Access Holdings Plc has reaffirmed its commitment to
longterm shareholder value and sustainable returns, following a strong performance in
the 2025 financial year, while providing clarity on the rationale for the nonpayment of
dividends for the year ended December 31, 2025.
The clarification was provided during the Group’s Full Year 2025 Investors and Earnings
Call, where management addressed shareholder concerns regarding the absence of a
dividend declaration despite the Group’s robust earnings growth and balancesheet
expansion.
Access Holdings emphasised that the non-payment of dividend for the 2025 financial
year was not performance driven, but reflected prudential regulatory alignment matters
which required resolution before dividend payments could be effected.
Commenting on the matter, Innocent C. Ike, Group Managing Director/Chief Executive
Officer, Access Holdings Plc, said: “Access Holdings has a strong history of consistent
dividend payments, and rewarding shareholders remains a core priority for the Board
and Management. The nonpayment of dividend for 2025 was not due to earnings
weakness or cash flow constraints, but an alignment with regulatory and prudential
guidelines.”
For the 2025 financial year, Access Holdings delivered a resilient and diversified
performance, underscoring its capacity to generate sustainable shareholder returns.
Gross earnings grew by 13.3 percent to ₦5.53 trillion, supported by strong growth in net
interest income and a 40.9 percent increase in fees and commissions to ₦585.07 billion.
Profit before tax increased by 16.2 percent to ₦1.01 trillion, crossing the ₦1 trillion mark
for the first time in the Group’s history.
Total assets expanded by 24.2 percent to ₦51.56 trillion, reflecting scale accretion and
the successful integration of recently acquired subsidiaries. The Group’s costtoincome
ratio improved significantly from 56.7 percent to 51.7 percent, driven by disciplined cost
management and operating leverage. Capital adequacy remained strong at 18.2
percent at the holding company level, while the banking subsidiary ended the year with
a capital adequacy ratio of 20.2 percent.
“Our performance in 2025 demonstrates the strength of the franchise and its capacity to
generate value for shareholders. Our focus is to ensure that shareholder distributions
resume on a sustainable basis once all regulatory conditions are satisfied and the
required approvals are obtained,” Ike added
Access Holdings explained that while dividends were recommended at both halfyear
and fullyear in 2025, regulatory approvals were not obtained. At the halfyear stage, the
constraint related to Section 7.1 of the CBN Guidelines for Financial Holding
Companies, which has since been fully resolved following the successful completion of
an approved private placement.
At fullyear, an additional matter arose under Section 19(8)(c) of BOFIA, which places
limits on investments in foreign banking subsidiaries relative to shareholders’ funds. The
Group has been granted a twelvemonth window to fully remediate this position. The
Group noted it will partially divest from some banking subsidiaries but will still retain its
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.”
The Group reassured stakeholders that it remains committed to engaging constructively
with all relevant stakeholders to address the matters raised and achieve alignment with
applicable requirements within the stipulated timeline. As discussions progress, the
Group will continue to provide timely disclosures and transparent updates to the market
and investors.
Access Holdings Plc is also strengthening its capital and liquidity buffers to support the
sustainable resumption of dividend payments, subject to the fulfillment of the required
conditions and approvals.
Reaffirming management’s confidence, Ike stated: “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. Subject to the successful conclusion of this process and the
necessary approvals, our objective is to restore dividend payments on a sustainable
basis.”
Concluding, Ike said: “Access Holdings is uniquely positioned to leverage its scale,
geographic diversification and strong franchise to deliver resilient earnings growth,
stronger returns and enhanced long-term shareholder value.”
