Author: Ogochukwu Ndubuisi

NGX ASI Climbs as Equity Investors Gain N332bn Boosted by high-cap stock, the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) extended its gain, adding 31 basis points (bps) or N332 billion to investors’ portfolio value. The all-share index (ASI) also surged as investors took positions amidst 2025 earnings release.  The surge in equity portfolio value was primarily driven by sustained interest in large cap stock, in addition to gains recorded by lightweight stocks. The market saw gains in high-cap stocks like DANGCEM, GTCO, ZENITHBANK, and 32 others, lifting the YTD returns to 6.61%. UNIONDICON, ZICHIS, IMG, and AUSTINLAZ led the gainers’ table with a…

Sokoto Unravels N117bn Alleged Financial Infractions The Sokoto State Judicial Commission of Inquiry has unraveled about N117 billion allegedly mismanaged by the immediate past administration in the state. The commission’s Chairman, Justice Ma’azu Pindiga, disclosed this when he presented its fundings to Gov. Ahmad Aliyu on Tuesday in Sokoto. J Pindiga said the commission had received 31 memoranda from the public, private institutions and individuals on alleged different infractions between 2015 to 2023. He said the alleged infractions bordered disregard of procedures, non-compliance with laws and financial regulations as well as abuse of office by officials. He added that 241…

Bitcoin (BTCUSD), Ethereum (ETHUSD), and other major crypto assets have staged a meaningful rebound from a leverage-driven weekend crash.

Spain to Ban Social Media Access for Children Under 16 Pedro Sánchez, Spain’s Prime Minister, said on Tuesday at the World Government Summit in Dubai that access to social media for minors under 16 would be banned. Sanchez added that all platforms will be required to implement age verification systems. “Our children are exposed to a space they were never meant to navigate alone. “We will no longer accept that. We will protect them from the digital Wild West.” He added that his government would also introduce a new bill next week to hold social media executives accountable for illegal…

Stanbic IBTC Grows Profit by 69% as Impairment Charges Ease Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc grew profit by 69% year on year to N380.796 billion in 2025, details from the group’s unaudited financial statement releases on Tuesday showed. The improved bottom line performance was bolstered by a sizeable interest income surge amidst expanded loan book, and significantly lower impairment charges on expected credit losses.  Details from its 2025 results revealed that net interest income accelerated 43% year on year to N585 billion from N410.451 billion in 2024. Its profit was also supported by growth in non-interest income. Stanbic report indicates that…

States to Share Electricity Subsidy Burden with Federal Government The Federal Government of Nigeria, led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has directed all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to clearly define how electricity subsidy costs will be shared among the Federal, State, and Local Governments in the 2026 budget. This move aims to ensure that the burden of electricity subsidies is no longer borne solely by the Federal Government. According to the Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation, Tanimu Yakubu, the President wants the sharing of power subsidy costs to be clear, practical, and open, to prevent any…

Nigerian Stock Market Rally Softens on Cold Bargain Hunting The Nigerian stock market rally has slowed, with bear and bull trading actions amid the fourth-quarter 2026 earnings release. The market closed in the green, but the bearish tone was even stronger, according to trading data obtained from the Nigerian Exchange. The first trading session in February surged marginally as the All-Share Index (ASI) rose by 1bps, bringing the year-to-date return to 6.3%. Market sentiment remained mixed, with PREMPAINTS and UNIVINSURE leading the gainers’ chart after advancing by 10.0% each, while OMATEK topped the losers’ chart with a 10.0% decline. Trading…

PDP Fixes National Convention for March 28, 29 in Abuja The Abdulrahman Mohammed-led National Caretaker Committee (NCC) of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has fixed March 28 and March 29 for the party’s national convention in Abuja. The party made this known in a communique issued at the end of the 105th meeting of its National Executive Committee (NEC) on Monday night. The communique was read by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr Haruna Mohammed, at the end of the meeting, held at the official residence of the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, in Abuja. In the…

FAAC: FG, States, LGs Share N1.969 trn in December 2025 A total sum of N1.969 trillion, December 2025 federation account revenue has been shared to the Federal Government, states and the Local Government Councils (LGs). This is according to a communiqué from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) made available by Mr Bawa Mokwa, Director. Press and Public Relations, Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation. The revenue was shared at the January FAAC meeting. The communiqué said that the N1.969 trillion total distributable revenue comprised statutory revenue of N1.084 trillion, Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue of N846.507 billion, and…

Aradel, Stanbic Drive NGX Index Up Amid FirstHoldco Selloff The Nigerian Exchange (NGX) recorded a thin gain at the beginning of the trading session due to positive price movement in Aradel Holdings, Stanbic IBTC and some lightweight insurance stocks. According to data obtained from the Lagos bourse, the market index gained a meagre 0.01% to settle at 165,384.63 points.  Hence, stock market capitalisation expanded by N11.5 billion to N106.2 trillion amidst earnings releases by listed companies. Price upticks in ARADEL (+5.10%) and STANBIC (+9.26%) marginally offset selloffs in FIRSTHOLDCO (-8.78%) and ETI (-8.33%). Overall market sentiment tilted bearish, with more…