Chairman of Optiva Capital Partners, Franklin Nechi, has reaffirmed the company’s leadership in the global migration and investment immigration industry, describing the company as a “bridge that connects African potential to global possibilities”.

Speaking at an interactive session in Lagos, Nechi noted that the demand for second citizenship and residency-by-investment programmes has become a defining trend in global wealth management, transforming from a privilege of a few into a strategic necessity for high-net-worth individuals (HNIs) and professionals, particularly across Nigeria and Africa.

“Today, mobility is power. Access is wealth. The world rewards those who can cross borders, seize opportunities, and connect effortlessly with global systems of education, healthcare, business and innovation,” he explained.

Nechi emphasised that Optiva Capital Partners recognised early that Africa’s rising class of investors and entrepreneurs requires more than financial assets and needs access – access to opportunity, safety, and choice.

“From a pioneering idea, Optiva has evolved into Africa’s leading investment immigration and wealth management firm, trusted by thousands of clients across the continent,” Nechi stated, adding that the company’s vision is empowering “Africans to live globally without borders”. According to Nechi, Optiva’s leadership in the industry rests on three key pillars: credibility, partnership and impact.

“Credibility is ensuring every transaction is guided by transparency, due process and international best practices. Partnership is built on collaborations with governments, licensed program administrators, global legal firms, and real estate developers across Europe, the Caribbean and the Middle East.

“Impact, for us, is reflected in life-changing outcomes for clients: families gaining global freedom, entrepreneurs expanding into new markets and children accessing world-class education without barriers. We are proud that Optiva Capital is recognised today as the number one name in investment immigration in Africa — not by our claim alone, but by the trust and success of our clients and the recognition of our global partners,” Nechi said.

He described the global migration industry as a multi-billion-dollar sector that continues to expand as nations compete to attract investors and talent. He reaffirmed Optiva’s commitment to ensuring Africans are active participants — not spectators — in this emerging global ecosystem.

“We believe this is the future — a borderless generation of Africans who can study, invest and thrive anywhere in the world while still contributing meaningfully to their home economies,” Nechi concluded.