Shareholders of Wema Bank Plc have approved a final dividend of N1.25 per ordinary share for the 2025 financial year, following a significant increase in the bank's earnings. The approval was granted at a hybrid annual general meeting held in Lagos.
Strong Financial Performance
The bank's audited financial results for 2025 showed gross earnings of N660.59 billion, representing a 52.79 percent increase from N432.34 billion recorded in 2024. Profit before tax rose by 116.42 percent to N221.85 billion, compared with N102.51 billion in the previous year. Profit after tax also grew substantially, by 125.36 percent, to N194.46 billion from N86.29 billion in 2024. Management described this as one of the strongest performances in the bank's history.
Total assets increased by 41.48 percent to N5.072 trillion, while customer deposits grew by 30.34 percent to N3.289 trillion. Loans to customers expanded by 44.68 percent to N1.737 trillion from N1.201 trillion at the end of 2024. Earnings per share stood at 712.80 kobo, and the non-performing loan ratio closed the year at 4.9 percent, below the five percent regulatory threshold, reflecting improved asset quality.
Dividend Payout
Shareholders are expected to receive a total dividend payout of N50.14 billion, based on the bank's 40.118 billion outstanding shares. The dividend represents a 25 percent increase over the N1.00 per share distributed for the 2024 financial year.
Chairman's Remarks
Speaking at the meeting, Chairman of the Board, Dr. Oluwayemisi Olorunshola, described 2025 as a defining year for the bank as it marked its 80th anniversary. She noted that despite global economic uncertainties, including persistent inflationary pressures, elevated interest rates and geopolitical tensions, the Nigerian economy showed resilience, with growth remaining above three percent. She added that easing inflationary trends and the Central Bank of Nigeria's gradual policy adjustment toward the end of the year signaled improving macroeconomic stability.
CEO's Comments
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Moruf Oseni, said the bank recorded significant progress under its 'Top Tier in Three (TTT)' transformation strategy, aimed at enlisting the lender among Nigeria's systemically important banks. He stated that the bank deepened its digital banking operations, expanded its corporate and commercial banking footprint, and strengthened operational efficiency during the year.
Oseni highlighted the successful completion of the bank's N200 billion capital raise ahead of the Central Bank of Nigeria's 2026 recapitalisation deadline as a major milestone. The capital raise comprised a N150 billion Rights Issue and a N50 billion Private Placement. He said, "Wema Bank fully raised the required capital ahead of the 2026 deadline. This achievement reinforces the confidence of our shareholders and partners and strengthens our balance sheet to support future growth."
Digital Expansion
The bank also sustained the expansion of its digital banking operations through its ALAT platform, including the rollout of ALAT Xplore for teenagers and the launch of ALAT 2.0 in January 2026.
