October 13, (THEWILL) — Zenith Bank Plc has reinforced investor confidence with the payment of an interim dividend totaling N51.3 billion for the half year (H1) 2025, representing N1.25 per share.
The payout, made on Friday, October 10, 2025, marks a significant 60 per cent increase from the N31.4 billion distributed in H1 2024, reflecting the bank’s sustained profitability and commitment to delivering superior returns to shareholders despite Nigeria’s tough economic environment.
The dividend follows the bank’s audited financial results for the half year ended June 30, 2025, which showed strong growth across key performance indicators.
Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Dame Dr. Adaora Umeoji, said the interim dividend highlights the bank’s resilience and commitment to creating long-term value.
“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,” Umeoji said.
Zenith Bank’s performance was driven by a 20 per cent year-on-year increase in gross earnings, rising from N2.1 trillion to N2.5 trillion in H1 2025.
Interest income surged by 60 per cent, from N1.1 trillion to N1.8 trillion, propelled by strategic repricing of risk assets and effective treasury management.
Total assets expanded to N31 trillion as of June 2025, up from N30 trillion in December 2024, supported by a solid and diversified balance sheet.
Customer deposits also grew by 7 per cent, from N22 trillion to N23 trillion, underscoring continued trust in the Zenith brand.
The bank reiterated its focus on delivering sustained growth through innovation, strong governance, and prudent risk management.
Zenith Bank’s excellence has been consistently recognised both locally and internationally.
The bank was ranked Nigeria’s Number One Bank by Tier-1 Capital for the 16th consecutive year in the 2025 Top 1000 World Banks ranking by The Banker and named Nigeria’s Best Bank at the Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2025.
It has also won several other accolades, including Bank of the Year (Nigeria) by The Banker in 2020, 2022, and 2024; Best Bank in Nigeria by Global Finance from 2020 to 2022, and again in 2024 and 2025; and Best Bank for Digital Solutions in Nigeria by Euromoney in 2023.
Other recent recognitions include Best Commercial Bank, Nigeria for five consecutive years (2021–2025) by World Finance, and Most Sustainable Bank, Nigeria by International Banker in 2023 and 2024.
The bank also received the Best Corporate Governance Bank, Nigeria award from World Finance for four straight years (2022–2025).
Zenith Bank was named Most Valuable Banking Brand in Nigeria by The Banker in 2020 and 2021, Bank of the Year at the BusinessDay BAFI Awards from 2023 to 2025, and Retail Bank of the Year multiple times between 2020 and 2025.
At the 2024 SERAS CSR Awards Africa, Zenith Bank was honoured as Most Responsible Organisation in Africa, Best Company in Transparency and Reporting, and Best Company in Gender Equality and Women Empowerment.
The bank’s Hybrid Offer was also named Rights Issue/Public Offer of the Year at the Nairametrics Capital Market Choice Awards 2025, further affirming Zenith’s leadership in innovation, governance, and shareholder value creation.
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