Sunday Ehigiator
Access Holdings Plc has reaffirmed its commitment to long-term value creation, balance sheet resilience and disciplined growth, assuring shareholders that its strategic priorities remain firmly focused on sustainable returns despite prevailing economic uncertainties.
Speaking at the Group’s fourth Annual General Meeting (AGM), the Chairman of Access Holdings, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, said the institution’s performance demonstrates a deliberate shift towards strengthening long-term fundamentals while maintaining robust financial results.
According to him, the true measure of a financial institution is not merely its ability to grow, but its capacity to do so sustainably and profitably over time.
“The defining test of a financial institution is not merely its capacity for growth, but its ability to grow profitably, sustainably, and with discipline over time,” Aig-Imoukhuede told shareholders.
The Group reported a Profit Before Tax (PBT) of N1.007 trillion for the 2025 financial year, driven by strong contributions across its diversified businesses and markets. Total assets rose to N51.56 trillion, while customer deposits also recorded significant growth, reflecting continued customer confidence and franchise expansion.
Despite the strong financial performance, the chairman noted that the results should be viewed within the context of deliberate risk management decisions taken by the Group during the year.
He explained that Access Holdings accelerated provisions on legacy and regulatory forbearance credit exposures, leading to higher impairment charges, as part of efforts to strengthen its balance sheet and reinforce long-term resilience.
“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.
The AGM also highlighted the Group’s continued transformation from a banking-focused institution into a diversified financial services ecosystem spanning investment management, pensions, insurance, consumer finance and payments.
While banking remains its core earnings driver, Access Holdings said emerging businesses such as Access ARM Pensions, Access Insurance Brokers, Oxygen X Finance and Hydrogen Payments are increasingly contributing to earnings growth and expanding the Group’s footprint across key segments of the financial services industry.
Aig-Imoukhuede said the Group’s next phase of growth would be guided by its strategic framework tagged “From Scale to Value.
“Our strategy, From Scale to Value, reflects the natural evolution of our journey. Scale created opportunity; value creation is how we fully realise it,” he stated.
He added that although the Group continues to generate strong returns, ensuring that earnings per share consistently exceed the cost of capital remains critical to delivering sustainable shareholder value.
The chairman also acknowledged what he described as significant unrealised value embedded in the Group’s international subsidiaries, assuring investors that management remains focused on improving market recognition of that intrinsic value.
Responding to shareholders’ concerns over dividend payments, the Board clarified that the temporary suspension of dividend distributions was necessitated by regulatory compliance requirements and not by any deterioration in the Group’s financial position.
Aig-Imoukhuede maintained that Access Holdings’ earnings capacity remains strong and that the Board’s decision reflects prudent capital management and adherence to supervisory expectations.
He assured shareholders that dividend payments would resume once the relevant regulatory conditions are satisfied.
“Our approach is clear: capital retained today must translate into greater value tomorrow and sustainable returns for our shareholders,” he said.
The AGM also reviewed developments in governance and leadership succession within the Group.
During the year, Innocent C. Ike was appointed Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, while Ibironke Adeyemi joined the Board as an Independent Non-Executive Director.
Shareholders equally commended Bolaji Agbede, Executive Director, Business Development, for her stewardship of the institution during her tenure as Acting Group Chief Executive Officer before the appointment of Ike.
According to the chairman, the transition process was executed seamlessly, ensuring continuity of strategy, operational stability and stakeholder confidence.
Despite macroeconomic headwinds across several operating markets, Access Holdings expressed confidence in its future outlook, citing its diversified business model, strengthened capital base and disciplined execution strategy as key drivers of sustainable growth.
Reaffirming the Group’s commitment to investors, Aig-Imoukhuede said: “Our responsibility is to justify the confidence of our shareholders by building an institution that endures, one defined by clarity of purpose, discipline of execution, and sustainable value creation over time.”
