Zenith Bank Plc has announced the payment of an interim dividend worth N51.3 billion for the first half of 2025, assuring shareholders that it is determined to deliver even stronger results by the end of the year.

The Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Adaora Umeoji, made the commitment in a statement released on Sunday, following the dividend payment on Friday. Shareholders received an interim dividend of N1.25 per share, amounting to N51.3 billion, a 60 per cent rise from the N31.4 billion distributed during the same period in 2024.

Umeoji said, “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’s end.”

The bank’s performance for the period reflected robust growth, with gross earnings up 20 per cent year-on-year, rising from N2.1 trillion to N2.5 trillion. Interest income was the main driver, climbing 60 per cent from N1.1 trillion to N1.8 trillion, which the bank attributed to the strategic repricing of risk assets and effective treasury management.

Zenith’s total assets grew to N31 trillion as of June 2025, compared to N30 trillion in December 2024, supported by a strong and well-managed balance sheet. Deposits also increased by seven per cent, moving from N22 trillion to N23 trillion over the same period, reflecting continued customer confidence.

Zenith Bank, Nigeria’s largest lender by market capitalisation, remains one of the few banks to issue an interim dividend for the half-year ended June 30, 2025. The payout, approved at N1.25 per share across its 41,069,830,001 issued shares, will be drawn from retained earnings. The bank noted that this decision reflects its solid financial standing and its ability to navigate Nigeria’s evolving banking environment.