Jim Ovia Go Collect N5.18bn Dividend From Zenith Bank Like Say Na Small Change

City, State/Country: Lagos, Nigeria

Jim Ovia, the big man wey sabi run things for Zenith Bank, dey smile as dem go pay am huge N5.18 billion interim dividend for the first half of 2025. E be like say Ovia carry 4.14 billion shares for hand, wey make am qualify for N1.25 per share. This na 25% increase from wetin dem pay last year, wey be N1.00 per share. Only God know how many bags of rice this money fit buy!

But, no be only this one we dey talk o! If we add Ovia how many indirect shares wey be 1.65 billion, na another N2.06 billion go follow, making am richer than many small countries. Zenith Bank show say dem no dey joke, as dem announce profit before tax wey reach N625.63 billion for half-year wey end for June 30, 2025. This one na slight decrease from the N727 billion wey dem carry come last year, but who dey complain when earnings dey rise like this?

Dem gross earnings cock up to N2.5 trillion, thanks to interest income wey gree explode by 60% to N1.8 trillion. E be like say the bank sabi manage money well, as dem quickly reprice wetin dey under dem control (no be small wahala dey happen for some banks o). Net interest income just dey pick race too, as it jump by 90% to N1.4 trillion, while non-interest income dey contribute N613 billion, making the bank really flex!

For profit after tax, dem clock N532 billion, which na juicy earnings per share (EPS) of N12.95. The bank dey stack assets reach N31 trillion, customer deposits dey enter like say na supermarket—N23 trillion! Wetin we go do without this kind of bank wey sabi make money like this? Plus, dem no forget to keep eye on their loans quality, with a non-performing loan ratio wey drop to 3.1%. If dem fit maintain this standard, e go dey sweet.

Na so Zenith Bank dey show say dem no go forget their shareholders as dem celebrate their 35th anniversary dis year. Ovia wey start Zenith Bank back in 1990, don turn to big paddy with plenty dividends since e enter the game.

For 2024 alone, Ovia chop N25.4 billion for dividends when Zenith hit profit of N1.03 trillion. Omo, this kind money fit make person think sey na small bank dem dey run!

As Zenith Bank dey carry all dis financial achievements, dem just dey prepare to pay shareholders on October 10, 2025, for all who dey among registered owners by October 3, 2025. E sure sey dem go continue to collect awards and recognition for their naughty financial skills!