Economy
Nigeria’s Inflation to Drop to 16.95% in February—FSDH
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
A new report released on Thursday, March 2, 2017, by FSDH Research has revealed that the February 2017 inflation rate (year-on-year) is expected to drop to 16.95 percent from 18.72 percent recorded in the month of January 2017.
According to FSDH Research, the drop in inflation rate is expected after 15 months of consecutive increase and to “come mainly as a result of base effect.”
On March 15, 2017, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) is expected to release the inflation rate for the month of February 2017.
It was disclosed that the monthly Food Price Index (FPI) that the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) released yesterday shows that the Index averaged 175.5 points, 0.52 percent higher than the slightly revised value for January 2017, and 17.24 percent higher than the February 2016 figure.
With the exception of vegetable oil, the increase in the FPI represented increases in all categories of commodities used in the calculation of the FFPI.
The FAO Cereal Price Index increased by 2.52 percent from the previous month and represents an eight-month high.
The sustained increase recorded in the cereal price Index is as a result of the rise in the prices of wheat, maize and rice.
The FAO Meat Price Index was up by 1.06 percent as prices of bovine and ovine meat increased sharply while those of poultry and pig meat changed marginally.
The FAO Dairy Index appreciated marginally by 0.64 percent from January 2017, and recorded the highest level since August 2014. Butter and whole milk powder were the major drivers of the Index.
Also, the FAO Sugar Price Index was up by 0.61 percent in February on the heels of reports of low production conditions in the main sugar producing regions of Brazil, India and Thailand.
On the flip side, the FAO Vegetable Oil Price Index was down by 4.09 percent.
The Index is however, still 19 percent up from last year.
Easing global import demand put downward pressure on the prices of palm oil and soy.
The prices of food items that FSDH Research monitored in February 2016 moved in varying directions.
The prices of tomatoes, sweet potatoes, meat and garri were up by 16.23 percent, 11.11 percent, 5.13 percent and 4.17 percent respectively; meanwhile, the prices of palm oil, Irish potatoes, rice, onions, beans and fish were down by 8.33 percent, 7.41 percent, 5.33 percent, 3.33 percent, 3.33 percent and 0.72 percent respectively.
The prices of vegetable oil and yam remained unchanged.
The movement in the prices of food items during the month resulted in 0.85 percent increase in our Food and Non-Alcoholic Index to 222.31 points.
“We also noticed increases in the prices of Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas & Other Fuels divisions between January 2017 and February 2017.
“Our model indicates that the price movements in the consumer goods and services in February 2017 would increase the Composite Consumer Price Index (CCPI) to 217.41 points, representing a month-on-month increase of 0.78 percent.
“We estimate that the increase in the CCPI in February will produce an inflation rate of 16.95 percent lower than the 18.72 percent because of the sharp increase in the CCPI in February 2016,” the report said.
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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