Zenith Bank Declares ₦51.3bn Dividend, Vows Stronger Performance Ahead

Zenith Bank Plc has reaffirmed its commitment to delivering greater value to shareholders as it distributed ₦51.3 billion as an interim dividend for the half-year ended June 30, 2025.

Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Adaora Umeoji, made the pledge in a statement on Sunday, following the payment of ₦1.25 per share—representing a 60 percent increase from the ₦31.4 billion paid in the same period of 2024.

“We are delighted to reward our shareholders with this significant interim dividend. Our strong half-year results reflect our resilience and dedication to stakeholders. With the momentum we’ve built, we’re confident of surpassing expectations by the end of the year,” Umeoji said.

The payout mirrors Zenith Bank’s solid financial performance during the review period. The bank’s gross earnings rose by 20 percent year-on-year, climbing from ₦2.1 trillion to ₦2.5 trillion in H1 2025. Interest income drove much of this growth, surging by 60 percent to ₦1.8 trillion, a result of strategic repricing of risk assets and effective treasury management.

Total assets grew to ₦31 trillion in June 2025, up from ₦30 trillion in December 2024, supported by a strong and diversified balance sheet. Customer deposits also increased by seven percent—from ₦22 trillion to ₦23 trillion—indicating sustained confidence in the bank’s performance.

As Nigeria’s largest lender by market capitalisation, Zenith Bank remains one of the few financial institutions to declare an interim dividend for H1 2025. The bank noted that the ₦1.25 per share dividend, payable from retained earnings, underscores its sound financial health and consistent ability to deliver value despite evolving economic conditions.