Business
Access Holdings Clarifies Non-Payment of Dividend Amid Strong 2025 Earnings
BY NKECHI NAECHE-ESEZOBOR— Access Holdings Plc on Thursday reaffirmed its commitment to long-term shareholder value following a strong financial performance in 2025, while explaining the reason for not declaring 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 strong earnings growth.
The Group stated that the decision not to pay dividends was not due to weak earnings or cash flow challenges, but was tied to regulatory and prudential compliance issues that must be resolved before approvals can be granted. Group Managing Director/CEO, Innocent C. Ike, noted that the company remains committed to rewarding shareholders and maintaining its long-standing record of consistent dividend payments.
Access Holdings recorded strong growth in its 2025 financial results. 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 grew by 16.2 percent to ₦1.01 trillion, marking the first time the Group crossed the ₦1 trillion threshold in profit before tax.
The Group’s total assets expanded by 24.2 percent to ₦51.56 trillion, supported by the successful integration of newly acquired subsidiaries. Its cost-to-income ratio improved from 56.7 percent to 51.7 percent due to disciplined cost management, while capital adequacy remained strong at 18.2 percent at the holding company level and 20.2 percent for the banking subsidiary.
Access Holdings explained that while dividends were proposed at both half-year and full-year stages in 2025, regulatory approvals were not secured. The half-year issue related to Section 7.1 of the CBN Guidelines for Financial Holding Companies, which has now been resolved through a successful private placement. However, at full-year, another issue arose under Section 19(8)(c) of BOFIA concerning limits on investments in foreign banking subsidiaries relative to shareholders’ funds.
The Group said it has been granted a 12-month window to address the issue and plans to partially divest from some banking subsidiaries while retaining majority ownership. Management assured investors that Access Holdings remains focused on regulatory compliance, capital strength, and sustainable long-term value creation, with the goal of restoring dividend payments once all conditions and approvals are satisfied.
The post Access Holdings Clarifies Non-Payment of Dividend Amid Strong 2025 Earnings appeared first on Business Today NG.
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has commenced a fresh operation targeting vehicles with illegal tinted windows, concealed number plates and improper registration across Abuja.
FCT Commissioner of Police Ahmed Muhammed Sanusi disclosed the development during a media briefing on Friday.
He said security reports indicated that criminal suspects often use such vehicles to avoid identification and carry out unlawful activities.
According to the police chief, cases of kidnapping and the notorious “one-chance” robberies have been linked to vehicles operating with hidden identities.
Sanusi noted that tinted windows and covered registration plates make it difficult for security agencies to track offenders and investigate crimes.
He stated that enforcement teams have already been deployed across the territory to ensure compliance with existing regulations.
The commissioner clarified that the exercise is aimed at motorists violating the law and not those with valid approvals for tinted glass.
He revealed that more than 30 vehicles have so far been impounded for breaching the regulations and that offenders would face prosecution.
Sanusi urged residents to report suspicious persons, vehicles and activities, stressing that the operation is part of broader efforts to improve security and curb crime in the nation’s capital.
The post FCT Police Launch Crackdown on Illegal Tinted Vehicles appeared first on Business Today NG.
Nigeria has received multiple funding offers from investors and institutional lenders, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, has said.
Speaking in an interview with Bloomberg TV, Mr Oyedele said the current market environment presents an opportunity for the country to refinance some of its existing debt while mobilising additional resources for development.
“We think that the timing is good for us to be able to maybe even refinance some of our expensive past debts, but also to raise more funding for our development at this critical time,” he said.
Responding to questions on whether Nigeria would pursue a Eurobond issuance or other commercial financing options, the minister said any decision would depend on prevailing market conditions, the amount of funding required and the speed at which the government intends to access the funds.
He noted that the country currently has several financing options available.
“We have a lot of offers, there is a lot of interest in Nigeria by investors, which is good for us,” Mr Oyedele said.
He added that Nigeria is also engaging with institutional lenders, including the African Finance Corporation (AFC), the African Development Bank (AfDB) and Afreximbank, alongside financing arrangements involving other countries.
“We have many options,” he noted.
ALSO READ: Nigeria eyes debt refinancing, fresh funding — Oyedele
Mr Oyedele explained that the government would carefully evaluate the cost, risks and suitability of available funding sources before deciding on the most appropriate financing strategy.
According to him, the objective is to ensure efficient use of resources while supporting the country’s development priorities.
“The goal is to get the best results from every dollar or every naira that we spend,” he said.
-
Business3 days agoBaywood Boss Backs NAICOM’s Digital Innovation
-
Business4 days ago
Nigeria Launches New Committee to Accelerate IPv6 Adoption,Reappoints Rudman to Lead Push
-
News3 days ago
Blackout hits Nasarawa, Benue, as vandals destroy six TCN APIR-Lafia towers
-
Health4 days ago
FG launches free healthcare scheme for low-income pensioners
