Economy
Analyst Advises Investors to Pay Attention to Tier-2 Banking Stocks
By Dipo Olowookere
A capital market analyst has advised investors to pay attention to tier-2 banking stocks on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited not because they are cheaper but because they could spring up surprises this year.
Speaking on Monday on one of Channels Television programmes, Business Morning, which was monitored by Business Post, Mr Joshua Odebisi, the SSA Banks Research Analyst at Vetiva Capital Management Limited, said the financial institutions in this category have the potential to give more value to shareholders.
In the Nigerian banking industry, the likes of Fidelity Bank, FCMB, Wema Bank, Sterling Bank, Union Bank, Stanbic IBTC Bank, and Ecobank Nigeria are in the mid-level category.
At the stock market, the shares of the aforementioned lenders are not bellwethers like the tier-1 banks such as Zenith Bank, Access Holdings GTCO, UBA, and FBN Holdings (First Bank), all collectively known as ZAGUF.
During his interview on the platform today, Mr Odebisi pointed out that mid-level lenders have shown the desire to expand their operations and cement their stronghold of the retail market segment of the banking industry.
“I advise investors to look closely at tier-2 banking stocks, especially FCMB, Fidelity Bank and even Wema Bank.
“They have shown the desire to take charge of the retail segment, but their dividend at the end of the first quarter of this year will give more direction to investors on what to do,” he stated.
When asked if it is not too late for investors to take a position in the space, he responded, “What I would say is that it’s not too late simply due to the fact that the banks are still expected to continue growing their profits.
“So, as long as that is the case, the outlook for them is positive. I will tell you that the 113 per cent rally we have seen so far from Fidelity Bank is not the ceiling because that stock still has a long way to go, especially if management comes out with a strong dividend announcement by the end of Q1. Then, we would probably see further rallies to a much higher valuation.
“I still expect that to be the case for other tier-2 banks just because the higher their dividend announcement, the more interest investors will show in those stocks. So, there is definitely still a lot of headroom.”
Business Post reports that Fidelity Bank equities have risen by over 100 per cent in one year and nearly 180 per cent in three years. It has grown by 11 per cent in one week, over 25 per cent in one month and almost 38 per cent this year. As of press time, the stock was down by 1.50 per cent to N5.91.
As for FCMB, it has gained 1.02 per cent today to N4.95, 18 per cent in one week, 32 per cent in one month, 44 per cent in three months, 39 per cent this year, 63 per cent in one year, and 151 per cent in three years.
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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