By Esther Onyegbula

Nigeria has demonstrated strong economic resilience despite global shocks triggered by shifts in United States trade policies, including tariffs introduced under former President Donald Trump, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Capital Plus Management Ltd, Mr. Oluseyi Odufuwa, has said.

Odufuwa spoke at the maiden Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Capital Plus Management Ltd held at the Landmark Event Centre, Ikeja, Lagos, where he said Nigeria, though not insulated from global finance and trade dynamics, had shown remarkable strength through responsive economic policies.

According to him, while Nigeria was affected by a 15 per cent U.S. tariff, the impact was minimal as the country does not export significantly to the U.S. beyond crude oil, which was exempted from the tariff regime.

He noted that other economies, such as China, faced tariffs of up to 45 per cent, leading to deeper economic strain, stressing that Nigeria’s situation was comparatively less severe.

Odufuwa attributed Nigeria’s resilience to policy responses under President Bola Tinubu, noting that initial fears that global trade disruptions would severely hurt the economy did not materialise, as swift socio-economic measures helped stabilise growth.

He cited key economic indicators to support his position, stating that Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth surpassed International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank projections, reaching about 3.9 per cent.

He added that inflation, which peaked at about 38 per cent in 2023, declined steadily to approximately 14.4 per cent by November, while food inflation dropped from around 40 per cent to about 20 per cent.
According to him, the decline in food inflation reflects improved agricultural output and targeted welfare-focused policies, which have eased pressure on households, even as broader economic reforms continue.

On the firm’s outlook, Odufuwa said Capital Plus Management Limited, which was licensed in late 2024 and commenced operations in January 2025, is positioning itself to support Nigeria’s economy through long-term investments.

He said the firm plans to invest across critical sectors such as power, green and blue economies, real estate and production, with projections spanning 10 to 15 years.

In his remarks, a Director of the company, retired Brig.-Gen. Adeleke Adekoya, emphasised Capital Plus’ commitment to strong corporate governance, ethical leadership and full regulatory compliance.

Adekoya said trust remains the foundation of the asset management industry, adding that the firm maintains a clear separation between board oversight and management execution to ensure accountability and long-term stability.

According to him, the board provides strategic direction and risk supervision, while management operates within defined accountability frameworks, a structure he said reinforces investor confidence and institutional integrity.

He disclosed that the company has grown its Assets Under Management (AUM) from zero to about ₦1 billion, with strong profitability projections backed by the board’s commitment to sustained growth and investor protection.

Earlier, in her welcome address, the Board Chairman, Mrs. Lola Akande, described the AGM as a major milestone reflecting the company’s growth, resilience and ambition to become a key player in Nigeria’s asset and investment management industry.

Akande said Capital Plus received its Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) licence on November 22, 2024, and commenced operations on January 2, 2025, after establishing key operational departments to ensure effective governance, compliance and service delivery.

She disclosed that the company made significant progress in brand building, client acquisition and investment activities, growing its AUM from zero to ₦981.7 million within its first year of operation.

According to her, although the company recorded a loss at the end of the year, this was typical of start-up operations and positions the firm for future profitability.

She said Capital Plus plans accelerated growth through increased AUM, digital transformation and product diversification, with financial projections indicating a return to profitability from 2026 and sustained growth through 2028