Nigeria’s banking sector has continued to impress in 2025, with some banks posting stable income regardless of the financial headwinds.
On the heart of this efficiency are the leaders steering these establishments, chairpersons whose imaginative and prescient, governance, and strategic selections usually decide how properly their banks navigate challenges and seize alternatives.
For this function, we checked out banks listed on the Nigerian Trade (NGX) and targeted on these with the very best asset for the 9 months ended September 30, 2025.
This provides a transparent image of which leaders are driving actual monetary outcomes, not simply making headlines.
Our evaluation highlights 10 chairpersons on the helm of Nigeria’s best-performing banks.
On this roundup, we take a better take a look at the folks behind the numbers, the chairpersons whose oversight and strategic path have helped their banks develop deposits, increase lending, and strengthen steadiness sheets.
From shaping coverage to driving innovation, these leaders are setting the tempo for banking excellence in Nigeria, proving that sturdy management is simply as vital as sturdy financials.
Dr. (Mrs.) Oluwayemisi Olorunshola- Chairman Wema Bank
Asset: N3.9 trillion
Dr. (Mrs) Oluwayemisi Olorunshola is an skilled provide chain and enterprise administration skilled with a profession spanning over 25 years throughout multinational organisations and enterprise management roles. Because the chairman she holds 3,178 direct shares.
She holds a B.Sc. in Training & Economics from Obafemi Awolowo University, an MBA from the College of Liverpool, UK, and a Doctorate in Enterprise Administration from Walden College, USA. Her experience covers each facet of the provision chain, together with enterprise and manufacturing planning, procurement, distribution, import/export, and logistics providers.
Dr. Olorunshola can be a passionate advocate for training and small enterprise sustainability, with extensively cited publications in FEAcademia, Proguest.com, and Academia.edu. She is a Fellow of the Worldwide Institute for African Students and a Chartered Member of the Nigerian Chartered Institute of Personnel Administration, and he or she actively volunteers in group improvement initiatives.
She joined the Board of Wema Bank Plc in January 2022. Underneath her oversight, the bank’s steadiness sheet confirmed outstanding resilience, with fairness attributable to shareholders practically doubling to N512.02 billion, up from N256.42 billion.
With 13 administrators, Wema Bank recorded N3.59 trillion belongings in 2024, rising to N3.97 trillion by 9 months of 2025. Regardless of shareholding shifts because of retirements and ceased directorships, the bank maintains structural stability.
Oladipupo Jadesimi – Chairman FCMB GROUP PLC
Asset: N7.2 trillion
Oladipupo Jadesimi is the chairman of FCMB and at the moment holds 197,312,000 direct shares within the Group, reflecting his vital management affect and long-term dedication to the establishment.
He has served as Chairman since 2018, guiding the organisation with strategic readability and a powerful governance mindset formed by many years of expertise throughout sectors. His profile combines authorized experience, finance data, and entrepreneurial management, positioning him as a revered determine in Nigeria’s company panorama.
Jadesimi earned an M.A. (Honours) in Regulation from Oxford College, the place he was a Jurisprudence Scholar from 1963 to 1966. This tutorial basis set the stage for his early skilled journey, starting as a Senior Companion with Coopers and Lybrand Lagos (now a part of PwC) between 1966 and 1970. His background in regulation and company finance has remained a central pillar in his enterprise profession.
He’s additionally the Founder and Chairman of Ladol Group, builders of Nigeria’s largest indigenous Free Zone Industrial Park, which helps main industrial and offshore operations. As well as, he chairs the board of Niger Delta Exploration and Manufacturing Plc, one of many nation’s main indigenous oil and gasoline corporations.
FCMB subsidiaries embody FCMB Capital Markets, CSL Stockbrokers, FCMB Microfinance, and Credit score Direct Finance Firm. FCMB has 60 administrators, with belongings rising from N7.05 trillion (2024) to N7.23 trillion (9 months 2025), reflecting incremental growth.
