Business
Access Bank: Soaring Beyond Borders as Africa’s Leading Brand
When you think of resilience, innovation, and transformation in Africa’s financial services sector, one name that resonates and continues to shine above the rest is Access Bank Plc.
For the fourth consecutive year, it has been crowned, once again, as Nigeria’s Most Valuable Brand in the “Nigeria 25 2025” ranking by Brand Finance, the world’s foremost brand valuation consultancy.
This ranking, backed by a detailed research study from the Nigeria Online Media Alliance (NOMA), affirms Access Bank’s monumental impact across Nigeria, Africa, and key global markets.
Access Bank’s ascension to the top isn’t by a fluke — it’s as a result of strategic clarity, customer trust, and a corporate vision centered on sustainable growth and inclusive finance. The NOMA-backed research underscores that the bank’s brand equity is a direct reflection of customer satisfaction, digital transformation, and regional impact.
From Lagos to London, Nairobi to Paris, Access Bank is redefining African banking. Operating in 23 countries, with over 60 million customers, and 700+ branches and service outlets, the Bank is not only scaling—it is setting new frontiers in global banking standards.
According to Roosevelt Ogbonna, Managing Director/CEO of Access Bank, emphasized that “This recognition as Nigeria’s most valuable brand for the fourth year running is a testament to the strength of our people, our customers’ trust, and the strategic clarity that drives everything we do.
“At Access Bank, we remain committed to delivering value through innovation, financial inclusion, and impactful partnerships across Africa and beyond.”
In a time when Nigeria’s economy faces headwinds, the banking sector has emerged as a pillar of strength. Also, according to Brand Finance, banks now account for 59% of the total brand value in the “Nigeria 25 2025” ranking—signaling public trust and the sector’s expanding influence.
Babatunde Odumeru, Managing Director of Brand Finance Nigeria, noted: “Nigerian banking brands continue to grow, successfully navigating a challenging economic landscape with strategic agility while also maintaining customer loyalty.”
Beyond the data lies the heartbeat of Access Bank’s success—its customers. Across urban centers and rural communities, individuals and businesses are experiencing the bank’s transformative touch.
A known fashion entrepreneur in Ibadan, capital of Oyo state, South West Nigeria, Mrs. Kemi Olawale, said of the bank: “Access Bank believed in my business when no one else did. Their digital banking tools make it easy to manage my finances and reach global clients from my living room.”
To Umar Yusuf, a Youth Tech Developer in Kano, in his reflection of the bank, observed: “Through Access Bank’s innovation hub support and SME financing, I was able to scale my coding startup and employ five other youths. That’s real impact.”
In her reverend compliments, Mrs. Ngozi Eze, a retiree in Enugu, added: “I feel safe and respected with Access Bank. Their customer service is a top-notch, and I love ingenuity making financial literacy part of their service.”
To Mr. Femi Dare, a logistics operator in Lagos, “The bank’s flexible business loans helped me expand my fleet. What I love most is how they combine tech with the human touch,” just as Mrs. Fatima Mohammed, a teacher in Minna, remarked, “Their school savings initiative helped our students’ parents stay on track. I see Access Bank as more than a bank—they’re partners in education.”
Mr. Chijioke Onyekachi, a diaspora returnee in Abuja, adds: “Coming back to Nigeria, I needed a bank I could trust. Access bank made the transition seamless and safe. Their cross-border services are world-class.”
Under the evolving leadership of Bolaji Agbede, Acting Group CEO of Access Holdings PLC, the bank is setting its sights even higher.
She noted that “Access Bank’s brand leadership reflects the Group’s long-term vision of becoming the world’s most respected African financial institution. As we continue to evolve and expand our footprint, we are focused on delivering sustainable growth, deepening stakeholder trust, and enhancing the customer experience across all our markets.”
Access Bank’s consistent top-ranking performance stems from its:
• Commitment to financial inclusion and digital transformation
• Investment in youth empowerment, SMEs, and innovation
• Focus on green finance and sustainability
• Strategic expansion into key international markets
As Access Bank celebrates yet another milestone, its journey serves as a beacon for other African institutions aspiring to global relevance to emulate. More than a financial brand, Access Bank represents a movement—one rooted in trust, innovation, and human progress.
With strategic leadership, a loyal customer base, and a relentless drive for excellence, Access Bank isn’t just Nigeria’s most valuable brand—it’s Africa’s flagship of financial ingenuity.
Special Report by Nigeria Online Media Alliance (NOMA), a coalition of reputable digital news platforms and independent journalists committed to promoting factual, data-driven reporting and media transparency. NOMA conducts in-depth research, monitors brand performance, and amplifies stories that shape national conversations.
Their investigative insights and media audits are widely respected across corporate, civil, and governmental sectors, positioning NOMA as a trusted authority on brand perception and public engagement in Nigeria’s digital space.
Sterling Bank, on Wednesday, announced the removal of account maintenance fees on all personal accounts, describing the decision as a “gift” to Nigerians in celebration of the country’s 65th Independence Day.
The decision, which follows the abolition of transfer fees on local online transactions in April 2025, was outlined in a statement shared by the bank. The bank said the policy would allow customers to keep more of their earnings, framing it as a step toward financial freedom.
“Every fee we remove is one less barrier between our customers and true financial freedom. This was the rationale behind eliminating transfer fees in April, and it is the same principle we uphold as we eliminate account maintenance fees,” Sterling Bank’s Managing Director, Abubakar Suleiman, said.
