Access Holdings Plc has reaffirmed its commitment to long-term shareholder value and sustainable returns following a strong financial performance in the 2025 fiscal year, while clarifying the reasons behind its decision not to declare dividends for the year ended December 31, 2025.
The clarification was made during the Group’s Full-Year 2025 Investors and Earnings Call, where management addressed shareholder concerns over the absence of dividend payments despite the company’s impressive earnings growth and balance sheet expansion.
According to the Group, the non-payment of dividends was not due to weak earnings or liquidity challenges, but rather the result of regulatory and prudential compliance requirements that must be resolved before dividend distributions can proceed.
Speaking during the earnings call, said the company remains committed to rewarding shareholders.
“Access Holdings has a strong history of consistent dividend payments, and rewarding shareholders remains a core priority for the Board and Management. The non-payment of dividend for 2025 was not due to earnings weakness or cash flow constraints, but an alignment with regulatory and prudential guidelines,” Ike stated.
Access Holdings Reports Over ₦5.5 Trillion Gross Earnings
Despite the dividend suspension, Access Holdings recorded a resilient financial performance in 2025, highlighting the strength of its diversified business model and growth strategy.
The Group’s gross earnings rose by 13.3 percent to ₦5.53 trillion, driven by growth in net interest income and a 40.9 percent increase in fees and commissions to ₦585.07 billion.
Profit before tax climbed by 16.2 percent to ₦1.01 trillion, marking the first time the financial institution surpassed the ₦1 trillion threshold in its history.
Total assets also expanded by 24.2 percent to ₦51.56 trillion, reflecting successful integration of newly acquired subsidiaries and continued business expansion.
In addition, the Group improved its cost-to-income ratio from 56.7 percent to 51.7 percent through disciplined cost management and operational efficiency.
Capital adequacy remained strong at 18.2 percent at the holding company level, while the banking subsidiary closed the year at 20.2 percent.
Regulatory Issues Behind Dividend Delay
Access Holdings explained that dividend payments were proposed at both half-year and full-year stages in 2025, but regulatory approvals were not secured.
At the half-year stage, the issue related to Section 7.1 of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Guidelines for Financial Holding Companies. The company noted that this matter has now been fully resolved following the successful completion of an approved private placement.
However, at full-year, another regulatory issue emerged under Section 19(8)(c) of the Banking and Other Financial Institutions Act (BOFIA), which limits investments in foreign banking subsidiaries relative to shareholders’ funds.
The Group disclosed that it has been granted a 12-month period to fully resolve the issue and plans to partially divest from some banking subsidiaries while retaining a super-majority shareholding.
According to Ike:
“Maintaining the confidence of our regulators, depositors and stakeholders is fundamental to our operating philosophy. In line with our long-standing culture of prudence and sound governance, the Board remains committed to balance sheet strength and capital resilience as the basis for sustainable shareholder distributions.”
Access Holdings Assures Investors of Sustainable Dividend Return
The company reassured investors and stakeholders that it remains actively engaged with regulators and other relevant stakeholders to resolve all outstanding issues within the approved timeline.
Access Holdings also stated that it is strengthening its capital and liquidity buffers to support the sustainable resumption of dividend payments once all regulatory conditions and approvals are satisfied.
Reaffirming management’s confidence in the Group’s future, Ike said:
“We remain actively engaged with the investment community and focused on resolving the matters raised within the prescribed timeline. Our priority remains delivering sustainable long-term value to shareholders through stronger execution, improved financial performance and disciplined growth.”
He added that the Group’s long-term objective remains the restoration of sustainable dividend payments while continuing to deliver resilient earnings growth and enhanced shareholder value.
Concluding, Ike noted that Access Holdings is strategically positioned to leverage its scale, geographic diversification and strong franchise to drive stronger returns and long-term growth.