Sola David-Borha – Chairman Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc
Asset: N8.3 trillion
Sola David-Borha was appointed Chairman of Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc in September 2024, following the retirement of Mr. Basil Omiyi and the completion of all regulatory approvals. Her appointment comes at a time of sturdy monetary momentum for the group, underscoring the board’s confidence in her depth of management and institutional data.
Mrs. David-Borha brings over 30 years of expertise in monetary providers throughout Africa. She retired in 2021 as Chief Government of Customary Bank’s Africa Areas, after beforehand serving as Chief Government of Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc and Stanbic IBTC Bank.
The group oversees a number of subsidiaries similar to Stanbic IBTC Bank, Pension Managers, Asset Administration, Capital, Insurance coverage, Trustees, and fintech unit Zest Funds. Stanbic recorded N6.91 trillion in belongings in 2024, rising to N8.38 trillion by 9M 2025, highlighting modest however regular development.
An alumna of Harvard Enterprise School and the World CEO Program of CEIBS, Wharton and IESE, Mrs. David-Borha additionally serves as a Non-Government Director on the boards of Customary Bank of South Africa and Customary Bank Group.
Mustafa Chike-Obi –Chairman Fidelity Bank
Asset: N10.5 trillion
Mustafa Chike-Obi has been the Chairman of Fidelity Bank since July 2020, bringing a wealth of expertise from world funding banking and asset administration. He holds a direct share of 39.5 million shares as at 2024.
Earlier than becoming a member of Constancy, he served as Government Chairman at Alpha African Advisory and held senior positions at main establishments together with Chase Service provider Bank, Goldman Sachs, Shoreline Group, Bear Stearns, and Guggenheim Companions.
These roles gave him deep experience in capital markets, each in mature and rising economies, together with the event and advertising and marketing of fixed-income securities to institutional buyers. Notably, he pioneered the idea of the Treasury Division in Nigerian banking, heading the primary of its variety.
Chike-Obi holds a Bachelor’s diploma in Arithmetic and an MBA from Stanford School of Enterprise, and serves on the boards of a number of blue-chip corporations.
Underneath his management, Fidelity Bank has demonstrated strong development. Its construction consists of Fidelity Bank UK and restricted disclosed subsidiary operations. With 13 shareholders, Constancy stories N8.82 trillion belongings (2024) rising to N10.55 trillion by 9 month 2025, indicating a development trajectory.
Sulaiman Burau- Group Chairman Guaranty Trust Holding
Asset: N16.6 trillion
Suleiman Barau was appointed Group Chairman of Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO) earlier within the yr, topic to regulatory approval, as a part of the group’s long-term succession planning. The appointment was introduced at GTCO’s fourth Annual Common Assembly, marking a return to the boardroom for one in every of Nigeria’s most seasoned monetary policymakers.
A former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Barau brings many years of expertise spanning public service, service provider banking, industrial banking, and central banking.
He was a pioneering director of GTCO following its restructuring and is extensively regarded for his deep understanding of financial coverage, monetary stability, and institutional governance.
His public service profession spanned over 18 years, together with roles as Principal Economist on the Nigerian Mining Company, Particular Adviser to the CBN Governor, Performing Managing Director of the Nigerian Safety Printing and Minting Plc, and two-term Deputy Governor earlier than retiring in 2017.
Barau assumes the chairmanship at a time of balance-sheet growth for GTCO. For the 9 months ended September 2025, the group reported revenue of N699.64 billion, reflecting a decline from the prior yr because of the absence of outstanding foreign-exchange positive aspects.
The group spans a number of nations by means of subsidiaries together with GTBank Gambia, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, and asset administration arms like GT Pension Managers and GT Fund Managers. GTCO lists 10 administrators, managing N14.79 trillion in whole belongings in 2024, rising to N16.66 trillion by 9months 2025, suggesting sustained growth and powerful market positioning.
