Jim Ovia Zenith Bank dividend earnings hit N50.7bn as the bank declares final payout for 2025, with other directors also receiving significant returns

Chairman of Zenith Bank Plc, Jim Ovia, is set to receive approximately N50.7 billion as part of the bank’s final dividend for the 2025 financial year, according to details contained in its audited results.

Also read: Jim Ovia receives prestigious Freedom of the City of London honour

Jim Ovia Zenith Bank dividend payout follows the declaration of a final dividend of N8.75 per share, positioning him as the largest beneficiary due to his substantial shareholding in the financial institution.

Jim Ovia’s total shareholding stands at 5,801,238,332 units, comprising both direct and indirect holdings. His stake includes 4,145,107,627 shares held directly and 1,656,130,705 held indirectly.

Although his total number of shares increased compared to the previous year, his percentage ownership declined from 16.19 percent to 14.13 percent.

In addition to the final dividend, the bank had earlier declared an interim dividend of N1.25 per share, further increasing the total earnings attributable to shareholders for the year.

Zenith Bank Group Managing Director Adaora Umeoji also recorded a significant rise in her shareholding, increasing to 287,092,076 units in 2025 from 91,902,979 units in 2024.

Her dividend earnings are estimated at about N2.5 billion.

Other members of the bank’s leadership team are also expected to benefit from the payout in line with their respective shareholdings.

Executive director Henry Oroh, who exited the board in September 2025, is projected to receive about N275 million from his shares.

Meanwhile, Adobi Nwapa and Akindele Ogunranti are expected to earn approximately N263.8 million and N245.9 million respectively.

Additional directors, including Lawani Adamu and Louis Odom, are projected to receive N116.4 million and N113.6 million respectively, while non-executive directors such as Chuks Emma Okoh, Juliet Ehimuan and Pamela Mimi Yough are also set to receive smaller dividend amounts based on their holdings.

Some independent non-executive directors, including Mustafa Bello and others, reportedly hold no shares in the bank and will not receive dividend payouts.

Zenith Bank has proposed a total final dividend distribution of about N359 billion, bringing the overall dividend for the 2025 financial year to approximately N410.7 billion, subject to shareholder approval at the upcoming annual general meeting.

The bank also reported a net profit of N1.04 trillion for 2025, slightly higher than the N1.03 trillion recorded in the previous year.

Also read: Why Nigeria Holds a Special Place in the World

Gross earnings rose to N4.19 trillion, while total assets increased to N29.96 trillion. Customer deposits climbed to N22.68 trillion, and total equity rose to N3.67 trillion, reflecting continued growth in the bank’s financial position.