Shareholders of Zenith Bank Plc have expressed strong confidence in the bank’s performance and strategic direction at its 35th Annual General Meeting held in Lagos on Tuesday, with participants drawn from across the country.
At the meeting, shareholders commended the Board and Management for sustaining growth and delivering value, while urging continued focus on long-term expansion and profitability. Particular emphasis was placed on the bank’s robust dividend policy, which has remained a key driver of investor confidence.
Following shareholder approval, the bank declared a total dividend of ₦10.00 per share for the 2025 financial year. The payout comprises an interim dividend of ₦1.25 already disbursed and a final dividend of ₦8.75, reinforcing the bank’s strong earnings capacity and commitment to rewarding shareholders.
At the Thirty-fifth (35th) Annual General Meeting of Zenith Bank, shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2025, alongside the re-election of Engr Mustafa Bello, Juliet Ehimuan, Adamu Lawani and Louis Odom and also approved the appointment of Rislana Kanya Abdulazeez as an Independent Non-Executive Director, while Kennedy Onuwa Okwudili was appointed as an Executive Director
Speaking at the bank’s Annual General Meeting, a shareholder, Timothy Ayobami, praised the result, noting that the improved performance reflects collective execution rather than individual effort. “This result could not be achieved by a single individual but by a team… I congratulate the board, management and staff for this successful outing,” he said. He further emphasised that the final dividend of ₦8.75, combined with an interim dividend of ₦1.25, underscores the bank’s earnings strength and shareholder value focus.
Another shareholder highlighted the bank’s strategic relevance to the broader economy, linking its financial strength to key national developments. “The bank has demonstrated its leadership by giving us 100% of the dividend paid the previous year… without Zenith Bank, the refinery project would have been a big problem in this country,” he stated, while also commending the institution’s inclusive leadership structure and customer-centric evolution over the years.
Bakari Adebisi Oluwayemisi, National Coordinator of the Pragmatic Shareholders Association of Nigeria, pointed to key financial metrics as evidence of sustained growth momentum. According to her, gross earnings rose by 6 per cent to ₦4.19 trillion, while profit after tax reached ₦1.04 trillion. “Our non-performing loan ratio stood at 3.8 per cent and our capital adequacy ratio at 25.3 per cent. This is very commendable,” she noted, urging shareholders to recognise the bank’s operational discipline and risk management framework.
In his remarks, Kazim Olayiwola, representing investors from Kaduna State, urged the bank to sustain its growth trajectory and pursue global competitiveness. “Felicitations should not be the end… you should strive more to become number one globally,” he said, while acknowledging that the dividend payout reflects strong financial stewardship.
Responding to shareholders, Group Managing Director/CEO Adaora Umeoji reaffirmed management’s commitment to delivering on strategic promises. She noted that the bank had met its prior commitment to significantly increase shareholder returns. “We promised shareholders that we’d pay a quantum leap dividend… and we have delivered that mandate with a 100% increase,” she stated, adding that the bank remains positioned to sustain performance and drive further value creation.
The AGM also signalled continuity in governance and strategic direction, with shareholders expressing confidence in the bank’s leadership transition and long-term outlook.
