Author: Julius Alagbe
Julius Alagbe
Julius Alagbe is a senior financial journalist and Editor at MarketForces Africa with nearly two decades of experience in finance, accounting, and economics reporting.He is one of Nigeria's most prolific financial market reporters, covering capital markets, monetary policy, corporate earnings, banking, telecoms, and macroeconomic developments across Africa.Julius has built a strong footprint reporting on Nigeria's leading corporates and financial services sector, including coverage of the Nigerian Exchange Group, Central Bank of Nigeria monetary operations, MTN Nigeria, GTCO, and major investment banking transactions.He regularly monitors the CBN’s open market operations, interbank FX markets, and equity market movements, providing readers with real-time intelligence on Nigeria’s financial landscape.His reporting draws on direct access to institutional research from firms including Moody’s Ratings, CardinalStone Securities, Fitch, and other leading African investment houses.Julius brings analytical depth and editorial rigour to every story, making complex financial data accessible to professionals, investors, and policymakers across Africa.Julius Alagbe is based in Lagos, Nigeria.
Financial System Liquidity Plunges after CBN Raised N3.9trn The financial system liquidity plunged sharply following aggressive liquidity mop-up activities of the Apex Bank in the money market, raising about N3.9 trillion from OMO and Treasury bills subscriptions. Early in the week, the liquidity conditions surpassed N4 trillion mark as banks were having fun at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) standing deposit facility window, where they earn 22.5% on sterilised funds. The liquidity level in the financial system was significantly affected after OMO and Nigerian Treasury Bills auctions—the monetary authority’s way of limiting banks’ capacity to create credits. Activities at…
Naira Drops to N1,419 Amidst Broad Stability Projection The naira weakened marginally against the US dollar at the official window on Thursday, depreciating by N1.45/US$ to close at N1,419.71/US$ compared with N1,418.26/US$ previously recorded. Based on data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the naira largely traded within the low and high bands of N1,418.00/US$ and N1,422.00/US$, respectively. The market expects the naira to continue trading in line with prevailing market demand and supply conditions, supported by improving external reserves position. In a 2026 report, PwC expects the naira to remain broadly stable through 2026, underpinned by ongoing CBN…
Memecoin DINO Gains 41% in 24 Hours, Extends 7-Day Rally Dinosol (DINO) has gained 40.72% over the last 24 hours despite negative sentiment in the cryptocurrency market on Thursday, extending a 7-day rally of +154.8%. In the last 30 days, the memecoin has gained 743.4%—outperforming the broader crypto market, which fell -2.47% in the same period. The meme coin is hovering at $0.001428 at the time of writing over tight supply and bargain hunting. DINO trading volume has increased by about 112% in the last 24 hours to $4.12 million. The Dinosol team executed multiple buybacks and burns, removing approximately…
CBN Hikes Nigerian Treasury Bills Rates Across Durations The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) hiked spot rates on Treasury bills across standard tenors as its primary market auction recorded N1.543 trillion in aggregate subscription. The first auction in 2026 saw the Apex Bank extending its higher spot rates generosity across Nigerian Treasury bills with 91 days, 182 days and 364-day expirations. The CBN floated its first treasury bills action, offering N1.15 trillion at the main auction for investors’ subscriptions amidst expectations that disinflation will persist. The authority placed Nigerian Treasury bills with 91 days maturity worth N150 billion on the…
“I’m Unapproachable” – Judge Warns Counsel in Malami Trial Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, warned counsel in the trial of former Attorney General and Minister o of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN and two others to desist from approaching him for any favour, cautioning that his leniency should not be taken for granted. “I want to admonish and warn counsels and litigants that they should know the type of court they are appearing before. All judges are not the same. Irrespective of my familiarity with you, when I am dealing with…
CBN Raises N2.7trn from OMO Bills, Rates Still Look Good The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) allotted N2.71 trillion worth of OMO bills to investors at the first open market operation conducted in 2026. The huge allotment signals that the CBN will be more aggressive in its primary market actions with increasing demand for short-term borrowing from the Nigerian government to patch the income gap. The authority floated OMO bills for subscription, sought to raise N600 billion from foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) and Deposit Money Banks, the core active players at the space. The offer size of N600.0 billion was…
NAHCO Secures Fresh, Renewed Ground Handling Contracts The Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc (NAHCO Aviance) has confirmed signing fresh and renewed contracts for the provision of comprehensive ground handling services. The disclosure is contained in a statement issued on Tuesday in Lagos by Mr Tayo Ajajaye, Assistant General Manager, Corporate Communications, NAHCO Plc. According to Ajajaye, NAHCO renewed contracts with Air France, KLM, Virgin Atlantic and RwandAir for the continued provision of ground handling services. It also signed fresh contracts with United Nigeria Airlines for regional operations, as well as Bellagio and Malaikair. The renewed Air France and KLM contracts…
Ghana’s Private Sector Health Improves on Disinflation Advantage With a sustained decline in headline inflation, private sector activity improved further in December, according to the Standard & Poor’s Purchasing Manager Index (PMI) released today. S&P noted that business activity returned to growth in December as new orders continued to rise. In turn, companies increased their purchasing activity and employment, while remaining strongly optimistic that output will expand further over the course of 2026. It said firms continued to benefit from a lack of inflationary pressure, with both input costs and output prices down again in December. The S&P Global Ghana…
EUR Weakens After European Inflation Data, DYX Index Rebounds The euro (EURUSD) weakened against the US dollar at the forex market on Tuesday, trading at $1.17, after European inflation data suggested easing price pressures. The market has begun to factor in uncertainties over the European Central Bank rates adjustment in 2026. The US dollar rebounded against its trading pairs on hope that Federal Reserve rate cuts remain uncertain. The markets expect the Federal Reserve will maintain a neutral interest rate stance at its next two monetary policy meetings, scheduled for January 28, 2026, and March 18. FX data showed that…
Oil Prices Drop on Expected Crude Supply Boost Oil prices dropped in the global markets on Tuesday as U.S. talks with American oil companies on Venezuela fuelled expectations that additional crude supply could return to global markets. Brent crude traded at $61.50 per barrel, down 0.30% from Monday’s close of $61.70. US benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) was at $57.99 per barrel, down around 0.33% compared to $58.13. A senior White House official told Anadolu Agency that correspondence with companies has started and will continue, adding that US Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Secretary of State Marco Rubio will lead…