L-R: Dr. Gbadebo Aderenle, Managing Director, United Capital Investment Banking; Adetola Fasuyi, Managing Director, United Capital Wealth Management; Dr. Odiri Oginni, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, United Capital Asset Management; Peter Ashade, Group Chief Executive Officer, United Capital Plc; Esther Adeola-Balogun, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, UCEE Microfinance Bank; and Adekunle Olugbile, Head, United Capital Consumer Finance; at the maiden edition of the United Capital Investor Relations Roundtable held in Lagos recently.
United Capital Plc says its assets under management have exceeded ₦2 trillion, as the financial services group intensifies its expansion across Africa and prepares to launch new investment products in the second half of 2026.
The Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr Peter Ashade, disclosed this on Wednesday during the company’s Investor Relations Roundtable in Lagos.
Ashade said the milestone reflects the group’s rapid transformation from a capital market operator into a diversified financial services group with seven operating businesses, two associate companies and operations in 12 African countries.
According to him, assets under management have grown from less than ₦100 billion in 2018 to over ₦2 trillion, surpassing the company’s initial ₦1 trillion target achieved in 2022.
He attributed the growth to disciplined execution, sound corporate governance and sustained investments in technology, research and human capital.
Ashade added that the milestone reflected the successful execution of the group’s
long-term growth strategy and its deliberate expansion across business segments and African markets.
He said the company would deepen its presence across Africa by focusing on markets that align with its long-term strategy, adding that operations have already been established in 12 countries, including Rwanda and Ethiopia.
He also said United Capital recently acquired a five per cent equity stake in Nigerian Exchange Group Plc as part of its long-term strategic investment plan.
According to him, the group has lined up several new products and strategic initiatives for launch between August and December to expand its retail offerings and strengthen customer engagement.
Ashade said shareholder value has increased by more than 2,500 per cent over the past eight years, while the company has consistently paid interim dividends over the last three years alongside final dividends.
He reaffirmed the group’s commitment to strengthening its governance framework through continued investments in risk management, research and investor relations to sustain long-term growth.
Ashade expressed confidence in Nigeria’s economic outlook, saying the company would continue to pursue disciplined expansion while creating sustainable value for shareholders.
Also speaking, the Group Chief Economist, Mr Ayodele Akinwunmi, said ongoing economic reforms were creating fresh investment opportunities across banking, construction, oil and gas, consumer goods and infrastructure.
He projected Nigeria’s economy to grow by about four per cent in 2026, noting that reforms in key sectors were laying the foundation for stronger long-term expansion.
Akinwunmi said Nigeria’s growing exports of refined petroleum products, aviation fuel and fertiliser were boosting foreign exchange earnings, while diaspora remittances and foreign portfolio inflows were strengthening external reserves.
He added that interest rates were expected to moderate in the second half of the year as inflationary pressures ease, a development he said would lower borrowing costs, support business expansion and improve capital market performance.
The economist identified banking, building materials, consumer goods and oil and gas as sectors likely to drive the next phase of market growth, urging investors to focus on long-term wealth creation through consistent investment and dividend reinvestment.
Also speaking, the group’s financial performance, the Group Chief Finance Officer, Mr Shedrack
Onakpoma, said it recorded gross earnings of N37.49 billion in the first half of 2026, representing a 58 per cent year-on-year increase, while profit before tax rose by 80 per cent, reflecting stronger operating efficiency and disciplined execution.
He said although management was pleased with the financial performance, the company remains focused on continuous improvement.
“We always ask ourselves two questions: Are we doing well? The answer is yes. Are we satisfied? The answer is almost always no because we believe there is still room for greater performance,” he said.
He explained that the strong earnings growth reflects the successful execution of the group’s strategic priorities built around execution, excellence and enterprise.
