Ellah Lakes to refund investors after failed N235 billion public offer

Ellah Lakes Plc has announced it will refund applicants after its N235 billion public offer failed to meet the minimum subscription threshold required for allotment.

The company disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday, February 20, 2026, announcing the close of the offer on its website.

It confirmed that no shares would be allotted under the offer and that all subscription monies received would be returned to investors in line with procedures outlined in the offer documents.

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The public offer sought subscription for up to 18.8 billion ordinary shares of 50 kobo each at N12.50 per share.

It opened on November 10, 2025, was initially scheduled to close on December 5, and was later extended to December 19, 2025.

However, at the end of the offer period, subscription levels fell short of the required minimum threshold, rendering the issuance unsuccessful.

What they are saying

Ellah Lakes Plc said its N235 billion public offer has officially closed without meeting the minimum subscription required for share allotment.

As a result, no new shares will be issued, and all funds received from applicants will be refunded in line with the terms of the offer. The company stressed that the outcome of the capital raise does not halt its broader growth strategy.

• _“The Company appreciates the interest shown by investors during the Offer period and remains committed to maintaining transparent communication with all stakeholders.” _
• _“We remain d_isciplined in executing the transaction responsibly and securing the appropriate capital structure.”

The company also confirmed that the proposed acquisition of Agro-Allied Resources & Processing Nigeria Limited (ARPN) remains ongoing and is expected to conclude by the end of the first quarter of 2026, subject to final approvals.

Backstory

Ellah Lakes had, on November 7, 2025, plans to raise up to N235 billion through the equity offering as part of its broader capital restructuring and expansion strategy.

The funds were expected to support growth initiatives and strengthen its agro-processing operations, including plantation expansion and processing capacity upgrades. Despite extending the subscription window by two weeks, investor participation did not reach the minimum level required for allotment.

• The offer opened on November 10, 2025.
• It was initially scheduled to close on December 5, 2025.
• The closing date was later extended to December 19, 2025.

In its official press release titled “Ellah Lakes Plc Announces Close of Public Offer and Outcome,” the company stated that no shares would be issued pursuant to the offer.

More insights

While the capital raise fell through, the company confirmed that its proposed acquisition of Agro-Allied Resources & Processing Nigeria Limited (ARPN) remains ongoing.

Ellah Lakes had earlier signed an agreement on October 3, 2025, to acquire ARPN from ARPN PTE Ltd, Singapore, describing the deal as a strategically important milestone in its long-term transformation agenda.

• The acquisition is subject to final conditions and regulatory approvals.
• It is expected to close by the end of the first quarter of 2026.
• Management says the deal will strengthen operational footprint and improve scale efficiencies.

The company added that the acquisition is expected to enhance long-term value creation and position it for stronger competitiveness within Nigeria’s agro-industrial value chain.

What you should know

Before the offer, Ellah Lakes’ share price gained momentum, climbing from around N11.05 at the start of the offer to about N13.85 as investors initially reacted positively to the capital raise and the planned ARPN acquisition.

However, sentiment appeared to soften after recent financial filings revealed modest revenue gains but widening operating losses, as costs continued to outpace sales.

• The company reported modest revenue growth in its latest filings.
• Operating losses widened during the same period.
• Rising costs continued to pressure profitability and cash flow.

This backdrop of improving market sentiment, but fragile profitability and cash burn, may partly explain why investor appetite ultimately fell short of the minimum subscription threshold required to complete the public offer.