Economy
Nigeria, Netherlands to Harmonise Trade, Investment
By Adedapo Adesanya
Nigeria and the Netherlands have reiterated commitments to harmonise trade and investment between both countries.
Mrs Evelyn Ngige, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, said this at a roundtable negotiation on the investment promotion and protection agreement between Nigeria and the European country in Abuja on Wednesday.
The Permanent Secretary said that this step would also boost economic activities and strengthen investors’ confidence for sustainable economic development.
Mrs Ngige, represented by the Director of the Investment Promotion Department in the Ministry, Mrs Gertrude Orji, expressed hopes that the collaboration would positively impact the economies of both countries, noting that the essence of the meeting was to deliberate on the draft models, taking into consideration the policy directions of both countries.
Mrs Ngige said that beyond signing the agreement, it was also important for both countries to monitor the implementation and execution of the agreement.
Earlier, the Chief Negotiator on Investment Promotion of the Netherlands, Mr Robert Dool, said the meeting aimed to facilitate economic relations between both countries.
He said his country appreciated the relationship with the Nigerian government, which he described as one of the pillars of socio-economic development, economic cooperation and integration.
“This explains why the Netherlands has taken the initiative to look at their investment promotion in Nigeria to see how they can make this agreement more reflective in the world we live in today.
“This has induced a critical review of the bilateral agreement and, in a modernised way, acts in promoting and protecting international and social economic development,” he said.
Mr Dool said the negotiating team had engaged in the modernisation of the two countries’ economic relations and the promotion of trade which was originally signed in 1992.
He said that between 1992 and 2023, the world had evolved into a different place.
The Director, Legal, Nigerian Investment Promotion Council, Mrs Patience Okala, the lead negotiator on the Nigerian side, emphasised the need to preserve the Nigeria policies on investment.
According to her, dispute prevention for investors is also paramount, urging both countries to expand the investment dimension of their treaties as part of efforts to review trade between Nigeria and Netherlands so as to have a sustainable policy.
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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