Access Bank and United Bank for Africa (UBA) have emerged as some of Nigeria’s strongest brands in 2025, according to the latest “Nigeria 25 2025” report by Brand Finance. The ranking, which reflects notable shifts in brand value and strength, highlights the growing dominance of financial institutions in Nigeria’s corporate landscape.
Access Bank held its ground as the most valuable brand in Nigeria for the fourth consecutive year. The bank’s brand value more than doubled to N893.3 billion, driven by consistent growth and market leadership. Dangote Cement followed closely in second place, recording a 74 percent rise in brand value to N562.5 billion, while Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO) climbed to third place with a near tripling of brand value to N524.7 billion.
Zenith Bank retained fourth place with an 80 percent rise in brand value to N454.8 billion, while Flour Mills Nigeria, despite increasing its brand value by 40 percent to N452.9 billion, dropped to fifth position.
UBA, with a 58 percent rise in brand value to N341 billion, slipped to sixth place. Nonetheless, the bank was ranked Nigeria’s strongest brand in terms of brand strength, achieving a Brand Strength Index (BSI) score of 92.4 out of 100 and earning an AAA+ rating. This score places UBA above its African peers, including Capitec (South Africa) and Equity Bank (Kenya), particularly in price acceptance and customer loyalty.
First Bank of Nigeria retained seventh place in brand value at N289 billion but rose significantly in brand strength, earning the second-highest BSI score of 92.1/100 and an AAA+ rating. The bank’s heavy investment in innovation and digital transformation has helped elevate its market perception and customer experience.
Other notable brand movements include Stanbic IBTC’s leap to eighth place after a 206 percent surge in brand value to N229.5 billion, and BUA Cement’s growth to ninth place with a 63 percent increase to N138.7 billion. GLO Mobile rounded out the top 10 with a 138 percent rise in brand value to N130.4 billion.
On the decline, Hero Lager dropped sharply from ninth in 2024 to twentieth in 2025 after a 51 percent fall in brand value, reflecting broader challenges in Nigeria’s alcoholic beverage market.
While GTCO saw an increase in its BSI score to 89.5, it dropped from first to third place in brand strength. Access Bank made a remarkable jump in brand strength rankings, moving from twelfth to fourth place due to strong improvements across customer metrics.
Brand Finance noted that financial institutions now dominate Nigeria’s top 10 brands, accounting for 59 percent of total brand value in 2025. The report underscores the sector’s resilience, adaptability, and critical role in driving economic growth amid a challenging economic environment.
In terms of financial performance, Access Holding posted a pre-tax profit of N222.78 billion in Q1 2025—a 9.89 percent increase from the same period in 2024. However, while interest income surged by over 58 percent to N980.68 billion, the gains were tempered by a 71.32 percent jump in interest expenses, which significantly reduced net interest income by more than 20 percent to N220.21 billion.
Overall, the 2025 rankings reflect not only the staying power of Nigeria’s top banks but also the growing importance of brand strength and consumer trust in navigating an evolving business landscape.
