Every year, some of Nigeria’s most profitable companies share a portion of their profits directly with shareholders.

It’s called a dividend. 

The rule is simple: own the company’s stock before a deadline, known as the qualification date, and you’re entitled to a payout.

You don’t need to trade the market or track daily price swings. If your name is on the company’s shareholder register by that date, the dividend lands in your account when payments begin.

Several Nigerian companies have already announced their 2025 dividends, with qualification deadlines running from April to June 2026. Here’s a breakdown of some of the companies paying shareholders this year.

1. MTN Nigeria (MTNN)

After a difficult 2024 where foreign-exchange losses wiped out profits, MTN Nigeria bounced back strongly in 2025. The recovery is now translating into a healthy payout for shareholders.

• Dividend per share: ₦15 final dividend (₦20 total for the year, including ₦5 interim already paid in November 2025)
  
  
• Qualification date: April 8, 2026
  
  
• Payment date: May 5, 2026
  
  
• Registrar: Coronation Registrars Limited
  

2. NGX Group (NGXGROUP)

The company that owns and operates Nigeria’s stock exchange is also listed on it. NGX Group grew revenue by 36% in 2025, and shareholders are getting both cash and extra shares.

• Dividend per share: ₦2 final dividend (₦3 total for the year, including ₦1 interim already paid)
  
  
• Qualification date: April 10, 2026
  
  
• Payment date: April 29, 2026
  
  
• Bonus issue: 1 new share for every 3 shares held
  

3. BUA Cement (BUACEMENT)

BUA Cement had one of the most dramatic earnings surges of 2025. Profit jumped by more than 350% to over ₦450 billion, and the dividend reflects the scale of that growth.

• Dividend per share: ₦10
  
  
• Qualification date: May 8, 2026
  
  
• Payment date: May 21, 2026
  
  
• Registrar: Africa Prudential Plc
  

4. Dangote Cement (DANGCEM)

Dangote Cement reported ₦1 trillion in profit after tax, and its dividend increase mirrors that performance.

• Dividend per share: ₦45
  
  
• Qualification date: June 17, 2026
  
  
• Payment date: July 2, 2026
  
  
• Registrar: Coronation Registrars Limited
  

 The ₦45 payout per share, up from ₦30 last year, ranks among the largest cash distributions in NGX history.

5. United Capital (UCAP)

United Capital doesn’t always dominate headlines, but it has built one of the most consistent dividend records on the NGX, and its 2025 results came with 35% revenue growth and a higher total dividend payout.

• Dividend per share: ₦0.70 final dividend (₦1.00 total for the year, including ₦0.30 interim already paid)
  
  
• Qualification date: April 7, 2026
  
  
• Payment date: April 24, 2026
  
  
• Registrar: Africa Prudential Plc
  

6. NASCON Allied Industries (NASCON)

NASCON — part of the Dangote Group — produces many everyday staples for Nigerian kitchens, including salt, seasonings, and tomato paste. Its 2025 dividend marks a sharp jump from recent payouts.

• Dividend per share: ₦6
  
  
• Qualification date: April 1, 2026
  
  
• Payment date: April 28, 2026
  
  
• Registrar: Meristem Registrars Limited
  

7. Mecure Industries (MECURE)

Pharmaceutical manufacturer Mecure posted strong growth in 2025, with revenue rising 69% and profit up 177%. Its dividend more than doubled compared to the previous year.

• Dividend per share: ₦0.32
  
  
• Qualification date: April 23, 2026
  
  
• Payment date: To be communicated
  
  
• Registrar: Cordros Registrars Limited
  

Before You Do Anything, Check Your E-Dividend Mandate

One detail that often catches investors off guard: qualifying for a dividend doesn’t automatically mean you’ll receive it.

To get paid, your bank account must be registered with the company’s registrar through Nigeria’s e-dividend mandate system. If that mandate isn’t active, the dividend may end up sitting in an unclaimed pool, and recovering it later can be a long process.

Here’s how to register your e-dividend mandate:

1. Download the e-Dividend Mandate Form from your registrar’s website or the website of the Securities and Exchange Commission, Nigeria.
   
   
2. Fill in your details, including:
   
   • Your full name (as it appears on your share certificate or Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) account)
     
     
   • Your bank account number
     
     
   • Your Bank Verification Number (BVN)
     
     
   • Your CSCS account number (if available)
     
     
3. Submit the completed form to the company’s registrar, either directly or through your stockbroker. Some banks can also process the mandate on your behalf.
   
   
4. The registrar will verify your shareholder details, while your bank confirms your account information and BVN through the e-Dividend Mandate Management System.
   

Once the mandate is approved, future dividends from companies you own shares in will be paid directly into your bank account.

Before any qualification date passes, confirm with your stockbroker or registrar that your e-dividend mandate is active.

Note: Dividend figures and dates sourced from NGX corporate action filings and company announcements. The final dividends for the Financial Year 2025 are scheduled for 2026. All dividends are subject to a 10% withholding tax. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.

Also Read: 10 Nigerian Stocks the Market is Watching for 2026