Aradel Holdings Executes Major Insider Share Transactions
Aradel Holdings’ company secretary and another senior executive have offloaded over 8.53 million shares in Nigeria’s integrated energy producer for NOK 10.9 billion. This transaction stands out as one of the most significant insider share dealings disclosed on the Nigerian Exchange this year, as per a regulatory filing.
Details of the Transaction
Completed on June 25 and reported in an insider trading notice issued on July 2, the share sale involved company secretary and group general counsel Titilola Omisore, alongside the refinery’s general manager, Temitayo Ogunbanjo. Omisore sold 5 million shares at an average price of N1,275, while Ogunbanjo disposed of 3.53 million shares at an average price of N1,282.50.
Market Context and Compliance
The filing did not specify the rationale behind the sale. According to the Nigerian Exchange’s disclosure policies, both executives qualify as insiders and are mandated to inform the market about their transactions involving the company’s securities.
Challenges in the Nigerian Stock Market
This transaction occurs against a backdrop of turbulence in the Nigerian stock market. June witnessed the largest monthly decline on record, with the Nigerian Exchange losing N13.29 trillion in market capitalization. The All Shares Index plunged by 8.28%, shrinking the market capitalization from N160.5 trillion to N147.2 trillion.
Performance of Aradel Shares
Aradel’s stock has not escaped the market’s downturn. Since the release of its audited 2025 financial reports on June 19, the stock price has dropped approximately 27%, despite the company reporting record profits and robust returns for shareholders.
Dividend Proposal Amid Strong Financial Performance
Notably, the company remains a standout performer in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector. The Board of Directors has recommended a final dividend of 23 Naira per share for the 2025 fiscal year, amounting to 99.93 billion Naira. Including the interim dividend of 10 Naira already distributed, the total payout to shareholders could reach 143.4 billion Naira, pending shareholder approval.
Strong Earnings Indicators and Future Prospects
The proposed dividend follows a remarkable financial year for Aradel. For the year ending December 31, 2025, the company reported a post-tax profit of N757.3 billion, nearly triple the N259.1 billion recorded during the same period last year. This impressive growth has been fueled by heightened crude oil production and contributions from recently acquired assets. The company’s momentum seems poised to carry into 2026, as it reported a staggering 252% increase in profit after tax for Q1 2026, reaching N120.3 billion compared to N34.2 billion in the previous year. Revenues soared by 265% to N728.5 billion, driven by expanded production volumes and the initial consolidation of ND Western and Aradel’s majority stake in Renaissance Africa Energy Company.
Profiles of Key Executives
Titilola Omisore has been integral to Aradel’s corporate strategy for over two decades. She joined the firm in 2001 after her tenure as a partner at Strachan Partners, where she led the firm’s legal, governance, and corporate finance initiatives through various acquisitions and joint ventures. Omisore also serves on the boards of several Aradel subsidiaries and holds degrees in Political Science, Law, and Tax Law from prestigious institutions.
Temitayo Ogunbanjo, who joined Aradel in September 2021, brings more than 20 years of experience in Nigeria’s downstream oil and gas sector. His previous roles include senior management positions at Levene Trading Limited and Oando. Ogunbanjo holds degrees in Economics and an MBA, alongside completing executive programs at recognized business schools in Cambridge and Harvard.
