Zenith Bank Plc has announced its financial results for the half year ended June 30, 2025, recording an impressive profit before tax of ₦625.63 billion. The robust performance underscores the bank’s resilience in a dynamic operating environment and its ability to deliver consistent returns to shareholders.
Following the result, the board of directors approved an interim dividend of ₦1.25 per share, a 25 per cent increase over the ₦1.00 paid during the corresponding period of 2024. The payout reaffirms Zenith’s reputation as Nigeria’s leading dividend-paying bank and reflects its longstanding commitment to rewarding investors.
Gross earnings rose by 20 per cent year-on-year, climbing from ₦2.1 trillion in H1 2024 to ₦2.5 trillion in H1 2025. This performance was largely driven by interest income, which surged 60 per cent to ₦1.8 trillion, up from ₦1.1 trillion in the prior year. The bank attributed the growth to strategic repricing of risk assets and effective treasury management.
Commenting on the results, Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Dame Dr. Adaora Umeoji, OON, described the performance as a testament to the creativity and innovation of the bank’s workforce. She noted that despite significant provisioning requirements following the industry-wide exit from the Central Bank’s forbearance regime, Zenith recorded notable improvements in asset quality.
“Our balance sheet remains strong with adequate capital buffers, positioning us well to seize opportunities across our key markets,” Umeoji said. She assured shareholders that the bank is on track to accelerate growth in the second half of the year and deliver exceptional returns, including the prospect of a quantum year-end dividend.
For the review period, profit after tax stood at ₦532 billion, while earnings per share closed at ₦12.95. Net interest income rose sharply by 90 per cent to ₦1.4 trillion, compared to ₦715 billion a year earlier. Non-interest income also contributed significantly, at ₦613 billion in H1 2025.
The bank’s total assets expanded to ₦31 trillion as at June 2025, compared with ₦30 trillion in December 2024. Customer deposits grew by 7 per cent within the six-month period, reaching ₦23 trillion, reflecting sustained confidence in the brand. Loans and advances, however, moderated to ₦10.2 trillion from ₦11 trillion in December 2024, consistent with Zenith’s prudent risk management strategy.
Returns remained strong with return on average equity (ROAE) at 24.8 per cent and return on average assets (ROAA) at 3.5 per cent. The bank’s cost-to-income ratio was 48.2 per cent, reflecting higher provisioning costs associated with regulatory compliance and inflationary pressures.
Asset quality improved markedly, with the non-performing loan (NPL) ratio declining to 3.1 per cent in June 2025, from 4.7 per cent at year-end 2024. Capital adequacy and liquidity ratios were also robust at 26 per cent and 69 per cent respectively, both comfortably above regulatory thresholds.
Looking ahead, Umeoji expressed optimism about sustaining growth into 2026. “Our focus remains on innovation, digital transformation, and solutions that address our clients’ evolving needs. With improving market conditions, we are well positioned to maintain momentum, drive responsible leadership, and deliver exceptional value to stakeholders,” she said.
Zenith Bank’s consistent performance has continued to attract global recognition. In 2025, it was ranked the number one bank in Nigeria by Tier-1 Capital for the sixteenth consecutive year in The Banker’s Top 1000 World Banks Ranking. The lender also won the “Nigeria’s Best Bank” award at the Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2025.
Other recent accolades include Bank of the Year (Nigeria) in The Banker’s Bank of the Year Awards for 2020, 2022 and 2024; Best Bank in Nigeria in the Global Finance World’s Best Banks Awards for 2020–2022, 2024 and 2025; and Best Bank for Digital Solutions in Nigeria in the 2023 Euromoney Awards.
Zenith was equally recognised as Best Commercial Bank, Nigeria, for five consecutive years (2021–2025) in the World Finance Banking Awards. It also clinched the Most Sustainable Bank, Nigeria, title in the International Banker Banking Awards for 2023 and 2024, underscoring its commitment to sustainability and responsible banking practices.
In addition, the bank has received multiple awards for corporate governance, including Best Corporate Governance Bank, Nigeria, for four straight years (2022–2025) from World Finance, and Best in Corporate Governance (Financial Services, Africa) from Ethical Boardroom between 2020 and 2023.
Zenith Bank’s brand strength has also been validated in the marketplace. It was named the Most Valuable Banking Brand in Nigeria by The Banker in 2020 and 2021, and has won Retail Bank of the Year at the BusinessDay Banks and Other Financial Institutions Awards (BAFI) multiple times. In 2025, its Hybrid Offer was adjudged ‘Rights Issue/Public Offer of the Year’ at the Nairametrics Capital Market Choice Awards.
With a strong balance sheet, a track record of rewarding shareholders, and a culture of innovation, Zenith Bank says it remains committed to sustaining its leadership in Nigeria’s banking industry and driving long-term value creation for stakeholders.
