By Ayomide Otitoju
Zenith Bank Plc has reaffirmed its reputation as one of Nigeria’s most consistent dividend-paying financial institutions, disbursing an interim dividend of N51.3 billion for the half-year ended June 30, 2025. The payout, equivalent to N1.25 per share, represents a 60% increase from the N31.4 billion declared in the corresponding period of 2024.
The dividend payment follows the release of the bank’s audited half-year financial results to the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) in September 2025, which reflected solid growth and strong financial performance amid a challenging macroeconomic environment.
Commenting on the development, Group Managing Director/CEO, Dame (Dr.) Adaora Umeoji, OON, said:
“We are pleased to have paid this significant interim dividend to our valued shareholders. Our half-year results underscore our resilience and commitment to our stakeholders. Based on the momentum achieved in H1, we are confident in our full-year outlook and expect to exceed shareholders’ expectations by year-end.”
Zenith Bank’s robust performance was driven by a 20% year-on-year increase in gross earnings, which rose from N2.1 trillion in H1 2024 to N2.5 trillion in H1 2025. Interest income grew impressively by 60%, from N1.1 trillion to N1.8 trillion, propelled by strategic repricing of risk assets and effective treasury management.
The bank’s total assets expanded to N31 trillion as of June 2025, up from N30 trillion in December 2024, while customer deposits grew by 7% to N23 trillion, reflecting sustained customer confidence and a well-structured balance sheet.
Zenith Bank’s strong fundamentals and consistent performance have earned it numerous awards, including recognition as Nigeria’s Number One Bank by Tier-1 Capital for the sixteenth consecutive year in The Banker’s Top 1000 World Banks Ranking (2025) and Nigeria’s Best Bank at the Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2025.
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