By Mary Onyia
Zenith Bank Plc’s Founder and Chairman, Dr. Jim Ovia, CFR, alongside the Group Managing Director/CEO, Dame Dr. Adaora Umeoji, OON, on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, performed the prestigious closing gong ceremony at the Nigerian Exchange (NGX). The event highlighted the bank’s commitment to transparency, investor confidence, and creating long-term value for shareholders.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Umeoji praised the NGX’s leadership and innovation, emphasising the role of its X-Stream electronic trading platform in the bank’s successful recapitalization exercise, which recorded 160% subscription. She noted that Zenith Bank’s stock price had risen from N36.50 to N68 per share since the exercise, reflecting strong investor confidence and solid financial performance.
She further stressed the bank’s focus on rewarding shareholders: “We are working assiduously to ensure we do not disappoint the market. We will continue to be investors’ delight and pay enhanced dividends by year-end.”
The Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Dr. Emomotimi Agama, lauded the role of listed institutions like Zenith Bank in boosting market capitalization, which has surged from N55 trillion to nearly N93 trillion in just 18 months. He projected that the figure could hit N200 trillion by 2026 with sustained confidence and transparency.
In his remarks, the Doyen of the NGX, Alhaji Rasheed Yusuf, commended Dr. Ovia for his vision and leadership, describing him as the “Doyen of the Commercial Banking Sector.”
Zenith Bank reaffirmed its commitment to expanding globally, leveraging capital raised from the market to scale operations, enhance service delivery, and strengthen its role in driving Nigeria’s economic growth.
The bank’s consistent performance has earned it multiple local and international awards, including Nigeria’s Best Bank at the Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2025, and recognition as Number One Bank in Nigeria by Tier-1 Capital for the 16th consecutive year by The Banker.
Zenith Bank has also been honored for excellence in corporate governance, sustainability, and digital innovation, solidifying its position as Nigeria’s most valuable and trusted banking brand.