April 22, (THEWILL) — Wema Bank has declared a final dividend of N1.25 per ordinary share for the 2025 financial year, amounting to a total payout of N50.14 billion, subject to withholding tax and shareholder approval at its forthcoming Annual General Meeting.
According to a filing on the Nigerian Exchange, shareholders on record as of April 29, 2026, will be eligible for the dividend, which is scheduled for electronic payment on May 20, 2026, contingent on completion of e-dividend registration.
The latest payout represents a 25 percent increase from the N1.00 final dividend declared for the 2024 financial year, underscoring improved returns to shareholders.
With 40.12 billion outstanding shares, the dividend reflects the bank’s strong earnings capacity and commitment to value creation.
Wema Bank reported retained earnings of N215 billion for 2025, up significantly from N103.2 billion in the previous year.
The dividend implies a yield of 4.4 percent, based on a closing share price of N28.10 as of April 21, 2026, and a payout ratio of 25.8 percent on net profit of N194.4 billion.
Profit before tax stood at N221.8 billion, marking a 116.44 percent increase from 2024, driven largely by a surge in interest income to N576 billion.
Meanwhile, major shareholders Neemtree Limited and SW8 Investment Limited increased their stakes to a combined 56.46 percent, strengthening their influence in the bank’s ownership structure.
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.
