Economy
Aradel Boosts Crude Oil Production by 36% to 13,250b/d in Q1 2024
By Adedapo Adesanya
Aradel Holdings Plc has revealed that its crude oil production rose by 36 per cent to 13,250 barrels per day in the first quarter of 2024.
The indigenous energy company also disclosed at its 29th Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Lagos that its gas production increased by 36 per cent to 36.8 million standard cubic feet per day from the average 2023 numbers.
According to a statement, Aradel said the volume of refined petroleum products was 722,000 litres per day, slightly down by 1.6 per cent.
“In comparison to the same period in 2023, Q1 2024 revenues are up by 90 per cent, and Profit Before Tax is up by 62 per cent both in Functional USD,’’ it added.
Speaking on this, the Chairman of Aradel Holdings, Mr Ladi Jadesimi, stated that the company’s performance in 2023 was characterised by unprecedented growth, underpinned by the sound strategic initiatives implemented in 2022, in addition to the year’s new initiatives.
“We increased our overall crude production volumes and enhanced our well delivery performance and potential. The Alternative Crude Evacuation system completed in 2022 was subsequently optimised further during the year under review, facilitating the safe evacuation of crude with the impact being a significant reduction in crude loss compared to levels experienced in prior years,’’ Jadesimi remarked.
The chairman maintained that the company in 2023 recorded a revenue growth of 234.5 per cent to N221.1 billion ($342.3 million) from the N66.1 billion ($156.1 million) attained in 2022.
The company also achieved an increase of 254.9 per cent in Profit After Tax to N53.7 billion ($69.1 million) from N15.1 billion ($35.5 million) recorded in 2022.
Based on the financial performance, a final dividend of N170 per share, as recommended by the Board of Directors was approved by the shareholders at the AGM.
On his part, the chief executive of Aradel Holdings, Mr Adegbite Falade, said, “The dogged pursuit of multiple initiatives, guided by the visionary wisdom of a most experienced Board of Directors, fuelled by an extremely hard-working, passionate and dedicated workforce created mutually assuring outcomes that enabled the outstanding growth in the operational performance seen in 2023.’’
Speaking on the firm’s aspirations, he noted, “Our published Q1 2024 unaudited accounts provide a clear indication of what lies ahead for Aradel Holdings Plc. Our accounts show that at both operational and financial levels, our company is not letting off from where we ended in 2023.
“Crude oil production was 13,250 bbls/day, up by 36 per cent from the average for the FY2023 numbers, Gas production was 36.8 mmscf/d up by 36 per cent from the average FY2023 numbers, and Refined petroleum products was 722 Kltrs/d slightly down by 1.6 per cent from the average FY2023 numbers.’’
Meanwhile, he disclosed that on May 29, Aradel joined the elite rank of companies in Nigeria that attained a N1 trillion market capitalisation on the NASD Over-the-Counter (OTC) Securities Exchange.
“We closed at N4,882 per share at the end of the day’s trading,” he noted
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) Plc has declared the first interim dividend in its history after posting its financial results for the first half of 2026, reflecting robust earnings growth, improved operating efficiency and stronger capital market activity.
The board approved an interim dividend of N1.00 per ordinary share for the six months ended June 30, 2026, citing the company’s strong cash generation, resilient balance sheet and confidence in the sustainability of its earnings.
The interim payout represents about 56 per cent of the total dividend of N1.78 per share paid for the 2025 financial year, underscoring its strong earnings momentum while preserving financial flexibility to invest in technology, innovation and future growth.
CSCS recorded one of the strongest financial performances in its history during the review period, with total operating income rising by 92 per cent to N18.51 billion from the corresponding period of 2025.
The growth was driven by higher transaction fee income as capital market activity strengthened, continued expansion in depository services, increased collateral management revenues and stronger contributions from data and technology-enabled services. Investment income also improved as the company optimised its investment portfolio.
Despite the sharp rise in revenue, operating expenses increased by only 38 per cent, reflecting disciplined cost management and the scalability of the company’s business model.
As a result, operating profit surged by 186 per cent to N10.11 billion, while profit before tax climbed by 115 per cent to N13.21 billion. Earnings per share also rose significantly to 190.1 kobo from 109.1 kobo in the corresponding period of 2025.
The organisation also recorded improvements in operating efficiency. Its cost-to-income ratio declined to 45.4 per cent from 63.2 per cent a year earlier, while operating profit margin improved to 54.6 per cent from 36.8 per cent.
According to the company, the results demonstrate not only the benefits of stronger market activity but also the resilience of its operating model and its ability to convert revenue growth into higher profitability, improved shareholder returns and sustainable long-term value creation.
