Economy
Unlisted Securities Market Eyes Pension Funds, Others in 2023
By Adedapo Adesanya
The NASD Over-the-Counter (OTC) Securities Exchange saw its market capitalisation grow 48.3 per cent from N629.03 billion at the end of 2021 to N932 51 billion at the end of 2022.
During the year in review, the unlisted securities market went above the N1 trillion mark after Access Bank and Citi Trust Holding Plc joined the trading platform, but profit-taking triggered by headwinds and weak investor sentiment dragged the platform backwards.
In the year, the volume of shares traded by market participants dropped by 70 per cent as 3.9 billion units of securities exchanged hands as against the 12.95 billion units of securities traded in the preceding year.
Also, the value of shares went down by 15 per cent to N28.02 billion from N32.85 billion in 2021, as the number of deals depreciated by 45.75 per cent to 2,706 deals from 4,988 deals.
Speaking on these developments in his new year message, the new Managing Director of the bourse, Mr Eguarekhide Longe, said the market performance for 2022 signifies “the very urgent need to expand market breadth from its reliance on a few dominant securities which portend a clear concentration risk to the performance of the exchange.”
He said as the market advances into the new year, one of its key targets is to onboard more companies as well as pension funds, which are restricted from trading on the platform by extant laws. However, he did not state how this could be achieved, whether by lobbying the parliament to change the laws to accommodate them.
“Likewise, it is a central objective in 2023 to secure the participation of the local pension funds on the NASD OTC Exchange, which are tacitly, but inexplicably, barred from trading on the OTC Exchange currently,” he said.
“It bears pointing out also that breadth of trades effected on the market for 2022 demonstrates encouraging signs given that In comparison with 2021, where there was a spike in trading activity due to trades on a single security, 2022 witnessed trades from a number of previously inactive securities,” Mr Longe added.
Speaking on other events in the period, he said, “2022 has indeed been a watershed year for NASD Plc. I write to you in my first annual message, having taken over the helm at the company from Mr Bola Ajomale, the pioneer Managing Director.”
Mr Ajomale, who developed NASD over the last 10 years of its existence, mandatorily retired from service at the end of June 2022.
Illustrating plans for the year, he said despite the challenges on the monetary and fiscal fronts, the company would be looking to expand its footprints and activities.
“In proceeding into 2023, the mission at NASD is clear; expand the market breadth and deepen market activity. This will be done diligently throughout 2023.
“We look to portering successfully with all our stakeholders in a peaceful, productive, and prosperous 2023,” he stated.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The pre-registration training and examination for capital market operators (CMOs) for the second quarter of 2026 has been postponed.
Business Post gathered that the new date for the exercise is now Monday, June 15, 2026.
This information was disclosed by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) through a circular on Monday, June 8, 2026.
The Nigerian capital market regulator stated that this postponement has also resulted in the extension of the deadline for registration to Friday, June 12, 2026.
In the notice today, the SEC expressed its regret for the inconvenience this action may cause operators, who had prepared for the initial date of the training and examination.
“Further to the recent circular on Q2 2026 Pre-registration Training and Examination, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) hereby informs all eligible applicants for the Q2 2026 Pre-registration Training and Examination that the commencement date has been postponed to Monday, June 15, 2026.
“Registration on the designated portal has also been extended to Friday, June 12, 2026. All other conditions contained in the circular remain unchanged.
“The commission regrets any inconvenience this postponement may cause and appreciates the understanding of all applicants,” the disclosure noted.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
One of the leading healthcare firms in Nigeria, Fidson Healthcare Plc, has listed additional shares on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited.
The new stocks absorbed into the stock market were 600 million units, raising the total issued and fully paid-up shares of Fidson to 3,000,000,000 ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each from 2,400,000,000 ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each.
The fresh equities came from the company’s rights issue of 600,000,000 ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each at N35.00 per share.
They were issued to existing investors on the basis of one new ordinary share for every existing four ordinary shares held as of the close of business on Wednesday, November 12, 2025.
Confirming the development, the regulator in a notice said, “Trading licence holders are hereby notified that an additional 600,000,000 ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each of Fidson Healthcare Plc were on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, listed on the daily official list of Nigerian Exchange Limited.
“The additional shares arose from the company’s rights issue of 600,000,000 ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each at N35.00 per share on the basis of one new ordinary share for every existing four ordinary shares held as at the close of business on Wednesday, November 12, 2025.
“With the listing of the additional 600,000,000 ordinary shares, the total issued and fully paid-up shares of Fidson Healthcare Plc have now increased from 2,400,000,000 to 3,000,000,000 ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each.”
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
This news will surely excite local contractors with verified claims of N100 million or less, as the federal government has approved their payments.
This approval for the disbursement was given by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Taiwo Oyedele.
This followed a verification and reconciliation exercise designed to ensure only validated claims qualify for payment.
The beneficiaries cover contractors across multiple ministries, departments and agencies. The release of the funds is expected to enable contractors to return to project sites, pay workers, settle suppliers and meet outstanding financial commitments.
In an announcement on Monday, the Federal Ministry of Finance also said this latest batch of payments would ease liquidity pressure on small businesses and accelerate economic activity nationwide.
It was noted that the payments for verified claims of N100 million below were strategically done to spread economic impact broadly rather than concentrate disbursements among a handful of large firms.
The payments form part of a broader push to clear inherited contractor obligations, with over N700 billion verified in recent months.
“For many beneficiaries, the release of funds represents more than a financial transaction. It provides the certainty needed to sustain operations, preserve jobs, complete ongoing projects, and contribute to economic recovery and growth,” the ministry said in a statement.
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