Lagos, Nigeria – Access Holdings Plc has reported audited results for the financial year ended December 31, 2025, which marks a significant turning point in its corporate journey as it shifts from a growth model defined by scale to one increasingly anchored on value creation, efficiency, and earnings quality.
The Group delivered a resilient performance during the year, navigating a transitional operating environment while demonstrating the strength of its franchise and the
robustness of the governance structures it has built over time. Profit before tax crossed the ₦1 trillion mark for the first time, rising to ₦1.01 trillion, a 16.2 per cent increase
compared to the previous year.
This milestone underscores the Group’s steady progression toward becoming a high-performing and resilient financial institution.
Net interest income rose to ₦1.36 trillion, while net fees and commission income recorded a particularly strong growth of 40.9 per cent to ₦585.1 billion, reflecting increasing diversification in revenue streams. Overall operating income after impairment grew by 23.9 per cent to ₦3.17 trillion.
At the same time, the Group improved its cost discipline, with its cost-to-income ratio declining to 51.7 per cent from 56.7 per cent in 2024.
Returns also remained solid, with return on average equity at 18.4 per cent and return on average assets at 1.6 per cent, reinforcing the quality of earnings delivered during the year.
Commenting on the results, Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Innocent C. Ike, said: “Our 2025 performance reflects both the resilience of the Access franchise and the strength of the institution we have built over time. Despite a dynamic operating environment, we delivered strong earnings supported by diversified income streams, disciplined execution, and a continued focus on balance sheet optimisation.”
“We have now entered a more deliberate optimisation phase, with a stronger emphasis on returns on capital, earnings quality, and long-term value creation,” he added.
The balance sheet also recorded significant expansion, driven by strong deposit mobilisation and sustained customer confidence. Total assets increased by 24.3 per cent to ₦51.57 trillion, while customer deposits grew by 53.4 per cent to ₦34.56 trillion.
Shareholders’ funds rose by 15 per cent to ₦4.33 trillion, reflecting both retained earnings and continued investor confidence in the institution.
This growth highlights not only the scale of the Group’s operations but also the deepening trust of customers, counterparties, and investors.
