Zenith Bank Plc has announced the payment of an interim dividend of ₦51.3 billion for the half-year ended June 30, 2025, a 63% increase from the ₦31.4 billion distributed in the same period of 2024.
The dividend follows the release of Zenith Bank’s audited H1 2025 financial results, which revealed strong growth across earnings, balance sheet size, and profitability ratios despite persistent macroeconomic headwinds.
Strong Earnings Performance
Zenith Bank recorded a 20% year-on-year growth in gross earnings, rising from ₦2.1 trillion in H1 2024 to ₦2.5 trillion in H1 2025. This growth was primarily driven by an exceptional 60% increase in interest income, which surged from ₦1.1 trillion to ₦1.8 trillion during the same period.
The bank attributed this performance to its strategic repricing of risk assets, robust treasury operations, and disciplined cost management, which collectively strengthened net interest margins and overall earnings quality.
Group Managing Director/CEO, Dame Dr. Adaora Umeoji, OON, said the strong performance and dividend payout reflect Zenith Bank’s operational resilience and commitment to stakeholders.
“We are pleased to have paid this significant interim dividend to our valued shareholders,” she said. “Our half-year results underscore our resilience and commitment to 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.”
Balance Sheet and Deposit Growth
Zenith Bank’s total assets rose to ₦31 trillion as of June 2025, up from ₦30 trillion at the end of December 2024, representing steady organic growth supported by a well-diversified loan book and disciplined liquidity management.
Customer deposits also grew by 7%, climbing from ₦22 trillion to ₦23 trillion within six months, reflecting sustained customer confidence in the bank’s stability and service quality. The bank’s strong deposit base continues to anchor its low-cost funding advantage, a critical factor behind its expanding interest income and robust profitability.
Commitment to Shareholder Value
The ₦51.3 billion interim dividend reflects Zenith Bank’s consistent dividend culture and its ability to balance growth investment with shareholder rewards. Over the past five years, Zenith has maintained one of the highest dividend payout ratios in the Nigerian banking industry, a testament to its earnings quality and capital efficiency.
With an expanding balance sheet and a growing retail footprint, the bank remains strategically positioned to sustain double-digit earnings growth through digital transformation, risk management, and market diversification.
Recognition and Market Leadership
Zenith Bank’s performance continues to earn global recognition. The institution was recently ranked Nigeria’s Number One Bank by Tier-1 Capital for the sixteenth consecutive year in The Banker’s Top 1000 World Banks ranking.
It was also named “Nigeria’s Best Bank” at the Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2025, further cementing its leadership in governance, innovation, and operational excellence.
In addition, Zenith has been honored as “Best Commercial Bank in Nigeria” for five consecutive years (2021–2025) by World Finance Banking Awards and “Best Corporate Governance Bank in Nigeria” by World Finance Corporate Governance Awards for four straight years (2022–2025).
Outlook: Confidence in Sustained Profitability
With total assets surpassing ₦31 trillion, strong earnings momentum, and a disciplined balance sheet structure, Zenith Bank is poised to maintain its growth trajectory in the second half of 2025.
Analysts expect the bank’s full-year profit to exceed ₦500 billion, supported by rising interest income, digital channel expansion, and enhanced treasury yields.
The record interim dividend underlines investor confidence in Zenith’s capacity to deliver consistent returns, even amid Nigeria’s evolving economic landscape.
Zenith Bank’s track record of sound financial performance, strong corporate governance, and enduring brand strength reinforces its position as Nigeria’s leading Tier-1 bank and a key pillar of the financial system.
