United Capital Wins AIHN's First Most Prolific Investment Banking Award

United Capital Investment Banking has been named Nigeria's Most Prolific Investment Banking Company at the Association of Issuing Houses of Nigeria (AIHN) 30th Anniversary Awards and Dinner in Lagos. It is the first firm to receive the category.

The award recognises the investment banking company with the highest number of successfully closed transactions in 2025. AIHN introduced the category for the first time at the anniversary ceremony.

What the award measures

The recognition points to the firm's transaction activity across Nigeria's capital markets. Nigeria's investment banking industry is expanding, with financial institutions playing a growing role in capital raising, mergers and acquisitions, financial advisory services, and debt and equity transactions.

Investment banks also help businesses, governments and other institutions secure funding and structure financing solutions to support their operations and growth.

Adenrele speaks on client confidence

Dr Gbadebo Adenrele, managing director of Investment Banking at United Capital Group, said the recognition reflected the team's expertise and the confidence clients had placed in the firm.

"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," he said.

He added that the achievement demonstrated the team's execution capabilities and commitment to delivering transactions that create value for clients and support the development of Nigeria's capital markets.

A second AIHN honour

The latest win builds on the firm's earlier award at the AIHN Awards, where it received the Innovative Issuance of the Year Award. That award recognised United Capital Investment Banking's role as lead issuing house and coordinator of the Federal Government of Nigeria's inaugural domestic dollar bond, the first US dollar-denominated bond issued in the domestic market.

Together, the two recognitions cover different sides of the business, from structuring an innovative financing instrument to executing a high volume of transactions.

AIHN held its anniversary celebration under the theme "Three Decades of Catalysing Capital, Pioneering the Future and Enabling Wealth." The event marked 30 years of the association's contribution to Nigeria's capital market, including efforts to strengthen the issuing house profession and support capital mobilisation for businesses, governments and institutions.

The parent group and the wider market

United Capital Plc, the parent group, provides financial services spanning investment banking, asset management, wealth management, securities, trusteeship and other financial solutions. The group said its businesses remain focused on connecting individuals, businesses and institutions with capital and investment opportunities while supporting the development of Africa's financial markets.

The capital markets have been active. On Tuesday, September 15, market capitalisation climbed N652 billion to close at N158.399 trillion, driven by sustained investor appetite for blue-chip stocks. The All-Share Index rose 1,005.27 points, or 0.41%, to settle at 244,304.51 points. Market breadth improved, with 34 stocks advancing against 26 that declined, a reversal from the previous session's 20 gainers and 28 losers.