By Ayomide Otitoju
Access Holdings Plc has attributed its higher impairment charges in 2025 to a deliberate strategy of strengthening its balance sheet and accelerating provisions for legacy credit exposures, even as the financial services group recorded a profit before tax of N1.007 trillion.
Speaking at the company’s fourth Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Lagos, Chairman Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede said the Group prioritised financial resilience and regulatory compliance over short-term earnings optimisation, positioning the institution for sustainable long-term growth.
According to him, the company’s performance reflected a disciplined approach to risk management and capital preservation amid a challenging operating environment.
Aig-Imoukhuede disclosed that Access Holdings accelerated provisions for legacy and regulatory forbearance credit exposures during the year, resulting in elevated impairment charges but strengthening the Group’s balance sheet against future risks.
“Periods of economic uncertainty often reveal more about an institution than periods of uninterrupted growth. Our focus remains on building a business that is not only growing, but improving in the quality, resilience, and sustainability of its earnings,” he said.
Despite the increased provisioning, Access Holdings reported strong growth across key financial indicators. Total assets rose to N51.56 trillion, while customer deposits expanded significantly, underscoring continued customer confidence and the strength of the Group’s operations across its markets.
The Chairman said the Board remains committed to prudent capital management and regulatory compliance, noting that the Group’s earnings capacity remains strong.
He assured shareholders that dividend payments would resume once all relevant regulatory requirements are met, reaffirming the Board’s commitment to balancing shareholder returns with long-term financial stability.
Aig-Imoukhuede also highlighted the company’s “From Scale to Value” strategy, describing it as a transition from growth-driven expansion to maximising shareholder value. He said management is focused on ensuring that earnings per share consistently exceed the cost of capital, a key indicator of sustainable value creation.
He further noted that Access Holdings’ international subsidiaries possess significant unrealised value and that efforts are underway to improve market recognition of their intrinsic worth.
On corporate governance and succession planning, the Chairman commended Executive Director, Business Development, Bolaji Agbede, for her leadership of the management team during her tenure as Acting Group Chief Executive Officer before the appointment of a substantive CEO.
According to him, the leadership transition was executed seamlessly, preserving operational stability, strategic direction, and stakeholder confidence.
Aig-Imoukhuede reiterated the Board’s commitment to building a resilient institution capable of delivering long-term value to shareholders through disciplined execution, strong governance, and sustainable profitability.
