Stanbic IBTC Nominees Celebrates 30 Years as a Leader in Nigeria’s Custody Services Industry
Stanbic IBTC Nominees Limited, the custodial services arm of Stanbic IBTC Group, marked its 30th anniversary on February 11, 2026, celebrating three decades of influence in Nigeria’s asset servicing and investment administration sector.
The milestone event, held under the theme 30 Years of Trust, brought together key figures across Nigeria’s financial ecosystem. Regulators, Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs), and institutional investors gathered to commemorate the company’s journey since its establishment in 1996 and its sustained contribution to the country’s capital market development.
Building the Foundation of Institutional Finance
Although retail banking often dominates public attention, custodial services play a critical role in the financial system’s stability. Stanbic IBTC Nominees operates at the center of this framework, providing essential infrastructure that supports institutional investment activities across Nigeria.
From its early beginnings as a developing business unit, the company has grown into a market leader responsible for safeguarding assets and ensuring efficient settlement processes for some of the country’s largest institutional investors. Its operations extend beyond asset protection to include transaction processing, detailed reporting, and regulatory compliance support for clients navigating complex financial environments.
Operational Discipline and Service Expansion
According to the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Babatunde Majiyagbe, operational precision has remained central to the organization’s strategy. He emphasized the firm’s commitment to maintaining strict standards and minimizing operational risks, positioning accuracy and reliability as core pillars of its service delivery.
The company’s offerings now cover a broad range of asset servicing functions, including transaction settlement, portfolio reporting, and compliance support. These services enable institutional investors to manage large and complex portfolios while meeting regulatory requirements efficiently.
A Strategic Driver of Long-Term Growth
The leadership of Stanbic IBTC views custody services as more than an auxiliary business function. Wole Adeniyi, Chief Executive of Stanbic IBTC Bank, described the custody division as a key strategic component of the Group’s broader growth ambitions across Africa.
Adeniyi noted that the organization’s future direction will focus on combining international best practices with local market expertise to deliver high-value financial infrastructure. He emphasised the company’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s capital market with services aligned to global operational standards.
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Industry Recognition and Client Confidence
Industry stakeholders also acknowledged the company’s role in strengthening Nigeria’s financial ecosystem. Nigerian Exchange Limited Chief Executive Officer Jude Chiemeka highlighted the importance of the firm’s services from a client perspective, describing the partnership as instrumental in enabling the Exchange to manage large-scale market operations with confidence.
Custodial services, particularly within high-finance environments, rely heavily on trust and operational reliability. The company’s sustained growth over three decades reflects its ability to navigate regulatory changes, economic volatility, and evolving technological demands within Nigeria’s financial landscape.
Preparing for a More Complex Financial Future
As Nigeria’s capital market continues to evolve, the demand for advanced custody services is expected to increase. The growing adoption of sophisticated financial instruments, including derivatives and exchange-traded funds (ETFs), is likely to heighten the importance of robust asset servicing infrastructure.
Stanbic IBTC Nominees’ continued investment in advanced technology signals its readiness to maintain its leadership position. At the same time, the company faces increasing competition from emerging fintech firms seeking to enter the institutional asset servicing space.
The organisation's long-standing presence, combined with its focus on innovation and operational excellence, positions it to play a significant role in shaping the future of Nigeria’s financial market infrastructure.