The Nigerian stock market’s consumer goods sector has recorded an impressive performance in the first nine months of 2025, with the Consumer Goods Index surging by 96.16 percent, driven by strong demand, improved corporate earnings, and investor confidence in key manufacturing firms. This remarkable rise underscores the sector’s resilience despite inflationary pressures, exchange rate volatility, and a challenging macroeconomic environment. Data from the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) revealed that the consumer goods index, which tracks the performance of major Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) companies, climbed from 1,053.83 points at the beginning of the year to 2,068.93 points as of September…
Author: Temitope Nlewemchi
Fidelity Bank Plc has announced plans to disburse ₦5 billion in financing to Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across Nigeria, as part of its strategic efforts to boost entrepreneurship, job creation, and inclusive economic growth. The initiative, unveiled at a recent MSME-focused forum in Lagos, underscores the bank’s commitment to empowering small businesses that form the backbone of the nation’s economy. The funding package is designed to provide affordable credit facilities to MSMEs operating in key sectors such as manufacturing, agribusiness, technology, fashion, healthcare, and renewable energy. According to the bank, the ₦5 billion fund will be deployed through…
Zenith Bank Plc, one of Nigeria’s leading financial institutions, has announced the payment of an interim dividend of ₦51.3 billion to its shareholders for the first half (H1) of 2025. This payout, which translates to ₦1.60 per share, reaffirms the bank’s consistent track record of delivering robust returns to investors and underscores its resilience amid a challenging macroeconomic environment. The announcement followed the release of the bank’s unaudited financial statements for the period ended June 30, 2025, which revealed strong growth across key performance indicators. The results showed that Zenith Bank maintained its leadership position in the Nigerian banking sector…
Stanbic IBTC Capital Limited, the investment banking arm of Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, has successfully acted as the lead financial adviser in UAC of Nigeria Plc’s acquisition of the majority stake in CHI Limited, the beverage and dairy producer behind iconic brands such as Chivita and Hollandia. The landmark transaction, which recently received the green light from the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), marks a major milestone in Nigeria’s fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector and underscores UAC’s renewed focus on expanding its footprint in the food and beverage industry. The acquisition deal, valued at over ₦20 billion, signals…
Polaris Bank has once again proven its resilience and commitment to excellence by winning multiple honours at the 2025 Banking and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards, cementing its position as one of Nigeria’s most dynamic and customer-focused financial institutions. The event, held in Lagos over the weekend, brought together industry leaders, regulators, and stakeholders to celebrate outstanding achievements within the financial services sector. At the ceremony, Polaris Bank clinched the “Retail Bank of the Year” award, while its Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Adekunle Sonola, was recognised as “Banking CEO of the Year” for his transformative leadership and the bank’s steady…
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), through its Creative Industry Financing Initiative (CIFI), has successfully completed a ₦68 billion renovation of the National Theatre in Iganmu, Lagos, breathing new life into Nigeria’s most iconic cultural landmark. The extensive project, led in collaboration with the Bankers’ Committee and the Federal Government, marks a major milestone in efforts to reposition the nation’s creative economy as a global powerhouse. Originally built in 1976 to host the Festival of Arts and Culture (FESTAC ’77), the National Theatre had for decades suffered neglect, with its infrastructure falling into disrepair. Now, after years of reconstruction and…
Dangote Cement Plc, Africa’s largest cement producer, has officially commenced operations at its new plant in Côte d’Ivoire, marking another major step in its ongoing expansion across the continent. The new facility, located in the industrial city of Abidjan, is part of the company’s strategic plan to strengthen its position as the leading provider of cement and building materials in Africa. The plant, which has a production capacity of 3 million metric tonnes per annum, is expected to play a significant role in meeting the rising demand for cement in the West African sub-region. With Côte d’Ivoire’s construction and infrastructure…
The Director-General of the National Pension Commission (PenCom), Mrs. Aisha Dahir-Umar, has emphasized the importance of upholding ethics and integrity as the Nigerian pension and financial systems undergo rapid technological and regulatory disruptions. Speaking at a stakeholders’ forum in Abuja on Thursday, Dahir-Umar said that innovation without ethical direction could threaten the stability and credibility of the nation’s pension industry. According to her, while technological advancement and policy reforms have brought efficiency, transparency, and wider coverage to the pension system, they also pose emerging risks that must be mitigated through strict adherence to ethical standards. “Disruptions are inevitable in any…
The Nigerian naira has surged to its strongest level in ten months, buoyed by a steady rise in foreign exchange inflows, improved liquidity in the market, and renewed confidence from both investors and exporters. The latest data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and market reports indicate that the local currency has appreciated significantly against the United States dollar, marking one of its most stable performances since late 2024. At the close of trading on Thursday, the naira strengthened to around ₦1,140 per dollar on the official market and averaged ₦1,150/$ at the parallel market, its best showing since…
TAJBank Limited, Nigeria’s rapidly growing non-interest financial institution, has announced that its N20 billion Sukuk issuance was oversubscribed by an impressive 185.5 per cent, underscoring investors’ increasing confidence in the bank’s ethical banking model and its strategic role in Nigeria’s Islamic finance sector. The result marks another milestone in the institution’s expansion plans and demonstrates strong market appetite for Sharia-compliant financial instruments in the country. The Sukuk, which represents the second series under TAJBank’s N100 billion Sukuk Issuance Programme, attracted subscriptions worth N57.1 billion, far exceeding the initial target of N20 billion. The issuance, which closed in late September, is…
