Business

Custodian Investment to Purchase 51% Stake in UACN Property Company

Published

4 years ago

August 4, 2020

Custodian Investment Plc - Investors King

Custodian Investment to Acquire 9.5bn Shares in UACN Property Company

The management of UAC of Nigeria Plc on Monday announced that they have entered into a binding agreement with Custodian Investment Plc for Custodian to acquire a 51 percent equity interest in UACN Property Development Company Plc (UPDC) from UAC.

In the statement released by the UAC of Nigeria on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, the company said Custodian will acquire 9,465,584,668 UPDC ordinary shares held by UAC, representing 51 percent of UPDC’s issued share capital.

The company further stated that the sale of shares will be done in two tranches.

The first phase includes an initial sale of 946,558,467 shares, representing 5.10 percent of the issued capital of UPDC, on the execution of binding transaction agreements.

This will be followed by a sale of 8,519,026,201 shares, representing 45.90 percent of the issued share cpaital of UPDC upon receipt of requisite approvals.

According to UAC, the agreement marks the start of a new partnership between Custodian and UAC that will achieve both companies’ objectives in the real estate sector. It also marks a significant milestone aligned with UAC’s strategy to focus on its core businesses.

Commenting on the partnership, Wole Oshin, Group Managing Director of Custodian Investment PLC, said: “We at Custodian are excited about the possibilities arising from this partnership with UAC which provides multiple levers for value creation. The rationale for the Transaction is that Custodian and UAC share the view that their ambitions for capturing opportunity in the real estate industry will be better achieved working in partnership.

“UPDC is one of Nigeria’s leading real estate development companies, having completed several landmark residential and commercial developments over the past twenty years. This Transaction will provide Custodian with a platform to capture arising real estate opportunities. It also immediately provides recurring cash flow visibility and attractive yields as a result of its direct exposure to Nigeria’s leading real estate investment trust (“UPDC REIT”) with a track record of profitability and annual dividend distribution which offers a good compliment for our product portfolio.

“We are confident that the recent recapitalisation of UPDC, significant reduction in finance costs, and recently reconstituted leadership have repositioned the company to operate sustainably and capture growth opportunities aimed at increasing stakeholder value going forward.”

Also, commenting on the deal was Folasope Aiyesimoju, Group Managing Director of UAC, Aiyesimoju said: “The Transaction is a significant step in achieving our objectives for UPDC. In 2018, the Board and management of UAC embarked on a strategic review to evaluate the performance of the company and its subsidiaries. The objective was to achieve sustainable positive financial performance from our existing operations and enable management focus on businesses that align with our strategy.

“In reviewing UPDC, the Board weighed the long-term opportunities in the Nigerian real estate sector against the fundamental differences between the cash flow profile and capital needs of UPDC and those of the other entities in UAC’s portfolio. Following its review, the Board concluded that it would be in the best interest of UAC to exit its interest in the real estate sector, allowing UPDC to operate as a standalone legal entity, free to source appropriately structured capital and to unlock value for its shareholders.

“In September 2019, the Boards of Directors of UAC and UPDC jointly announced three significant strategic initiatives aimed at strengthening UPDC and positioning the company to operate as a standalone entity. This included a rights issue to recapitalise the business, plans for UAC to transfer UAC’s equity interest in UPDC pro-rata to UAC’s shareholders (“UPDC Unbundling”), and plans for UPDC to unbundle the UPDC REIT to its shareholders (“UPDC REIT Unbundling”). The ₦16 billion UPDC rights issue was successfully completed in April 2020, proceeds of which were used to reduce borrowing costs and significantly improve UPDC’s capital position.

“In the process of progressing the unbundling initiatives, UAC received a credible offer from Custodian. The terms of the offer compelled the Board to re-evaluate the planned approach to deconsolidate UPDC and influenced the Board’s decision to proceed with the sale of a portion of UAC’s interest in UPDC to Custodian, effectively putting an end to the UPDC Unbundling.

“We are delighted about the positive impact that a strong anchor shareholder like Custodian will have on UPDC and are focused on ensuring a smooth transition.”

Up Next

Experts Reacts to Shoprite Planned Exit From Nigeria

Don't Miss

Forex Scarcity Weighs on Manufacturing Sector

Samed Olukoya

Is the CEO and Founder of Investors King Limited. He is a seasoned foreign exchange research analyst and a published author on Yahoo Finance, Business Insider, Nasdaq, Entrepreneur.com, Investorplace, and other prominent platforms. With over two decades of experience in global financial markets, Olukoya is well-recognized in the industry.

Comments

Business

Nigerians Fear Increase in Fake Products as NAFDAC Officials Commence Indefinite Nationwide Strike

Published

1 day ago

October 8, 2024

Ugwoke Ogbodo

There are indications that fake producers of consumables and other items across the country may have a field day following an industrial action embarked upon by workers of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

Investors King gathered that the nationwide strike which started on Monday is indefinite and nationwide.

The decision of the staff of the agency to down tools followed the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum issued to their management.

