Author: Ogooluwa Aremu

Stock Market Cap Hits N1.22trn, Investors Gain N5.11Trn The Nigerian Exchange Ltd. (NGX) started the week on a positive note, with market capitalisation rising by N5.1 trillion, representing a 4.36 per cent gain on Monday. The performance was driven by increased interest in high capitalised equities such as ABC Transport, Beta Glass, Ikeja Hotel, Mc Nicholas, Oando, and 52 other equities. Specifically, the market capitalisation which increased to N122.129 trillion at the opening, closed at N117.027 trillion. Similarly, the All-Share Index (ASI) edged up by 7,953.36 points or 4.36 per cent, closing at 190,266.44, compared to 182,313.08 recorded on Friday.…

Nigerian Exchange (NGX) hit a historic high on Monday as equities investors gained N5.11 trillion due to improved bargain hunting

Ethereum (ETHUSD) dropped by 2.11% to $1,958.99 in 24h, underperforming a slightly weaker broader market, primarily driven by a major whale preparing to sell.

DSS Accuses El-Rufai of Cybercrime, Files 3 Charges Department of State Services (DSS) has filed a three-count criminal charge against former Gov. Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State bordering on cybercrime offences. The DSS instituted the charge at the Federal High Court in Abuja, following the alleged involvement of the ex-governor in wiretapping the telephone lines of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Ngpfvuhu Ribadu. The charge, filed by the DSS, on Monday, is marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/99/2026. The service accused El-Rufai of breaching the Cybercrimes Prohibition Act, (2024), and the Nigerian Communications Act (2003.) In count on, El Rufai was alleged to…

AU Summit Maps Outlines Africa’s Development Roadmap The 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU) mapped out a path for Africa’s future to include water security, stability and global representation. AU Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf and Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye, who is also the current chairperson of the AU, underpinned the summit’s strategic and direction-setting deliberations. The assembly meeting, which brought together African leaders at the AU headquarters in Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa, from Saturday to Sunday, was held under the AU’s 2026 theme: “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and…

Abia Govt to Pay Ex-Councillors 22-Year Salary Arrears The Abia Government has announced plans to settle outstanding salary arrears owed to former Local Government Councillors who served between 1999 and 2022. Gov. Alex Otti of Abia made this known on Sunday during a meeting with members of Association of Former Elected Councillors, in Umuahia. The governor stated that payments of the arrears accumulated under previous administrations would commence before the end of the month, and will be settled in batches. He explained that when the proposal on the arrears owed former councillors was first brought to him, he was not…

Fidelity Bank Gains 8% as Investors Price in Earnings Outlook With 8% weekly price surge, Fidelity Bank Plc crossed N1 trillion in market capitalisation as investors’ sentiment improved following the successful capitalisation announcement.  The stock market price of Fidelity Bank increased to N20.90 following a significant trading volume. Data from the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) tracked by MarketForces Africa Research indicated that more than 31.35 million units of Fidelity Bank shares valued at N639 million were traded in the market on Friday. The huge trading volume strengthened the bank share price movement, gaining 4.5% on the day, from N20 to N20.90.…

Chelsea Beat Hull City 4-0 to Victory In an electrifying display of football prowess, Chelsea thrashed Hull City with a 4- 0 win in the 4th Round of the Emirates FA Cup at KCOM Stadium on Friday. After a cagey start to the game on Humberside, Neto opened the scoring shortly before half-time and would go on to take home the match ball after netting twice in the second period. The match, which took place on the evening of February 13, 2026, saw Chelsea demonstrate their superiority through high possession and clinical finishing. Chelsea opened the scoring in the 40th…

Global Value of Private Assets Held in Funds Rises 15.4% The report stressed that global private equity fund asset values are driving the growth in private markets rising 17.8% in 2025 to a record $10.6 trillion at the start of this year – the highest annual growth rate since 2021. Ocorian’s Global Asset Monitor forecasts the total value of private equity assets will rise by two thirds to reach $17.4 trillion by the end of 2030. Growth of listed and private global assets Ocorian’s Global Asset Monitor, which analyses private market fund values as well as listed equities, sovereign bonds,…

South Africa’s Recovery Hampers by Repeated Global Shocks –IMF South Africa’s post-pandemic recovery has been hampered by repeated global shocks and domestic challenges, including, more recently, increased protectionism, fragmentation, and global trade policy uncertainty, the executive board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said following completion of Article IV consultation. The Fund said that owing to its ample natural endowments, independent institutions, and strong monetary policy framework, the economy has proven resilient thus far.  According to IMF, South Africa’s economic activity picked up in 2025, with growth estimated at 1.3 percent, supported by robust private consumption. Inflation moderated to an…