CBN Returns to Profit with N136.4bn Earnings in 2025

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) returned to stronger profitability in 2025, posting a consolidated profit after tax of N136.44 billion, up from N38.84 billion recorded in 2024, according to its summary consolidated and separate financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2025.

The financial statements showed that profit before tax rose to N144.78 billion from N44.69 billion in the previous year, while operating profit stood at N107.68 billion, reversing the N28.21 billion operating loss recorded in 2024.

The improvement came as net operating income increased to N2.71 trillion from N1.17 trillion a year earlier. Although total operating income declined sharply to N3.45 trillion from N15.10 trillion in 2024, the apex bank recorded improved net interest income of N202.49 billion, compared with N122.91 billion in the preceding year.

Interest and similar income calculated using the effective interest method stood at N4.18 trillion, while other interest and similar income rose significantly to N2.38 trillion from N801.26 billion in 2024.

Interest and similar expenses, however, increased to N6.36 trillion from N4.98 trillion. The statements also showed that total operating expenses rose to N2.61 trillion, compared with N1.20 trillion in 2024.

Personnel expenses declined to N416.26 billion from N608.55 billion, while currency issue expenses increased to N464.13 billion from N238.65 billion. Other operating expenses also rose to N1.66 trillion from N312.67 billion.

On the balance sheet, the CBN Group’s total assets increased to N138.86 trillion at the end of 2025 from N117.60 trillion a year earlier. External reserves rose to N61.24 trillion from N54.73 trillion, while loans and receivables declined to N8.12 trillion from N10.96 trillion.

Debt instruments at amortised cost increased to N33.43 trillion, compared with N29.87 trillion in 2024. Total liabilities stood at N137.92 trillion, up from N116.59 trillion in the previous year. Banknotes and coins in circulation rose to N5.73 trillion from N5.44 trillion, while deposits increased to N53.11 trillion from N52.38 trillion.

The financial statements also showed that CBN instruments issued nearly doubled to N48.70 trillion, compared with N24.27 trillion in 2024. Total equity declined to N937.84 billion from N1.01 trillion, with equity attributable to the bank’s shareholders standing at N921.50 billion, down from N999.06 billion a year earlier.