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Ikiodiete George
- 2 Min Read
Top 10 Biggest Banks In Nigeria Ranked By Assets, Users, Staff Size & Nationwide Reach (2025)
Nigeria’s banking sector is one of the largest and fastest-growing in Africa. From Lagos to Kano, Port Harcourt to Abuja, millions of Nigerians rely on banks not just to save money, but also to invest, run businesses, and carry out everyday transactions. But which banks really dominate the industry in size, customers, and national reach?
In this guide, I reveal the top 10 biggest banks in Nigeria for 2025 — ranked by total assets, number of users, staff strength, and how wide their branch and digital network extends.
Top 10 Biggest Banks in Nigeria (2025 Ranking)
|
Rank |
Bank Name |
Total Assets (₦) |
No. of Customers |
Staff Strength |
National Reach |
|
1 |
Zenith Bank |
₦18 trillion+ |
25 million+ |
12,000+ |
400+ branches nationwide |
|
2 |
Access Bank |
₦16 trillion+ |
35 million+ |
28,000+ |
600+ branches nationwide |
|
3 |
GTBank |
₦14 trillion+ |
20 million+ |
10,000+ |
250+ branches nationwide |
|
4 |
First Bank of Nigeria |
₦13 trillion+ |
30 million+ |
22,000+ |
700+ branches nationwide |
|
5 |
UBA |
₦11 trillion+ |
27 million+ |
15,000+ |
500+ branches nationwide |
|
6 |
Fidelity Bank |
₦8 trillion+ |
12 million+ |
8,000+ |
250+ branches nationwide |
|
7 |
Stanbic IBTC Bank |
₦7 trillion+ |
9 million+ |
5,000+ |
200+ branches nationwide |
|
8 |
Union Bank |
₦6 trillion+ |
8 million+ |
6,000+ |
300+ branches nationwide |
|
9 |
FCMB |
₦5 trillion+ |
7 million+ |
5,000+ |
200+ branches nationwide |
|
10 |
Wema Bank |
₦4 trillion+ |
5 million+ |
4,000+ |
150+ branches nationwide |
What Makes a Bank Big in Nigeria?
Bank size isn’t just about how much money it holds. We looked at four key areas:
- Total Assets: The bigger the asset base, the more funds a bank can lend and invest.
- Customer Base: A large user base means widespread trust and brand dominance.
- Staff Strength: Banks with more employees usually have better capacity to manage services across the country.
- National Reach: The number of branches, ATMs, and digital touchpoints across states.
Key Highlights
- Access Bank leads in customer base and staff size thanks to past mergers and expansion into Africa.
- Zenith Bank remains #1 in total assets and is widely seen as the most profitable Nigerian bank in recent years.
- First Bank continues to dominate rural and semi-urban markets with Nigeria’s widest branch network.
- GTBank leads in digital banking innovation, with one of the strongest mobile banking apps and fastest service delivery times.
FAQs
Q: Which bank has the largest number of customers in Nigeria?
A: Access Bank currently leads with over 35 million active customers.
Q: Which bank has the highest number of staff?
A: Access Bank tops the list with more than 28,000 employees.
Q: Which bank has the widest branch network?
A: First Bank has the widest reach, with over 700 branches nationwide.
Conclusion
Nigeria’s banking sector is dynamic, competitive, and growing fast. From the old giants like First Bank to innovative leaders like GTBank, each of these top 10 banks brings something unique to the table. Whether you care about convenience, customer service, digital tools, or national coverage, these banks are shaping the future of finance in Nigeria.
If you’re thinking of opening an account, applying for a loan, or simply comparing services, keep this list handy and watch the sector closely — because Nigerian banking never sleeps!