Commenting on the interim dividend, the Chairman of CSCS Plc, Mr Temi Popoola, said the board’s decision reflected confidence in the firm’s financial strength, earnings quality and long-term strategic direction.
He said the strong performance was driven not only by increased market activity but also by sustained improvements in operational efficiency, disciplined cost management and the continued diversification of revenue streams.
Mr Popoola noted that the Board remained committed to balancing shareholder returns with investments in technology, innovation, resilience and new growth opportunities that would strengthen CSCS’ position as Nigeria’s leading financial market infrastructure and one of Africa’s foremost post-trade institutions.
The chief executive of CSCS Plc, Mr Shehu Yahaya Shantali, attributed the strong performance to the resilience of the entity’s business model, the dedication of its workforce and the confidence of market participants.
He said the first-ever interim dividend demonstrated the company’s ability to translate strong earnings growth and improved operating efficiency into enhanced shareholder value.
Mr Shantali added that CSCS would continue to strengthen its core market infrastructure, invest in technology and innovation, diversify its revenue base and enhance value creation for stakeholders while supporting the development of Nigeria’s capital market.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The national scale long-term issuer rating of Axxela Limited has been upgraded by GCR Rating to A+(NG), just as its short-term issuer rating was affirmed with a stable outlook.
The rating firm upgraded the long-term issue rating for Axxela Funding 1 Plc’s N16.4 billion series 1 senior unsecured bond to A+(NG), while the N11.5 billion series 1 senior secured bond was lifted to A+(NG)(EL).
GCR noted in a note that the actions reflect the leading gas and power portfolio company’s robust business model, strong earnings performance, and sustained financial profile, reinforcing its ability to deliver long-term value while maintaining financial discipline.
Axxela’s recent achievements have been driven by its continued focus on responsible growth, customer satisfaction, and creating lasting value for national development.
“The ratings upgrade by GCR is a strong endorsement of Axxela’s disciplined approach to business. Beyond recognising our financial strength, it reflects the resilience of our business model and the confidence in our strategic direction.
“Over the past few years, we have continued to make significant strides across the business by expanding our natural gas infrastructure, strengthening our operational footprint, advancing our sustainability agenda, and maintaining an unwavering commitment to operational excellence and safety,” the chief executive of Axxela, Mr Moshood Olajide, commented on the development.
As the company continues to advance its long-term growth strategy, the upgraded ratings reinforce confidence in Axxela’s credit profile, financial resilience, and ability to create enduring value for investors, customers and other stakeholders.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Ministry of Solid Minerals Development and the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) have strengthened their partnership to deploy digital identity technology, aiming to combat illegal mining and enhance security in Nigeria’s mining sector.
Speaking while receiving the Director-General and management of NIMC on a courtesy visit to his office in Abuja, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Mr Dele Alake, described the commission as a critical institution in Nigeria’s development architecture, stressing that effective governance could not be achieved without a credible identity management system.
“NIMC occupies a critical position in translating policy into reality. It is pivotal to the development of any nation because governance today is driven by data, technology and credible identity systems,” he added.
He noted that inadequate identification systems had weakened enforcement efforts over the years, allowing illegal mining activities to flourish in mineral-rich communities.
“Without identification, we cannot trace or track, and insecurity will flourish. In the solid minerals sector, we need effective monitoring of both legal and illegal operations.
“A credible identity ecosystem will strengthen regulation, improve enforcement and support our efforts to sanitise the sector,” Mr Alake said.
The minister identified technology, statistics, data gathering and digital identity as critical enablers for evidence-based policymaking, improved regulatory oversight, efficient licensing, investment promotion and national development.
On her part, the DG of NIMC, Mrs Abisoye Coker-Odusote, highlighted several opportunities for collaboration between both institutions, noting that the newly enacted NIMC Act has positioned Nigeria to fully embrace a digital governance ecosystem.
She explained that deeper integration of identity management into the solid minerals sector would facilitate database integration across government institutions, enhance regulatory compliance, strengthen security and law enforcement, improve monitoring of operators, and provide stronger support for the implementation of Community Development Agreements (CDAs) in mining host communities.
Mrs Coker-Odusote added that NIMC’s upgraded digital infrastructure is capable of supporting government institutions in building reliable databases, improving transparency and delivering more efficient public services.
Both institutions said they would immediately begin implementing technology-driven initiatives under the partnership, expressing confidence that expanding access to trusted digital identities for miners and other eligible residents would enhance accountability and strengthen governance in the solid minerals sector.
