By Ayomide Otitoju
Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC has provided comprehensive financial and advisory support to UAC of Nigeria PLC in its landmark acquisition of CHI Limited, one of Nigeria’s largest food and beverage companies.
Acting as Mandated Lead Arranger and Global Coordinator, Stanbic IBTC structured a multi-product investment banking solution and financing package that enabled the successful completion of the complex transaction on October 3, 2025.
The bank’s support extended beyond financing, with its Global Markets team designing FX hedging solutions and Escrow services managing settlement flows. By leveraging the broader Standard Bank platform, Stanbic IBTC combined pan-African expertise and deep local insight to close one of Nigeria’s most significant FMCG acquisitions.
The acquisition gives UAC full ownership of CHI Limited, whose flagship brands—Hollandia and Chivita—dominate the dairy, juice, and snack categories. This strategic move strengthens UAC’s foothold in the FMCG market, granting access to CHI’s extensive distribution network and proprietary technologies.
Commenting on the transaction, Funke Ijaiya-Oladipo, Group Finance Director of UAC, described the deal as a “transformative step” in UAC’s expansion, praising Stanbic IBTC’s integrated financing approach for its “flawless execution.”
Oladele Sotubo, Chief Executive of Stanbic IBTC Capital Limited, added:
“This transaction underscores our ability to deliver end-to-end solutions across advisory, structuring, and execution. We are proud to have partnered with UAC on a transformative acquisition that not only advances their growth ambitions but also contributes to Nigeria’s economic development.”
The deal marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s corporate landscape, reinforcing UAC’s legacy as one of the nation’s oldest conglomerates and expanding its influence across the fast-moving consumer goods sector.
