Skip to content
Master Your Financial Future — Master Your Money — Master Your Finances — Master Your Money

Nigerian banks report soaring profits and CEO pay hikes in 2025

Skyrocketing profits meet hefty executive raises—but not all banks are transparent. Why are Nigeria's top bankers earning more than ever?

,   and  Administrator
1 min read
The image shows a group of people standing next to each other in front of a sign, wearing tags and...
The image shows a group of people standing next to each other in front of a sign, wearing tags and smiling. On the left side of the image there is a banner with text and images, and in the background there are boards with text, a wall, a door, and lights. The text on the boards reads "Nigerian Business Forum 2019: The Best of Nigeria".

Nigerian banks report soaring profits and CEO pay hikes in 2025

Nigerian banks saw a sharp rise in both profits and executive pay in 2025. The combined earnings of seven major lenders jumped to N2.15 billion for their CEOs, marking a 37.3% increase from the previous year. Meanwhile, overall industry revenue also climbed significantly, reflecting broader financial growth. Total gross earnings for Nigeria’s banking sector reached N26.3 trillion in 2025, up from N23.5 trillion in 2024. A major driver was interest income, which surged to N18.6 trillion from N14.3 trillion over the same period.

CEO compensation varied widely across institutions. Some executives saw modest pay rises, while newly promoted leaders experienced more than double their previous packages. The overall increase in CEO remuneration amounted to N584 million, a 37.3% year-on-year jump. Not all banks disclosed full details of director payments. Sterling Financial Holdings Company and Ecobank Transnational Incorporated omitted such figures in their latest financial reports. FCMB Group, meanwhile, has yet to publish its complete 2025 results, leaving gaps in the broader compensation data for tier-two banks.

The banking sector’s financial performance in 2025 highlights both rising profits and growing executive pay. With interest income driving revenue growth, the industry’s top earners saw significant compensation increases. However, incomplete disclosures from some institutions mean the full picture of CEO remuneration remains unclear.

Read also:

Related

Latest