Access Holdings to Acquire Equity in Sigma Pensions

Access Holdings Plc, trading as Access Corporation, on Tuesday, announced that the National Pension Commission and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission had granted their approvals to the proposed acquisition by First Guarantee Pension Limited and First Ally Asset Management Ltd of the entire issued shares of Actis Golf Nigeria Ltd, and by extension, Sigma Pensions Ltd.

It said in a statement that the AGNL was the sole shareholder of Sigma.

The corporation had recently announced its acquisition of majority equity stake in the FGPL.

It said it was intended, subject to the receipt of relevant regulatory approvals that the operations of the FGPL and Sigma would be merged to create Nigeria’s fourth largest Pension Fund Administrator by assets under management.

Commenting on the transaction, the Group Chief Executive, Access Corporation, Dr. Herbert Wigwe, said, “Having concluded our divestment from the pension funds custody sector and our recent acquisition of the 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. 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, the 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.”

The corporation said it would update the market in accordance with its disclosure obligations.