Q&A with Yewande Sadiku
Ms. Yewande Sadiku, an experienced investment banker, also of the Atedo Peterside School of Investment Banking, briefly explains to us what investment banking is about. Sadiku is currently the Chief Executive of Stanbic IBTC Capital Limited. She served as the Head of Finance Department of Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc (formerly, IBTC Chartered Bank Plc). She was responsible for the execution of debt and equity issues, mergers and acquisitions, divestitures and financial advisory assignments handled by IBTC and also responsible for the packaging, analysis and execution of a variety of assignments.
JH: One of the most popular questions readers of my blog ask is how to become an investment banker and the prospects of investment banking in Nigeria. To the best of my knowledge, I try to respond. But from a seasoned investment banker like you, the insights will be more practical. Can you briefly let my readers into what investment banking is about, and what its prospects are in Nigeria?
YS: Investment Banking involves providing select clients with specialised advise on meeting long term debt and equity financing needs, advising them on corporate restructurings, and advising on mergers, acquisitions and divestitures. It typically requires complex financial structuring.
Investment Bankers are subjected to substantial intellectual rigour and must have the capacity to work under pressure. It requires several years of training to understand the legal and regulatory requirements to be able to structure appropriately; it also requires specialized training in financial statement analysis, financial modelling and valuation.
Investment Banking typically involves working long hours, most days of the week so is not well suited to everybody. A career in Investment banking will leave most people with less social time than their peers and requires significant juggling to maintain a healthy work/life balance.
The considerable investment opportunities in Nigeria, especially in agriculture, power, infrastructure and oil and gas means that the prospects for investment banking are considerable. The capital markets are expected to grow on the back of the development of these sectors and result in significant wealth creation for several Nigerians.
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