The decision to shun work was confirmed after a congress of NAFDAC staff convened on Friday, October 4, 2024 over unresolved issues.

The striking workers, under the directive of the Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government-Owned Companies (SSASCGOC) have been instructed to withdraw all services and vacate offices.

They were also ordered to remove personal belongings as the strike began.

The demands of the staff include a review and re-evaluation of the 2024 promotion examination results, which currently reflect a pass rate of just 35%.

The union is pushing for a minimum benchmark of 80% for this year and future exams. Another key demand is the settlement of salary arrears for employees hired in 2022 among others

In a statement signed by Secretary of the Association, Ejor Michael, the union accused NAFDAC management of ignoring their grievances, calling the inaction insufferable.

The staff have vowed to continue the strike until all demands outlined in their communiqué are met.

NAFDAC, which plays a critical role in regulating Nigeria’s food, drug, and pharmaceutical industries, is expected to face significant operational disruptions as a result of the industrial action.

Before now, there had been public outcry over the increase in fake products as Nigerians called out the agency and tasked it to be more proactive.

They expressed fear that there is a tendency that manufacturers of fake products would have ample opportunities to saturate the markets with dangerous products as those who would tackle them are now on strike.

Business

27.75% Interest Rate Painful but Necessary – CBN Gov Cardoso

Published

2 days ago

October 7, 2024

Bassey Marshall

The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Yemi Cardoso, has described the recent increase in the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) to 27.25% as a painful but necessary move.

Cardoso made this known in Lagos, during his address to members of the Harvard Club of Nigeria on the topic: “Leadership in Challenging Times: Restoring Credibility, Building Trust, and Containing Inflation”.

Investors King reported that on September 24, 2024, the apex bank announced another increase in its Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) from 26.75 percent to 27.25%

The decision was reached during the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting chaired by the CBN Governor.

However, while delivering his speech in Lagos, the CBN boss sympathized with borrowers highlighting the pain the new interest rate will heap on them.

According to Cardoso, the bank’s decision to raise the interest rate was a bold move to reduce excess money in circulation and control inflation effectively.

He emphasized the need for Nigeria to look beyond short-term comfort and strive to secure long-term stability.

Cardoso reaffirmed the CBN’s commitment to rebuilding public trust in the institution.

He said, “Our decision to raise the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) to 27.25% was a bold move. Higher interest rates, while painful for borrowers, are necessary to curb excess money in circulation and control inflation.

“Leadership is about making hard choices to secure long-term stability over short-term comfort in moments like these

“Leading through challenging times means avoiding the temptation to take on too many initiatives. The Central Bank must focus on its core mandate—price stability. It is easy to become distracted by various political and economic pressures, but as a leader, one must prioritise.”

“Trust is the currency of central banking. If the public loses trust in the institution, the efficacy of its policies diminishes.

“Our decision to implement the Electronic Foreign Exchange Matching System (EFEMS) is rooted in this understanding.

“By enhancing transparency and providing more accurate oversight of forex transactions, we send a strong signal that the CBN is serious about fair and efficient markets.”

Meanwhile, The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) had criticized the interest rate hike by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The Director General of MAN, Mr. Segun Ajayi-Kadir, made the association’s position known in a statement titled ‘Reaction of MAN on the Report of MPC Meeting on September 23-24, 2024’.

MAN noted that with the higher interest rate, the cost of production will increase.

According to him, the impact of the increase goes beyond the manufacturers, it will stifle investment opportunities.

Business

President Tinubu Approves N150,000 Non-Refundable Grant for Enugu MSMEs

Published

4 days ago

October 5, 2024

Bassey Marshall

President Bola Tinubu has moved to put smiles on the faces of small business owners in Enugu State with the approval of a N150,000 non-refundable grant as part of plans to tackle the economic hardship in the country.

Tinubu’s approval was delivered to business owners in the state by Vice President Kashim Shettima during a visit to the MSME Fashion Hub.

Shettima, who spoke via a statement on Thursday by his spokesperson, Stanley Nkwocha, at the launch of the 5th Expanded National MSME Clinic in Enugu, revealed that the funds are awards from President Tinubu for the outstanding exhibiting MSMEs at the event.

He assured the beneficiaries that the money was an outright grant with no requirement for repayment, stating that it was a sign of the government’s commitment to nurturing MSMEs.

According to Shettima, “Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, I am pleased to announce that His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has mandated a grant of N150,000 each to be awarded to outstanding exhibiting MSMEs at today’s event.

“Let me assure you that this is an outright grant, with no requirement for repayment, reflecting our commitment to nurturing MSMEs and fostering economic growth.”

Speaking further, VP Shettima revealed that small businesses cover 96% of all businesses in Nigeria and contribute more than 45% to the nation’s GDP, adding that the country cannot achieve the desired economic growth without them.

The vice president called for unity in the business sector, he stated, “The only way we can achieve this is by standing united, from Abia to Zamfara, in pursuit of a shared objective. Small businesses account for 96% of all businesses in Nigeria and contribute more than 45% to our GDP. I am sure you understand what this means: without you, Nigeria would be nowhere.”