Nigerian businessman Ladi Jadesimi is set for a major dividend payout in July after integrated energy producer Aradel Holdings Plc reported record earnings, lifting returns to shareholders and reinforcing its position among Nigeria’s fastest-growing energy companies.

Jadesimi, chairman of Aradel, recently increased his stake in the company from 5.27 percent, or 229,034,760 shares, to 5.29 percent, equivalent to 230,034,760 shares, through his investment vehicle, Badagry Creek FZE. Based on Aradel’s proposed final dividend, he is expected to receive N5.29 billion ($3.9 million) when the company pays shareholders on July 31.

The payment follows Aradel’s proposed final dividend of N23 per share, amounting to N99.93 billion ($73.4 million) for eligible shareholders. The latest payout will bring Jadesimi’s total dividend income from the energy company to about N7.6 billion ($5.6 million) in 2025, including the N2.3 billion ($1.7 million) interim dividend paid earlier in the year.

Profit surge supports record payout

The proposed final dividend caps a year of strong shareholder returns. Including the interim payment, Aradel’s total dividend for 2025 amounts to N33 per share, representing a combined payout of N143.4 billion ($105.3 million). This follows a year in which higher production and the integration of key acquisitions drove substantial growth in both revenue and earnings.

That growth was evident in the company’s latest financial results. Aradel reported profit after tax of N757.3 billion ($555.7 million) for the year ended Dec. 31, 2025, a 192 percent increase from N259.1 billion ($190.1 million) a year earlier. The rise was supported by stronger operating performance and gains linked to recent business combinations.

A significant contributor to the earnings increase was Aradel’s expanded ownership in ND Western Limited and its larger interest in Renaissance Africa Energy, where it now holds an effective 53.3 percent stake. The transactions broadened the company’s exposure across Nigeria’s oil and gas value chain and played a key role in boosting profitability.

The acquisitions also transformed Aradel’s financial position. Total assets rose to N9.9 trillion ($7.26 billion) at the end of 2025, compared with N1.75 trillion ($1.28 billion) a year earlier. Shareholders’ equity increased to N2.15 trillion ($1.57 billion), while cash holdings climbed to N1.5 trillion ($1.1 billion), reflecting the scale of its expanded operations and investment activity.

Ladi Jadesimi maintains influence across sectors

For Ladi Jadesimi, the stronger earnings and larger dividend underline the value of his long-held investment in Aradel. The 82-year-old businessman remains one of the most influential figures in Nigeria’s energy and infrastructure sectors, balancing his role at Aradel with leadership positions across several major companies.

Beyond Aradel, Jadesimi is founder and executive chairman of the Ladol Group, which developed and operates Nigeria’s largest industrial free zone. He also serves as chairman of First City Monument Group and sits on several corporate boards, maintaining a significant presence in Nigeria’s business community while largely staying out of the public spotlight.