Firm Tops Nigeria’s Investment Banking Market In Deal Closures

United Capital Investment Banking has emerged as Nigeria’s most prolific investment banking firm after closing the highest number of transactions in 2025, earning the company the inaugural Most Prolific Investment Banking Company in Nigeria award at the Association of Issuing Houses of Nigeria (AIHN) 30th Anniversary Awards and Dinner in Lagos.

The award, introduced for the first time at this year’s anniversary celebration, recognises the investment banking firm with the highest number of successfully concluded transactions in 2025, placing United Capital at the forefront of deal execution in Nigeria’s investment banking industry.

Shettima To Endorse 10-Year Capital Market Master Plan

Tinubu Reaffirms FG’s Commitment As NASENI Awards N435.5m To Innovators

NNPC Set For Reform, Capital Market Listing – Tinubu

The recognition highlights the growing role of investment banks in mobilising capital, structuring complex financial transactions and providing advisory services to businesses, institutions and governments amid the evolving dynamics of Nigeria’s capital market.

Investment banking activities span capital raising, financial advisory, mergers and acquisitions, debt and equity transactions, and the development of financing solutions to support corporate expansion, public-sector funding and economic growth.

For United Capital, the award reflects the breadth of its transaction activities and its capacity to originate, structure and execute deals across different segments of the financial market.

Commenting on the recognition, the Managing Director, Investment Banking, United Capital Group, Dr Gbadebo Adenrele, said the award was particularly significant as it coincided with AIHN’s 30th anniversary.

“We are honoured to be the first recipient of this recognition from the Association of Issuing Houses of Nigeria. It is particularly meaningful to receive this award as AIHN celebrates 30 years of advancing Nigeria’s investment banking and capital markets industry.

“This achievement reflects the expertise, commitment and execution capabilities of our team, as well as the trust our clients continue to place in us. As the market evolves, we remain committed to delivering transactions that create value for our clients and contribute meaningfully to the growth of Nigeria’s capital markets,” Adenrele said.

The award also reinforces United Capital Investment Banking’s track record in Nigeria’s capital market, following its recognition at the previous AIHN Awards for its role in the inaugural Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) Domestic Dollar Bond.

At the previous edition, the firm won the Innovative Issuance of the Year Award for serving as Lead Issuing House and Coordinator of the landmark transaction, which marked Nigeria’s first US dollar-denominated bond issued in the domestic market.

The latest honour extends the firm’s record of industry recognition from executing an innovative capital market transaction to recording the highest number of successfully closed investment banking deals in 2025.

The recognition comes as AIHN marks three decades of contributing to the development of Nigeria’s capital market and strengthening the issuing house profession.

Over the past 30 years, the association and its member institutions have supported capital mobilisation for businesses, governments and other institutions, while contributing to the growth and sophistication of the country’s financial markets.

The anniversary celebration, themed “Three Decades of Catalysing Capital, Pioneering the Future and Enabling Wealth,” brought together industry stakeholders to recognise institutions and transactions that have contributed to the development of the market and examine opportunities for its future growth.

As Nigeria’s capital market evolves, investment banking firms are expected to play an increasingly important role in expanding access to financing, facilitating strategic transactions and connecting investors with viable investment opportunities.

United Capital Investment Banking said it remained focused on helping businesses, institutions and governments access capital, execute strategic transactions and unlock opportunities for sustainable growth.

At the group level, United Capital Plc provides financial services across investment banking, asset management, wealth management, securities, trusteeship and other financial solutions.

Through its businesses, the group connects individuals, businesses and institutions with capital and investment opportunities while contributing to the development of financial markets across Africa.