My people, make una gather around as we yarn about the big man, Femi Otedola, wey don sabi the market well-well. Na him be the Chairperson for First HoldCo Plc, and this jolly man don increase him shareholding to 18.12%. No be small matter!
As per de recent financial report wey drop on January 30, 2026, Otedola don gather small small shares wey carry him go 8.02 billion shares. This one na serious jump from 11.8% wey he hold for last year. How e take happen so fast? Make I break am down for una.
For de company’s financial statement, Otedola directly dey hold 3.25 billion shares, wey be 7.31% of di full share capital, plus indirect holding of 4.8 billion shares wey gree am anoda 10.81%. Dem say he take this koro-koro decision because e wan increase him control for di company. Na dis kind sharp move dey ginger investors for di market.
But wait, no be only Otedola dey shine for dis matter o! RC Investment Management Limited still dey on top with 10.43 billion shares, wey be 23.47% stake. That one fit make Otedola begin strategize like football coach as dem two dey play big ball for dis financial league. As dat market dey hot, dem dey trade plenty shares, and First HoldCo wey don rise from 35.9 billion shares in 2024 dey shine for 44.45 billion as of December 2025.
No forget say, dis increase na for compliance with di Nigerian Exchange requirements. Na dem dey monitor how companies dey play dey go. And true true, di company free float drop to N1.24 trillion, which still dey comply with di law. Otedola no wan waste time to secure him position early, especially as di Central Bank dey push for major capital requirements for banks. Everybody dey rearrange dem strategy jare!
Otedola also make sharp move, buyin shares worth N14.8 billion early December 2025. E no dey play, he dey collect shares like say dem dey give am small small kolo. Him plan for di financial market right now na correct one, as he dey look for long-term growth. E know say wetin go sustain dis growth na to clean di table and deal with di bad loans properly, wetin e don talk about.
Otedola yan say dem don clear old bad loans wey dey hold dem down, itching for a serious reset for di entire holding company. He follow regulatory pressure from di Central Bank as he no wan carry di issue along dey push into future years. Na wetin we call serious business decision! Dis one go fit help regain trust with investors.
Despite di serious profit dip wey show for di financial report, wetin dey reach about 92%, Otedola believe sey di core strength of di business dey intact. Na wah! As he dey set dem up for beta phase of recapitalisation and serious growth, we go dey watch how di matter dey unfold. E no go easy, but we sabi sey Otedola ready for am!
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