Economy

AIICO Boosts GWP by 12.2% as Profit Dips 17.6% in Q1’21

Published

5 years ago

04/05/2021

By Adedapo Adesanya

Leading insurance company, AIICO Insurance Plc, recorded a 12.2 per cent growth in its Gross Written Premium (GWP) to N19.7 billion in the first quarter of 2021 from N17.6 billion recorded in the corresponding quarter of 2020.

According to the company, the increase was due to a year-on-year rise of 34.0 per cent in the general insurance business (35.7 per cent of gross written premiums) to N7.0 billion as against N4.6 billion recorded in Q1 2020.

However, the profit after tax declined by 17.6 per cent year-on-year to N1.5 billion in the first quarter of 2021 from N1.9 billion in the first three months of last year.

It was observed that the profit before tax increased by 11.3 per cent year-on-year to N1.6 billion in Q1 2021 from N1.4 billion in Q1 2020 on the back of improved overall profitability in the insurance businesses (Life, General and HMO).

AIICO revealed that it recorded an underwriting profit of N27.7 billion in Q1 2021 compared to the N131.0 million loss posted in Q1, noting that it was attached to changes in sovereign bond yields, which impacted the value of the company’s liabilities and assets.

In the life business, the firm explained that it was typically concerned about whether there is a surplus or deficit of assets over liabilities because of these movements. However, because of limitations in financial reporting, changes in liabilities affect underwriting profits while changes in assets are reported below underwriting profits.

“The effect is the significant variation in underwriting profits especially in volatile investment yield environments, such as we have in Nigeria. During Q1 2021, annualized yields rose by 430 basis points to 11.7 per cent at the long end of the yield curve, leading to a reduction in the fair values of assets and liabilities; the reduction in liabilities led to positive underwriting profit while the reduction in assets is reflected in the fair value losses for the period,” it said.

According to the firm, the total investment income declined to a loss of N24.1 billion in Q1 2021 compared to N4.7 billion in the same period of last year. This came as the federal government’s bond yields rose, affecting the fair value of the company’s financial assets. FGN bonds make up most of AIICO’s investment portfolio.

It was revealed that profits in its wealth management business declined in Q1 2021 as capital markets turned bearish during the quarter.

Total assets declined by 11.1 per cent to N216.2 billion in Q1 2021 as against N243.1 billion in the preceding year driven by a reduction in financial assets (-9.3 per cent; 79.0 per cent of total assets) and cash and cash equivalents (-38.2 per cent; 9.1 per cent of total assets).

Total liabilities declined by 13.4 per cent to N180.6 billion in the review period as against N208.4 billion recorded in the full year 2020. This was driven mainly by a decline in insurance contract liabilities (-15.9 per cent) from the rise in yields and reserving for new business and fixed income liabilities (-9.5 per cent) in its asset management business.

Total equity increased by 2.8 per cent to N35.6 billion in Q1 2021 from N34.7 billion recorded in the whole of 2020.

Commenting on the results, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr Babatunde Fajemirokun, said, “The world is in a difficult moment and Nigeria has not been spared.

“Even as the world starts to move on from the pandemic, the economic after-effects will reverberate for a while yet. However, there is some reason for optimism – economic activities have improved, and the country will likely exit the recession. Oil prices remain elevated, and the pandemic-induced lockdowns are easing all over the world.

“We made significant strides in 2020: implementing our business continuity plan and leveraging technology to improve processes and get closer to our customers. Building on this, we recorded premium growth of 12.2 per cent year-on-year to N19.7 billion in Q1 2021. Our financial position remains resilient as well – shareholders’ funds increased 3.3 per cent year-to-date to N34.8 billion.

“Nonetheless, we remain optimistic that economic activities will continue to rebound in coming periods, the IMF has revised its economic growth forecasts for Nigeria upward to 2.5 per cent from 1.5 per cent.

“Insurance, like every other sector, will have its role to play in the economic recovery as enablers of economic growth by assuming risks that encourage long-term direct investment which enhances production and job creation. Our robust financial position ensures that we can meet our obligations when they arise.”

