By Ayomide Otitoju
Shareholders of Access Holdings Plc have expressed strong support for the company’s long-term value creation strategy, saying they remain confident in its earnings outlook as Nigeria’s largest financial services group continues its transition towards sustainable returns.
Speaking at the company’s Annual General Meeting (AGM), shareholders said the group’s ongoing strategic shift from aggressive expansion to value realisation has reinforced confidence in its long-term prospects, according to The Nation newspaper.
They noted that the performance of the group over the past 15 months reflects its underlying strength and supports its repositioning agenda aimed at delivering stronger shareholder returns in the coming years.
With nearly one million shareholders—largely retail investors—Access Holdings remains one of Africa’s most widely held financial institutions, with domestic minority investors accounting for a significant share of market activity on the Nigerian Exchange.
Shareholder representatives said they believe the group is well-positioned to translate its fundamentals into stronger returns while advancing its ambition of becoming Africa’s gateway to the global financial system.
Founding Coordinator of the Independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria (ISAN), Sir Sunny Nwosu, said investors remain optimistic about the company’s future, citing its transformation from a mid-tier lender into one of Nigeria’s leading financial institutions.
He added that shareholders’ acceptance of the non-declaration of dividend for the 2025 financial year reflects confidence in the group’s long-term strategy.
President of the Association for the Advancement of Rights of Nigerian Shareholders (AARNS), Dr. Faruk Umar, said the company’s consistent performance has strengthened investor trust, noting that shareholders are focused on long-term value creation rather than short-term payouts.
National Chairman of the Progressive Shareholders Association of Nigeria, Boniface Okezie, said while dividend absence remains a concern, it should not overshadow the company’s overall performance.
He noted that earnings per share of N13.48 indicate strong capacity for future shareholder rewards, while also attributing the dividend decision to regulatory requirements from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
He urged regulators to consider the impact of policy decisions on investor returns, stressing the importance of dividends in maintaining shareholder confidence.
National Coordinator of ISAN, Mr. Moses Igbrude, also expressed optimism, describing Access Holdings as a well-structured institution with strong capacity to deliver sustainable value.
According to The Nation, shareholders further encouraged management to focus on reducing impairment charges and improving cost efficiency.
Access Holdings reported a 16.2 per cent increase in pre-tax profit to N1.01 trillion in 2025, supported by strong interest income and a 41 per cent rise in net fees and commissions. Gross earnings rose to N5.53 trillion, while total assets expanded to N51.56 trillion.
Shareholders’ funds climbed to N4.33 trillion, with improved efficiency reflected in a reduced cost-to-income ratio of 51.7 per cent and return on average equity of 18.4 per cent.
Despite approving the non-payment of dividends for 2025, shareholders endorsed the group’s restructuring strategy aimed at aligning with regulatory requirements and strengthening long-term value.
In Q1 2026, the group posted pre-tax profit of N272.1 billion, up from N222.78 billion in the corresponding period of 2025, with total assets rising to N54.44 trillion.
Speaking at the AGM in Lagos, Chairman Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede reaffirmed the group’s shift towards disciplined, sustainable growth, saying the institution is focused on improving the quality and resilience of its earnings.
He said the group’s “From Scale to Value” strategy reflects a transition from expansion-driven growth to sustainable value creation, noting that retained capital must translate into long-term shareholder returns.Copyright TRUSTAFRICA NEWS.
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