Seven Banks’ Total Assets Hits N147.2trn on Increased Capital Inflows, Recapitalisation

The Nigerian banking sector is demonstrating robust growth, with seven prominent banks listed on the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) collectively reporting total assets of N147.2 trillion in 2025. This represents a significant 11.4% increase from the N132.14 trillion recorded in 2024, signaling a healthy expansion driven by increased capital inflows and strategic lending initiatives.

This impressive performance is a testament to the resilience and strategic management within these institutions. Banks like Zenith Bank Plc, Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO), and Ecobank Transnational Incorporated, alongside Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, Wema Bank Plc, FCMB Group Plc, and First Holdco Plc, have navigated the economic landscape effectively. Their ability to attract customer deposits, which form a substantial 71.13% of their total assets, underscores the continued confidence customers place in the Nigerian banking system.

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Customer deposits increased by $4.9 billion ($2.2 billion in constant currency), to $25.3 billion as of December 31, 2025. In CIB, deposits increased by $1.8 billion to $10.2 billion, reflecting robust transaction flows from large corporations and public sector entities, as well as deposit campaigns. CCB deposits rose by $3.1 billion to $15.1 billion, driven by deepening customer engagements and growing primary banking relationships. “Overall, customer deposits are stable and diversified, with the proportion of ‘sticky’ and low cost CASA deposits as a percentage of total customer deposits rising to 87.1 per cent in 2025 from 86.4 per cent in 2024. This improvement reflects management’s continued efforts to optimise the deposit mix and reduce reliance on higher-cost funding sources.”

Ecobank Transnational Incorporated stands out, leading the pack with total assets closing at N49.66 trillion in 2025, a nearly 15% increase from the previous year. The bank's own commentary highlights strong growth in customer deposits, particularly stable and low-cost CASA deposits, and strategic adjustments in its loan portfolio across various regions. While loans in Nigeria saw a decrease reflecting a deliberate strategy to address asset quality issues, growth in other regions like UEMOA and CESA regions indicates a diversified and adaptive approach.

From our perspective at ThisDay, this surge in total assets is more than just a financial statistic; it reflects a strengthening financial infrastructure crucial for Nigeria's economic development. The ongoing recapitalization efforts and the banks' capacity to attract significant capital inflows are vital for supporting businesses, driving investment, and ultimately contributing to the nation's overall economic stability and growth. This trend paints a positive picture of the banking sector's role in powering Nigeria's economy.

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In the UEMOA region, gross loans rose by $895 million (+281 million in constant currency), driven by strong growth in CCB loans. Conversely, in Nigeria, loans decreased by $43 million ($166 million in constant currency), reflecting management’s strategic decision to reduce lending while addressing legacy asset quality issues and pursuing its capital restoration plan. “In the AWA region, loans increased by $558 million ($223 million in constant currency), reflecting healthy growth in consumer loans, partly driven by digitally enabled lending in Ghana. Finally, the CESA region recorded gross loan growth of $732 million ($545 million in constant currency), mainly from commercial lending,”