Banking
Access Holdings to Focus on Earnings Quality, Value Creation After Impressive FY25
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
If what is promised is achieved, shareholders of Access Holdings Plc will be the toast of others, as the financial institution is moving into its next phase after spending resources to expand its operations, capturing different markets.
The 2025 financial year marked a significant turning point in its corporate journey as it shifted from a growth model defined by scale to one increasingly anchored on value creation, efficiency, and earnings quality.
In the year under review, the company grew its pre-tax profit by 16.2 per cent to N1.01 trillion, underscoring its steady progression toward becoming a high-performing and resilient financial institution.
Net interest income rose to N1.36 trillion, while net fees and commission income recorded a particularly strong growth of 40.9 per cent to N585.1 billion, reflecting increasing diversification in revenue streams. Overall operating income after impairment grew by 23.9 per cent to N3.17 trillion.
At the same time, the firm improved its cost discipline, with its cost-to-income ratio declining to 51.7 per cent from 56.7 per cent in 2024. Returns also remained solid, with return on average equity at 18.4 per cent and return on average assets at 1.6 per cent, reinforcing the quality of earnings delivered during the year.
As for the balance sheet, it recorded significant expansion, driven by strong deposit mobilisation and sustained customer confidence, with total assets up by 24.3 per cent to N51.57 trillion, and customer deposits rising by 53.4 per cent to N34.56 trillion.
Shareholders’ funds rose by 15 per cent to N4.33 trillion, reflecting both retained earnings and continued investor confidence in the institution. This growth highlights not only the scale of its operations but also the deepening trust of customers, counterparties, and investors.
“Our 2025 performance reflects both the resilience of the Access franchise and the strength of the institution we have built over time. Despite a dynamic operating environment, we delivered strong earnings supported by diversified income streams, disciplined execution, and a continued focus on balance sheet optimisation.
“We have now entered a more deliberate optimisation phase, with a stronger emphasis on returns on capital, earnings quality, and long-term value creation,” the chief executive of Access Holdings, Mr Innocent Ike, said.
The operating environment during the year showed signs of gradual improvement, which supported performance. Nigeria’s economic growth strengthened to about 3.9 per cent, inflation moderated from elevated 2024 levels, and foreign exchange reserves rose above $45 billion. The NGX All Share Index gained over 51 per cent during the year, reflecting renewed investor confidence and stronger capital market activity. These developments contributed to improved capital flows and a more supportive backdrop for financial institutions.
While banking remains the core earnings driver, contributing about 97 per cent of total revenue, the Group continues to make measured progress in diversifying its income base. Its investment management and insurance businesses, including Access ARM Pensions and Access Insurance Brokers, provide stable and recurring income streams, while technology-led platforms such as Oxygen X Finance and Hydrogen Payment Services are strengthening its position in the digital financial services landscape.
The Group’s strategic direction is now increasingly defined by a shift from scale to value. Having built scale across markets and segments, management is focusing more deliberately on improving returns on capital, enhancing earnings quality and deepening cost discipline. This transition reflects a clear objective to build a more valuable institution capable of delivering consistent and resilient returns over the long term.
Looking ahead, Access Holdings expects macroeconomic conditions to continue stabilising, creating opportunities for credit expansion, increased transaction volumes, and higher levels of activity across the financial system. The Group intends to maintain its focus on disciplined execution, improved capital efficiency, and sustainable growth across its diversified platform.
“Africa remains one of the most compelling long-term growth frontiers globally. Our role is not only to participate in that growth, but to help shape and finance it.
“At Access Holdings, we have built an institution designed to endure, anchored on strong governance, disciplined execution, and a clear strategic direction. Our focus remains on delivering consistent, high-quality, risk-adjusted returns while building a financial institution that will stand the test of time,” Mr Ike stated.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
A new report highlighting the transformation from a newly established fintech venture into one of Nigeria’s leading payment infrastructure providers has been launched by HabariPay Limited.
The report, known as the HabariPay Impact Report 2025, provides stakeholders with a comprehensive evolution, innovation journey, business performance, and impact of the fintech subsidiary of Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO) Plc on the digital payments landscape.
The company’s contributions to enabling digital commerce, supporting businesses, strengthening payment infrastructure, and expanding financial access through technology-driven solutions were also captured in the piece.
The HabariPay Impact Report 2025 also highlights the organisation’s strong financial and operational performance, the growth of the Squad platform, and the development of infrastructure that powers payment acceptance, switching, transfers, merchant services, and value-added solutions.
The publication further explores the role of innovation, talent development, and ecosystem partnerships in driving the company’s success.
It showcases HabariPay’s investments in innovation through initiatives such as the Take on Squad Hackathon and the Squad Hackademy, both of which are helping to develop future technology talent and accelerate the creation of practical solutions to real-world challenges.
“As a technology-driven company, we believe that impact extends beyond financial performance. It is reflected in the businesses we enable, the merchants we support, the infrastructure we build, and the opportunities we create for the next generation of innovators.
“The HabariPay Impact Report 2025 captures this journey and demonstrates our commitment to creating sustainable value for customers, partners, and the broader economy,” the Managing Director of HabariPay, Ms Eduofon Japhet, said.
