BusinessDay BAFI Awards from 2020 to 2022 and Best Commercial Bank, Nigeria, in the International Banker 2022 Banking Awards. Further honours include Bank of the Decade (People’s Choice) at the ThisDay Awards 2020, Bank of the Year 2021 by Champion newspaper, Bank of the Year 2022 by New Telegraph newspaper, and Most Responsible Organisation in Africa 2021 by the SERAS Awards.