Oliver Alawuba
United Bank for Africa (UBA) has emerged as Nigeria’s strongest brand in 2025, leading a wave of dominance by financial institutions in the latest Brand Finance ‘Nigeria 25’ report, which underscores the growing clout of banks in the country’s corporate landscape.
UBA climbed from ninth position in 2024 to take the top spot, earning a Brand Strength Index (BSI) score of 92.4 out of 100 and the coveted AAA+ rating. The bank outperformed not just local peers but also key African rivals in brand perception, particularly in trust, preference, and price acceptance.
Access Bank maintained its position as Nigeria’s most valuable brand for the fourth consecutive year, doubling its brand value to N893.3 billion. Dangote Cement followed in second place with N562.5 billion, buoyed by robust profits and market dominance, while Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO) soared to third, nearly tripling its value to N524.7 billion.
Zenith Bank held firm at fourth, while Flour Mills Nigeria fell to fifth despite healthy gains. UBA placed sixth by value but stood tall as the country’s most powerful brand overall, reflecting the growing separation between value and brand strength in the rankings.
First Bank of Nigeria moved up sharply in brand strength, climbing from 11th to second place with a BSI score of 92.1 and also receiving an AAA+ rating. GTCO, despite a slight gain, slipped to third in brand strength. Access Bank rose from 12th to fourth, thanks to improvements in customer perception and performance metrics.
Stanbic IBTC saw the biggest leap among the top 10, rising from 13th to eighth following a 206% increase in brand value. GLO Mobile also broke into the top 10 after a 138% jump. Meanwhile, Hero Lager suffered a sharp fall, dropping from ninth to 20th as its brand value declined 51% in a weakening beverage market.
The 2025 rankings reflect the financial sector’s ability to adapt and lead amid macroeconomic challenges. With Access Holdings reporting N222.78 billion in pre-tax profit for Q1 2025—driven by a 58% rise in interest income despite rising costs—the strength and resilience of Nigerian banks continue to define the corporate narrative.
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