Olufemi Otedola- Chairman FIRST HOLDCO PLC
Asset: N26.3 trillion
FBN Holdings is chaired by Olufemi Otedola, now the most important shareholder with 1.69 billion direct and a couple of.54 billion oblique shares, gaining affect following appointments between August 2023 and January 2024.
He rose to prominence within the downstream oil and gasoline sector by means of Zenon Petroleum and Gasoline Restricted, earlier than buying African Petroleum Plc in 2007 and repositioning it as Forte Oil Plc. The corporate turned a benchmark for sturdy governance and operational excellence previous to his full divestment in 2019.
He subsequently deepened his long-standing dedication to the facility sector by means of Geregu Energy Plc, the place the rehabilitated 435MW plant contributes about 9% of Nigeria’s grid-available technology capability.
The group consists of main subsidiaries similar to First Bank of Nigeria, FBNQuest Merchant Bank, First Securities Brokers, and the insurance coverage arm beneath First Insurance coverage Brokers Restricted. With 9 administrators, FBN posted N26.52 trillion belongings in 2024, with N26.39 trillion recorded as of 9-month 2025, displaying relative stability throughout its restructuring and governance consolidation part.
Jim Ovia- Chairman Zenith Bank
Asset: N31.1 trillion
Jim Ovia, CFR, CON, MFR, is the founder and chairman of Zenith Bank Plc, one in every of Africa’s largest banks with over $24 billion in belongings and shareholders’ funds exceeding $3 billion as of June 2022. A globally acknowledged monetary establishment, Zenith Bank is listed on each the London Inventory Trade and the Nigerian Inventory Trade, with main operations throughout Nigeria, West Africa, London, and Dubai.
Jim Ovia was appointed Chairman of Zenith Bank on July 16, 2014, following the CBN’s directive that restricted CEOs’ tenures. Ovia at the moment owns 3.5 million direct and 1.5 million oblique shares of the bank, making him the very best shareholder.
Ovia can be the founder and chancellor of James Hope College, Lekki, which was just lately permitted by the Nationwide Universities Fee (NUC) to supply postgraduate enterprise levels.
By the Jim Ovia Foundation, he has championed training in Nigeria, offering scholarships to indigent college students through the MUSTE initiative, producing a technology of pros together with accountants, attorneys, engineers, and docs. He’s the writer of Africa Rise And Shine, capturing Zenith Bank’s journey and providing insights into doing enterprise in Africa.
An alumnus of Harvard Enterprise School (OPM), College of Louisiana (MBA), and Southern College (B.Sc. Enterprise Administration), Ovia is a member of the World Financial Discussion board Group of Chairpersons.
The bank’s group construction options subsidiaries throughout Africa together with Zenith Bank Ghana, Sierra Leone, Gambia, in addition to the UK arm and non-banking entities like Zenith Pensions Custodian Restricted and Zenith Nominees Restricted. Zenith Bank stories 14 administrators and N29.96 trillion whole belongings in 2024, rising to roughly N31.18 trillion by 9 months 2025, signaling steadiness sheet development.
Tony Elumelu-Chairman UBA
Asset: N32.4 trillion
Tony O. Elumelu, CFR, stands amongst Africa’s most influential enterprise leaders, combining large-scale enterprise constructing with a deeply rooted dedication to inclusive financial improvement. Elumelu sits on a board that consists of 15 administrators. His intently held direct shares are 195.1 million and a couple of.3 billion oblique shares.
In 2010, he based Heirs Holdings, an African funding firm with pursuits spanning monetary providers, energy technology, oil and gasoline, agribusiness, actual property, and hospitality. That very same yr, he established the Tony Elumelu Foundation, an Africa-based and African-funded philanthropy devoted to empowering entrepreneurs throughout the continent. He at the moment serves as Chairman of Heirs Holdings, UBA Group Plc, and Transcorp Plc, Nigeria’s largest listed conglomerate.
