Author: 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.

Money Market Rates Decline as Banks’ SDF Placements Surge

News

Money Market Rates Decline as Banks’ SDF Placements Surge The liquidity conditions in the money market improved as deposit money banks (DMBs) lodgments and primary market inflows enhanced the funding profile. The financial system opened the week tight after huge funds sterilisation by the Apex Bank through series of monetary actions. System liquidity moderated last despite inflows of N2.14 trillion from OMO maturities midweek – eventually ended the trading session in deficit. Liquidity conditions tapered as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) intensified its sterilisation efforts through a series of OMO auctions, with N5.89 trillion allotted. The money market record…

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Crude Oil Prices Tumble as U.S.-Iran Hold Talks

Oil and Gas

Crude Oil Prices Tumble as U.S.-Iran Hold Talks Oil prices tumbled sharply in the global commodity market on Monday as the U.S and Iran held talks, which partially removed the risk premium from crude markets and some profit-taking. International benchmark Brent crude traded at $65.64 per barrel, down 5.8% from the previous close of $69.73. US benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) declined 6% to $61.50 per barrel, compared with $65.46 in the prior session. US President Donald Trump said on Sunday in an interview with Fox News that negotiations were ongoing with Iran over its nuclear program, though he offered…

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GTCO Lists Additional Shares after Private Placement

Analysis

GTCO Lists Additional Shares after Private Placement Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO) Plc listed additional shares on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) trading platform following the completion of its private placement. The financial services group had earlier disclosed that it received an application for 125,000,000 ordinary shares in connection with the private placement from an undisclosed party. GTCO told the regulator that the application was deemed valid under the terms of the Private Placing and was processed accordingly. It said the Private Placing was therefore 100% subscribed as of January 22, 2026. Data from the Nigerian Exchange showed that GTCO shares…

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LIRS Extends Deadline for Filing Employers’ Annual Tax Returns

News

LIRS Extends Deadline for Filing Employers’ Annual Tax Returns The Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) has extended the deadline for filing of employers’ annual tax returns by a week, from Feb. 1 to Feb. 7. The Executive Chairman of LIRS, Dr Ayodele Subair, in a statement on Friday, explained that the statutory deadline for filing of employers’ annual tax returns was Jan. 31 every year. Subair said that the extension was intended to provide employers with additional time to complete and submit accurate tax returns. He said that employers must give priority to the timely filing of their annual…

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