Access Holdings To Acquire Equity Stake In Sigma Pensions

Access Holdings Plc has announced its intention to acquire indirect equity stake in Sigma Pensions Limited.

The Holding company, in a statement signed by the group company secretary, Sunday Ekwochi, said, the National Pension Commission (PenCom) and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) have granted their approvals  to the proposed acquisition by First Guarantee Pension Limited (FGPL) and First Ally Asset Management Limited of the entire issued shares of Actis Golf Nigeria Limited (AGNL) and by extension Sigma Pensions Limited.

AGNL is the sole shareholder of Sigma.

Access Holdings recently announced its acquisition of majority equity stake in FGPL. It is intended, subject to the receipt of relevant regulatory approvals that the operations of FGPL and Sigma will be merged to create Nigeria’s fourth largest Pension Fund Administrator (PFA) by Assets Under Management.

Speaking on this landmark transaction, group chief executive, Access Holdings, Dr. Herbert Wigwe, said: “having concluded our divestment from the pension funds custody sector and our recent acquisition of FGPL,  we are pleased with the progress we are making regarding our diversification and growth into the pension funds administration sector.

“We are particularly pleased to have reached this agreement with Actis. Our plan is to consolidate these entities to create a formidable pension funds administration business.”

Wigwe noted that the proposed consolidation will leverage the corporation’s expansive distribution network, strong risk management culture and best-in-class governance standards to provide contributors  with sustainable world class pension funds administration services.

Speaking on the transaction, non-executive director of Actis, Natalie Kolbe said: “Sigma has transformed during our partnership, and we are delighted that Access, a well-respected operator, is set to support the company across its next phase of growth. The market Sigma operates in is ripe for consolidation and I have no doubt that with such a capable backer, they will go from strength to strength.”