₦airaland Forum

Zenith Bank Expands Global Footprint with Manchester Branch Commissioning

Zenith Bank Expands Global Footprint with Manchester Branch Commissioning

Zenith Bank Plc has strengthened its international presence with the official commissioning of its UK subsidiary, Zenith Bank (UK) Limited, Manchester Branch on March 17, 2026.

The high-profile event brought together key figures from government, finance, and international trade across Nigeria and the United Kingdom.

Among those in attendance were the representative of the President, Minister of State for Finance, Taiwo Oyedele.

Nigeria’s Honourable Minister of State (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo; Governor of Taraba State, Agbu Kefas; and a representative of the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, Ms. Aisha Rimi of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission.

Also present were the Chairman and Founder of Zenith Bank, Jim Ovia , Group Managing Director/CEO of Zenith Bank, Adaora Umoeji; Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole; and the UK Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Nigeria, Florence Eshalomi.

The event further drew the CEO of Nigerian Exchange Ltd, Jude Chiemeka.

Also in attendance was the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Adewale Adeniyi, alongside executive directors of the bank and other dignitaries.

Recent financial performance reinforces the bank’s capacity for such growth. Zenith Bank has demonstrated strong capital resilience, surpassing ₦4.7 trillion in shareholders’ funds and achieving significant growth in net interest income in its latest financial cycle.

Located in Manchester, the new branch is designed to complement Zenith Bank’s established London operations.

The hub will focus on corporate banking, trade finance, and treasury services, specifically targeting businesses operating within the UK–Africa trade corridor.

Speaking at the commissioning, stakeholders emphasized the strategic importance of the expansion in deepening economic ties between Nigeria and the UK, while enhancing financial support for cross-border trade and investment.

The Manchester branch is also expected to contribute to the local UK economy, with projections indicating the creation of approximately 30 direct jobs.

Zenith Bank’s Manchester launch is part of a broader international expansion strategy that has seen the bank deepen its presence across Europe and Africa. From Paris to planned entries into other African markets, the bank continues to extend its reach while maintaining a strong reputation for technological innovation and service delivery.

The commissioning of the Manchester branch signals Zenith Bank’s intent to play a more prominent role in global finance, particularly in facilitating Africa’s integration into international markets.

For Zenith Bank, Manchester is not just another branch, it is a statement of ambition, resilience, and a forward-looking vision for African banking on the global stage.

https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/more-news/864667-zenith-bank-deepens-uk-presence-with-manchester-branch-opening.html

More pictures from the launch.

More pictures from the launch on Tuesday.

Lovely
I so much love this bank I swear

A good news for Nigerians and best for zenith bank

They are trying, good to have Nigerian bank abroad, it will help easy transactions.

Odingo1:
They are trying, good to have Nigerian bank abroad

God bless Asiwaju

Jagaban for a reason 🤘

God bless Nigeria 🇳🇬🇳🇬🇳🇬

That woman is doing great things...! Kudos to her leadership strides.

These is the kind of individual any serious and conscientiuous leader MUST have within his or her cabinet.

...Not empty sycophants like Bwala, Reno, and Adelabu.

Why is this a big deal

GT has always had a branch in the Uk

motymop:
Why is this a big deal

GT has always had a branch in the Uk

No one called it that but you... It's simply news worth celebrating by those that feel inclined to celebrate.

You can simply read or ignore and move along.

Proud of my bank. Up Zenith!

weythin jim ovie wear so

abeg i no wan laugh

Angelfrost:
No one called it that but you... It's simply news worth celebrating by those that feel inclined to celebrate.

You can simply read or ignore and move along.

What is worth celebrating

That a Nigerian bank opened a UK branch

Like they were late to the party

Tinubu is using audio foreign investment for his mobs.

Pootle:
weythin jim ovie wear so

abeg i no wan laugh

old age no send you. Na comfort baba dey after now

No more tight fitted oxford shoes.

We all get to that stage eventually. You no dey see obj own?

chicfarmer:
old age no send you. Na comfort baba dey after now

No more tight fitted oxford shoes.

We all get to that stage eventually. You no dey see obj own?

i swear, baba no send anybody

Pootle:
weythin jim ovie wear so

abeg i no wan laugh

Me sef notice am but then...that's a billionaire bro

Starz825:
Me sef notice am but then...that's a billionaire bro

i never mentioned his wealth, we nigerians should learn to see things outside of money

motymop:
Why is this a big deal

GT has always had a branch in the Uk

Zenith has always had a branch in London, they have just expanded to Manchester

Pootle:
i never mentioned his wealth, we nigerians should learn to see things outside of money

Me dey tell you why I no go fit laff am...

Starz825:
Me dey tell you why I no go fit laff am...

but you fit laugh tinubu

Still the No 1 bank in Nigeria

Maj196:
Still the No 1 bank in Nigeria

Number 1 in terms of?

No let Opay staff on Nairaland hear this oo

Zenithbank paying peanut to staffs in Nigeria, always having network issue at the end of the month just to hold balances.

The management promised promotion and salary increment this year but has fulfilled none.

It's so bad that wema bank pays better than Zenithbank and their staff are moving in droves to Globus Bank.

Jim Ovia..wetin you dey wear

It’s their second branch in the U.K.—they’ve had a London branch since around 2007.

motymop:
Why is this a big deal

GT has always had a branch in the Uk

Old men (>70 years) don’t wear shoes for fashion—comfortability comes first. Obasanjo now wears trainers always as well.

femi4:
Jim Ovia..wetin you dey wear

presiade:
Old men (>70 years) don’t wear shoes for fashion—comfortability comes first. Obasanjo now wears trainers always as well.

Shoe for compliment not for fashion

E for wear bathroom slippers now if comfort come first

Trainers is still more decent and smarter than a slip on.

femi4:
Shoe for compliment not for fashion

E for wear bathroom slippers now if comfort come first

Centcanada:
Lovely
I so much love this bank I swear

I too like the bank, the bank is the rave of the moment!

Nigeria is not reflecting the improvement from the upper level of the social strata! Everything at the top stays at the top!
A country where 2 neighbours one jave excess of million in his account and the other cannot afford 1 meal per day.