Economy

CBN Sells Treasury Bills at 5% at Wednesday’s Auction

Published

6 years ago

11/12/2019

By Dipo Olowookere

The further lowering of stop rates of treasury bills at the primary market continued today, Wednesday, December 11, 2019 when the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) auctioned N45 billion worth of the debt instruments to investors.

Results of the exercise obtained by Business Post showed that the T-bills were offered for as low as 5 percent by the central bank at today’s auction.

The apex bank offered for sale N5 billion worth of the 91-day instrument, N10 billion worth of the 182-day instrument and N30 billion worth of the 364-day instrument.

However, subscribers staked N53.9 billion on the three-month tenor, N46.3 billion on the six-month maturity and N192.4 billion on the one-year tenor, giving the total amount of subscriptions at N292.6 billion, N247.6 billion higher than the amount auctioned.

For the allotment, the CBN sold N1.8 billion worth of the 91-day bill, N4.5 billion worth of the 182-day bill and N38.7 billion of the 364-day bill.

For the stop rates, the 91-day instrument cleared at 5.00 percent, lower than 6.40 percent at the previous session; the 182-day tenor was sold at 6.19 percent, lower than 7.20 percent at the last PMA; while the 364-day maturity was allotted at 6.88 percent, lower than 9.37 percent.

This left the average rate at today’s exercise at 6.02 percent, lower than 7.66 percent of the previous primary market auction.

It is not certain how low the central bank would go in the cutting of treasury bills stop rates. Next week, another PMA would be conducted and observers believe that the rates might still go lower than today’s exercise before. They are of the opinion that a raise would definitely occur next year at a point in time.

Since the CBN stopped local investors from buying its own liquidity management tool, the OMO bills, it has significantly reduced stop rates of treasury bills at the primary, which is still open for the restricted groups to purchase. However, the OMO bills rates have remained at double digits; still as high at over 13 percent.

Economy

SEC Postpones Q2 2026 Pre-registration Training, Examination for CMOs

Published

6 hours ago

08/06/2026

Aduragbemi Omiyale

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.

Economy

Fidson Lists Additional 600 million Shares on Stock Exchange

Published

6 hours ago

08/06/2026

Aduragbemi Omiyale

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.”

Economy

FG Approves Payments to 1,240 Contractors to Ease Liquidity Pressure

Published

14 hours ago

08/06/2026

Modupe Gbadeyanka

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.