Economy
Aradel, Acorn Lift Alternative Equity Market by 1.57%
By Adedapo Adesanya
Aradel Holdings Plc and Acorn Petroleum Plc led the NASD Over-the-Counter (OTC) Securities Exchange to the green territory by 1.57 per cent on Wednesday, January 17.
Aradel Plc recorded a price appreciation of N123.01 to close at N1,353.11 per share compared with Tuesday’s closing price of N1,230.10 per share, and Acorn Petroleum Plc improved by 1 Kobo to settle at 66 Kobo per unit, in contrast to the preceding day’s 65 Kobo per unit.
However, the duo of FrieslandCampina Wamco Nigeria and Industrial and General Insurance (IGI) Plc depreciated during the trading session, though they could not pull down the alternative equity market at the close of transactions.
FrieslandCampina lost N3.25 to close at N75.12 per share versus the previous day’s N78.37 per share, and IGI Plc weakened by 1 Kobo to finish at 27 Kobo per unit compared with Tuesday’s price of 28 Kobo per unit.
At the close of business, the market capitalisation expanded by N20.25 billion to N1.310 trillion from N1.289 trillion and the NASD Unlisted Security Index (NSI) increased by 14.95 points to end the day at 966.53 points as against 951..58 points it recorded at the previous session.
During the session, the volume of securities traded at the bourse decreased by 3.9 per cent to 26.9 million units from 28.0 million units, the value of securities bought and sold by the market participants, however, rose by 424.4 per cent to N105.2 million from the N20.1 million achieved a day earlier, while the number of deals went up by 20 per cent to 18 deals from 15 deals.
The most active stock by volume (year-to-date) was IPWA Plc with the sale of 48.9 million units for N24.4 million, trailed by UBN Property with 28.0 million units worth N48.9 million, and Geo-Fluids Plc with 20.0 million units worth N48.0 million.
But the most active stock by value (year-to-date) was Aradel Plc with a turnover of 287,872 units worth N347.1 million, followed by FrieslandCampina Plc with 1.2 million units valued at N87.8 million, and UBN Property Plc with 28.0 million units sold for N48.9 million.
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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