The Digest:
Billionaire investor and Group Chairman of First HoldCo Plc, Femi Otedola, has significantly increased his stake in the financial holding company to 18.12%. According to the company's unaudited 2025 financial statements, Otedola's combined direct and indirect shareholding now totals 8.02 billion shares, up from 11.8% at the end of 2024. His direct holding stands at 7.31% (3.25 billion shares), with an indirect interest of 10.81% (4.8 billion shares). The move follows his acquisition of additional shares worth N14.8 billion in December 2025. The company's total issued share capital also increased to 44.45 billion shares during the period.
Key Points
- The increased investment signals strong confidence in the company's future performance and strategic direction under Otedola's chairmanship.
- It represents a substantial capital commitment, further aligning the chairman's personal wealth with the financial success of the institution.
- Otedola consolidates his influence and potential returns, while minority shareholders may interpret the move as a positive indicator of intrinsic value.
- The significant stake increase underscores Otedola's active, high-conviction investment strategy within his portfolio companies.
- Disclosed in the annual financials, the timing provides transparency to the market and reinforces his long-term commitment as a core investor.
Otedola's expanded stake reinforces his position as a pivotal anchor shareholder, emphasizing his bullish outlook on First HoldCo's prospects within the Nigerian financial sector.
Sources: The Cable, Business Day
