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CSCS has declared its first-ever interim dividend of ₦1 per share after delivering a record first-half financial performance
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The capital market infrastructure company reported a 115 percent increase in profit before tax to ₦13.21 billion, driven by stronger transaction fee income and others
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The historic payout comes as CSCS continues to strengthen its position as Nigeria’s leading post-trade infrastructure provider, while investing in technology, innovation and new growth opportunities.
July 21, (THEWILL) — Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) Plc has declared its first-ever interim dividend of ₦1 per ordinary share following a record financial performance for the six months ended June 30, 2026
The interim dividend, approved by the company’s Board of Directors, marks the first time CSCS will reward shareholders with a mid-year payout since commencing operations in 1997.
The declared dividend represents about 56 percent of the total ₦1.78 per share paid to shareholders for the entire 2025 financial year.
The announcement comes on the back of robust earnings growth supported by stronger capital market activity, improved operating efficiency and continued expansion across the company’s core business lines.
Record Earnings Drive Historic Shareholder Reward
CSCS reported a 92 percent year-on-year increase in total operating income to ₦18.51 billion during the first half of 2026, driven largely by higher transaction fee income as activity across Nigeria’s capital market strengthened.
The company also recorded steady growth from depository services, collateral management, data solutions and technology-enabled offerings, helping diversify its revenue base beyond traditional clearing and settlement services.
Strong cost discipline amplified the revenue growth. While operating income almost doubled during the period, operating expenses increased by only 38 percent, allowing operating profit to surge 186 percent to ₦10.11 billion.
Profit before tax climbed 115 percent to ₦13.21 billion from the corresponding period of 2025, while earnings per share rose to 190.1 kobo from 109.1 kobo a year earlier.
Key efficiency indicators also improved significantly.
The cost-to-income ratio declined to 45.4 percent from 63.2 percent, while operating profit margin expanded to 54.6 percent from 36.8 percent, highlighting stronger operating leverage and disciplined cost management.
Management Signals Confidence in Future Growth
Chairman of CSCS Plc, Temi Popoola, said the Board’s decision to declare its first-ever interim dividend reflects confidence in the company’s financial strength, the quality of its earnings and its long-term strategic direction.
According to him, the strong first-half performance was driven not only by increased market activity but also by sustained improvements in operational efficiency, disciplined cost management and the continued diversification of the company’s revenue streams.
Popoola added that the Board remains committed to balancing shareholder returns with continued investments in technology, innovation, operational resilience and new growth opportunities that will reinforce CSCS’ position as Nigeria’s leading financial market infrastructure and one of Africa’s foremost post-trade institutions.
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Shehu Shantali, described the first-half results as evidence of the resilience of CSCS’ business model, the dedication of its workforce and the continued confidence of market participants.
He said the historic interim dividend demonstrates the company’s commitment to translating strong financial performance into enhanced shareholder value, while noting that management remains focused on strengthening its core market infrastructure, expanding technology-driven services, and diversifying revenue streams to sustain long-term growth.
Incorporated in 1992 and ,operational since 1997, CSCS is Nigeria’s primary financial market infrastructure, providing central securities depository, clearing, and settlement services for transactions executed on the Nigerian Exchange, NASD OTC Exchange and other capital market trading platforms.
The company pioneered the dematerialisation of share certificates in Nigeria, replacing physical certificates with electronic book-entry records and significantly improving the speed, efficiency, and security of capital market transactions.
Ogochukwu Onwaeze is a writer specializing in business and economic journalism. At THEWILL News Media, she translates market trends, financial developments, and policy shifts into clear and engaging stories.
