Zenith Bank Plc has paid a total of N51.3 billion as interim dividend to its shareholders for the Half Year (H1) 2025, at N1.25 per share. This reflects a 63.4 per cent increase from N31.4 billion paid in H1 2024.
A statement released by the bank said the dividend payout, which was made on Friday, October 10, 2025, demonstrates its commitment and capacity to continually generate value for its shareholders amidst a challenging macroeconomic environment.
The dividend payout follows Zenith Bank’s audited financial results for the half-year ended June 30, 2025, released to the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) in September 2025.
The H1 financial result showed that the bank recorded a 20 per cent year-on-year increase in gross earnings, from N2.1 trillion in H1 2024 to N2.5 trillion in H1 2025. The report also showed that Interest income was the key driver of this performance as it recorded a 60 per cent growth, rising to N1.8 trillion from N1.1 trillion in the corresponding period of last year.
Group Managing Director/CEO of Zenith Bank, Dr. Adaora Umeoji, who conveyed her excitement over the increase in dividend payout this year, stressed that it underscored their resilience and commitment to stakeholders despite challenges in the macroeconomic environment.
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She expressed confidence in the bank’s full-year outlook, projecting that it would exceed shareholders’ expectations by year end.
“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,” Umeoji stated. “Based on the momentum achieved in H1, we are confident in our full-year outlook and expect to exceed shareholders’ expectations by year end,” she added.
The H1 2025 result also indicated that the bank’s total assets rose to N31 trillion in June 2025, from N30 trillion in December 2024, underpinned by a robust and well-structured balance sheet.
Also, Customer confidence remained strong, with deposits increasing by 7 per cent from N22 trillion to N23 trillion in June 2025.
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The Bank’s track record of excellent performance has continued to earn the brand numerous awards, including being recognised as the Number One Bank in Nigeria by Tier-1 Capital for the sixteenth consecutive year in the 2025 Top 1000 World Banks Ranking, published by The Banker and “Nigeria’s Best Bank” at the Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2025.
The Bank was also awarded Bank of the Year (Nigeria) in The Banker’s Bank of the Year Awards for 2020, 2022 and 2024; Best Bank in Nigeria from 2020 to 2022, 2024 and 2025, in the Global Finance World’s Best Banks Awards; Best Bank for Digital Solutions in Nigeria in the Euromoney Awards 2023; and was listed in the World Finance Top 100 Global Companies in 2023.
Further recognitions include Best Commercial Bank, Nigeria for five consecutive years from 2021 to 2025 in the World Finance Banking Awards and Most Sustainable Bank, Nigeria in the International Banker 2023 and 2024 Banking Awards. Additionally, Zenith Bank has been acknowledged as the Best Corporate Governance Bank, Nigeria, in the World Finance Corporate Governance Awards for four consecutive years from 2022 to 2025 and ‘Best in Corporate Governance’ Financial Services’ Africa for four consecutive years from 2020 to 2023 by the Ethical Boardroom.
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The Bank’s commitment to excellence saw it being named the Most Valuable Banking Brand in Nigeria in The Banker’s Top 500 Banking Brands for 2020 and 2021, Bank of the Year 2023 to 2025 at the BusinessDay Banks and Other Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards, and Retail Bank of the Year for three consecutive years from 2020 to 2022 and 2024 to 2025 at the BAFI Awards. The Bank also received the accolades of Best Commercial Bank, Nigeria and Best Innovation in Retail Banking, Nigeria, in the International Banker 2022 Banking Awards.
It was also named Most Responsible Organisation in Africa, Best Company in Transparency and Reporting and Best Company in Gender Equality and Women Empowerment at the SERAS CSR Awards Africa 2024; Bank of the Year 2024 by ThisDay Newspaper; Bank of the Year 2024 by New Telegraph Newspaper; and Best in MSME Trade Finance, 2023 by Nairametrics. The Bank’s Hybrid Offer was also adjudged ‘Rights Issue/ Public Offer of the Year’ at the Nairametrics Capital Market Choice Awards 2025.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist, scholar and analyst of socioeconomic issues in Nigeria and Africa. He is skilled in energy reporting, business and economy, and holds a master's degree in mass communication.
