An Exclusive Gathering of Influence and Insight

On Friday, November 21, the elegant halls of The Wheatbaker Hotel, Ikoyi became a hub for Nigeria’s foremost financial minds as CFG Africa hosted its much-anticipated Client Engagement Forum 2025. The annual, invite-only event convened strategic investors, business leaders, and high-net-worth individuals for a day defined by refined networking, deal-making, and forward-looking conversations.

With an atmosphere of understated luxury and purposeful interaction, the forum delivered on its theme, “2026 in Focus: Opportunities for Growth, Navigating Uncharted Terrains,” setting the tone for deep economic reflection and strategic planning.

Economic Outlook: Laying the Groundwork for Sustainable Growth

Opening the intellectual discourse was keynote speaker Prof. Bongo Adi, Professor of Economics and Data Analytics at Lagos Business School. His presentation provided a data-driven assessment of Nigeria’s reform agenda, highlighting the urgent need for stronger alignment between fiscal and monetary policies.

Prof. Adi emphasized that without coordinated policy execution, economic reforms may fall short of delivering the sustainable growth investors and institutions seek in the coming year.

Showcasing CFG Africa’s Integrated Investment Strength

The forum also spotlighted the collective capabilities of the CFG Africa Group, demonstrating how its subsidiaries—CFG Maynard (brokerage and investment banking) and CFG Asset Management (wealth and fund management)—work in synergy to deliver holistic investment solutions.

This integrated approach allows CFG to structure comprehensive strategies that address both short-term performance and long-term wealth preservation.

Inside the CFG Ethical Fund

A major highlight of the event was the introduction of the CFG Ethical Fund, a ₦1 billion actively managed, open-ended unit trust with an offer price of ₦1,000 per unit. Designed to meet the needs of ethically minded investors, the fund focuses on delivering stable income through carefully selected Sukuk and other Sharia-compliant instruments.

The fund structure features CFG Asset Management Limited as Fund Manager, AVA Trustees Limited as Trustee, One17 Capital as Sharia Adviser, Rand Merchant Bank Nigeria Limited as Custodian, and CardinalStone Registrars Limited as Registrar.

By maintaining diversified exposure across Sukuk, ethical fixed-income assets, and Sharia-compliant equities, the fund aims to reduce volatility while aligning with Islamic finance principles that prohibit interest-based and restricted sectors.

Leadership Perspective: Strategy Anchored on Risk Management

Addressing attendees, Babajide Lawani, Group Managing Director/CEO of CFG Africa, reinforced the firm’s client-first philosophy. He described CFG’s approach as one built on partnership, security, and actionable insights rather than transactional engagement.

Lawani noted that CFG is “market powered,” delivering competitive returns anchored on disciplined risk management and rigorous research. He further emphasized the firm’s role in enabling large-scale enterprise growth through advisory services spanning real estate, capital raising, and business expansion across sectors such as healthcare and defense.

Expert Panel: Navigating 2026 With Precision

The forum’s momentum continued with an in-depth expert panel session featuring Kunle Adeoba (DMD, CFG Africa), alongside industry experts Arnold Dublin-Green, Oluwatosin Ojo, and Olatunji Fafemi.

Panelists shared global market intelligence, urging investors to closely monitor the U.S. yield curve as a key indicator of recessionary risk. The discussion concluded with a clear consensus: successful capital preservation in 2026 will depend heavily on robust diversification and leveraging professionally managed investment funds.

About CFG Africa

CFG Africa is an investment banking group committed to delivering innovative financial solutions across diverse market segments. Through its subsidiaries—CFG Asset Management, CFG Maynard, and CFG Africa Trustees—the firm offers clients a unified platform for secure and competitive investment opportunities.

Operating with a “safety before profit” philosophy, CFG prioritizes capital preservation through investments in government securities, high-quality commercial papers, and placements with top-tier financial institutions.