Nigerian investment dealmaker and UAC of Nigeria Group Managing Director Folasope Aiyesimoju has seen the value of his personal shareholding in the 147-year-old conglomerate rise to approximately $10.8 million, following a strong rally in the company’s shares. According to figures reported by Billionaires.Africa on November 6, Aiyesimoju holds 86,014,099 shares, representing approximately 2.94% of UAC. At a share price of ₦172, the holding was valued at about ₦14.79 billion. The increase follows an approximately 89% rise in UAC’s share price since the beginning of 2026, lifting the value of his personal investment from roughly ₦7.8 billion at the start of the year. His individual holding is separate from the larger stake held by Themis Capital Management, the investment firm he founded, which owns approximately 20% of UAC.
The rally reflects renewed investor attention towards UAC’s business transformation, particularly following its acquisition of CHI Limited, the Nigerian food and beverage company behind Chivita and Hollandia, from The Coca-Cola Company. The transaction, completed in October 2025, significantly expanded UAC’s packaged food and beverage operations and reshaped its revenue profile. In the nine months ended September 2026, UAC reported revenue of ₦523 billion, more than three times the corresponding figure a year earlier, while profit before tax rose 262.5% to ₦37.69 billion. Profit after tax increased 307.1% to ₦21.91 billion. Packaged food and beverages accounted for approximately 83% of sales during the period, although the acquisition also increased borrowing costs as the group continued to manage the debt used to finance the transaction.
Aiyesimoju’s investment journey reflects a career spanning Nigerian finance, international private equity and corporate restructuring. Before taking the helm at UAC in 2019, he worked at ARM Investment Managers, Ocean and Oil Holdings and Standard Bank, where he led mergers and acquisitions advisory activities in Nigeria. He later joined global investment firm Kohlberg Kravis Roberts before establishing Themis Capital Management. Under his leadership, UAC has pursued a more focused portfolio, divesting selected interests while expanding its presence in consumer goods and food production. The latest appreciation in his personal stake highlights the financial impact of the company’s market performance, while the sustainability of the rally will depend on its ability to translate expanded revenues into stronger earnings, manage acquisition-related debt and maintain growth across its core businesses.
