The chief executive officer of Oando Plc, Wale Tinubu, has described recent high-value transactions executed by Femi Otedola and Tony Elumelu as an early signal of momentum and confidence in Nigeria’s energy and capital markets at the start of 2026.
In comments shared publicly during the first week of the year, Tinubu said the transactions underscore disciplined capital allocation, clarity of strategy, and a growing emphasis on scale and timing in Nigeria’s investment landscape.
He noted that both deals demonstrate how value is crystallised through decisive execution rather than prolonged exposure.
Otedola recently completed the sale of his controlling interest in Geregu Power Plc, one of Nigeria’s largest power generation companies, in a transaction valued at over one trillion naira.
Tinubu said the exit highlights a clear understanding of investment cycles, adding that the transaction also reshaped Otedola’s broader positioning within the financial services sector through strengthened banking exposure.
According to Tinubu, the ability to enter a sector early, scale efficiently, and exit at peak valuation reflects a mature approach to capital deployment that is increasingly rare in emerging markets.
He described the Geregu transaction as a defining example of how long-term conviction, when matched with precise timing, can unlock exceptional returns.
Tinubu also pointed to Elumelu’s recent acquisition of a significant equity stake in Seplat Energy Plc as a strategic move with long-term implications for African ownership and governance in the oil and gas sector.
He said the transaction reinforces a growing shift toward indigenous capital taking leading positions in assets critical to the continent’s energy security.
He added that the Seplat investment reflects confidence in African-led institutions and the belief that sustainable energy development on the continent should be driven by investors with long-term alignment to local markets and governance standards.
Tinubu said the two transactions, executed within days of each other, set a constructive tone for 2026 and provide early signals of renewed deal activity across power, oil, and financial services.
He noted that such large-scale transactions could help shape market expectations and attract further capital into strategic sectors of the economy.
The comments come at a time when Nigeria’s energy market is undergoing structural changes, with increased focus on consolidation, balance sheet strength, and capital efficiency.
Market participants view the deals as benchmarks that may influence valuation, exit planning, and investment strategy across the broader energy and infrastructure space in the year ahead.
