Zenith Bank founder and chairman Jim Ovia is positioned to receive approximately N5.18 billion in interim dividend payments for the first half of 2025, showcasing the bank’s commitment to shareholder returns despite mixed financial performance.
The substantial payout stems from Ovia’s direct shareholding of 4.14 billion shares, each entitled to the bank’s interim dividend of N1.25 per share, representing a 25% increase from the previous year’s N1.00 per share distribution.
Zenith Bank H1 2025 financial performance
The Nigerian banking giant reported a profit before tax of N625.63 billion for the six-month period ending June 30, 2025, marking a 13.95% decline from the N727 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2024.
Despite the profit reduction, gross earnings demonstrated robust growth, climbing 20% year-on-year to reach N2.5 trillion, primarily driven by strategic asset repricing and enhanced treasury management practices.
Interest income experienced a remarkable 60% surge to N1.8 trillion, reflecting the bank’s effective risk asset repricing strategy in Nigeria’s challenging economic environment. Net interest income nearly doubled with a 90% increase to N1.4 trillion, while non-interest income contributed N613 billion to the overall revenue performance, demonstrating diversified income streams across the banking operations.
Zenith Bank maintained impressive financial strength with total assets reaching N31 trillion and customer deposits climbing to N23 trillion, underscoring the institution’s market leadership position. The bank’s capital adequacy ratio stood at 26%, significantly exceeding regulatory requirements, while asset quality improvements were evident with the non-performing loan ratio declining to 3.1% and liquidity ratio maintaining a healthy 69%.
Jim Ovia’s Dividend History Reflects Consistent Wealth Creation
The 2025 interim dividend continues Ovia’s track record as one of Nigeria’s highest-earning shareholders, having received N25.4 billion in total dividends for the 2024 financial year following the bank’s record N1.03 trillion profit after tax.
His dividend earnings have consistently reached multi-billion-naira levels, including N16.24 billion in 2022 and N11.35 billion in 2023, reflecting his substantial stake in the financial institution he founded in 1990.
Ovia’s transition from CEO to chairman in 2010 has enabled continued strategic oversight while maintaining focus on shareholder value creation throughout Zenith Bank’s 35-year operational history.
Beyond banking leadership, his diversified business interests spanning real estate, telecommunications, and technology sectors complement his philanthropic initiatives, reinforcing his status as a prominent Nigerian business leader and investor.