Economy
Naira Gains 2.3% on Dollar, 1.8% on Euro, 0.65% on Pound Sterling in February
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Naira appreciated by 2.3 per cent month-on-month against the US Dollar, averaging N1,500.97 per Dollar in February compared to N1,535.95 per Dollar in January 2025.
This is according to recent data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), which showed that the Nigerian currency strengthened against major currencies last month at the official market.
Similarly, the Naira strengthened by 1.8 per cent against the Euro, averaging N1,562.35/€1 versus N1,590.72/€ and by 0.65 per cent against the Pounds Sterling at N1,882.0/£1 in February 2025 compared with N1,894.2/£1 in January 2025.
This improvement in the value of the local currency came on the heels of a series of strategic policies implemented by the CBN to stabilize and strengthen the domestic currency.
These key measures included the introduction of the Electronic Foreign Exchange Matching System (launched on December 2, 2024), the Nigeria Foreign Exchange Code (January 28, 2025) and selective intervention in the foreign exchange market.
The apex bank also helped quell Naira volatility by clearing a backlog of orders to sell Naira for foreign currency and boosting dollar supply to the Bureau de Change (BDC) operators by extending its access window.
However, Nigeria’s foreign reserves witnessed constant drops to a month low of $2.2 billion in February, since hitting a $40.92 billion high on January 6.
Market analysts noted that it would be imperative to sustain and build on this momentum with further efforts needed including support of local businesses to produce substitutes for imports, through improved access to credit and technology.
In addition to domestic support, critical investments in the health and education sectors are essential to reduce the demand for foreign services, such as medical and health tourism.
In another set of data, currency outside banks surged by 44.5 per cent in January 2025 to N4.7 trillion by January 2025 up from N3.3 trillion in January 2024, according to the latest data from the Money and Credit statistics of the apex bank.
Meanwhile, currency outside the bank represents 12.8 per cent of narrow money in January 2025, an increase from 10.4 per cent in January 2024.
Also, currency outside banks as a percentage of total money supply (M3) increased in January 2025 to 4.3 per cent from 3.5 per cent during the same period last year. Thus indicates a growing preference for cash-based payments and an expansion of the informal economy.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigeria LNG (NLNG) Limited has highlighted its plans to enhance engagement and improve the operational efficiency of its domestic Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) supply to the country through the digitalisation of some of its processes.
The company said in a statement that it plans a new platform designed to streamline regulatory processes, optimise risk management, and enhance the buyer experience.
The platform will feature IT-supported relationship management, automated issue resolution, centralised real-time payments, and improved case management systems, ensuring a seamless supply process despite market shifts and external pressures.
Speaking at the session, the Manager for Commercial Contract Management at NLNG, Ms Tolulope Longe, reiterated that the planned improvements would enable and consolidate NLNG’s resolve to delivering 100 per cent of its LPG supply to the Nigerian market.
She said a strategic roadmap was in play to ensure the achievement of NLNG’s longstanding goals of LPG being accessible and available in the country, aligning with its vision of being a globally competitive energy company, improving lives sustainably.
She also harped on the significance of these improvement initiatives and the Company’s push for LPG utilisation as a clean energy source alternative to kerosene and other fossil fuels.
Ms Longe noted that the company remained focused on growth and sustainability of the LPG market by continuously enhancing its supply processes in collaboration with offtakers. She stressed NLNG’s commitment to collaborating with stakeholders to maintain pricing stability and long-term market viability.
She also acknowledged industry concerns, adding that it is important to have operational efficiency in meeting market demands.
NLNG added that it aims to strengthen stakeholder engagement and improve market efficiency in the LPG sector through enhanced customer interactions, minimised schedule disruptions, timely confirmations and deliveries, and prioritisation of customers with demonstrable capacity.
NLNG noted that it remains committed to driving sustainability and delivering lasting value to Nigerians as it adapts to market realities.
By Dipo Olowookere
A total of 2.902 billion equities valued at N48.064 billion were transacted in 57,044 deals by investors at the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited last, lower than the 3.281 billion equities worth N63.517 billion traded in 60,782 deals in the preceding week.
