Author: Julius Alagbe

NCDMB Oil, Gas Parks Near Completion, Set for 2026 Inauguration The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) says its Nigerian Oil and Gas Parks Scheme (NOGAPS), established to boost local manufacturing through shared infrastructure and embedded power solutions would be inaugurated in 2026. Dr Abdulmalik Halilu, Director, Corporate Services, NCDMB disclosed this on Monday in Abuja while presenting an overview of the Board’s mandate and achievements at a capacity building workshop for media. NCDMB established the NOGAPS with the primary aim of domiciling and domesticating oil and gas activities in-country by facilitating local manufacturing. The scheme is a key…

Cash Inflow into Federal Account Rises to N23trn in 2025 – RMAFC The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) says Nigeria’s Federation Account recorded strong growth of N23.06 trillion within ten months of 2025, up 7.6% from N21.43 trillion on record in 2024. The Chairman of the commission, Dr Mohammed Shehu, disclosed this at a two-day National Stakeholders’ Discourse on “Enhancing Fiscal Efficiency and Revenue Growth Under the Nigeria Tax Act, 2025” on Monday in Abuja. Shehu very that the 2025 performance was an improvement on the N11.93 trillion recorded in 2023 and N21.43 trillion in 2024. He attributed…

Cordros Marks GTCO Top Pick, Cites Superior Earnings Quality Equity analysts at Cordros Securities Limited have made Guaranty Trust Holdings Company (GTCO) their top stock pick for 2026 despite earnings challenges facing the group in 2025. GTCO has seen declining profitability up to the third quarter of 2025 due to cost pressure and lower earnings amidst a tight regulatory environment. In its 2026 outlook, Cordros Securities Limited said the banking sector will enter 2026 in a fundamentally healthier position, following balance-sheet strengthening through the recapitalisation programme. Equities analysts noted that the completion of catch-up provisioning in 2025, and a more…

Eterna Lost 15% of Its Market Value, Investors Take Profit Amidst Forecast Downstream oil and gas company Eterna Plc saw its market value dropping by more than 15% in the local bourse as investors took profit ahead of Q4 earnings and the latest forecast. The sell pressure reflects investors’ negative sentiment about the petroleum retail company earnings outlook amidst a shift in Nigeria’s oil import narrative. Like its other rivals, Eterna faces crude oil importation challenge after Dangote Refinery comes upstream. The operation of a major Refinery from Lagos has affected downstream oil players, causing earnings losses. In the stock…

Excess Liquidity: Banks Stick to Risk-Free Bets to Boost Earnings The short-term benchmark interest rate climbed as deposit money banks (DMBs) continue to party hard in the money market for favourable premiums on risk-free investments. Banks were seen rotating funds across the standing deposit facility (SDF), where they earn 22.50%, increasing bets on One year Nigerian Treasury bills for a 17.95% spot rate and 215 day OMO bills for 19.45%. These money market investment securities, which have become an alternative to growing private sector loans, offer banks the opportunity to grow earnings without taking significant lending risks with deposit money.…

Nigerian Exchange Chairman Hails BUA Group Workforce The Chairman of Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX Group), Dr Umaru Kwairanga, has described the workforce of BUA Group as the driving force behind the conglomerate’s rise. Kwairanga made the remarks at the BUA Group Long Service Awards and Night of Excellence, where employees with decades of service were honoured for their loyalty and dedication. The NGX Chairman, in a statement on Sunday, noted that people, not physical assets, remained the true measure of corporate greatness. He said the ceremony was a powerful reminder that enduring institutions were built by individuals whose daily commitment,…

Egypt Battles High Debt Burden Amidst Fiscal Consolidation Egypt is struggling with exceptionally weak debt affordability, with significant public debt as a proportion of economic size threatening the country’s outlook. However, the country is getting multilateral lender support, including a huge investment drive from Qatar to enhance economic conditions. key macroeconomic indicators have been weakened, with a double-digit headline inflation rate in the country. The country’s consumer price index has, however, improved significantly, supported by effective monetary authority policy and some fiscal consideration. Egyptians’ debt remains a threat to economic growth. In a non-rating commentary note, Moody’s said exceptionally weak…

CBN to Auction N700bn Worth of Local Treasury Bills on Wed. Through the Debt Management Office (DMO), the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is set to auction its final set of Nigerian Treasury bills to investors in the primary market on Wednesday. The authority has consecutively conducted two auction sales in December due to an ad-hoc offers totalling N750 billion the authority introduced into its fourth quarter calendar. The final auction was adjusted to N700 billion, from N365 billion initially anticipated, reflecting increase need for short term funds by the Nigerian government. In the secondary market, trading activities were volatile…

Nigeria Posts Trade Surplus for 12 Qs as FX Earnings Rise Nigeria maintained 12 consecutive quarters (12 Qs) of trade surplus in Q3-2025, supported by higher export earnings—especially from crude oil—despite a slight decline in surplus compared to Q2.  Imports remained elevated due to continued reliance on foreign goods, even as mineral imports declined with increased local refining output from Dangote Refinery, AIICO Capital Limited said in a commentary note. According to Nigerian statistics office, Asia remained Nigeria’s main import source, while Europe was the largest destination for exports. Particularly, AIICO Capital Limited said a positive trade balance has supported…

Naira Priced at N1,454 Per Dollar Payment in FX Market The naira was priced at N1454.51 per U.S. dollar payment transaction at the Nigerian foreign exchange market on Friday after trading negatively for 8 days. The local currency’s last-minute rally was driven by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) fx intervention sales to banks and other authorised dealers in the official window. FX traders said it took the Apex Bank for the naira to rebound on Friday amidst rising demand for foreign payments by eligible market participants. The FX spot rate trade was between an intraday high of N1458.5000 and…