Author: Julius Alagbe

Nigeria’s Debt to Drop Around 36% of GDP in 2025 –Moody’s Nigeria’s debt is projected to hover around 36% of the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP) in 2025, Moody’s Ratings said at the end of completing a review. The National Bureau of Statistics reported this week that the country’s total public debt has surpassed N152 trillion as of the second quarter of 2025. Debt to GDP remains below the Debt Office target and fiscal responsibility benchmark, according to analysts. But the spate of borrowing has continue to increase despite rising revenue from crude oil receipt, supported by increase production volume…

Tough Nov. for Naira: CBN Steps Up FX Interventions by 348% The Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) FX injections into the currency market increased by 348% to about $637 million in November as the naira came under pressure. The Apex Bank interventions in the forex market spiked as foreign portfolio investors rotated out from the Nigerian market amidst Nigeria’s new capital gains tax policy. While FX outflows increased, the market was faced with a dollar shortage. Without the CBN, the naira would have automatically crossed N1500-N1600 range given a significant FX outflow from the markets. The authority injected $636.60 million…

NUPRC Opens Oil Blocks Licensing Portal, Targets $10 Billion The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has announced the official commencement of the Nigeria 2025 Licensing Round, marking another major step in the Federal Government’s drive to enhance the sector. Mr Gbenga Komolafe, the Commission Chief Executive, NUPRC, on Monday unveiled the dedicated bid portal: br2025.nuprc.gov.ng during a press briefing at the commission’s Headquarters in Abuja. Unveiling the portal, Komolafe said the development was in the bid to expand investment, strengthen transparency, and deepen exploration in the upstream sector. The CCE recalled that recent licensing initiatives, particularly the 2022 Mini-Bid…

Cloud Accelerator Programme: MTN Gives 20 Startups N100mn MTN Nigeria has unveiled to investors solutions by 20 early-stage startups, who are the first cohort of its 12 weeks Cloud Accelerators programme in Lagos. The unveiling was the highlight of the MTN Cloud Accelerator Demo Day and Investors Mixer held on Monday. Ms. Linda Saint-Nwafor, the Chief Enterprise Business Officer at MTN Nigeria, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to boosting Africa’s digital economy through locally anchored infrastructure, mentorship and N100m funding for the startups. She disclosed that about 8000 early stage startups applied for the first cohort of the MTN Cloud Accelerator…

Central Bank Outlines Strategic Priorities for 2026 The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has outlined its strategic priorities; its governor, Olayemi Cardoso, dropped the hint at the 60th Annual Bankers’ Dinner of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria. The CBN said it will strengthen the banking system in 2026, deliver durable price stability, modernise payments, promote financial inclusion and foster responsible fintech innovation. The authority also plan to build institutional capacity and efficiency, deepen partnerships and thought leadership; and reinforce Nigeria’s position as a trusted and respected central bank. “Over the past year, we have collectively committed to restoring…

Equity Investors Lose N197bn as Bears Launch December Strike The Nigerian Exchange (NGX) market capitalisation shrank as equity investors lost more than N197 billion at the beginning of the week, kick-starting December on a negative note. As a result of bears striking on Monday, NGX key performance indicators fell by 0.22%, driven by cautious trading activities across sectoral indexes. The market saw profit-taking activities in ARADEL, WAPCO, DANGSUGAR, and others, as investors continue to digest the recent economic parameters. The NGX All-Share Index reduced by 310.20 basis points to close at 143,210.33. Also, equity market capitalisation fell by N197.31 billion…

U.S Dollar Inflows into Nigerian FX Market Increase by 64% U.S dollar inflows through the Nigerian forex market (NFEM) increased by more than 64% as the Apex Bank stepped up intervention at the official window. The naira faced pressures, but the Apex Bank’s quick and successive FX sales bolstered liquidity conditions in the currency market last week. Foreign exchange inflows through the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM) increased significantly to US$841.10 million, Coronation Merchant Bank research subsidiary said in a note. The total amount translates to 64.21% week on week surge compared with US$512.20 million in the previous week, merchant…

Dangote Refinery to Supply 1.5bn Litres of Petrol Monthly Dangote Petroleum Refinery has announced plans to supply one billion five hundred million litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) monthly to the Nigerian market in December 2025 and January 2026, a move aimed at ensuring uninterrupted nationwide fuel availability through the festive season and into the New Year. President and Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, disclosed the plans at the weekend, noting that the refinery will make available 50 million litres of PMS daily beginning December 1. “In line with our commitment to national wellbeing, and consistent with…

TotalEnergies to Sell 40% in Nigerian Offshore Asset to Chevron TotalEnergies has agreed to sell a 40% stake in two offshore exploration licenses in Nigeria to Chevron, with the aim to enhance collaboration, the company said on Monday. TotalEnergies said it has signed a farmout agreement to sell to Star Deep Water Petroleum Limited, a Chevron company, a 40% participation in the PPL 2000 and PPL 2001 exploration licenses, offshore Nigeria. Located in the prolific West Delta basin, the PPL 2000 & 2001 licenses are covering an area of approximately 2,000 square kilometers. These assets were awarded to a consortium…

Ikeja Hotel Hits Highest Valuation in 52-Week, Gains 45% Hospitality Company Ikeja Hotel Plc fires up at the Nigerian stock market with more than 45% week-on-week price appreciation as investors’ sentiments improved. Reflecting the expectation of a better earnings outlook, the hospitality stock experienced significant momentum that triggered a fresh re-rating, driven by significant volume activities. Ikeja Hotel hit its highest value in the last 52 weeks, closing the month of November stronger after the hospital company paid dividends to shareholders during the week. Significant volume transactions in the local bourse surfaced as some investors reinvested interim dividends to strengthen…