One of Nigeria’s youngest deal makers, Folasope Aiyesimoju, quietly controls UAC with stake worth $50 million

Folasope Babasola Aiyesimoju, CEO and largest shareholder of UAC of Nigeria, is quietly reshaping one of Nigeria’s oldest conglomerates. 

With a $50 million stake and a combined 22.98% ownership, the CFA charterholder merges operational control with strategic investment, applying private equity principles to consumer goods and logistics. 

Born in 1980, Aiyesimoju built his career across global institutions like Kohlberg Kravis Roberts and Standard Bank before founding Themis Capital Management. Today, he stands out as a rare Nigerian executive combining CEO leadership with significant shareholder influence, driving operational efficiency, acquisitions, and long-term growth.

Early career and global exposure
Born in June 1980, Aiyesimoju studied Estate Management at the University of Lagos, grounding him in asset valuation and investment principles. He later earned his CFA charter and launched a career across leading global institutions. 

At Kohlberg Kravis Roberts,  a leading global investment firm with $168 billion in assets under management, he gained exposure to large-scale buyouts and value creation strategies before leading mergers and acquisitions at Standard Bank Group in Nigeria. These experiences shaped his investment philosophy: buy right, fix fast, and scale efficiently.

Turning capital into control
Through Themis Capital Management, which Aiyesimoju founded in 2017, he holds 20.04% indirect and 2.94% direct stake in UAC, totaling 672.3 million shares. His $50 million position makes him the company’s largest shareholder, aligning management decisions with investor value.

Strategic transformations at UAC
Under his leadership, UAC has undergone a deliberate transformation. Aiyesimoju streamlined operations, exited non-core assets, and focused the conglomerate on high-growth segments, particularly in packaged foods and logistics. 

Strategic acquisitions have strengthened its footprint in everyday consumer staples, reflecting private equity principles of simplification, operational improvement, and scale.

Quiet power, outsized impact
Aiyesimoju’s dual role, CEO and controlling investor, is rare in Nigeria. His leadership boosts profitability, investor confidence, and operational excellence, redefining the modern corporate CEO.

Folasope Babasola Aiyesimoju exemplifies Africa’s new breed of executives blending finance, ownership, and operations. His quiet yet decisive influence positions UAC as a model of strategic growth and operational control.