Elumelu first rose to prominence by remodeling Customary Belief Bank, earlier than main its landmark 2005 merger with United Bank for Africa (UBA), creating one in every of Africa’s most geographically diversified banking teams. As we speak, UBA operates in 20 African nations, with a world footprint spanning New York, London, Paris, and Dubai.
For the 9 months ended September 30, 2025, UBA Group reported a revenue after tax of N537.5 billion, up 2.3% year-on-year.
UBA operates one in every of Africa’s largest pan-African networks with subsidiaries in Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, Zambia, Senegal, Congo DRC, Kenya, Tanzania, Mali, Mozambique and extra, plus UBA UK. UBA posted N30.32 trillion in belongings (2024), bettering to N32.49 trillion by 9month 2025, reflecting the advantages of its worldwide banking footprint.
Papa Madiaw Ndiaye- Chairman ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED
Asset: N47.3 trillion
Papa Madiaw Ndiaye is the CEO and Founding Companion of AFIG Funds, one in every of Africa’s main personal fairness fund administration corporations, and was appointed Chairman of Ecobank Transnational Integrated (ETI) on June 6, 2024.
Underneath his management, AFIG Funds, the primary main African-controlled fund supervisor, oversees $270 million in belongings and focuses solely on investments in indigenous African corporations. Ndiaye additionally chairs the agency’s Funding Committee, guiding strategic path and investor relations.
Earlier than founding AFIG Funds, he was Co-Founder and Funding Director at Rising Markets Partnership (EMP, now ECP) in Washington, and beforehand served within the IFC’s funding division, the place he performed a key position in launching banks, insurance coverage corporations, and funds throughout Africa.
His early profession included stints on Wall Avenue at Salomon Brothers and JP Morgan’s Rising Markets Group.
He holds a joint MBA from Wharton and MA in Worldwide Affairs from the College of Pennsylvania’s Lauder Institute, in addition to a BA in Economics from Harvard.
For the yr ended September 30, 2025, the group reported a revenue after tax of N711.92 billion. Ecobank Transnational Integrated (ETI) and its subsidiaries has presence in 39 nations and employed over 13,968 folks as at 30 September 2025. The ETI board is managed by 14 members.
AigbojeAig Imoukhuede- Chairman ACCESS HOLDINGS PLC
Asset: N52.1 trillion
Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, CFR, is a distinguished investor, banker, and philanthropist whose affect spans Nigeria’s monetary markets, public sector reform, and social improvement. Because the chairman he holds 178.8 million direct shares of the bank and 4.8 billion oblique shares. .
He’s the co-founder of Tengen Household Workplace, the place he oversees a diversified funding portfolio, whereas his philanthropic work is anchored by the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation, the Africa Initiative for Governance, and the Aig-Imoukhuede Institute. By these platforms, he’s targeted on strengthening public sector management, bettering governance outcomes, and increasing entry to high quality main healthcare in Nigeria.
Aig-Imoukhuede is finest recognized for his tenure as Group Managing Director of Access Bank Plc from 2002 to 2013, throughout which he led the bank’s transformation into one in every of Nigeria’s high 5 monetary establishments. Entry Holdings Plc has a complete of 11 administrators on its board. As on the time of this report, Access Bank Plc, Hydrogen Cost Companies Firm Restricted, AccessARM Pensions Restricted, Entry Insurance coverage Brokers Restricted and Oxygen X Finance Firm Restricted are in operation as subsidiaries of the Firm.
Subsidiaries inside the group embody Access Bank Plc, Entry ARM Pensions, Hydrogen Cost Companies, and Oxygen X Finance, representing diversified monetary providers. Entry Holdings recorded N41.49 trillion in belongings (2024), advancing to N52.19 trillion in 9-month 2025, a pointy rise highlighting its aggressive development and acquisition technique.
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