Author: Julius Alagbe

Naira Falls While Nigeria’s External Reserves Cross $41bn The naira fell against the US dollar at the Nigerian foreign exchange market as trading data revealed a significant surge in foreign currency payments by eligible players. An FX data update from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) showed the local currency fell to N1536.7346 per dollar at the official window on Wednesday over intense demand for the greenback. The spot rate hit an intraday high of N1538.5000, a significant reversal from N1535.5000 in the previous, reflecting looming pressures at the official window in the absence of dollar support from the CBN.…

CBN Selectively Hikes Interest Rates on Nigerian Treasury Bills The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) repriced spot rates on Nigerian Treasury bills with 91-day and 364-day maturities at the primary market auction on Wednesday, details from the primary market auction conducted on Wednesday revealed. Meanwhile, the discount rate on treasury bills with 182 days to maturity was steadied amidst significant subscription record Offer The authority floated N230 billion worth of Nigerian Treasury bills across standard tenors to replace maturing papers. The Apex bank offered 91-day treasury bills worth N50 billion for subscription at the main auction. For mid-tenor, or 182-day-to-maturity…

Eno Inaugurates Task Force on Illegal Mining in Akwa Ibom Gov. Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom has inaugurated a committee to address the menace of illegal mining across the state. Eno, while inaugurating the committee at the Government House in Uyo on Wednesday,  announced that the committee would chaired by Mr Nsikak Ekong, the Commissioner for Environment and Mineral Resources. He frowned at the rise in illegal mining activities in the state particularly across the coastlines. The governor noted that the composition of the committee was all encompassing, to ensure effective service delivery. “The Ministry of Environment cannot do this…

Banking, Oil Stocks Drive Intraday Loss in Nigerian Market With sell pressures in banking, oil stocks, and the Nigerian Exchange (NGX), the all-share index headed south during the intraday trading session on Wednesday. The local bourse has shed 33 basis points in equity portfolio value at noon amidst the latest round of market correction. The market is bleeding profusely again after investors lost N1.33 trillion the previous day as sell-side actors’ activities plunged key performance indicators lower. The buying momentum has eased significantly due to downbeat investor sentiment with the slowdown in corporate earnings release. Stockbrokers told MarketForces Africa in…

Nvidia Slide Exposes Risks in Tech-Driven Rally A sudden stumble in Nvidia, the stock most emblematic of the artificial intelligence boom, has shaken Wall Street out of its summer calm, sending the Nasdaq 100 down 1.4% in one of its sharpest drops since April. The selloff highlights both the enduring power of the AI story and the fragility of markets built on a handful of names. In a note shared with MarketForces Africa, Nigel Green, chief executive of global financial advisory giant deVere Group, says the pullback is not a rejection of AI’s future but a warning sign for investors…

Alleged Fraud: Court Freezes Bank Accounts Linked to Ex-NNPC Boss, Kyari The Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday ordered the temporary freezing of four Jaiz Bank accounts linked to Mr Mele Kyari, the immediate-past Group Managing Director (GMD) of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), over allegations bordering on fraud. Justice Emeka Nwite made the order after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)’s lawyer, Ogechi Ujam, moved an ex-parte motion to that effect. Ujam had told the court that investigations were ongoing on the matter and that the commission would need some time to conclude its findings. Justice…

Core Islamic Finance Markets Are Largest EM Dollar Debt Issuers – Fitch US dollar debt issuance from emerging markets (EMs) was resilient, and issuers from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, Malaysia, Indonesia and Turkiye accounted for just over half of such issuance in 1H25 (excluding China), Fitch Ratings says. Large financing needs, diversification goals and upcoming maturities are among the key drivers. Countries viewed as relative safe havens from the US trade war, such as those in the GCC, were beneficiaries of foreign inflows in 1H25. Market diversity via sukuk and ESG instruments is also expanding in EMs. The…

Nigeria’s Eurobond Yield Up, Offshore Investors Sell African Papers Spooked by fresh risk-off sentiment, Nigeria’s sovereign Eurobond yield increased in the international market as foreign portfolio investors reduced their positions across African issuers on Monday. Some African issuers’ names, including Ghana, Angola, and Egypt papers, experienced sell-offs; prices declined while their respective yields surged amidst global uncertainties. Investment analysts said the trading direction could reverse during the week in light of new data. Fixed income market analysts had anticipated increased demand for Nigeria’s Eurobonds as headline inflation moderated by 34 bps to 21.88% year-on-year from 22.22% year-on-year in June 2025,…

Liquidity Deficit Keeps Money Market Rates Elevated A liquidity deficit in the banking system kept money market rates elevated in the absence of significant inflows from maturing instruments. The Apex bank’s significant funding mop-up via its recent past open market operations and Treasury bill activity reduced the amount of free funds in the system. Though there were no primary market activities last week, the liquidity positions in the money market failed to improve in the absence of related inflows from other sources, and the resource allocation mechanism caused rates to inch higher to double-digit highs. Banks have continued to access…

Equity Investors Gain N65bn as Nigerian Exchange Rebounds Equity investors gained about N65 billion as the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) all-share index advanced by seven basis points, reversing negative performance experienced last week. The market index, year-to-date return, and market capitalization surged due to positive price movement recorded in the local bourse on Monday.  AIICO, DANGSUGAR, UNILEVER, WEMABANK, and 39 others drove the stock market rally. The Nigerian Exchange index climbed by 94.27 basis points, up by 0.07%, to close at 144,722.47 basis points. Market activities were mixed, as the total volume of all trades consummated on the exchange decreased by…