Zenith Bank to Pay Jim Ovia N5.18 Billion as Interim Dividend for H1 2025

Punchngs July 29, 2025

Zenith Bank to Pay Jim Ovia N5.18 Billion as Interim Dividend for H1 2025

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24.09.2025
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Zenith Bank Plc has announced it will pay its founder and chairman, Jim Ovia, an interim dividend of approximately N5.18 billion for the first half of 2025, reflecting the bank’s robust financial performance and commitment to rewarding shareholders.

Ovia directly holds 4.14 billion shares in Zenith Bank, entitling him to an interim dividend of N1.25 per share, a 25% increase from the N1.00 per share paid during the same period last year.

This calculation excludes his indirect shareholding of 1.65 billion units, which, if included, would raise his total interim dividend entitlement by an additional N2.06 billion.

For the half-year ended June 30, 2025, Zenith Bank posted a profit before tax (PBT) of N625.63 billion, which represents a 13.95% decline from the N727 billion recorded in the same period of 2024. Despite the dip in PBT, the bank reported significant growth in other key metrics:

Gross earnings: Up 20% year-on-year to N2.5 trillion.
Interest income: Surged 60% to N1.8 trillion, driven by strategic repricing of risk assets and effective treasury management.
Net interest income: Rose 90% to N1.4 trillion.
Non-interest income: Contributed N613 billion.
Profit after tax (PAT): N532 billion, translating to earnings per share (EPS) of N12.95.

Zenith Bank’s balance sheet remained resilient during the period:

Total assets: N31 trillion.
Customer deposits: Increased to N23 trillion.
Capital adequacy ratio: 26%, well above regulatory thresholds.
Non-performing loan (NPL) ratio: Improved to 3.1%.
Liquidity ratio: Stood at 69%.

The interim dividend payout underscores Zenith Bank’s consistency in rewarding shareholders as it marks its 35th anniversary in 2025.

Jim Ovia, the founder and chairman of Zenith Bank, has long been one of Nigeria’s most rewarded shareholders. For the 2024 financial year, he was entitled to approximately N25.4 billion in dividends, following the bank’s record-breaking profit after tax of N1.03 trillion – a 52.5% increase from 2023.

The 2024 payout included a N4.00 final dividend and a N1.00 interim dividend, bringing the total to N5.00 per share. This steady performance has consistently translated into multi-billion-naira earnings for Ovia.

Past Dividend Payouts to Jim Ovia

2022: Ovia earned N16.24 billion after Zenith declared a total dividend of N3.20 per share.
2023: He received N11.35 billion from the same payout structure of 30 kobo interim and N2.90 final dividend.
2024: He was set to earn N25.4 billion in dividends as Zenith Bank posted record profits.

In 2022, Ovia was among global billionaires who shared in $506 billion in dividends worldwide, underscoring his status as one of Africa’s top banking investors.

Jim Ovia founded Zenith Bank in 1990 and served as the bank’s Chief Executive Officer until 2010, when he transitioned to his current role as chairman. Under his leadership, Zenith Bank has grown into one of Africa’s largest and most profitable financial institutions.

Beyond banking, Ovia is a prominent philanthropist, entrepreneur, and investor with interests spanning real estate, telecommunications, and technology. His long-term vision continues to shape Zenith Bank’s strategic direction and maintain its position as a leader in Nigeria’s banking sector.

The N5.18 billion interim dividend payment to Jim Ovia reflects Zenith Bank’s strong financial performance and commitment to shareholder value. Despite a slight dip in profit before tax, the bank’s robust earnings, strengthened balance sheet, and improved asset quality demonstrate its resilience in Nigeria’s competitive banking environment.

As Zenith Bank celebrates its 35th anniversary in 2025, its consistent dividend payouts reinforce investor confidence and highlight the bank’s continued focus on sustainable growth.