Fidson, led by Fidelis Ayebae, to pay $2.7 million dividend after profit surge

Fidson Healthcare Plc, a prominent Lagos-based pharmaceutical manufacturer founded by Nigerian mogul Fidelis Ayebae, is set to reward its shareholders with a final dividend payout of $2.67 million for the 2025 fiscal year.

The payout reflects the pharmaceutical group’s focus on rewarding investors following an impressive financial performance in 2025, driven by higher demand for ethical products, including infusions, capsules, and tablets. 

The company increased its final dividend by 56.86%, bringing it to N1.5 ($0.00111) per share. This amounts to a total payout of N3.6 billion ($2.67 million), compared to N2.29 billion ($1.49 million) the previous year, when the dividend stood at N1 ($0.0007) per share.

The dividend is still subject to shareholder approval at the upcoming AGM and will be paid from the profits earned in the year ending December 31, 2025.

Fidson’s profit jumps nearly 125% in 2025

Fidson posted impressive results for 2025, with a 124.68% increase in profit, from N4.4 billion ($3.27 million) in 2024 to N9.88 billion ($7.34 million). This performance was driven by a 41.42% surge in revenue, which grew from N84.19 billion ($56.84 million) to N119.06 billion ($88.45 million), particularly thanks to the higher sales of ethical drugs.

Revenue from ethical products alone jumped significantly to N77 billion ($57.74 million), up from N55 billion ($37.14 million). Over-the-counter (OTC) drug sales also saw a notable increase, rising to N36.37 billion ($26.98 million) from N26.38 billion ($17.81 million).

Ayebae poised for major dividend gain

Under Ayebae’s leadership, Fidson has made remarkable strides since its founding in 1995. Today, Ayebae, who holds a 39.39% stake in the company, ranks among Nigeria’s leading investors. He and his family members are poised to receive N1.36 billion ($1.01 million) in dividends, cementing his position as a key figure in the country’s pharmaceutical industry.

Fidson’s long-standing focus on healthcare innovation was underscored in 2005 when it became West Africa’s first producer of antiretroviral (ARV) drugs. In September 2024, Fidson aimed to enhance Nigeria’s healthcare self-sufficiency, particularly in the fight against HIV, with the launch of a $100 million investment in a new state-of-the-art facility at the Lekki Free Trade Zone. 

By the close of 2025, Fidson’s total assets grew from N73.3 billion ($50 million) to N80.29 billion ($59.55 million), while total equity rose to N30.2 billion ($22.4 million). These impressive figures reinforce Fidson’s standing as a leader in Nigeria’s competitive pharmaceutical sector.