Access Holdings Plc has reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable growth, long-term value creation, and financial resilience as it held its 4th Annual General Meeting (AGM), where shareholders received updates on the Group’s strong financial performance and strategic direction.
Speaking at the AGM, Chairman of Access Holdings, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, emphasized that the true measure of a successful financial institution lies not only in its ability to grow but in its capacity to sustain profitable and disciplined growth over the long term.
According to him, the Group’s 2025 financial performance reflects a deliberate strategy focused on strengthening core fundamentals while delivering robust earnings across its diversified operations.
Strong Financial Performance
Access Holdings recorded a Profit Before Tax (PBT) of ₦1.007 trillion for the 2025 financial year, underscoring the strength of its business model and expanding revenue streams across multiple markets.
The Group’s total assets rose significantly to ₦51.56 trillion, while customer deposits also recorded substantial growth, reflecting increasing customer confidence, franchise expansion, and sustained business momentum.
Despite the impressive earnings performance, Aig-Imoukhuede noted that the results must be viewed within the context of deliberate risk management decisions taken during the year.
He explained that the Group accelerated provisions for legacy credit facilities and regulatory forbearance exposures, leading to higher impairment charges. The move, he said, was aimed at strengthening the balance sheet and enhancing the institution’s long-term resilience rather than maximizing short-term profitability.
“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 stated.
Expanding Beyond Traditional Banking
The AGM highlighted Access Holdings’ transformation into a diversified financial services group, with growing contributions from businesses beyond conventional banking.
While banking remains the Group’s primary earnings driver, emerging subsidiaries and platforms are increasingly contributing to revenue growth and expanding the company’s footprint across multiple segments of the financial services industry.
Among the key growth platforms identified were:
- Access ARM Pensions
- Access Insurance Brokers
- Oxygen X Finance
- Hydrogen Payments
The Group noted that these businesses are helping to diversify earnings through consumer finance, pensions administration, insurance services, digital payments, and retirement solutions, thereby reducing dependence on traditional banking revenues and enhancing long-term scalability.
‘From Scale to Value’ Strategy
Aig-Imoukhuede reiterated that Access Holdings is entering a new phase of its corporate journey under a strategic framework known as “From Scale to Value.”
According to him, the Group’s expansion efforts over the years have created significant opportunities, and management is now focused on unlocking greater shareholder value from those investments.
“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 said.
The Chairman stressed that while the Group continues to generate healthy returns, management remains focused on ensuring that earnings per share consistently exceed the cost of capital, a key factor in delivering sustainable shareholder value.
He further disclosed that significant unrealized value exists within Access Holdings’ international subsidiaries and that management is committed to improving market recognition of the intrinsic worth of those assets over time.
Board Clarifies Dividend Suspension
During the meeting, the Board addressed concerns raised by shareholders regarding the temporary suspension of dividend payments.
The Chairman clarified that the decision was not driven by weak financial performance but was necessitated by regulatory compliance obligations and prudential capital requirements.
He assured investors that Access Holdings remains financially strong and capable of generating earnings, adding that the suspension reflects the Board’s commitment to sound capital management and regulatory expectations.
According to him, dividend payments will resume once the relevant regulatory conditions are fully satisfied.
“Our approach is clear: capital retained today must translate into greater value tomorrow and sustainable returns for our shareholders,” he stated.
Leadership and Governance Strengthened
The AGM also highlighted key leadership and governance developments within the Group.
During the year, Access Holdings appointed Innocent C. Ike as its new Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer.
The Board was further strengthened with the appointment of Ibironke Adeyemi as an Independent Non-Executive Director.
Shareholders also commended Bolaji Agbede for her leadership role in successfully steering the organization as Acting Group Chief Executive Officer prior to the appointment of the substantive CEO.
Aig-Imoukhuede noted that the leadership transition was seamless and ensured continuity in strategy execution, operational stability, and stakeholder confidence.
Outlook Remains Positive
Despite persistent macroeconomic uncertainties across several of its operating markets, Access Holdings expressed confidence in its future prospects.
The Group attributed its optimism to a strengthened capital base, disciplined execution of strategic priorities, diversified business operations, and a clear focus on sustainable value creation.
Concluding his address, the Chairman reaffirmed the Group’s commitment to creating enduring value for shareholders and maintaining a strong institution capable of thriving across economic cycles.
“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,” Aig-Imoukhuede said.
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