Nigeria: Major Nigerian Banks Including Zenith, GTCO, UBA to Disburse Dividends Ahead of Q1 2025 Earnings Reports

In a strategic move to reward shareholders and strengthen investor confidence, several leading Nigerian banks—including Zenith Bank, Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO), and United Bank for Africa (UBA)—are set to pay final dividends in April and May 2025. This development comes as the market anticipates the release of their Q1 2025 earnings, signaling an active earnings season on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX).

According to regulatory disclosures, Zenith Bank Plc will distribute a final dividend of ₦4 per share on April 29, following approval at its Annual General Meeting. The bank, currently Nigeria’s second most valuable in the banking sector, boasts a market capitalization of ₦1.848 trillion, bolstered by a moderate rally post-dividend markdown.

GTCO, with a market value exceeding ₦2.04 trillion, will disburse ₦7.03 per share to shareholders on April 24. The firm has already been marked down for this dividend payment, underscoring its commitment to shareholder value.

Pan-African banking giant UBA Plc will pay shareholders ₦3 per share on April 25. Valued at ₦1.128 trillion as of Tuesday’s close on the NGX, UBA remains a key player in advancing financial inclusion and cross-border payments across Africa.

Access Holdings Plc, valued at approximately ₦1 trillion, will issue a dividend of ₦2.05 per share on May 15. Meanwhile, First Bank Holdco, another heavyweight with a similar valuation, plans to pay 60 kobo per share, although the exact payment date has yet to be announced.

Among tier-2 banks, Fidelity Bank will pay ₦1.25 per share on April 29, reflecting its market value of ₦934 billion. FCMB Group, with a valuation of ₦362 billion, will pay 55 kobo per share, also scheduled for April 29.

Stanbic IBTC Holdings, whose market value recently rose to ₦767 billion following a mild rally, has announced a dividend of ₦3 per share to be paid on May 16.

Wema Bank Plc has declared a ₦1 per share dividend, though it has not confirmed a payment date as of this report.

These dividend declarations align with broader goals of regulatory compliance and financial performance transparency, offering insights into each institution’s risk assessment, capital adequacy, and compliance management strategies. As these financial institutions gear up for Q1 reporting, investors are keeping a close watch on how these payouts reflect broader RegTech industry trends, including regulatory reporting, compliance analytics, and governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) protocols.