Author: Julius Alagbe

SEC Launches Spoken-Word Isa 2025 to Engage Gen Zs, Alphas The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Monday launched the spoken-word version of the Investments and Securities Act 2025 (ISA 2025) to enhance public understanding of its provisions. The Act was signed into law by President Bola Tinubu earlier in the year. Prof. Koyinsola Ajayi, a legal practitioner in areas of Energy and Natural Resources, Banking and Capital Markets, unveiled the spoken-word rendition during the Capital Market Committee meeting in Lagos. Ajayi, who did this on behalf of the SEC, said the innovation would make the law accessible, relatable and…

2 Reasons Why Wall Street Rally Could Suffer After Fed Cuts Rates There are two key reasons why the current rally on Wall Street could suffer after the Federal Reserve cuts rates, as expected, this week, warns the CEO of global financial advisory and asset management giant deVere Group. Nigel Green’s warning comes ahead of the conclusion of the US Federal Open Market Committee meeting on Wednesday, at which it is widely expected that the Fed will cut US interest rates for the third consecutive time. US stocks sit near all-time highs after a strong run. Many investors expect the…

FG Launches N50m Venture Capital Grant for Students The Federal Government (FG) on Monday unveiled a N50 million Student Venture Capital Grant (S-VCG), aimed at promoting innovation, research excellence and entrepreneurship across Nigeria’s tertiary institutions. Speaking at the official launch in Abuja, the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, said the programme represented a strategic national investment in young innovators and aligned directly with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for Education. Alausa described the S-VCG as far more than a grant scheme, noting that it was designed to identify high-potential ideas from campuses and nurture a culture of creativity…

2026: Three Tailwinds to Shape Global Investment Outlook Global investors looking toward 2026 are beginning to see a set of structural forces that are grounded in observable economic reality rather than optimism alone, affirms the CEO of one of the world’s largest independent financial advisory organisations. The year ahead, says deVere Group’s Nigel Green, is defined by three credible tailwinds. “Markets reward evidence over enthusiasm,” Nigel Green says. “As 2026 approaches, investors are increasingly distinguishing between stories and substance.” The first tailwind is the persistence of global economic growth that is broader than in recent years, even if it remains…

Interbank Funding Rates Steady, Liquidity Surplus Hits N3.2T Interbank funding rates steadied, supported by excess liquidity in the money market, which was in excess of N3.2 trillion at the close of the trading session last week. The market recorded a bucket of inflows from short-term instruments that matured, further enhanced by deposit money banks increasing placement at the Central Bank window. In a separate update, investment bankers reported that interbank system liquidity remained robust, closing the week at N3.20 trillion. This translates to an increase of N1.242 trillion after money market actions: auction sales and repayments. The market recorded multiple…

Apapa Customs Intercepts 25.5kg Cocaine from Brazilian Ship The Apapa Command of the Nigeria Customs Service says it uncovered Cocaine weighing 25.5kg onboard a Brazilian ship MV San Anthonio in Lagos on Saturday. The Customs Area Controller, Apapa Customs Command, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, made the disclosure in a statement through the Public Relations Officer of the command, Chief Superintendent of Customs (CSC), Isah Suleiman in Lagos. Oshoba said that the illicit drugs packaged in 24 parcels/slabs, were hidden in five bags found aboard the ship, after which Customs intelligence-led checks resulted in the detention of the ship. The Comptroller lauded…

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has increased treasury bills offers for subscription by N1.085 trillion

Naira Declines over Squeezed US Dollar Volume in FX Market Traded at N1450 per dollar, the naira depreciated against the US dollar on Friday at the official foreign exchange market due to a sustained struggle to boost FX supply. Persistent increase in US dollar upstreaming abroad has continued to drain FX liquidity. The pressure on the local currency started in November in spite of FX interventions of about $400 million.  At the official window, the naira declined by 0.18% to N1,450.43 per dollar as pressure mounted, reflecting higher foreign payments and lower FX inflows. Due to increasing pressure, the naira…

Namibia Gets $1.78bn AfDB Loan to Boost Economy, Creates Jobs The African Development Bank (AfDB) Group’s Board of Directors has approved a Country Strategy Paper (CSP) for Namibia, committing $1.78 billion to support economic transformation and inclusive growth in the 2025-2030 period. The financing is expected to pave the way job for creation and economic diversification while also addressing key challenges facing of the world’s most unequal countries: youth unemployment exceeds 40 percent, and per capita income has fallen from $5,942 in 2012 to $4,240 in 2024. “This strategy marks a pivotal moment for Namibia’s development,” said Moono Mupotola, the…

Subdued Interest in Nigerian Bonds Pushes Yield to 15.64% Risk-off sentiment in the secondary market drove the average yield on Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) bonds higher by 4 basis points (bps) on Thursday, traders said in separate reports. The market was greeted with negative sentiment despite surplus liquidity level in the financial system at the trading hours and a couple of pieces of good news, including economic growth and disinflation. A similar experience ensued in the Treasury bills space, suggesting portfolio investors are rotating assets based on the risk profile and yield expectations. While the treasury bills provide inflation-protected…