Nigeria’s commercial banks continue to play a pivotal role in driving economic growth, credit expansion, and financial inclusion.
As the country pursues its ambitious $1 trillion GDP target, the strength of its banking sector has become even more critical.
In Q1 2025, the ten largest banks in Nigeria reported a combined total asset base of N218.99 trillion ($142.48 billion) up from N212.75 trillion ($137.63 billion) at the end of 2024.
This growth signals a resilient financial sector capable of supporting lending, infrastructure investment, and broader economic activity.
Bank assets matter because they reflect capacity; the more assets a bank controls, the more it can deploy to power businesses, fund government projects, and deepen access to credit.
In a country where capital remains scarce for many, strong balance sheets can unlock inclusive, sustainable development.
Below is the ranking of Nigeria’s top 10 banks by total assets as of the first quarter of 2025, highlighting the institutions at the heart of the nation’s economic engine.
Ecobank Nigeria, a subsidiary of Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI) Plc, ranks as the largest bank in Nigeria by total asset size as of the first quarter of 2025.
- The bank reported total assets of N44.53 trillion ($28.98 billion), up from N43.30 trillion ($27.23 billion) at the end of 2024.
- With approximately 273 branches and 541 ATMs across Nigeria, Ecobank Nigeria plays a major role in the country’s banking sector through its broad retail and corporate banking services.
- Ecobank was founded in Togo in 1985 by the Federation of West African Chambers of Commerce and expanded rapidly across West Africa between 1988 and 1990.
- Today, its parent company, ETI, operates in 33 African countries with more than 1,300 branches across 36 countries, making it one of the largest banking networks on the continent.
The group employs over 17,000 people and serves millions of customers through a comprehensive range of financial products and services across Africa.