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has issued a new directive mandating all deposit money banks and other financial institutions to refund customers for failed Automated Teller Machine (ATM) and electronic transactions within 48 hours. The apex bank said the move is part of its renewed commitment to strengthening consumer protection, promoting transparency, and improving public confidence in the financial system. In a statement released on Thursday, the CBN reiterated that the two-day refund policy applies to all failed transactions conducted through ATMs, Point of Sale (PoS) terminals, and online banking platforms. The directive follows rising complaints from customers about…
Global credit rating agency, Fitch Ratings, has cautioned that Nigeria’s fiscal deficit could widen significantly in the coming fiscal year as the country ramps up spending ahead of the 2027 general elections. The agency, in its latest report on Nigeria’s economic outlook, projected that political expenditure, coupled with persistent revenue shortfalls, could push the deficit beyond earlier government forecasts, potentially heightening fiscal and debt sustainability concerns. According to Fitch, while Nigeria has made strides in fiscal reforms under President Bola Tinubu’s administration—particularly through subsidy removals, exchange rate unification, and efforts to boost non-oil revenue—these gains may be undermined by pre-election…
Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc has unveiled a comprehensive economic roadmap for 2026, aimed at equipping businesses, investors, and policymakers with strategic insights to navigate Nigeria’s evolving economic landscape. The initiative underscores the financial institution’s commitment to supporting national growth through informed decision-making, economic research, and stakeholder engagement. At an exclusive economic forum held in Lagos, the bank’s top executives and analysts presented detailed projections covering inflation trends, exchange rate movements, fiscal policies, and sectoral opportunities expected to shape the Nigerian economy over the next year. The session brought together leading figures from the public and private sectors, including entrepreneurs, corporate…
Nigeria’s crude oil output has taken a significant hit following the ongoing strike by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), with reports showing that production has fallen by 50,432 barrels per day (bpd) in less than a week. The industrial action, which began after failed negotiations between the union and government representatives, has disrupted operations at several key oilfields, heightening fears of economic strain and potential revenue shortfalls for Africa’s largest oil producer. Industry data from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) revealed that the country’s oil production, which averaged about 1.51 million barrels…
The latest Big Brother Naija (BBN) task turned into a celebration of taste, creativity, and branding as Terra Seasoning Cubes, one of Nigeria’s leading food seasoning brands, stole the spotlight with its mouth-watering Terra Beef Roast recipe challenge. The event, which took place inside the BBN House earlier this week, saw housemates battle it out in a fun-filled cooking contest that showcased the brand’s signature flavour and innovation. The challenge, tagged the “Terra Taste Experience,” was designed to test the contestants’ culinary skills while promoting teamwork, originality, and flair in meal preparation. Each team of housemates was tasked with creating…
In a bold move to drive digital inclusion and foster innovation across Africa, Google has unveiled a groundbreaking initiative that grants university students in Nigeria and other African countries free access to its premium artificial intelligence (AI) tools for one year. The initiative, which officially began on October 7, 2025, aims to equip young Africans with the skills, technologies, and resources necessary to thrive in the rapidly evolving global digital economy. Under the offer, eligible students from Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, Rwanda, South Africa, and Zimbabwe can now access the advanced Google AI Pro Suite, which includes tools such as Gemini…
Nigeria’s crude oil and condensate production dropped to 1.5 million barrels per day (mbpd) in September 2025, marking one of the lowest output levels in recent months, as industrial action by oil workers and operational disruptions hit production across key oilfields.According to data obtained from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), the country’s total oil output declined sharply from 1.67 mbpd in August, representing a shortfall of about 170,000 barrels per day. The drop has raised renewed concerns over Nigeria’s ability to meet its production targets under the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) quota and its broader revenue…
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring safety, security, and sustainable development within Nigeria’s maritime domain. Speaking during a stakeholders’ engagement session in Lagos on Thursday, Oyetola emphasized that a secure maritime environment is critical to the nation’s economic growth, trade facilitation, and blue economy expansion. According to the Minister, the maritime sector holds immense potential for diversifying Nigeria’s revenue base beyond crude oil. However, he noted that the benefits can only be fully realized through enhanced safety standards, stronger enforcement mechanisms, and the adoption of technology-driven security measures. “Safety…
The ongoing crisis in Nigeria’s cooking gas market has taken a new twist as retailers accuse major marketers of shifting blame over the recent price surge and supply shortages that have pushed the cost of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) beyond the reach of many households.In recent weeks, the price of a 12.5kg cylinder of cooking gas has soared above ₦17,000 in Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt, marking one of the sharpest increases in years. Retailers under the umbrella of the Liquefied Petroleum Gas Retailers (LPGAR), a branch of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), have alleged…
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has urged the Federal Government to introduce a special tax on major technology companies operating in the country, with the proceeds directed toward retraining and upskilling Nigerian workers whose jobs are increasingly threatened by automation, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation. Speaking during a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday, NLC President, Joe Ajaero, said the rapid rise of digital technologies and artificial intelligence across multiple sectors—banking, manufacturing, media, and even public administration—has led to fears of mass job displacement. He emphasized that while innovation and technology drive efficiency, they also pose serious employment risks for…