Four leading Nigerian banks; United Bank for Africa, Zenith Bank, Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO), and Stanbic IBTC Holdings, announced interim dividends totaling N135.49 billion for the half-year ending June 30, 2025.
The payouts, reported to the Nigerian Exchange Limited, ease investor fears about reduced dividends due to economic and regulatory pressures.
Stanbic IBTC Leads
Stanbic IBTC offered the highest dividend at N2.50 per 50-kobo share, totaling N39.75 billion, pending tax and regulatory approval.
Shareholders listed by October 6, 2025, will receive payments. Analysts praise Stanbic’s strong earnings, reflecting its focus on shareholder value despite tough market conditions.
Zenith’s Strong Showing
Zenith Bank, Nigeria’s largest bank by market value, approved N1.25 per share across its 41.07 billion shares, equating to N51.34 billion.
Paid from retained earnings, this move highlights Zenith’s solid financial health and ability to thrive in Nigeria’s dynamic banking sector.
GTCO and UBA Follow
GTCO declared N1 per share, totaling N34.14 billion, reassuring investors amid regulatory concerns.
UBA offered N0.25 per share, yielding 1.4% and a 7.83% payout ratio, balancing profitability with its expansion goals across Africa.
Regulatory Challenges
Some banks faced delays in reporting. Access Holdings extended its half-year report deadline to October 22, 2025, awaiting CBN clearance.
Fidelity Bank cited ongoing audits but promised timely results. Other banks like Wema and FCMB reported results but skipped dividends due to CBN rules.
CBN’s Impact
The CBN, led by Olubukola Akinwunmi, ordered banks under forbearance to halt dividends and offshore investments to ensure stability.
Affected banks, holding $3.52 billion in forbearance loans, are resolving issues.
The CBN’s recent policy update noted the end of forbearance, boosting transparency and risk management.
Why It Matters
The N135.49 billion payouts signal the strength of Nigeria’s top banks. With forbearance lifted, more banks may resume dividends, enhancing trust in the sector’s stability and growth in 2025.