“The HabariPay Impact Report 2025 represents more than a reflection on our achievements; it is a testament to the deliberate investments we have made in building sustainable payment infrastructure, empowering businesses, fostering innovation, and creating long-term value for our stakeholders.
“As we look ahead, we remain committed to expanding our capabilities, deepening our impact, and shaping the future of digital payments through technology-driven solutions that are secure, scalable, and inclusive,” she added.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Some top foreign exhibitors participating in the much-anticipated Ecobank Adire Lagos Experience commencing on Thursday, June 11, 2026, are already in Nigeria.
The four-day event, closing on June 14, will witness participation from notable African fashion brands from Ghana, Sierra Leone, Senegal and the Benin Republic.
Among the international exhibitors confirmed for this year’s edition are Creative Hub Africa and Shades of Class from Sierra Leone, Drame Khadidatou from Senegal, Tampoori from Ghana, and Naylah Collection from the Republic of Benin. Their participation highlights the growing continental appeal of the Ecobank Adire Lagos Experience as a platform for cultural exchange, business collaboration and market access across Africa.
More than 100 exhibitors and vendors, including leading Nigerian brands such as Obida Design Associates, This Is Us, Imani Kids, Ashabi Fads, E25Dresses, Miné by Ejiro Amos Tafiri, Buss Fabrics Store, Aina Aladire and many others, will participate, showcasing the richness of African craftsmanship, innovation and entrepreneurship.
It was gathered that organisers are putting finishing touches to the venue of the exhibition, the prestigious Ecobank Pan African Centre (EPAC) on Victoria Island, Lagos.
All necessary arrangements to ensure a seamless, secure and memorable experience for exhibitors and attendees are being put in place by the bank, further underscoring its commitment to promoting African creativity, entrepreneurship and intra-African trade.
The Head of SMEs, Partnerships and Collaborations at Ecobank Nigeria, Mrs Omoboye Odu, said attendees can look forward to a vibrant showcase of fashion, craftsmanship, art, music, culture and entrepreneurship, with participants drawn from Nigeria and several other African countries.
“We are fully prepared and excited to welcome guests from across Nigeria and the African continent to another edition of the Ecobank Adire Lagos Experience. From exhibition spaces and cultural showcases to networking opportunities and customer engagement activities, every necessary arrangement has been put in place to ensure a seamless and rewarding experience for all attendees,” she stated.
“The Ecobank Adire Lagos Experience continues to evolve as a unique platform that connects creatives, entrepreneurs and consumers from across Africa. Attendees can look forward to exceptional products, interactive sessions, entertainment, cultural exhibitions and valuable opportunities to build relationships, explore new markets and expand their businesses,” Mrs Odu added.
Beyond the exhibition, participants will have opportunities to network, explore business partnerships, discover unique products and experience the diversity and vibrancy of African culture.
The event is open to the public, and visitors can look forward to an immersive experience that seamlessly blends tradition, innovation, fashion, enterprise and entertainment in a grand celebration of Africa’s creative economy.
Over the years, the Ecobank Adire Lagos Experience has grown into one of Nigeria’s foremost platforms for promoting indigenous textile production, supporting small and medium-sized enterprises, and showcasing the ingenuity of African creatives.
The programme has also played a significant role in expanding market access for businesses while preserving and celebrating Africa’s rich cultural heritage.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Union Bank of Nigeria has again stressed the importance of education to the nation, saying it is a strategic investment and not a social obligation.
The Chief Brand and Marketing Officer of Union Bank, Ms Olufunmilola Aluko, said this is why the company continues to throw its full weight behind quality educational programmes.
According to her, education is central to the financial institution’s purpose rather than a peripheral cause.
She was speaking in respect to the bank’s partnership with Nigerian Breweries Plc and the Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund for the organisation of the 12th Maltina Teacher of the Year Competition.
The flag off of this year’s programme was held in Lagos on Monday, and it is the third consecutive year Union Bank has served as a partner.
“At Union Bank, we believe education is not a social obligation. It is a strategic investment. A nation that does not invest in its teachers and its learners is borrowing from its own future, and we are in the business of building futures, not mortgaging them,” Ms Aluko stated.
She pointed to Edu360, the bank’s flagship education initiative under the UnionCares platform, as the practical expression of that conviction.
Edu360 spans the full education value chain, from widening access for children in underserved communities and investing in the teachers who multiply learning outcomes, to building digital literacy and STEM capability, and preparing young people for employment or enterprise.
On the role of the financial sector, Ms Aluko challenged her peers to think differently.
“Financial institutions need to stop thinking of ourselves as donors and start thinking of ourselves as ecosystem builders. We can embed financial literacy into school curricula, design products that help parents save for their children’s education, and convene policymakers, educators and the private sector around shared goals. Above all, we can show up consistently, not only when it suits our brand calendars,” she disclosed.
She noted that lasting change requires sustained collaboration between the public and private sectors, and pointed to the strength of the signal sent when institutions commit to teachers at scale, citing the competition’s N100 million grand prize. With twelve editions and more than three hundred teachers recognised to date, she described MTOTY as a model of the consistency Union Bank embodies through Edu360.
Her closing message was directed at educators across the country, stating, “To every teacher in this country, what you do is not small. Your story deserves to be told, and Nigeria needs to know your name.”
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