Consumer goods giant Unilever Nigeria has presented facts behind its plans to raise N58, 851,275,010.00 rights issue on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange in Lagos.
Unilever Nigeria plans to offer 1.96 billion shares at N30 naira, a 26 percent discount to its Wednesday, June 28, 2017, price of N40.51. The sale which began on Jul 31 ends on Sept. 8. The issue price is N30 per share.
Shareholders of the company had approved the rights issue at the 92nd Annual General Meeting held in May 2017.
Speaking on the floor of the NSE, the Managing Director, Unilever Nigeria Plc., Yaw Nsarkoh explained that the net proceeds will help the company repay outstanding foreign currency denominated liabilities, purchase additional raw materials required for Unilever’s products and to meet other working capital requirements in order to build long term value for all stakeholders.
He said, “Through this rights issue, we will be able to reinforce our financial flexibility to support our growth initiative while giving shareholders an opportunity to consolidate their shareholding position. The Rights Issue is part of Unilever Nigeria’s long term strategic intent to strengthen the company’s capital base by deleveraging its balance sheet, support its working capital needs and position the company to exploit value accretive opportunities.”
On his part, the Chairman, Unilever Nigeria Plc, His Royal Majesty Nnaemeka Achebe, stated that the Rights Issue represents a milestone event in Unilever Nigeria’s history as it marks the company’s first follow-on equity offering since its listing in 1973.
According to Achebe, “the rights issue reiterates our confidence in Unilever Nigeria’s robust future and commitment to building a more enduring business in Nigeria. We acknowledge with deep appreciation the unwavering support we have received from our stakeholders and shareholders even in trying times which has enabled us deliver positive results. We urge all shareholders to support the company’s objective by participating in the rights issue to ensure the company obtains the flexibility to attain its growth objectives.”
Speaking at the event, the CEO, Nigerian Stock Exchange, Oscar Onyema, expressed happiness that Unilever Nigeria chose “to use this platform to further inform the market of this ongoing transaction and other strategic and operational involvement in the company. As the market is driven by timely, relevant and accurate information, your interaction with the market through this forum is very welcome and we encourage you to continue with this trend.”
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