Chairman of Zenith Bank Jim Ovia is set to receive about N50.7 billion from the bank’s final dividend for the 2025 financial year.
The bank declared a final dividend of N8.75 per share in its audited results. Based on his total shareholding of 5,801,238,332 units, Mr Ovia is the largest beneficiary of the payout.
His shares include 4,145,107,627 held directly and 1,656,130,705 held indirectly.
The latest figure shows an increase in his total shares from 5,082,800,739 units recorded in 2024.
However, his percentage stake declined from 16.19 percent to 14.13 percent.
With the final dividend applied to his 2025 holdings, his earnings from the payout are estimated at N50.7 billion.
When combined with the N1.25 interim dividend earlier declared, the total dividend rises further.
The bank’s group managing director Adaora Umeoji also recorded an increase in shareholding.
Her shares rose to 287,092,076 units in 2025 from 91,902,979 units in 2024.
Her final dividend earnings are estimated at about N2.5 billion.
Other directors are also expected to receive payouts based on their shareholdings.
Executive director Henry Oroh, who held 31,432,653 shares before leaving the board on September 30, 2025, is set to receive about N275 million.
Adobi Nwapa will receive about N263.8 million from 30,158,205 shares, while Akindele Ogunranti will receive about N245.9 million from 28,103,201 shares.
Lawani Adamu is expected to earn about N116.4 million from 13,305,452 shares, while Louis Odom will receive about N113.6 million from 12,978,128 shares.
Among non-executive directors, Chuks Emma Okoh will receive about N5.4 million from 619,776 shares.
Juliet Ehimuan is expected to receive about N1.1 million from 128,906 shares, while Pamela Mimi Yough will earn about N1.4 million from 159,941 shares.
Some independent non-executive directors, including Mustafa Bello, Al-Mujtaba Abubakar, Omobola Ogunfowora, Peter Bamkole and Rislana Abdulazeez, have no recorded shareholdings and will not receive dividends.
Zenith Bank plans to distribute about N359 billion as final dividend to shareholders.
The total dividend for the year is estimated at about N410.7 billion, subject to approval at the annual general meeting.
The bank reported a net profit of N1.04 trillion for 2025, compared to N1.03 trillion in 2024.
Gross earnings stood at N4.19 trillion, up from N3.97 trillion.
Total assets rose to about N29.96 trillion from N20.37 trillion, while customer deposits increased to N22.68 trillion from N15.69 trillion.
Total equity also increased to N3.67 trillion from N3.20 trillion.
The final dividend will be paid after approval by shareholders at the annual general meeting.