The statement highlighted that in 2024 alone, tier-1 banks in Nigeria earned over ₦650 billion from account maintenance and e-banking charges. “This decision cuts at the heart of a revenue model that has long cost Nigerian customers dearly,” the bank noted.
Obinna Ukachukwu, Sterling’s Growth Executive for Consumer and Business Banking, said the initiative was intended to strengthen long-term relationships with customers. “This initiative is about building lasting relationships that fuel sustainable growth. We put transparency and customer value first, and in doing so, we are building a foundation that serves both our customers and Sterling’s future,” he said.
Sterling Bank also framed the removal of fees as part of a broader strategy to make banking more inclusive and customer-focused. The April 2025 transfer fee abolition had already eliminated charges on all local online transactions, easing costs for individuals and small businesses. At the time, Ukachukwu described the move as a values-driven decision aimed at ensuring fair access to money.
“Access to your own money shouldn’t come with a penalty. This is more than a financial decision—it’s about redefining banking to put customers first,” Ukachukwu said.
The latest move aligns with Sterling’s positioning as a bank committed to transparency, customer value, and digital innovation, and it signals a continued effort to reshape banking practices in Nigeria.
Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc has reported a profit before tax of N600.9 billion for the half year ended June 30, 2025.
The figure is contained in the company’s audited consolidated and separate financial statements, which were released to the Nigerian Exchange Group and the London Stock Exchange.
The group stated that the performance was driven by growth in core earnings lines, including interest income and fee income, which rose year-on-year by 31.5% and 33.0%, respectively.
It explained that the growth helped to cushion the absence of N493.01 billion in fair value gains recorded in 2024, resulting in a 40 per cent decline.
GTCO stated that its total assets stood at N16.7 trillion, while shareholders’ funds totaled N3.0 trillion during the review period.
It added that its balance sheet remained strong, diversified, and de-risked across operating jurisdictions, as well as its payments, pension, and funds management businesses.
The group disclosed that its Capital Adequacy Ratio closed at 36.2 per cent, while asset quality improved with IFRS 9 Stage 3 loans declining to 3.2 per cent.
At the group level, Stage 3 loans stood at 4.5 per cent, compared with 5.2 per cent in December 2024.
Similarly, the cost of risk improved to 1.7 per cent from 4.9 per cent recorded in December 2024.
The company stated that its net loan book increased by 20.5 per cent, from N2.79 trillion in December 2024 to N3.36 trillion in June 2025.
Deposit liabilities also increased by 16.6 per cent from N10.40 trillion to N12.13 trillion during the same period.
The board of GTCO approved an interim dividend of N1.00 per share for the half year ended June 30, 2025.
Commenting on the results, Segun Agbaje, Group Chief Executive Officer, said the half-year performance reflected business strength and progress towards building a diversified financial services ecosystem.
He said beyond last year’s extraordinary one-off gains, the group was now driving sustainable growth with recurring earnings that demonstrated the resilience and scalability of its model.
Mr Agbaje noted that continued investment in technology, particularly in core banking upgrades, was delivering stronger uptime, efficiency, and greater capacity to scale with a growing customer base.
He added that across banking, funds management, pension, and payments, GTCO was leveraging a de-risked balance sheet to reinforce its market position while maintaining strategic flexibility. According to him, this foundation positions the group to seize emerging opportunities and deliver lasting value for all stakeholders.
Mr Agbaje stressed that GTCO had continued to post some of the best metrics in Nigeria’s financial services industry in terms of key financial ratios. He said the group recorded Pre-Tax Return on Equity of 60.4 per cent, Pre-Tax Return on Assets of 10.6 per cent, Capital Adequacy Ratio of 36.2 per cent, and Cost-to-Income ratio of 30.1 per cent.
NAN
In line with its commitments of promoting sports and developmental initiatives at all levels, First Bank of Nigeria Limited is partnering the organizers of the first of its kind E1 Lagos GP an all-electric powerboat racing championship, set to hold between the 3rd and 5th of October 2025.
Disclosing this at the E1 Lagos GP Stakeholder Immersion session in Lagos recently, Olayinka Ijabiyi, the Acting Group Head, Marketing and Corporate Communication of FirstBank, reaffirmed the Bank’s commitment to supporting initiatives that engender human development across the country while cementing legacies.
“Our involvement in the E1 Lagos GP is about driving legacy and enabling the passions and aspirations that unite Nigerians. We are a bank that has been in business for over 131 years and we recognize that sports drives us as a country, which is why through our First@Sports initiative, we continue to invest in platforms that inspire and elevate our people. We have been supporting legacy sport tournaments like the Georgian Polo Cup which we have hosted for 105 years, and the Lagos Amateur Open Golf Championship for 64 years now,” Ijabiyi said.
With the event slated for the start of the fourth quarter, FirstBank is aligning its partnership with the annual DecemberIssaVybe initiative, a campaign that celebrates the vibrant spirit of Nigerians during the festive season by curating unforgettable experiences that blend culture, entertainment and lifestyle. “FirstBank is deeply woven into the fabric of society and the lives of our customers. As presenting partner, we are creating meaningful touchpoints with customers and prospects, offering them a world-class experience of relaxation and celebration that captures the true essence of Lagos during the festive season,” he added.
Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, who was also at the event, described the initiative as an event that will grow not just the sports but also showcase Lagos’s vibrant culture, dynamic people, and global relevance, while commending FirstBank for their support.
The teams owned by notable stars like Tom Brady, LeBron James, Didier Drogba, Will Smith, Marc Anthony, Steve Aoki, Rafael Nadal will compete in the Lagos leg before the 2025 season of the competition terminates in Miami in the United States.
