₦airaland Forum

Despite the rapid rise of mobile banking, USSD transactions, fintech apps and digital wallets, Nigeria's biggest banks are proving that physical branches are far from dead.

A new industry ranking has revealed that Access Bank now operates the largest branch network in Nigeria, edging past FirstBank and reinforcing its aggressive expansion strategy across the country and the African continent.

According to data compiled from banks' 2025 annual reports and investor presentations, Access Bank leads the pack with 554 branches nationwide, narrowly surpassing FirstBank's 550 branches, while Zenith Bank occupies third place with 406 branches.

The ranking highlights a surprising reality. While many predicted that digital banking would make physical branches obsolete, Nigeria's leading financial institutions continue to invest heavily in brick and mortar banking to serve millions of customers, particularly in communities where cash transactions still dominate daily life.

The Top 10 Largest Banks by Branch Network in Nigeria are:

🥇 Access Bank – 554 branches
🥈 FirstBank – 550 branches
🥉 Zenith Bank – 406 branches
4. UBA – 327 branches
5. Ecobank – 273 branches
6. GTBank – 240 branches
7. FCMB – 206 branches
8. Sterling Bank – 186 branches
9. Wema Bank – 155 branches

🔟 Stanbic IBTC – 129 branches

Beyond branch numbers, the report also shows the massive scale of Nigeria's banking industry. Access Bank recorded total assets of over ₦51.5 trillion, making it the largest among the banks reviewed, while Ecobank and UBA also posted asset bases exceeding ₦30 trillion.

The competition among Nigerian banks is no longer just about deposits and profits. It is now a race for visibility, accessibility and market dominance across Africa.

Perhaps the biggest takeaway is this: while fintechs continue to disrupt the industry, traditional banks are adapting rather than disappearing. Mobile apps may be growing, but physical branches remain a powerful symbol of trust, reach and customer access in Africa's largest economy.

Source:
https://nairametrics.com/2026/06/11/10-largest-banks-in-nigeria-by-branch-network-in-2026/


Do you think digital banking will eventually make traditional banks irrelevant in future ?

Nice, Access bank is waxing strong

Is it by number or branches or operational efficiency?
Nigerian bank should better do wel or digital banks will take over

Good news. We will get to the promised land slowly but surely.

Nothing concern me with all this fraud banks anymore.
OPAY in the morning twice in afternoon and thrice in the evening then fourpul in da night. Opay may your days be long. I stopped banking with ecobank ever since person sent me 8k in my ecobank account. Immediately I checked my account this criminal ecobank Don remove 1200. Me wey no dey even use ATM card. Very useless banks

Nigeria banks have a lot of work to do inorder to catch up with their America and Europe counterparts

It's not about branches but quality of service!

Biggest banks in the world don't have so much branches

No be by branch!


Standard Chartered all the way!

I'm not sure that this is a milestone worthy of celebration. For one, First Bank is so 19th century to be a good benchmark for any serious modern bank. Secondly, banking is moving online so expansion of physical branches is quite anachronistic.

Lojical1:
Source:
https://nairametrics.com/2026/06/11/10-largest-banks-in-nigeria-by-branch-network-in-2026/


Do you think digital banking will eventually make traditional banks irrelevant in future ?

OPay supposed be number , they have POS point everywhere and there services is the best 😂

This is what Wigwe was planning but unfortunately...

Opay is bigger than all of them combined, na today Thief money from people's account they know

alobright17:
OPay supposed be number , they have POS point everywhere and there services is the best 😂

This is how people fail exams. The post is talking about the top 10 Nigerian commercial banks with branches and somebody is mentioning POS operators.

Access bank is literally in every street in Naija.

They are also experts in unaccounted deductions from customer's accounts

Always endeavor to access your way to your zenith first

valentineuwakwe:
Is it by number or branches or operational efficiency?
Nigerian bank should better do wel or digital banks will take over

Accessbank operational efficiency is too poor I swear

Access bank is undeniably the best. Everything flows smoothly and efficiently.

Where is Union Bank hmm ,.. fake news

valentineuwakwe:
Is it by number or branches or operational efficiency?
Nigerian bank should better do wel or digital banks will take over

Abi dem don take over already

Herbert Wigwe went to hell with my money

One fake prophet was online prophesying that access bank will crash in 2025🤣

With nothing for shareholders to smile about in the name of dividend.

We are tired.

Lojical1:
Source:
https://nairametrics.com/2026/06/11/10-largest-banks-in-nigeria-by-branch-network-in-2026/


Do you think digital banking will eventually make traditional banks irrelevant in future ?

The day all big companies and governments in Nigeria begging to pay salaries into Opay, moniepoint etc that will be the burial of all these banks

Is better they level up before it will be too late

Also the bank with the highest controversies

They are called Access Bank for a reason

Why do they need so many branches?

I thought banks are trying to scale down the number of their physical branches

Hussein035:
The day all big companies and governments in Nigeria begging to pay salaries into Opay, moniepoint etc that will be the burial of all these banks

Is better they level up before it will be too late

That ain't never gonna happen!

Access bank is doing well with their innovative approach to the financial sector over the years, even though they can do better. Their online banking services is one of the best in the country today. Gtb use to be the best in innovation like their online banking platform but they lack physical structures across the country…….btw a big congrats to Access bank for this one.

If majority of Nigerians were like me banks would have shut down most of their physical branches. I can't remember the last time I entered the banking hall for any kind of transaction.

I do 100% of my transfers via mobile app. 100% of withdrawal via ATM. 100% of my complaint via email or the bank's social media handles.

I only go to bank if they insist my physical presence is a must before the issue can be successfully resolved. And that happens ONCE IN A DEEP BLUE MOON!