Zenith Bank posts strong half-year results, pays N51.3bn interim dividend

Zenith Bank Plc has reaffirmed its strong performance outlook for 2025 with the payment of an interim dividend of N51.3 billion, representing N1.25 per share, to shareholders for the half-year ended June 30, 2025. The dividend, paid on Friday, October 10, 2025, marks a 60 percent increase from the N31.4 billion distributed in the same period last year, underscoring the bank’s growing capacity to deliver sustained value to investors.

The payout followed the release of the bank’s audited half-year financial results to the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) in September, which highlighted a solid balance sheet and consistent earnings growth. Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dame Dr. Adaora Umeoji, OON, described the dividend as a testament to the bank’s resilience and unwavering commitment to its stakeholders.

“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,” she said.

Zenith Bank recorded a 20 percent year-on-year increase in gross earnings, rising from N2.1 trillion to N2.5 trillion, driven largely by a 60 percent surge in interest income, which grew from N1.1 trillion to N1.8 trillion.

The bank attributed this strong performance to strategic repricing of risk assets and effective treasury management.

Its total assets rose to N31 trillion in June 2025 from N30 trillion in December 2024, while customer deposits increased by 7 percent, from N22 trillion to N23 trillion, reflecting sustained customer confidence and loyalty.

Zenith Bank continues to consolidate its leadership position in Nigeria’s banking sector, earning multiple international and local recognitions for its outstanding performance and corporate governance.

The bank was ranked Nigeria’s Number One Bank by Tier-1 Capital for the sixteenth consecutive year in The Banker’s Top 1000 World Banks 2025, and named Nigeria’s Best Bank at the Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2025.

It has also been honoured as Bank of the Year (Nigeria) by The Banker in 2020, 2022 and 2024, and as Best Bank in Nigeria by Global Finance from 2020 to 2022, and again in 2024 and 2025.

Further recognitions include Best Commercial Bank, Nigeria for five consecutive years from 2021 to 2025 in the World Finance Banking Awards; Most Sustainable Bank, Nigeria in the International Banker Awards for 2023 and 2024; and Best Corporate Governance Bank, Nigeria in the World Finance Corporate Governance Awards from 2022 to 2025.

The bank has also been recognised as 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.

Zenith Bank was also named Bank of the Year 2024 by ThisDay and New Telegraph newspapers, Best in MSME Trade Finance 2023 by Nairametrics, and its Hybrid Offer was adjudged Rights Issue/Public Offer of the Year 2025 at the Nairametrics Capital Market Choice Awards.

With its sustained growth, consistent profitability, and long-standing reputation for excellence, Zenith Bank says it remains firmly focused on delivering exceptional value to shareholders while maintaining its leadership position as one of Africa’s most trusted financial institutions.