Data revealed that financial stocks led the activity chart with 2.375 billion units sold for N21.335 billion in 27,053 deals, contributing 81.85 per cent and 44.39 per cent to the total trading volume and value, respectively.
Services stocks trailed with 177.345 million units worth N3.194 billion in 3,829 deals, and consumer goods shares exchanged 104.381 million units valued at N3.305 billion in 5,587 deals.
It was observed that Sovereign Trust Insurance, Jaiz Bank, and Fidelity Bank were the most active stocks in the five-day trading week with 1.497 billion units worth N5.065 billion in 3,662 deals, contributing 51.59 per cent and 10.54 per cent to the total trading volume and value, respectively.
Business Post reports that in the week, 32 shares appreciated versus 38 equities in the previous week, 48 stocks depreciated compared with 46 stocks of the preceding week, and 70 equities closed flat, in contrast to 66 equities a week earlier,
Neimeth gained 20.48 per cent to sell for N3.00, Linkage Assurance appreciated by 13.49 per cent to N1.43, Northern Nigeria Flour Mills expanded by 9.99 per cent to N79.80, Academy Press grew by 9.92 per cent to close at N2.88, and Mutual Benefits rose by 9.84 per cent to 67 Kobo.
However, eTranzact lost 26.15 per cent to end at N4.80, Livestock Feeds depreciated by 1755 per cent to N8.41, Red Star Express tumbled by 16.90 per cent to N4.82, Universal Insurance shed 13.33 per cent to 52 Kobo, and Caverton plunged by 13.00 per cent to N2.61.
When trading activities ended for the week last Friday, the All-Share Index (ASI) and the market capitalisation went down by 0.94 per cent and 0.80 per cent to 104,962.96 points and N65.820 trillion, respectively.
Also, all other indices finished lower except the consumer goods index, which gained 0.06 per cent while the AseM and sovereign bond indices closed flat.
By Dipo Olowookere
The Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited returned to green territory on Friday, closing higher by 0.10 per cent after investor sentiment turned bullish.
Business Post reports that the market breadth index was positive yesterday after the bourse ended with 29 appreciating equities and 21 depreciating equities.
Linkage Assurance gained 10.00 per cent to trade at N1.43, Livestock Feeds appreciated by 9.93 per cent to N8.41, Mutual Benefits jumped by 9.84 per cent to 67 Kobo, UBA soared by 5.75 per cent to N36.80, and Oando grew by 5.59 per cent to N51.00.
Conversely, Red Star Express lost 9.91 per cent to finish at N4.82, Learn Africa depreciated by 9.85 per cent to N3.02, FTN Cocoa declined by 9.43 per cent to N4.80, Coronation Insurance slumped by 9.39 per cent to N2.22, and Ikeja Hotel slipped by 9.35 per cent to N9.70.
Customs Street grew yesterday as a result of buying interest in banking equities, which dominated the activity chart, according to data from the bourse.
Fidelity Bank transacted 62.3 million shares for N1.1 billion, Access Holdings traded 38.3 million equities worth N843.7 million, Tantalizers sold 32.0 million stocks valued at N99.2 million, Veritas Kapital exchanged 31.4 million shares worth N38.4 million, and Zenith Bank traded 22.7 million equities valued at N1.1 billion.
At the close of trades, a total of 397.2 million stocks worth N14.2 billion exchanged hands in 10,099 deals compared with the 310.5 million stocks valued at N6.3 billion traded in 10,182 deals a day earlier, indicating a decline in the number of deals by 0.82 per cent, and the growth in the trading volume and value by 27.92 per cent and 125.40 per cent, respectively.
The industrial goods and commodity sectors remained unchanged during the session, the insurance and consumer goods indices tumbled by 0.49 per cent and 0.02 per cent apiece, while the energy and banking counters went up by 0.50 per cent and 0.12 per cent, respectively.
The bargain-hunting activities of the market participants lifted the All-Share Index (ASI) on Friday by 104.19 points to 104,962.96 points from 104,858.77 points and the market capitalisation increased by N66 billion to N65.820 trillion from N65.754 trillion.
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