AIICO Insurance is a leading composite insurer in Nigeria with a record of serving our customers that dates back over 50 years. Founded in 1963, AIICO provides life and health insurance, general insurance and investment management services to create and protect wealth for individuals, families and corporate customers.

Economy

Ellah Lakes Plans N235bn Public Offer for Expansion, Strategic Acquisition

Published

2 hours ago

07/11/2025

Adedapo Adesanya

By Adedapo Adesanya

Ellah Lakes Plc has announced plans to launch a public offer as part of its broader capital-raising strategy, following a signing ceremony held on November 5, 2025.

During a press briefing, the company highlighted its strategic repositioning efforts, operational progress, and long-term growth objectives within Nigeria’s agro-industrial value chain.

The company disclosed that it would undertake a N235 billion capital raise in 2025, with proceeds targeted at acquiring a significant agricultural asset.

The acquisition is expected to expand Ellah Lakes’ production capacity, diversify revenue streams, and support its transition from a restructuring phase to a full-scale growth and expansion cycle.

The company’s leadership highlighted Ellah Lakes’ distinctive, multi-dimensional positioning strategy across Nigeria’s agricultural landscape. With over 30,000 hectares of land assets spanning Enugu, Edo, Ekiti, and Ondo States, the company is geographically diversified, capturing varied climatic advantages essential for its multi-crop operations.

Speaking on the plan, the chief executive of Ellah Lakes, Mr Chuka Mordi, stated, “This N235 billion capital raise is a definitive statement of intent. It is our commitment to our shareholders to deliver economies of scale, market resilience, and long-term value creation. We are confident that by deploying this capital effectively and executing our clear strategy, Ellah Lakes will solidify its position as the undisputed leading indigenous agro-industrial giant in West Africa.”

A key focus of the listing of the additional shares is the company’s successful execution of its vertical integration strategy. The commissioning of its 6-ton-per-hour Crude Palm Oil (CPO) mill is a strategic move designed to build a more robust and scalable revenue model less vulnerable to external supply chain disruptions.

Furthermore, Ellah Lakes said it has bolstered its resilience through diversified revenue streams, combining long-term oil palm investments with medium-term cassava cultivation and more immediate revenue from its piggery operations.

Ellah Lakes, as a company, carries out carefully sequenced capital raises and targeted mergers & acquisitions (M&A) that have progressively rebuilt and strengthened its agro-industrial platform. This includes the pivotal 2019 reverse acquisition by Telluria Limited, which integrated valuable oil palm assets and expertise, laying the foundation for vertical integration, as well as its recent announcement of the acquisition of a 100 per cent shareholding in Agro-Allied Resources & Processing Nigeria Limited (ARPN).

The acquired assets included 11,783 hectares of cultivated land, 2093 hectares of cassava plantations, and an additional 10,393 hectares of uncultivated land.

Speaking on the ARPN acquisition, Mr Paul Farrer, Deputy Managing Director of Ellah Lakes Plc, said: “This acquisition marked a pivotal moment for Ellah Lakes as we strengthen our foothold in Nigeria’s agribusiness sector. Agro-Allied Resources & Processing Nigeria Limited (ARPN) brings a robust land bank and operational assets that align perfectly with our vision of vertical integration and sustainable growth.

“The ARPN acquisition will deliver immediate scale and financial benefits, achieving in months what would have taken years organically, while unlocking significant long-term potential for crop diversification & vertical integration. This will deliver value to all stakeholders as it delivers operational and financial scale immediately”

Also, prudent subsequent financing, such as the 2023 N2.9 billion rights issue and the late 2024 debt-to-equity conversion, has strengthened the balance sheet and provided the necessary liquidity to secure the 30,000+ hectares and commission the CPO mill.

Economy

NASD Exchange Rises 0.96% as Market Cap Hits N2.189trn

Published

3 hours ago

07/11/2025

Adedapo Adesanya

By Adedapo Adesanya

The NASD Over-the-Counter (OTC) Securities Exchange rose by 0.96 per cent on Thursday, November 6, as the market capitalisation added N20.72 billion in value to close at N2.189 trillion from the N2.168 trillion, and the NASD Unlisted Security Index (NSI) increased by 35.13 points to 3,658.56 points from 3,623.43 points.

