Financial Trust Company (FTC) has celebrated its 50th anniversary, marking five decades of operation in Nigeria’s financial and capital market sector. The company’s Group Managing Director and Chairman, Omoniyi Ajayi, described the milestone as proof of the company’s resilience, strong vision, and the trust it has built over the years.
Speaking during a press conference held in Lagos on Wednesday, Ajayi explained that the celebration is not only about the company’s long history but also about the confidence clients and stakeholders have placed in FTC since its establishment.
According to him, the company’s survival through different economic periods shows its ability to adapt and remain relevant in Nigeria’s changing financial environment.
FTC was founded in 1976 by the late Otunba Olufemi Ajayi at a time when foreign institutions largely controlled Nigeria’s capital market. Over the years, the indigenous financial firm has grown into one of the recognised players in the industry.
Ajayi noted that Nigeria still faces low participation in the capital market despite the country’s large economy. He attributed this challenge to poor financial literacy and limited access to investment opportunities for many citizens.
He, however, expressed hope that the company’s Golden Jubilee celebration would encourage more Nigerians to explore the capital market as a means of wealth creation and economic development.
The FTC chairman also revealed plans for the company’s future expansion across Africa. According to him, the next stage of growth will focus on transforming FTC into a leading pan-African financial services group through technology, investment banking, and strategic partnerships.
He stressed that innovation would play a key role in the company’s long-term future, adding that FTC intends to remain competitive by embracing modern financial solutions and digital transformation.
Ajayi explained that the company’s journey over the last 50 years has not been easy. FTC has survived several difficult economic periods, including the oil boom and economic downturn of the 1980s, the 2008 global financial crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic, and Nigeria’s recent economic reforms.
Despite these challenges, the company maintained stability by focusing on discipline, adaptability, and long-term planning.
According to FTC management, the anniversary is built around three important values — resilience, integrity, and innovation. These principles, they said, have helped the company move from being a traditional stockbroking business into a broader financial services platform.
Ajayi emphasised that integrity remains one of the company’s strongest assets, while innovation will shape its future direction.
As part of the anniversary activities, FTC plans to host a major Golden Jubilee Industry Symposium. The event will bring together regulators and stakeholders from institutions such as the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Central Bank of Nigeria, and the Nigerian Exchange Limited.
The newly elected President of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers, Fiona Ahimie, is expected to deliver the keynote address at the symposium.
The session is expected to focus on the future of Nigeria’s capital market, especially in areas such as technology, innovation, and regulatory development.
