Zenith Bank’s 60% dividend hike signals bright 2025 outlook
Zenith Bank Plc has reinforced its strong financial standing with a N51.3 billion interim dividend payout for the first half of 2025, equating to N1.25 per share, a 60% surge from the N31.4 billion distributed in H1 2024.
Announced on October 10, 2025, this substantial increase underscores the bank’s resilience and ability to deliver shareholder value even as the foreign exchange revaluation gains that buoyed bumper bank earnings fade.
The payout follows Zenith Bank’s audited H1 2025 financial results, released to the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) in September, which revealed a 20% year-on-year rise in gross earnings to N2.5 trillion from N2.1 trillion. Interest income, a key driver, soared 60% to N1.8 trillion from N1.1 trillion, fueled by strategic repricing of risk assets and adept treasury management.
Total assets grew to N31 trillion by June 2025, up from N30 trillion in December 2024, while customer deposits increased 7% to N23 trillion, reflecting sustained confidence in the bank.
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Adaora Umeoji, the group managing director/CEO, emphasised the bank’s robust trajectory: “This significant dividend reflects our strong H1 performance and commitment to shareholders. We are confident in surpassing expectations for the full year, driven by our strategic focus and financial discipline.”
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.
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.
Zenith Bank 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.
The bank’s strong fundamentals, strategic asset management, and growing customer trust position it for continued growth, reinforcing its status as a leading financial institution in Nigeria.
