UBA, Access Bank emerge Nigeria’s strongest brands in 2025
Blueprint
United Bank for Africa (UBA) and Access Bank have emerged as two of Nigeria’s top-performing brands in 2025, according to the newly released Nigeria 25 2025 report by Brand Finance.
The report, which ranks Nigeria’s most valuable and strongest brands, highlights the dominance of financial institutions in the country’s brand landscape, accounting for nearly 60 per cent of the total brand value.
Access Bank retained its position as Nigeria’s most valuable brand for the fourth year running, with a staggering 108 per cent surge in brand value to N893.3 billion.
The bank’s continued growth is attributed to strategic expansion, strong financial performance, and increased consumer confidence.
Following closely is Dangote Cement, which maintained its grip on the manufacturing sector with a 74 per cent rise in brand value to N562.5 billion, placing second overall.
In third place is Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO), which nearly tripled its brand value to N524.7 billion, underscoring its resilience and brand equity within Nigeria’s financial space.
While UBA ranks sixth in terms of brand value (₦341 billion, up 58 per cent), it rose to first place in brand strength, achieving a Brand Strength Index (BSI) score of 92.4/100 and an AAA+ rating — the highest awarded by Brand Finance. This makes UBA Nigeria’s strongest brand in 2025.
UBA outperformed regional banking peers, including South Africa’s Capitec and Kenya’s Equity Bank, especially in price acceptance and consumer trust metrics. The bank’s widespread brand familiarity and preference contributed to its exceptional brand strength performance.
First Bank of Nigeria followed closely in brand strength, climbing from 11th to second place, with a BSI score of 92.1/100 and also earning an AAA+ rating.
The bank’s renewed focus on digital transformation and customer experience helped improve its reputation and market position.
Despite increasing its BSI score to 89.5, GTCO dropped from first to third place in brand strength. Access Bank made a strong leap, climbing from 12th to fourth, thanks to significant improvements across key brand metrics.
Zenith Bank retained fourth place in value with a brand valuation of N454.8 billion (up 80 per cent). Flour Mills Nigeria ranked fifth in value despite a 40 per cent increase to N452.9 billion.
Stanbic IBTC made a significant jump from 13th to eighth, driven by a 206 per cent increase in brand value to N229.5 billion. BUA Cement rose to ninth with a 63 per cent brand value growth to N138.7 billion.
GLO Mobile entered the top 10, rising five spots with a 138 per cent increase in brand value to N130.4 billion.
One of the steepest declines in the report came from Hero Lager, which dropped from ninth place in 2024 to 20th in 2025, following a 51 per cent decrease in brand value — a reflection of the broader slump in Nigeria’s alcoholic beverage sector.
Access Holdings, the parent company of Access Bank, also posted a strong first quarter 2025 performance, with a N222.78 billion pre-tax profit — a 9.89 per cent increase from the previous year.
However, soaring interest expenses (up 71.32 per cent) eroded gains in interest income (up 58.28 per cent), reducing net interest income by over 20 per cent.
