Unilever Nigeria to pay N11.5bn dividend to shareholders as profit rises

Unilever Nigeria Plc, a consumer goods firm, has approved to pay its shareholders N11.5 billion in dividend payments at N2 per 50 kobo shares for the first half of 2026

According to the interim dividends report signed by Peter Dada, the company’s secretary, the dividend of N2.00 kobo for every ordinary share of 50k each will be paid to shareholders whose names appear in the Register of Members as at the close of business on Friday, 31 July 2025.

BusinessDay analysis shows that in the first half of 2025, the company paid a dividend of N0.50 to its shareholders, which represents a 300 percent increase in its rewards to shareholders in H1 2026.

Unilever Nigeria Plc recorded a decent H1 2026 with a 22 percent rise in revenue compared to last year, with gross profit rising at 30 percent year-on-year, from N42.1 billion to N54.7 billion in the previous year, largely driven by the slower growth rate of the cost of sales compared to revenue, highlighting the company’s efficiency in optimizing costs.

The consumer goods company recorded an after-tax profit of N15.4 billion compared to 2025’s figure of N14.1 billion.

Speaking on the H1 2026 results, Tobi Adeniyi, the managing director, said the company delivered a strong first half despite a challenging operating environment marked by geopolitical volatility, rising input costs, and pressure on consumer spending.

On the outlook, Adeniyi said the company remains focused on winning with consumers, driving sustainable, profitable growth, and building a future-fit business that delivers lasting value for stakeholders.

Unilever has held a strong position on share returns with a 78 percent year-to-date return, a current share price of N125, and a market capitalization of N718 billion.