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The 2026 rally on the Nigerian Exchange has been defined not only by sharp price recoveries but also by a cohort of chief executives steering legacy companies through renewed investor attention and re-rating cycles.

In the industrial and conglomerates space, leadership at SCOA Nigeria Plc has focused on restructuring and strengthening its distribution footprint across heavy equipment and automotive segments, helping the company benefit from renewed demand in infrastructure-linked sectors.

At R.T. Briscoe Plc, long-serving management has leaned on deep institutional experience within the automotive services value chain, guiding the firm through cyclical pressures while positioning it for a broader operational reset that has resonated with investors.

In logistics, Red Star Express Plc’s leadership has continued to push efficiency and scale in courier and freight services, a segment increasingly supported by Nigeria’s growing e-commerce and trade logistics demand.

Within the building materials and coatings space, leadership at Berger Paints Plc and CAP Plc has centered on operational discipline, cost management, and market expansion, aligning with rising construction activity and infrastructure-related demand.

In the consumer-linked industrial segment, Union Dicon Salt Plc has also seen leadership attention shift toward governance tightening and stabilisation efforts following years of market volatility, while Fortis Global Insurance Plc reflects a leadership transition story within Nigeria’s insurance space, as the firm seeks to rebuild confidence post-disruption.

Across these companies, a common thread stands out: experienced executives managing legacy institutions through structural resets, with investor sentiment increasingly rewarding turnaround narratives, balance sheet discipline, and operational visibility.

Anthony “Tony” Adigwe is the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of DEAP Capital Management & Trust Plc, a Nigerian investment and trust management firm listed on the Nigerian Exchange. He was appointed to the board as a Director and assumed the role of CEO/Managing Director on May 18, 2023.

Before taking the helm at DEAP Capital, Adigwe spent eight years at the company in progressively senior roles.

Prior to joining DEAP Capital, he worked in sales and marketing roles at Ibeto Cement Industries Limited and Bonny Allied Industries Limited. He also completed his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme at Glaxo Nigeria Plc, where he gained experience in procurement and contract administration.

Under his leadership, DEAP Capital has emerged as one of the Nigerian Exchange’s standout performers in 2026.

As of May 26, 2026, the company ranked among the NGX’s top-performing stocks, delivering a year-to-date return of 187%. The stock opened the year at N1.90 per share and climbed to N5.45, while trading volumes exceeded 908 million shares.

The company has also attracted interest from high-net-worth investors across Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Europe, as it continues to explore additional investment commitments. It currently holds a market capitalization of approximately N8.5 billion.