Ogbechie, Rewane Urge Investors to Build Wealth Through Real Assets and Strong Governance

Nigerian investors have been encouraged to look beyond cash holdings when building long-term wealth, with business leaders Gabriel Ogbechie and Bismarck Rewane highlighting tangible assets, disciplined risk management and personal values as important parts of sustainable prosperity.

The executives spoke at the Cordros Wealth Summit 2026 in Lagos, an event organised by Cordros Capital Limited under the theme "Wealth Beyond Money." The gathering brought together business leaders, economists, market professionals and other participants to discuss investment, wealth creation and the transfer of assets between generations.

Ogbechie, founder and Group Executive Chairman of Rainoil Limited, argued that lasting wealth is better supported by productive businesses, physical assets, investments and strong relationships than by simply holding currency. He used the growth of Nigerian equities and real estate as examples of assets that have increased substantially in value over long periods.

According to figures he presented, Nigerian stock market capitalisation stood at about N4.5tn to N5tn in 2009 and has since risen to N163.68tn. Ogbechie also referred to property values in Ikoyi, noting that land once priced around N30,000 per square metre has reached multi-million-naira levels in some locations. He additionally encouraged investors to pay attention to integrity, physical wellbeing and philanthropy when considering what constitutes lasting prosperity.

Rewane, Chief Executive Officer of Financial Derivatives Company, focused on the broader economic conditions influencing investment decisions. He said Nigeria's macroeconomic indicators were showing signs of greater stability, describing inflation patterns as increasingly predictable and exchange-rate movements as becoming less disruptive.

He also argued that high benchmark interest rates remain a constraint on private-sector growth. Rewane called for monetary policy rates to move closer to inflation levels, saying lower borrowing costs would provide better conditions for expansion in the productive economy.

Other speakers addressed how investors can preserve and transfer wealth. Cordros Capital Group Managing Director Wale Agbeyangi outlined the company's expansion from a stockbroking business established in 2007 into a financial services group covering areas including investment banking, asset management, trusteeship, insurance brokerage and registrar services.

Gbolahan Aina, Managing Director of Cordros Asset Management Limited, discussed wider access to investment products and pointed to mutual funds and equities as instruments available to retail investors seeking protection against inflation. During a panel on diversification and succession planning, Falcon Corporation Chief Executive Audrey Joe-Ezigbo addressed governance and leadership, while Bestman Games founder Nimi Akinkugbe stressed the importance of preparing heirs with the knowledge and ability needed to manage inherited assets.

Nigerian Exchange Limited Chief Executive Jude Chiemeka also highlighted investment options available through the capital market, including equities, fixed-income products and derivatives. He advised investors to reassess their risk tolerance as their financial circumstances and investment journeys change.