Economy
Our Priority is Stable Environment for Investments—Finance Minister
By Adedapo Adesanya
Nigeria’s Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun, has said that Nigeria would seek to encourage investments rather than rely on borrowing to create jobs.
Speaking on Monday, he said this would be the first priority that the new government would take as it tries to find a solution to sluggish growth, double-digit inflation, and a high debt burden.
The banker made this disclosure while speaking to reporters in Abuja after President Bola Tinubu held his first meeting with his new cabinet following last week’s swearing-in of ministers.
Mr Edun said the federal government is not in a position to borrow at this time, adding that the emphasis is on creating a stable environment to attract both local and foreign investments.
Mr Edun, an ex-investment banker, who was special adviser to Mr Tinubu on Monetary Policy before his appointment as minister, said he would focus on fixing Nigeria’s public finances.
“Clearly, the federal government is not in a position to borrow at this time. Rather, the emphasis has to be on creating a stable macroeconomic environment. Stable inflation, stable exchange rate, an environment within which people can come and invest and thereby increase production and further grow the economy. Improve and create jobs and reduce poverty,” he said.
“So, the aim of all reforms at this time is to focus on what we call equity to focus on investment to attract investment by Nigerians. Investment by foreign direct investors and even investment by portfolio investors who want to invest in the financial aspects of the Nigerian economy, such as the stock market, and the bond market.
“So that is the plan. That is the expectation that there will not be a reliance on borrowing. Rather, as revenues increase, the benefit of removing fuel subsidy and the subsidy on the exchange rate means more money for the government at all levels.
“Because, of course, through oil revenue, the federation earns Dollars, and if those Dollars are feeding through, at, let’s say, N700/N750 or so to $1 as opposed to N460 where it was before; clearly, that is repairing the finances of government at federal, state and local government levels.”
He added that the government’s naira revenues have increased from crude oil proceeds following a devaluation in June.
Nigeria’s economy has been battered by the weakening oil sector and the COVID-19 pandemic, which triggered two successive recessions in 2016 and 2020. The country has since exited that recession, but growth is still fragile, with the latest GDP figures showing a 2.51 per cent growth in Q2 2023.
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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