Business
ZENITH BANK NAMED MOST SUSTAINABLE BANK IN NIGERIA IN THE INTERNATIONAL BANKER AWARDS 2024 FOR THE SECOND CONSECUTIVE YEAR
Zenith Bank Plc has been named the “Most Sustainable Bank, Nigeria” in the International
Banker 2024 Banking Awards, retaining the title for the second consecutive year.
Commenting on the award, the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Zenith
Bank, Dame (Dr.) Adaora Umeoji, OON, said: “We are deeply honoured to be recognised as
the Most Sustainable Bank in Nigeria for the second time in a row. This prestigious award
underscores our steadfast commitment to sustainability and reinforces our belief that
responsible banking is essential for long-term success and societal impact.”
She dedicated the award to the Founder and Chairman of Zenith Bank Plc, Dr. Jim Ovia,
CFR. She lauded the Bank’s stakeholders for their commitment and unwavering support in
ensuring that Zenith remains a highly successful institution. She said, “This remarkable
achievement is a testament to the visionary and impactful leadership of our Founder and
Chairman, Dr. Jim Ovia, CFR. His exceptional foresight and dedication have been the
cornerstone of our success. His ability to inspire and guide with strategic acumen has been
instrumental in steering Zenith Bank to new heights. Along with the strategic guidance of our
esteemed Board members, the unwavering commitment of our ever-diligent staff, and the
steadfast support of our loyal customers, Dr. Ovia’s leadership has been pivotal in
transforming our sustainability initiatives into a reality. We owe this success to his relentless
pursuit of excellence and his deep-seated commitment to redefining the banking landscape
in Nigeria.”
This recognition reaffirms Zenith Bank’s position as a trailblazer in sustainable banking
practices, setting a benchmark for excellence within the Nigerian banking industry and
beyond. The Bank has been a leader in monitoring and reporting sustainability impact.
Since becoming the first Bank in Africa to publish a stand-alone sustainability report in
accordance with the GRI Standards: Core Option in 2016, Zenith Bank has consistently
published assured stand-alone sustainability reports. The Bank is one of the few institutions
in Nigeria that tracks its carbon emissions using a certified tool built on the internationally
recognised Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol.
Zenith Bank is deeply committed to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) values,
subscribing to the Triple Bottom Line principle, which encompasses People, Planet, and
Profit. As a leading financial institution that services various sectors of the economy, the
Bank considers Environmental and Social (E&S) risk management critical to its
sustainability strategy.
Zenith Bank’s track record of excellent performance has continued to earn the brand
numerous awards, including being recognised as Best Bank in Nigeria for the fourth time in
five years, from 2020 to 2022 and in 2024, in the Global Finance World’s Best Banks
Awards; the Best Bank for Digital Solutions in Nigeria in the Euromoney Awards 2023; being
listed in the World Finance Top 100 Global Companies in 2023; being recognised as the
Number One Bank in Nigeria by Tier-1 Capital for the 14th consecutive year in the 2023 Top
1000 World Banks Ranking published by The Banker Magazine; Best Commercial Bank,
Nigeria, for three consecutive years from 2021 to 2023 in the World Finance Banking
Awards; Best Corporate Governance Bank, Nigeria in the World Finance Corporate
Governance Awards 2022 and 2023; Bank of the Year (Nigeria) in The Banker’s Bank of the
Year Awards 2020 and 2022; Best in Corporate Governance Financial Services Africa for
four successive years from 2020 to 2023 by the Ethical Boardroom; Most Sustainable Bank,
Nigeria in the International Banker 2023 Banking Awards; Best Commercial Bank, Nigeria
and Best Innovation in Retail Banking, Nigeria in the International Banker 2022 Banking
Awards.
Additionally, the Bank emerged as the Most Valuable Banking Brand in Nigeria in the
Banker Magazine Top 500 Banking Brands 2020 and 2021; Bank of the Year 2023 and
Retail Bank of the Year for three consecutive years from 2020 to 2022 at the BusinessDay
Banks and Other Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards. Similarly, Zenith Bank was named
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 SERAS.
Published by Finance Publishing Limited, the International Banker Magazine, United
Kingdom, is a leading global source of authoritative analysis and opinion on banking,
finance and world affairs. Its influence, integrity, accuracy and objective opinion have
earned it global recognition. The International Banker Awards strive to recognise the most
worthy financial institutions around the world – those not just doing their jobs well but
exceptionally well – those operating at the industry’s cutting edge and setting new
performance levels to which others will aspire. The 2024 Banking Awards focused on
various criteria, including the provision of much-needed capital for economic growth, cutting-
edge innovation to enhance security and efficiency, commitment to sustainability and ESG
principles, as well as intelligent investing to maximise profits and shareholder value.
Business
Nigeria’s Inflation Drops to 15.10% as NBS Reports Deflationary Trend
Nigeria’s headline inflation rate declined to 15.10 per cent in January 2026, marking a significant drop from 27.61 per cent recorded in January 2025, according to the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report released by the National Bureau of Statistics.
