Business

ZENITH BANK NAMED MOST SUSTAINABLE BANK IN NIGERIA IN THE INTERNATIONAL BANKER AWARDS 2024 FOR THE SECOND CONSECUTIVE YEAR

Published

7 months ago

June 3, 2024

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.

Related Topics:Banking and finance Featured Zenith Bank

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Business

Dangote Hails Tinubu on Impact of Crude for Naira Swap Deal

Published

13 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Dangote Hails Tinubu on Impact of Crude for Naira Swap Deal

…As Dangote Refinery partners MRS to sell PMS at N935 per litre nationwide at its retail outlets

Sahara Weekly Unveils That The Foremost entrepreneur and President of the Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the positive impact of the naira for crude swap deal on the Nigerian economy, which has led to reduction in prices of petroleum products in the country.

To provide succour to Nigerians, Dangote recently reduced the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) from N970 to N899.50 at its Refinery loading gantry and provided generous credit terms to marketers.

“To ensure that this price reduction gets to the end consumer, we have signed a partnership with MRS to sell petrol from its retail outlets nationwide at N935 per litre” he added. This price has already commenced in Lagos, and it will be offered nationwide from Monday.

In his statement, he called on other oil marketers such as the NNPC Retail and all other marketers, “to work with us to ensure that Nigerians enjoy high-quality petrol at discounted prices.”

According to him, “The Dangote Refinery is for the benefit of Nigeria and Nigerians. We will therefore continue to work with various value chain players to deliver high quality petrol at cheaper prices. Our aim is for all Nigerians to have ready access to high quality petroleum products that are good for their vehicles, good for their health, and good for their pockets.

Recall that in September, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) under the leadership of Mr. President approved the sale of crude to local refineries in Naira and corresponding purchase of petroleum products in Naira. The move, which commenced on October 1, led to reduced pressure on the dollar and ensured the stability of the local currency.

Dangote thanked Nigerians for their unwavering support and the government for creating an enabling environment for the domestic refining industry.

Business

Port Harcourt Refinery Stays Active: NNPC Denounces Sabotage Rumors

Published

20 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Port Harcourt Refinery Stays Active: NNPC Denounces Sabotage Rumors

NNPC Debunks Shutdown Rumors, Confirms Port Harcourt Refinery Fully Operational

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has dismissed reports circulating in certain media outlets claiming that the Old Port Harcourt Refinery, which was re-streamed two months ago, has been shut down.

In a statement released by Olufemi O. Soneye, the Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPC Ltd, the company clarified that the refinery is fully operational. The statement noted that the facility’s operational status was recently verified by former Group Managing Directors of NNPC during a site inspection.

“Preparation for the day’s loading operation is currently ongoing,” the statement confirmed, emphasizing that allegations of the refinery’s shutdown are baseless and intended to create panic or artificial scarcity in the fuel market.

NNPC Ltd urged members of the public to disregard such misleading reports, labeling them as the work of those seeking to exploit Nigerians.

The Old Port Harcourt Refinery has been in operation since its re-streaming, and the company remains committed to ensuring stability in the supply of petroleum products across the country.

Business

Nigerian Banks Donate Multimillion Naira Relief Materials to Jigawa Flood Victims

Published

2 days ago

December 20, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Nigerian Banks Donate Multimillion Naira Relief Materials to Jigawa Flood Victims

In a show of solidarity, the Committee of Banks in Nigeria has extended a helping hand to victims of the September 2024 floods in Jigawa State. On Thursday, a high-profile delegation led by Dr. Oliver Alawuba, Chairman of the Committee and Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of United Bank for Africa Plc (UBA), visited Dutse, the state capital, to present relief materials to the state government.

The donated items, worth several million Naira, included essential food supplies such as rice and cooking oil, along with mattresses and beverages. Dr. Alawuba highlighted that the gesture aimed to alleviate the hardship faced by flood victims and support critical institutions, especially public hospitals, in their efforts to assist those affected.

“We stand in solidarity with the people and government of Jigawa State during this difficult time. This donation is our way of expressing empathy and supporting those who have lost loved ones, properties, and livelihoods,” Dr. Alawuba stated.

The delegation included notable banking leaders such as Mr. Roosevelt Ogbonna of Access Bank Plc, Dame (Dr.) Adaora Umeoji of Zenith Bank Plc, and Dr. (Mrs.) Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe of Fidelity Bank Plc, among others. Their collective presence underscored the banking sector’s commitment to corporate social responsibility and national development.

Governor Malam Umar A. Namadi expressed profound gratitude for the donation, describing the visit as a rare and commendable act of compassion. He assured the delegation that the relief materials would be judiciously distributed to the intended beneficiaries, emphasizing the importance of partnerships in rebuilding lives and communities.

The Committee of Banks also reiterated their commitment to supporting Nigerians during emergencies, drawing attention to previous interventions, including relief efforts during the 2011 and 2013 floods, the COVID-19 pandemic, and security initiatives like the Lagos State Security Trust Fund.

This humanitarian gesture reflects the collective resolve of Nigeria’s financial institutions to foster social and economic growth, making a meaningful impact in times of need.