What happens to your money if you need to exit early?

The 60-month commitment is the most common reason prospective partners hesitate. It is a fair concern. Five years is a long time and life is unpredictable.

Here is exactly what happens if you need to exit before your 60 months are complete — no vagueness, no fine print.

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Why the lock-in exists

Atheq's investment strategy requires a medium-term horizon to work. Equity positions need time to appreciate. Defensive assets compound most effectively when left undisturbed. Opportunistic positions (private equity, agriculture) are inherently illiquid.

More importantly: collective investment funds break down when partners can withdraw unpredictably. If the fund had to liquidate assets every time someone needed cash, it would harm every other partner's returns. The lock-in is how the fund protects the majority from the unpredictability of any one member.

This is not unusual. Pension funds, REITs, and most serious investment vehicles have lock-in periods for the same reason.

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The early exit procedure

If you need to exit before month 60, the process is:

1. Submit a written exit request via the platform (Help tab → Request early exit). This starts the formal process.
2. The Investment Committee acknowledges your request within 5 business days.
3. Your units are valued at the current NAV per unit as of the date of your request.
4. A 10% early exit fee is applied to your redemption value. This fee goes back into the fund — it compensates the remaining partners for the cost of liquidating assets on short notice.
5. Your net redemption (unit value × units held, less 10%) is paid to your registered bank account within 30 days of confirmation.

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What the 10% fee covers

Think of it as a fair price for breaking a collective commitment. The partners who stay for the full term fund the cost of those who cannot.

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Worked example

Suppose you have contributed ₦20,000/month for 24 months and your unit value at exit is ₦560,000 (reflecting contributions + growth):

| | Amount | |---|---| | Total unit value at exit | ₦560,000 | | Early exit fee (10%) | −₦56,000 | | Net redemption | ₦504,000 |

You would receive ₦504,000 — your capital plus any growth, minus the exit fee. You do not lose your principal unless the underlying assets have fallen in value.

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What if I miss contributions?

Missing your monthly contribution (due by the 5th) triggers a ₦5,000 late penalty if not corrected by the 10th. Consistent non-payment (3+ consecutive months) puts your partnership in default and initiates a compulsory exit at the current NAV, with the 10% fee applied.

The grace period exists to accommodate occasional hardship. It is not an invitation to pause contributions indefinitely.

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Alternatives to full exit

Before requesting an exit, consider:

• Nothing. The units stay in the fund, continuing to earn returns. You do not have to contribute more if circumstances change, but your existing units keep working. (Note: non-contribution may eventually trigger default — discuss your situation with the fund via Help.)
• Reduction. There is no formal "contribution reduction" mechanism — the partnership deed specifies ₦20,000/month. If your circumstances have genuinely changed, contact the Investment Committee. Major adjustments require a partner vote.

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The honest bottom line

Early exit is available. It is not designed to be painless — the 10% fee is real and intentional. But it is not impossible, and the process is documented, not discretionary.

If you are genuinely uncertain about a 5-year commitment, do not join yet. Wait until you have a stable monthly surplus that you are confident you can deploy for the full term. The fund will still be accepting applications.

If you are uncertain because of the legal complexity — read the partnership deed summary in Legal → Risk Policy. Everything documented there is what governs your money.