The report also showed that month-on-month inflation recorded a deflationary trend of –2.88 per cent, representing a 3.42 percentage-point decrease compared to December 2025. Analysts say the development signals easing price pressures across key sectors of the economy.
Food inflation stood at 8.89 per cent year-on-year, down from 29.63 per cent in January 2025. On a month-on-month basis, food prices declined by 6.02 per cent, reflecting lower costs in several staple commodities.
The data suggests a sustained downward trajectory in inflation over the past 12 months, pointing to improving macroeconomic stability.
The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has consistently attributed recent economic adjustments to ongoing fiscal and monetary reforms aimed at stabilising prices, boosting agricultural output, and strengthening domestic supply chains.
Economic analysts note that while the latest figures indicate progress, sustaining the downward trend will depend on continued policy discipline, exchange rate stability, and improvements in food production and distribution.
The January report provides one of the clearest indications yet that inflationary pressures, which surged in early 2025, may be moderating.
Bank
Alpha Morgan to Host 19th Economic Review Webinar
Alpha Morgan to Host 19th Economic Review Webinar
In an economy shaped by constant shifts, the edge often belongs to those with the right information.
On Wednesday, February 25, 2026, Alpha Morgan Bank will host the 19th edition of its Economic Review Webinar, a high-level thought leadership session designed to equip businesses, investors, and individuals with timely financial and economic insight.
The session, which will hold live on Zoom at 10:00am WAT and will feature economist Bismarck Rewane, who will examine the key signals influencing Nigeria’s economic direction in 2026, including policy trends, market movements, and global developments shaping the local landscape.
With a consistent track record of delivering clarity in uncertain times, the Alpha Morgan Economic Review continues to provide practical context for decision-making in a dynamic environment.
Registration for the 19th Alpha Morgan Economic Review is free and can be completed via https://bit.ly/registeramerseries19
It is a bi-monthly platform that is open to the public and is held virtually.
Visit www.alphamorganbank to know more.
Business
GTBank Launches Quick Airtime Loan at 2.95%
GTBank Launches Quick Airtime Loan at 2.95%
Guaranty Trust Bank Ltd (GTBank), the flagship banking franchise of GTCO Plc, Africa’s leading financial services group, today announced the launch of Quick Airtime Loan, an innovative digital solution that gives customers instant access to airtime when they run out of call credit and have limited funds in their bank accounts, ensuring customers can stay connected when it matters most.
In today’s always-on world, running out of airtime is more than a minor inconvenience. It can mean missed opportunities, disrupted plans, and lost connections, often at the very moment when funds are tight, and options are limited. Quick Airtime Loan was created to solve this problem, offering customers instant access to airtime on credit, directly from their bank. With Quick Airtime Loan, eligible GTBank customers can access from ₦100 and up to ₦10,000 by dialing *737*90#. Available across all major mobile networks in Nigeria, the service will soon expand to include data loans, further strengthening its proposition as a reliable on-demand platform.
For years, the airtime credit market has been dominated by Telcos, where charges for this service are at 15%. GTBank is now changing the narrative by offering a customer-centric, bank-led digital alternative priced at 2.95%. Built on transparency, convenience and affordability, Quick Airtime Loan has the potential to broaden access to airtime, deliver meaningful cost savings for millions of Nigerians, and redefine how financial services show up in everyday life, not just in banking moments.
Commenting on the product launch, Miriam Olusanya, Managing Director of Guaranty Trust Bank Ltd, said: “Quick Airtime Loan reflects GTBank’s continued focus on delivering digital solutions that are relevant, accessible, and built around real customer needs. The solution underscores the power of a connected financial ecosystem, combining GTBank’s digital reach and lending expertise with the capabilities of HabariPay to deliver a smooth, end-to-end experience. By leveraging unique strengths across the Group, we are able to accelerate innovation, strengthen execution, and deliver a more integrated customer experience across all our service channels.”
Importantly, Quick Airtime Loan highlights GTCO’s evolution as a fully diversified financial services group. Leveraging HabariPay’s Squad, the solution reinforces the Group’s ecosystem proposition by bringing together banking, payment technology, and digital channels to deliver intuitive, one-stop experiences for customers.
With this new product launch, Guaranty Trust Bank is extending its legacy of pioneering digital-first solutions that have redefined customer access to financial services across the industry, building on the proven strength of its widely adopted QuickCredit offering and the convenience of the Bank’s iconic *737# USSD Banking platform.
About Guaranty Trust Bank
Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) is the flagship banking franchise of GTCO Plc, a leading financial services group with a strong presence across Africa and the United Kingdom. The Bank is widely recognized for its leadership in digital banking, customer experience, and innovative financial solutions that deliver value to individuals, businesses, and communities.
About HabariPay
HabariPay is the payments fintech subsidiary of GTCO Plc, focused on enabling fast, secure, and accessible digital payments for individuals and businesses. By integrating payments and digital technology, HabariPay supports innovative services that make everyday financial interactions simpler and more seamless.
Enquiries:
GTCO
Group Corporate Communication
[email protected]
+234-1-2715227
www.gtcoplc.com
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