Nigerian banks report soaring profits and CEO pay hikes in 2025
Nigerian banks saw a sharp rise in both profits and executive pay last year. The combined earnings of seven major bank CEOs jumped to N2.15 billion in 2025, up from N1.56 billion the year before. This increase came as the industry recorded higher revenues across the board. The total remuneration for the seven CEOs grew by N584 million, marking a 37.3% year-on-year rise. Some executives received only modest pay increases, while others—particularly those newly promoted—saw their compensation more than double.
Nigerian banks also reported stronger financial performance in 2025. Gross earnings climbed to N26.3 trillion, up from N23.5 trillion in 2024. Interest income alone rose to N18.6 trillion, compared to N14.3 trillion the previous year. However, not all banks provided full transparency in their latest disclosures. Sterling Financial Holdings Company and Ecobank Transnational Incorporated omitted details on directors’ emoluments. Meanwhile, FCMB Group has yet to publish its complete 2025 financial results, leaving a gap in the overall compensation data.
The banking sector’s financial growth in 2025 was matched by a significant rise in top executives’ pay. With some banks still to disclose full figures, the final picture of CEO compensation remains incomplete. Industry earnings and interest income both reached record highs during the period.
