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Stock Investors Lose N140bn as FX Crisis Triggers Panic Selling

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By Dipo Olowookere

The foreign exchange (FX) crisis in the country took a toll on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited on Thursday, weakening it by 0.38 per cent at the close of business.

Business Post reports that the news that the exchange rate of the Naira to the Dollar fell to a low of N1,150 in the parallel market during the session triggered panic selling.

Consequently, the value of the nation’s main stock exchange depleted by N140 billion to N36.864 trillion from N37.004 trillion, and the All-Share Index (ASI) shrank by 254.43 points to 67,098.80 points from 67,353.23 points.

It was observed that none of the key sectors of the bourse could finish in the green zone, as banking, insurance and consumer goods counters depreciated by 1.04 per cent, 1.08 per cent, and 0.28 per cent, respectively, while the energy and industrial goods indices closed flat.

Investor sentiment was weak during the trading session after the exchange ended with 25 price losers and 16 price gainers, implying a negative market breadth index.

McNichols closed the session as the heaviest price loser as it went down by 8.82 per cent to 62 Kobo, Omatek declined by 8.70 per cent to 42 Kobo, Stanbic IBTC slipped by 8.49 per cent to N69.55, Champion Breweries tripped by 8.09 per cent to N3.41, and Ikeja Hotel stumbled by 6.98 per cent to N2.93.

On the flip side, Learn Africa was the biggest price gainer after it moved up by 10.00 per cent to N3.30, DAAR Communications appreciated by 9.52 per cent to 23 Kobo, UPDC gained 8.00 per cent to quote at N1.35, Thomas Wyatt grew by 6.80 per cent to N3.30, Sunu Assurances increased by 6.67 per cent to N1.12.

Yesterday, investors traded 291.4 million stocks worth N4.4 billion in 5,348 deals, in contrast to the 397.6 million valued at N4.7 billion in 6,165 deals on Wednesday, indicating a decline in the trading volume, value and the number of deals by 26.70 per cent, 6.38 per cent and 13.25 per cent apiece.

UBA ended the day as the busiest stock with the sale of 56.3 million units for N1.1 billion, Fidelity Bank traded 33.9 million units valued at N282.3 million, Access Holdings exchanged 22.2 million units worth N364.0 million, Transcorp transacted 21.8 million units for N135.3 million, and Ellah Lakes traded 20.2 million units valued at N81.7 million.

Dipo Olowookere is a journalist based in Nigeria that has passion for reporting business news stories. At his leisure time, he watches football and supports 3SC of Ibadan. Mr Olowookere can be reached via [email protected]

Economy

Zichis Confirms Intention to Borrow from Capital Market

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By Aduragbemi Omiyale

One of the newest members of the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited, Zichis Agro-Allied Industries Plc, has confirmed its intention to approach the capital market to raise funds, subject to shareholder and regulatory approval.

However, it denied reports suggesting it’s “set to undertake an Initial Public Offering (IPO) or related capital raising activity.”

In a notice on Monday, the firm affirmed proposing “to seek shareholders’ approval at its forthcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM) to raise additional capital, which may be through equity, debt, or a combination of both, subject to regulatory approvals and market conditions.”

“At this stage, the structure, timing, and details of any such capital raising have not been finalised, and no specific transaction has been concluded,” a part of the statement signed by the company secretary, Solomon Itsede, stressed.

Zichis expressed its commitment to upholding “the highest standards of corporate governance, transparency, and timely disclosure.”

“Accordingly, any material corporate actions or capital market activities will be formally communicated through the appropriate regulatory channels,” it said, advising shareholders and the investing public “to rely solely on official disclosures and filings made by the company through the NGX and other authorised regulatory platforms when making investment decisions.”

Zichis welcomed the “continued interest of investors and market participants in its operations and performance,” promising to remain focused on delivering sustainable value through disciplined strategic execution.

It also lauded the continued support of its shareholders, saying it remains committed to maintaining transparency in all its communications.

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Economy

NERC Orders Transparent Reporting of Transmission Loss Factors

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By Adedapo Adesanya

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has issued a directive to ensure transparency in reporting the Regional Electricity Transmission Loss Factor, as it remains above the 7 per cent threshold.

In a public notice posted on its official X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, the order, contained in No. NERC/2026/026 is aimed at improving transparency and efficiency in Nigeria’s power grid through enhanced reporting of Regional Transmission Loss Factors (TLF).

The regulator disclosed that the order is backed by the provisions of the Electricity Act 2023, which enables the commission to regulate, monitor, and ensure efficiency in the power sector.

According to the statement, the Data from the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) indicate that the national average TLF was 8.71 per cent in 2024 but was reduced to 7.24 per cent in 2025.

The statement added that the report exceeds the 7 per cent benchmark approved by NERC in the Multi-Year Tariff Order (MYTO).

The statement reads, “The Order dated 8 April 2026 establishes a formal framework for reporting transmission losses across regions operated by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).

“Taking effect from 13 April 2026, the Order is backed by provisions of the Electricity Act 2023, which empower NERC to regulate, monitor, and ensure efficiency in the electricity market.”

The directive reads, “NISO to install smart meters at all boundary regional interconnection points by December 2026 to accurately measure energy flows for each region of the transmission network.

“NISO to measure and document all energy flow of power transformers at transmission substations.

“NISO to file quarterly reports on TLF to NERC on a regional basis.”

It added, “TCN to file an action plan by July 2026 on the reduction of TLF to a value within the 7 per cent approved benchmarks in the regions.

“TCN to ensure that TLF across transmission regions shall not exceed 6.5 per cent by December 2026.”

NERC concluded that the order is designed to strengthen accountability in transmission operations and support better grid performance through structured loss reporting.

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Economy

Dangote Refinery Plans Cross-border Listing of Shares

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Dangote Refinery Crude Supply to Local Refineries

By Adedapo Adesanya

Nigerian businessman, Mr Aliko Dangote, is planning to list shares of his $20 billion oil refinery on multiple African stock exchanges.

The landmark cross-border public offering on the continent was disclosed by the chief executive of the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE), Mr Frank Mwiti, following a meeting held last week in Lagos between Mr Dangote and several heads of African exchanges.

Last year, Mr Dangote unveiled plans to list a 10 per cent stake in his Lagos-based refinery on the Nigerian Exchange this year.

According to a Bloomberg report, citing an email from the chief executive of FirstCap, Mr Ukandu Ukandu, Stanbic IBTC Capital Limited, Vetiva Advisory Services Limited, and FirstCap Limited have been appointed as advisers for the initial public offering of Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE.

Mr Mwiti said the proposed listing is designed to cut across multiple markets and deepen investor participation across the continent.

“The plan is to structure a pan-African IPO,” he said.

Bloomberg also reported that a spokesman for the Dangote Group confirmed that discussions had taken place between Mr Dangote and exchange officials but declined to provide further details.

In February 2026, Mr Dangote said that the IPO could be launched within the next five months.

“But individually Nigerians too will have an opportunity in the next maximum four or five months, they will actually be able to buy their shares,” he said at the time.

He added that investors would have flexibility in how they receive returns.

“People will have a choice either to get their dividends in naira or to get their dividends in dollars because we earn in Dollars.”

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