Zenith Bank Plc has reaffirmed its market leadership with a robust half-year performance, declaring an interim dividend of ₦51.3 billion for the first half of 2025. The payout—translating to ₦1.25 per share—marks a significant leap of over 60 per cent compared to the ₦31.4 billion distributed during the same period in 2024.
The dividend announcement accompanied the bank’s audited financial results for the six months ended June 30, 2025, released to the Nigerian Exchange (NGX), which showed strong earnings growth and a resilient balance sheet. Gross earnings rose by 20 per cent from ₦2.1 trillion in the first half of 2024 to ₦2.5 trillion in the first half of 2025, underscoring the bank’s steady growth momentum amid a challenging economic environment.
Interest income was the major driver of this performance, surging by 60 per cent to ₦1.8 trillion, a rise attributed to strategic repricing of risk assets and efficient treasury management. Zenith Bank’s total assets also strengthened, growing from ₦30 trillion as of December 2024 to ₦31 trillion by mid-2025. Customer deposits increased by seven per cent to ₦23 trillion, reflecting continued confidence in the bank’s stability and service delivery.
Group Managing Director of Zenith Bank Plc, Dame Adaora Umeoji, described the half-year outcome as evidence of the bank’s financial strength and consistency in value creation.
“We are pleased to have paid this significant interim dividend to our valued shareholders,” Umeoji said. “Our half-year results underscore our resilience and commitment to stakeholders. Based on the momentum achieved so far, we are confident about our full-year outlook and expect to exceed shareholders’ expectations by year end.”
She reiterated the bank’s focus on delivering superior returns and sustainable growth, supported by its strong fundamentals and digital transformation initiatives.
Beyond its financial results, Zenith Bank’s consistent performance has continued to earn it local and international acclaim. The institution was again ranked Nigeria’s Number One Bank by Tier-1 Capital for the 16th consecutive year in The Banker’s Top 1000 World Banks ranking for 2025. It was also named “Nigeria’s Best Bank” at the Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2025.
Other recognitions include multiple Bank of the Year (Nigeria) awards from The Banker (2020, 2022, and 2024), Best Bank in Nigeria from Global Finance (2020–2022, 2024, and 2025), and Best Commercial Bank, Nigeria for five consecutive years (2021–2025) from World Finance.
Zenith Bank has also been celebrated for excellence in corporate governance and sustainability. It was named Most Sustainable Bank, Nigeria in the International Banker Awards 2023 and 2024, and Best Corporate Governance Bank, Nigeria by World Finance for four consecutive years (2022–2025).
Further cementing its reputation, the bank was honoured as Most Responsible Organisation in Africa and Best Company in Gender Equality and Women Empowerment at the SERAS CSR Awards Africa 2024. It also received Bank of the Year 2024 accolades from ThisDay and New Telegraph newspapers, alongside Best in MSME Trade Finance 2023 by Nairametrics.
Zenith Bank’s consistent growth, strong governance culture, and shareholder-focused strategy continue to position it as a bellwether in Nigeria’s banking sector—setting benchmarks for performance, innovation, and corporate responsibility.