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.
Access Bank Plc holds the position of Nigeria’s second-largest bank by total asset size, reinforcing its leadership role in the country’s financial sector.
- As of the first quarter of 2025, Access Bank reported total assets of N39.08 trillion ($25.43 billion), slightly lower than the N41.50 trillion ($27.03 billion) recorded at the end of 2024.
- The bank operates approximately 737 branches globally, including 554 in Nigeria and 183 across its subsidiaries in 20 other countries.
- A wholly owned subsidiary of Access Holdings Plc, Access Bank is a full-service commercial institution with a presence in 24 countries across three continents.
- It serves over 63 million customers and employs more than 28,000 people throughout Africa, the United Kingdom, and Europe.
- The bank also maintains representative offices in China, Lebanon, India, Hong Kong, and the UAE.
Access Holdings Plc, the bank’s parent company, has been listed on the Nigerian Exchange since 1998, and continues to drive strategic expansion through mergers, acquisitions, and innovation across the financial ecosystem.
