Author: Gilbert Ayoola

Ellah Lakes Ignites Market Frenzy with Bold ARPN Acquisition Ellah Lakes Plc has once again signaled its commitment to becoming a dominant player in Nigeria’s agribusiness and agro-industrial landscape with its recent intent to acquire 100% equity stake in Agro-Allied Resources Processing Nigeria Limited (ARPN) through a definitive Share Purchase Agreement. This transaction, which includes a vast portfolio of arable land and mature plantations, underscores Ellah Lakes’ strategic ambition to consolidate its vertically integrated agricultural model, deepen its asset base, and aggressively drive long-term value creation for its shareholders. The acquisition, poised to close by December 2025, pending regulatory approvals,…

CBN Grabs Full Control of the Debt Market – What It Means for Investors The Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) decision to assume full control of the Fixed Income Market starting November 2025 marks a critical turning point in the country’s financial architecture, and its impact on the broader capital market cannot be overstated. This move, while expected to instill a new level of structure and oversight in the fixed income space, carries both immediate and long-term implications that could reshape investor participation, influence pricing dynamics, and test market confidence. Immediately, the transition to full CBN control introduces a recalibration…

Nigeria at 65: A Nation at Economic Crossroads in a Changing World As Nigeria marks 65 years of independence, the moment invites both celebration and sober reflection. While the green and white flags wave across the country and patriotic songs fill the air, beneath the surface lies a nation wrestling with complex economic realities. Independence is more than a political milestone; it is the right to shape one’s destiny. And as we assess Nigeria’s economic journey through six and a half decades, the question becomes: how far have we truly come and how prepared are we for the future in…

Aradel Holdings Lifts Market as Bellwether Stock Pushes All-Share Index Higher As the third quarter came to a close on the final trading session of September, the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) witnessed a strong finish, fueled largely by a resounding performance from Aradel Holdings Plc. The All-Share Index (ASI) surged by 142,377.56 points, closing the session firmly in positive territory. This bullish close was underpinned by a notable rally in key bellwether stocksmost notably, Aradel Holdings, which led the gainers’ chart with a sharp uptick that has sparked renewed interest and cautious optimism across the equities market. Aradel Holdings, a large-cap…

Access Holdings’ Earnings Delay Raises Investor Concerns Access Holdings Plc, one of Nigeria’s foremost financial banks, has increasingly found itself under investor scrutiny following the conspicuous delay in releasing its Q2 2025 half-year financial results. While delays in financial reporting are not entirely unusual in the corporate world, the timing and recurring pattern in Access Holdings’ disclosures especially considering its aggressive acquisition drive has raised red flags for both investors and market analysts alike. Traditionally known for its operational efficiency and prompt regulatory compliance, Access Holdings has maintained a robust corporate governance framework. However, the ongoing delay now stretching well…

Cracks in Diversification Drive : Julius Berger Leases Cashew Plant to Stem Losses In a move that has raised eyebrows across Nigeria’s financial and construction sectors, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc has officially approved the lease of its cashew processing facilities to Eko Organic Food Industries Limited. This decision comes amid continued financial losses and signals a significant pivot in the company’s broader diversification strategy away from its traditional construction base and into agro-processing. While on the surface this appear to be a simple asset lease, the implications are far more complex and far-reaching, especially when viewed against the backdrop of…

Aradel: Still Asleep a Year After Its Big Market Debut? When Aradel Holdings Plc first graced the floors of the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) on October 15, 2024, the market greeted it with unrestrained enthusiasm. At a striking N818 per share debut, investors scrambled for a piece of what was billed as the next heavyweight in Nigeria’s evolving energy and industrial narrative. That day, whispers of “the next Seplat” echoed down Broad Street. By the close of that first trading week, the stock flirted with a euphoric 52-week high of N850.10, seemingly affirming its blue-chip aspirations. But nearly one year later,…

How Smart Money Powers Stocks and What Retail Investors Can Learn from It When the big players move, the market listens. Institutional investors—mutual funds, pension funds, insurance companies, and other large asset managers wield immense power on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX). These are not traders focused on quick flips or the emotional rollercoaster of daily price movements. Instead, they adopt a patient, fundamentals-driven approach that centers on one thing: where a company is going, not where it’s been. This distinction often marks the difference between short-term noise and long-term wealth creation. Institutions don’t ask if a stock has already rallied…

Extending the Clock: How Longer Trading Hours Could Transform the Nigerian Exchange As Nigeria’s capital market matures, the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) is taking bold steps toward transforming itself into a more dynamic, liquid, and competitive market. One of the most anticipated moves currently under consideration is the extension of trading hours from the current window of 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., to a longer, full-day session ending at 5:00 p.m. This proposed extension of trading hours is not happening in isolation. It aligns with ongoing reforms aimed at enhancing the operational efficiency of the Exchange, including the shift to a…

Nigeria’s 12 Highest-Paid CEOs in Quoted Companies As Nigeria’s business landscape grapples with economic reforms, currency fluctuations, and sectoral shifts, CEO compensation remains a key indicator of how listed firms value leadership. In this edition, we present a comprehensive analysis of the 12 highest-paid CEOs of Nigerian publicly listed companies in 2024 — revealing both their Naira-denominated earnings and their equivalent in US Dollars. At the current exchange rate of N1,536 to $1, we’ve converted these figures to USD to offer international comparability and deeper investor perspective. Naira Salary: N3.90 billion USD Equivalent: ~$2.54 million As the CEO of Nigeria’s…