Onome Amuge
Apel Capital and Trust Limited has emerged as one of the standout performers in Nigeria’s expanding trusteeship market, reflecting a growing trend of diversification and professionalisation in the country’s financial services sector.
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)-licensed firm was recently named the Fastest-Growing Trustee Company of the Year at the 2025 BusinessDay Banks and Other Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards. The recognition highlights not only the company’s own trajectory but also the increasing significance of trust services in an economy seeking greater investor confidence and capital market depth.
Apel’s rise comes at a time when Nigeria’s fiduciary and capital markets infrastructure is evolving rapidly. Corporate trustees, often overshadowed by banking and investment firms, have become major players in structuring debt instruments, managing bond proceeds, and ensuring compliance in transactions across sectors. As public and private issuers turn more frequently to the capital markets for funding, demand for reliable trusteeship has grown, creating opportunities for specialist firms such as Apel.
Under the leadership of Managing Director Omolola Iyinolakan, who also received the Trustee CEO of the Year award, Apel has focused on integrating digital tools, strengthening risk frameworks, and deepening client relationships across both public and private sectors. These awards, according to Iyinolakan, affirms the firm’s reputation as a trusted member of Nigeria’s financial services industry.
Apel operates within a wider investment banking group that includes Apel Asset Limited, Apel Registrars, and Apel Wealth Management, giving it access to wide distribution networks and multi-licence capabilities in brokerage, corporate finance, and portfolio management. That integration, analysts say, offers a competitive edge in a market increasingly valuing cross-functional financial expertise.
