Shareholders Laud GTCO’s Historic Dividend Payout and Strategic Growth at AGM
Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO) shareholders expressed their appreciation yesterday for the company’s remarkable achievement of the highest dividend payout in Nigeria’s banking sector for the 2025 financial year, amounting to N12.76 Kobo per share
During GTCO’s 5th Annual General Meeting (AGM), shareholders applauded the Group’s impressive financial performance for 2025 and its successful compliance with the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) new minimum capital requirement of N500 billion.
Chief Timothy Adesiyan, President of the Nigerian Shareholders’ Solidarity Association, conveyed his excitement over the dividend payout, noting that the board has demonstrated discipline in maintaining consistent dividends for shareholders.
Mrs. Bisi Bakare, Chairwoman of the Pragmatic Shareholders Association of Nigeria (PSAN), also praised the management, highlighting that GTCO makes history as the first Nigerian bank to reward shareholders with a dividend of N12.76 Kobo. She urged the management to sustain such shareholder-friendly gestures.
In the 2025 financial year, GTCO declared an interim dividend of N1.00 per share for the half-year ended June 2025, followed by a final dividend of N11.76 Kobo, bringing the total dividend for the year to N12.76 Kobo.
Responding to shareholders’ comments, Suleiman Barau, the Board Chairman of GTCO, stated that the Group has evolved from a single-line banking institution into a comprehensive financial services ecosystem encompassing banking, payments, funds management, and pension administration.
“This diversification is not simply a structural change; it represents a strategic effort to build an institution that can serve customers more comprehensively while creating multiple engines of sustainable growth.
“A diversified ecosystem allows the Group to operate with greater balance across economic cycles, reduces concentration of risk, and broadens the value proposition we offer to individuals, businesses, and institutional clients,” he explained.
He further emphasised that disciplined management underpins the Group’s risk culture. “In an environment where macroeconomic conditions remain fluid across many markets, maintaining a healthy balance sheet and strong credit practices is essential,” he added.
“The Board remains deeply committed to ensuring that the Group’s growth is anchored in careful risk assessment, responsible lending practices, and robust internal controls. Ultimately, what defines a strong financial institution is not simply its performance in favourable conditions, but its ability to remain stable, trusted, and relevant through periods of uncertainty.
“The durability of our performance reflects years of careful institution-building, disciplined leadership, and shared commitment across the organisation to long-term value creation,” Barau concluded.
Segun Agbaje, Group Chief Executive Officer of GTCO, highlighted that 2025 was a year of deepening integration. “Across our Banking, Payments, Asset Management, and Pension businesses, we leveraged data, digital tools, and operational insight to create frictionless experiences for our customers across Africa and the United Kingdom.
“By connecting our personal and business solutions, we are able to extend the reach of each business line while amplifying the value delivered to customers,” he said.
Agbaje also noted that 2025 would be remembered as a landmark year for GTCO, marked by the successful listing of its shares on the London Stock Exchange.
“This historic achievement makes GTCO Plc the first financial services institution in West Africa to list its ordinary shares on the London Stock Exchange’s main market for listed securities, strengthening our capital base and enhancing liquidity for shareholders,” he explained.
Looking ahead to 2026, Agbaje expressed confidence that “GTCO’s execution discipline will remain our defining advantage. By integrating our ecosystem offerings, deepening customer engagement, and leveraging platform-driven solutions, we will continue to create meaningful experiences and long-term impact for individuals, businesses, and communities.
“Technology continues to enhance operational efficiency, customer experience, and insight-driven decision making, while a robust balance sheet and disciplined capital management provide the flexibility to act decisively across market cycles.
“In a landscape shaped by macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainties, GTCO enters 2026 confident, resilient, and focused.
“Our ecosystem is stronger, our ambition greater, and our commitment unwavering. Fellow Shareholders, the next chapter of GTCO promises to be as historic as the last, and we are grateful for your continued trust and partnership,” Agbaje concluded.