In a bold shift driven by investor demands, Access Holdings Plc has pledged to more than double its interim dividend to ₦1 per share in 2025-a dramatic 122% increase from the 45 kobo paid last year.
Newsonspot reports that this surprise move came during the bank’s 3rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on May 15, 2025, where tensions ran high and shareholders made their voices heard. Their message was clear: it’s time for Access Holdings to reward loyalty with stronger returns, especially after posting solid profits and expanding its international footprint.
Shareholders Speak, Management Listens
Acting Group CEO Bolaji Agbede addressed the demands head-on:
“We will be able to do ₦1 interim dividend, and we will go the extra mile in delivering.”
She emphasized the Group’s strong performance across Africa and other regions, hinting that more aggressive value creation may be on the horizon.
If this promise holds, it will be the highest interim dividend in Access Holdings’ history, putting it in the same league as other big players like Zenith Bank, GTCO, and UBA—all of whom outperformed Access in earnings per share (EPS) in 2024.
Here’s How Access Stacks Up:
Access Holdings EPS: ₦16.71
Zenith Bank EPS: ₦32.87
GTCO EPS: ₦35.44
UBA EPS: ₦21.73
Clearly, Access is trailing in EPS, but with this new dividend pledge, it’s signaling a willingness to compete through returns.
Final Dividend Approved—but Not Without Drama
The AGM also saw the approval of a final dividend of ₦2.05 per share, pushing the total dividend for 2024 to ₦2.50 per share—an 11.36% yield based on the current share price.
But the meeting wasn’t all smooth sailing.
A proposal to re-elect directors through a bundled vote met strong resistance. Shareholders pushed for accountability, demanding that each director be voted on individually. The motion passed—marking a small but significant win for corporate governance advocates.
Key Numbers at a Glance:
2024 Full-Year Profit: ₦642.2 billion (+3.7% YoY)
Q1 2025 Profit: ₦182.75 billion (+14.7% YoY)
Total 2024 Dividend: ₦2.50 per share
Total Dividend Paid (Final): ₦109.3 billion
5-Year Total Payout: ₦317.2 billion
5-Year Dividend CAGR: 44.9%
What It All Means
Access Holdings’ pledge to raise its interim dividend isn’t just about numbers—it’s a strategic retreat in the face of growing shareholder power. In a banking sector now defined by competitive payouts and rising expectations, investors are no longer spectators. They’re drivers of change.
Whether this bold move boosts investor confidence long-term remains to be seen. But for now, one thing is clear: the shareholders are being heard, and the board is taking notes.
