Author: Gilbert Ayoola

US Policy Emerging Threat Against Nigeria’s Economic SovereigntyEmerging Threat Factors In recent months, diplomatic tensions between the United States and Nigeria have drawn significant attention within financial and geopolitical circles. Under President Donald Trump’s renewed rhetoric and policy positioning, the U.S. administration’s stance towards Nigeria has become increasingly assertive posing both direct and indirect challenges to Nigeria’s ongoing economic recovery. The implications of this evolving relationship are complex, encompassing economic sovereignty, security dynamics, and international perception. At the center of the recent strain is the rejection by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration of two key U.S. proposals: the repatriation of…

Oando Plc: Resilient Energy Group Faces Earnings Storm Oando Plc released its unaudited consolidated and separate financial statements for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, with figures showing reds, reflecting operational pressures. The report paints a picture of a company navigating a challenging operating environment with measured resilience, strategic recalibration, and improved operational efficiency, despite a noticeable softening in top-line revenue performance. During the period under review, Oando Group’s revenue retreated significantly to N2.54 trillion, from N3.19 trillion recorded in the corresponding period of 2024, reflecting a 20.3% year-on-year decline. This downward movement mirrors both global oil price volatilities…

OML Dispute- First Bank Victory Against GHL to Boost Investors’ Confidence In a resounding legal victory that has reverberated across the financial sector, First Bank of Nigeria Limited (FirstBank) has emerged successful in a $718 million arbitration dispute against General Hydrocarbons Limited (GHL). The tribunal’s ruling which completely dismissed GHL’s claims marks not only the conclusion of a protracted legal battle but also a reaffirmation of FirstBank’s prudence, governance standards, and contractual discipline. The arbitration tribunal determined that FirstBank’s financing arrangement with GHL was conditional, not absolute, and that no breach of contract could be established. GHL’s claims of sabotage…

Nigeria’s Digital Banking Revolution: Betting on Poverty or Building Wealth? In today’s digital economy, technology has become the ultimate equalizer. Across the world, mobile apps and online banking platforms are transforming how citizens save, invest, and manage their financial future. Yet, in Nigeria a country with one of Africa’s most innovative fintech sectors the same technology that could empower millions to build wealth is being misdirected toward fueling a gambling culture rather than an investment mindset. Walk into any Nigerian banking app today, and one striking feature stands out: the ease with which users can fund their sports betting wallets.…

Regulatory Crossfire: CBN’s Foray into FIM Oversight Erodes SEC Authority Nigeria’s financial market are witnessing a subtle but significant regulatory upheaval following the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) recent move to assert control over the fixed-income market (FIM). This decision, while framed as a measure to enhance transparency and market efficiency, has sparked deep concern among financial analysts and capital market operators. The development is viewed as a sharp deviation from existing statutory provisions under the Investment and Securities Act (ISA) 2007 and more recently, its proposed ISA 2025 revision which unequivocally designate the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as…

CBN ATM Directive Reinforces Trust in Nigeria Digital Banking The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has once again demonstrated its proactive regulatory posture in fortifying Nigeria’s financial ecosystem with the recent release of its draft guidelines for Automated Teller Machine (ATM) operations. These new directives, which supersede all previous regulations, come at a crucial juncture where financial inclusion, cybersecurity, and infrastructure resilience are deeply intertwined with the nation’s quest for a robust digital economy. Under the new directive, card-issuing banks are mandated to deploy a minimum of one ATM for every 5,000 cards issued by 2028, beginning with 30% compliance…

Fizzling Fortunes: How Coca-Cola’s $393 Million Loss Tells the Story of Nigeria’s Evolving Beverage Market The Coca-Cola Company has reported a $393 million impairment loss linked to the sale of Chi Limited, its once-promising Nigerian beverage subsidiary. The disclosure, contained in Coca-Cola’s Q3 2025 financial statement, reflects not only a financial adjustment but also signals a broader recalibration of corporate strategy in one of Africa’s most dynamic consumer market. Coca-Cola first acquired a significant stake in Chi Limited in 2016, completing full ownership by 2019. At the time, the acquisition was heralded as a gateway to expanding its footprint in…

Access Holdings Slips as Market Awaits Earnings The stock market value of Access Holdings Plc declined by more than 2% on Wednesday as investors look forward to receiving the financial services company’s earnings. Its share price declined to N24.25 on Wednesday due to sell pressures at the time the Nigerian Exchange recorded about a N1.45 trillion gain. Its market value declined by 2.2% as 59.418 million units valued at N1.47 billion were traded in the local bourse; most of the transaction volume was led by sell-side actors. At the close of the trading session, the market value of Access Holdings…

NGX Sustains Bullish Momentum Amid Strong Investor Confidence The Nigerian equities market extended its bullish stride on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, maintaining strong momentum on the back of sustained investor confidence and broad-based participation across both small and large-cap segments. The All-Share Index (ASI) appreciated by 1.01% to close at 151,456.91 points, underscoring the market’s resilience and positive sentiment that has characterised trading in recent weeks. Tuesday’s session was marked by a strong market breadth, with gainers clearly outpacing losers, a reflection of improved investor appetite buoyed by macroeconomic optimism, easing inflation, and continued signals of economic recovery. Foreign and…

Eunisell Begins the Week on a Strong Note, Investor Optimism Fuels Gains Eunisell Interlinked Plc kicked off the new trading week with remarkable bullish momentum, extending the strong upward trajectory it began in the previous session. Following last Friday’s impressive intraday rally and a positive close, the stock surged again on Monday, October 20, gaining a substantial N4.80 to close at N53.20, up from the day’s opening price of N48.40. This movement not only set a new all-time high but also reaffirmed the stock’s 52-week high, eclipsing the earlier volatility that had seen it trade at a 52-week low of…