During the session, Okitipupa Plc led the gainers with a N21.45 growth to end at N237.00 per share compared with the previous day’s N215.55 per share, NASD Plc improved its value by N4.88 to sell at N53.68 per unit versus N48.80 per unit, and Food Concepts Plc recorded a 32 Kobo gain to finish at N3.53 per share compared with the N3.21 per unit it closed at midweek.

On the flip side, Air Liquide Plc lost N1.01 to quote at N9.10 per share compared with the N10.11 per share it ended on Wednesday and Geo-Fluids Plc dropped 15 Kobo to settle at N4.20 per unit versus N4.35 per unit.

Yesterday, the volume of securities traded fell by 57.9 per cent to 221,284 units from the 526,165 units recorded a day earlier, but the value of securities went up by 24.9 per cent to N11.9 million from N9.6 million, and the number of deals soared by 4.8 per cent to 22 deals from 21 deals.

At the close of trades, Infrastructure Credit Guarantee Company (InfraCredit) Plc was the most traded stock by value with a year-to-date sale of 5.8 billion units valued at N16.4 billion, followed by Okitipupa Plc with 170.3 million units transacted for N8.0 billion, and Air Liquide Plc with 507.4 million units worth N4.2 billion.

InfraCredit Plc was also the most traded stock by volume on a year-to-date basis with 5.8 billion units worth N16.4 billion, trailed by Industrial and General Insurance (IGI) Plc with the sale of 1.2 billion units for N419.7 million, and Impresit Bakolori Plc with 536.9 million units traded for N524.9 million.

Economy

Naira Gains 0.12% at Official Forex Market

Published

3 hours ago

07/11/2025

Adedapo Adesanya

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Naira appreciated against the US Dollar in the Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market (NAFEX) on Thursday, November 6, reversing the loss from the preceding session.

During the trading day, it gained N1.75 or 0.12 per cent on the greenback to close at N1,436.74/$1 compared with the N1,438.49/$1 it was sold in the previous session.

However, the Nigerian Naira extended losses against the Pound Sterling, but appreciated against the Euro in the official forex market on Thursday, losing N8.78 against the British currency to trade at N1,882.56/£1 versus the preceding session’s N1,873.78/£1 and improved its value against the Euro by N6.32 to settle at N1,651.39/€1, in contrast to the N1,657.71/€1 it was exchanged in the previous session.

The domestic currency maintained stability against the Dollar at GTBank yesterday at N1,446/$1 and closed flat in the parallel market at N1,450/$1.

The Naira reversed its trend as its $2.35 billion Eurobond was oversubscribed by 477 per cent as investors took advantage of signals like falling interest rates, moderating inflation, and fiscal reforms.

The domestic currency is projected to trade stronger, with the $13 billion Eurobond raises providing additional support for the local currency outlook, which come as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) continues to intervene in the market and potency of the threats from the US government wanes.

“We expect market stability to depend on global oil prices, continued CBN FX interventions, and overall investor sentiment—particularly the Federal Government’s response to President Trump’s comments on attacks in Nigeria and his threats of possible military action or aid suspension.

“However, strong external reserves and expectations of sustained high crude oil prices are also expected to provide additional support to the Naira,” AIICO Capital Limited said in a report.

In the cryptocurrency market, there were sell-offs as macroeconomic concerns continued to impact tokens led by Ripple (XRP) which lost 4.3 per cent to close at $2.22, followed by Bitcoin (BTC), which fell by 1.5 per cent to $101,829.00, and Solana (SOL), which depreciated by 1.4 per cent to $156.92, with Ethereum (ETH) down by 1.2 per cent to $3,346.96.

However, Litecoin (LTC) gained 2.7 per cent to sell at $89.46, Binance Coin (BNB) appreciated by 2.5 per cent to $964.67, Cardano (ADA) grew by 1.2 per cent to $0.5422, and Dogecoin (DOGE) expanded by 1.2 per cent to $0.1656, while the US Dollar Tether (USDT) and the US Dollar Coin (USDC) remained at $1.00 each.