Nigeria’s institutional investment community gathered to honour Stanbic IBTC Nominees as it marked three decades of operations, spotlighting the often-unseen but critical role custody services play in sustaining confidence across the capital market.
The anniversary gala, themed “30 Years of Trust,” drew regulators, Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs), asset managers, insurers and other institutional players whose portfolios depend on secure asset safekeeping and seamless settlement systems.
Founded in 1996, the firm has grown from a modest custody unit into a dominant force in Nigeria’s asset servicing landscape. Today, it safeguards and administers assets for some of the country’s largest institutional investors, supporting compliance, reporting accuracy, and transaction efficiency in a market that has evolved significantly over three decades.
Chief Executive Officer, Babatunde Majiyagbe, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to operational discipline, noting its strong internal controls and zero-error tolerance culture. He emphasised that custody services go far beyond holding assets, encompassing transaction settlement, regulatory alignment, and transparent reporting that enable institutional investors to operate with confidence.
Wole Adeniyi, Chief Executive of Stanbic IBTC Bank, described the custody business as a strategic driver within the Group’s long-term growth plans. According to him, strengthening custody infrastructure is central to supporting Nigeria’s expanding investment ecosystem and advancing the Group’s broader pan-African vision.
From the market operator’s standpoint, Jude Chiemeka, CEO of Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX), said the partnership has enhanced operational confidence at the Exchange, particularly as market activities grow in scale and complexity.
Industry stakeholders observe that the survival and growth of a custody institution over 30 years in Nigeria’s dynamic regulatory and economic climate underscore resilience, adaptability, and sustained trust.
With the capital market preparing for more sophisticated financial instruments such as derivatives and exchange-traded funds (ETFs), experts say the demand for robust custody services will intensify. Continued investment in technology and global best practices is expected to position Stanbic IBTC Nominees to maintain leadership, even as emerging fintech players begin to show interest in institutional asset servicing.
