By Abiola Olawale
Jim Ovia, the founder and chairman of Zenith Bank, is poised to receive a staggering N25.4 billion in dividends for the 2024 financial year, cementing his status as one of Nigeria’s most influential and prosperous banking moguls.
This hefty payout comes on the heels of Zenith Bank’s financial performance, which has seen the institution declare a total dividend of N141.28 billion for the year, a marked increase from N106.74 billion in 2023.
Ovia’s windfall is tied to his substantial shareholding in the bank, comprising 3,552,949,395 direct shares and 1,529,851,344 indirect shares, totalling 5,082,800,739 shares.
The payout, scheduled for April 15, 2025, comes as Zenith Bank reported a 52.5% increase in profit after tax, reaching N1.03 trillion, compared to N676.9 billion in the prior year.
The bank’s gross earnings soared to N3.9 trillion in 2024, up from N2.39 trillion the previous year.
