Simbiat Bada is a certified investment professional with nearly a decade of experience spanning securities trading, asset management, sales, and business development. She holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from the American University of Nigeria, Yola, and a master’s degree in economics from the University of Lagos. A member of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS) and a qualified Chartered Accountant (ICAN), her credentials are as layered as her career.
Recently, Zedcrest Group, a leading financial services powerhouse with a strong footprint across asset management, investment banking, securities, and financing, announced its board’s approval of Simbiat Bada as Managing Director, Stockbroking. Her appointment follows Zedcrest’s 2024 acquisition of RMB Nigeria Stockbrokers, subsequently rebranded as Zedcrest Securities, a move that strengthened the group’s presence in the equities market and expanded its offerings across the capital markets value chain.
Before stepping into her current role, she held key positions at Vetiva Securities and WSTC Financial Services Limited. Environments where Simbiat Bada honed her expertise in trading, operations, and wealth management to drive performance and support business growth.
Simbiat, tell us a little about your professional background.
My career in financial services started at WSTC Financial Services, through their graduate trainee program, where I started off in wealth management, then did a bit of operations, finance, and equity trading. I later moved to Vetiva as an equity trader, managing proprietary positions across African markets. In 2024, I joined Zedcrest as head of the equity desk, and I am currently managing director. I’m also a chartered accountant.
Finance is sometimes portrayed as a male-dominated sector, particularly at higher levels. What has been your experience navigating that, and what kept you motivated to grow through the ranks?
I think for me it’ll be just focusing on excellence, putting my best foot forward, over-preparing, working extra hard, and allowing the results to speak for me. I believe strongly that at the end of the day, whatever is yours will be yours.
You’re stepping into the managing director role at a pivotal moment, following Zedcrest’s acquisition of RMB Nigeria Stockbrokers in 2024. What does this opportunity mean to you personally, and what is your top priority?
This is my first time being a part of building something from the ground up and it would really be beautiful to look back and say, “Oh, I was part of the team that built this success.” My top priority would be to put the right structures in place so that the business can operate more optimally. We are moving from a more corporate-based structure to expanding our client base across different segments. I am confident that these would help increase our market turnover and, in turn, boost brand visibility. The end goal is to have a good portion of the market share.
Nigeria’s equity market is quickly changing. Where do you think the largest possibilities and blind spots for investors are right now?
Yes, the market is really changing. In recent months, we’ve moved from T+3 to T+2, and we’re transitioning to T+1, meaning if you sell today, your proceeds are available the next day. That’s a major shift, especially for retail clients. There are other positive changes as well, such as extended trading hours and new listings.
On the flip side, there’s a lot of noise in the stock market, so you have to be intentional when deciding where or what to invest in. It is important that you invest in fundamentally sound companies and do your due diligence. Equities are key for building long-term wealth and have consistently outperformed inflation in the last couple of years, but they come with their own risks. Understanding what these risks are and what your appetite is as an investor is important to make informed decisions. I am proud to say that at Zedcrest, we have an expert team of equity traders and research analysts who are always available to guide investors throughout the process.
What financial habits do you think every woman should build before she turns 35?
First, financial literacy is very important. Being financially literate helps you to understand where to invest at different stages of your life. When you’re younger, you can afford to take on more risk, typically in equities. But even such decisions should come from having a good understanding of the market, so you know why you’re investing in a particular stock or sector. That begins with financial literacy and is then backed by proper planning and budgeting. Also, make sure all your Naira is well accounted for. Basically, have a good savings and investment culture that helps you achieve your financial goals.
You’ve advanced your career in trading, operations, and wealth management. What is the most surprising leadership lesson you’ve learned on your journey so far?
Being a leader doesn’t mean you have to know it all or that you always have to have answers for everything. So, surrounding yourself with the right team and people you can always lean on for support is crucial.
What would you say to a woman who has never purchased stock in her life but wants to start?
Thankfully, equities are now more accessible, with little to no capital limitations. You can start investing with as little as ₦5,000. For beginners, there are also various types of investment funds, like equity funds and ETFs, that make it easier to get started. For ETFs, you get to invest in a diversified basket of securities, which is perfect for beginners because you don’t have to stress over which individual stock to buy. While the equity fund, like the Zedcrest Equity Fund, which is currently the best-performing equity fund in the market, gives you access to professional portfolio managers who actively invest in the right stocks on your behalf. All you have to do is simply invest and watch your money grow.
Additionally, on the Zedcrest Wealth app, users can assess their risk appetite as investors. To further improve their financial knowledge, they can participate in live quizzes and tournaments or join the Zedcrest Wealth Academy to learn more about investing across equities, fixed income, and other asset classes. The Academy takes users from beginner to intermediate and advanced levels, building their knowledge step by step. That is a great place to start.
What excites you the most about being a part of Zedcrest’s growth story?
The work we do at Zedcrest is very important, especially when it comes to financial literacy. Being a part of people’s unique investment journeys and holding their hands as they build wealth is truly fulfilling. We are also entering a new phase of growth as a business, with new offerings and expanded capabilities, and are now better equipped to help our clients achieve their financial goals. These are exciting times, and I look forward to seeing the milestones Zedcrest will achieve in the coming months.
