Zenith Bank Commissions Manchester Branch, Deepens Nigeria-UK Economic Ties

Zenith Bank Plc has officially commissioned its new Manchester Branch under Zenith Bank (UK) Limited, taking its international footprint to another level.

The high-profile event on March 17, 2026, drew senior Nigerian government officials, state governors, and top business leaders alongside UK counterparts. It underscores the bank’s push to bridge African markets with global finance.

NaijaChoice News reports that key attendees included Minister of State for Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, who represented President Bola Tinubu; Minister of State for Gas, Ekperikpe Ekpo; Taraba State Governor, Agbu Kefas; and Ms Aisha Rimi, representing Vice President Kashim Shettima from the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission.

Also present were Zenith Bank Founder and Chairman, Jim Ovia; Group Managing Director and CEO, Adaora Umeoji; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole; UK Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Nigeria, Florence Eshalomi; Nigerian Exchange Ltd CEO, Jude Chiemeka; and Nigeria Customs Service Comptroller-General, Adewale Adeniyi.

The Manchester branch complements the bank’s existing London operations and will focus on corporate banking, trade finance, and treasury services. It targets companies active in the UK-Africa trade corridor, supporting Nigerian exporters and investors doing business across Europe.

Zenith Bank’s latest results show strong capital strength, with shareholders’ funds now surpassing ₦4.7 trillion. Net interest income has grown significantly, giving the bank the muscle to fund this expansion without strain.

Stakeholders at the event stressed the branch’s role in tightening economic bonds between Nigeria and the UK. Bilateral trade between the two countries has hit a record £8.1 billion annually, and this new hub is expected to unlock more opportunities.

The facility is projected to create about 30 direct jobs in Manchester’s vibrant commercial hub, which is known for manufacturing, logistics, and technology businesses.

Adaora Umeoji, the bank’s CEO, described the move as “another important step in Zenith Bank’s growth as a leading African financial institution connecting businesses and markets across continents.” She added that Manchester’s dynamic economy will help strengthen financial links with Africa’s expanding markets.

This launch forms part of Zenith Bank’s wider international strategy. The bank already operates in France, the UAE, and China, and maintains subsidiaries across West Africa. Plans for further African entries remain on track.

For Nigeria’s banking sector, the development signals growing confidence abroad. It offers local businesses smoother access to UK finance while positioning Nigerian institutions as serious players on the global stage.

Zenith Bank’s Manchester branch is more than a new address. It is a clear statement that Nigerian finance is ready to compete and connect at the highest level.