Wema Bank has announced a final dividend of N1.25 per ordinary share, subject to withholding tax and shareholder approval at its upcoming Annual General Meeting.
The declaration, contained in a filing on the Nigerian Exchange, places the total dividend payout at N50.14 billion for the period ended December 31, 2025.
According to the bank, shareholders on record as of April 29, 2026, will receive payment electronically on May 20, 2026, provided they have completed e-dividend registration.
The payout marks an improvement from the N1.00 final dividend for the 2024 financial year, representing 25% growth in shareholder returns.
What the data is saying
Based on its 40,118,877,414 outstanding units, Wema Bank’s final dividend translates to a N50.14 billion payout for 2025, reflecting its earnings base and capacity to return value to shareholders.
- For the 2025 financial year, the company reported retained earnings of N215 billion, a notable increase from N103.2 billion recorded in the 2024 financial year.
A simple valuation puts the N1.25 dividend at a yield of about 4.4%, based on a closing price of N28.10 as of April 21, 2026.
- It also reflects a payout ratio of 25.8%, based on the net profit of N194.4 billion after a tax expense of N27.4 billion was deducted from profit before tax.
Wema Bank reported profit before tax of N221.8 billion in its audited 2025 results, slightly below the unaudited figure of N222 billion previously disclosed.
The audited performance represents an 116.44% increase from N102.5 billion in 2024, driven mainly by strong growth in interest income across core earning assets.
Interest income rose to N576 billion from N354.6 billion, supported by loans and advances of N348.2 billion, investment securities of N204.4 billion, and cash and cash equivalents of N23.3 billion.
Get up to speed
In addition to a strong financial performance in the year, Wema Bank disclosed that its strategic shareholders, Neemtree Limited and SW8 Investment Limited, increased their holdings in the group during the 2025 financial year.
- Neemtree Limited, linked to Kessington Adebutu, founder and chairman of Premier Lotto Limited, raised its stake to 29.59%, up from 28.26% recorded in the 2024 financial year.
- Similarly, SW8 Investment Limited, a special purpose vehicle, increased its holding to 26.87% from 17.08% over the same period, reflecting a stronger position in the bank’s ownership structure.
Together, the two entities now hold 56.46% of Wema Bank’s shares, positioning them as the largest shareholders, while government-related entities collectively account for 6.23%.
What you should know:
In the 2025 financial year, Wema Bank’s customer deposits rose to N3.2 trillion from N2.5 trillion, reflecting steady growth in its funding base.
- Loans and advances to customers also increased to N1.7 trillion from N1.2 trillion, indicating higher lending activity.
- The bank’s shares have returned over 35% year-to-date on the Nigerian Exchange, trading above N27 as of mid-market on April 22, 2026.
It currently holds a market capitalisation of about N1.1 trillion.
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