Economy
Base Effect to Ease February Inflation to 14.31%—FSDH
By Dipo Olowookere
Analysts at FSDH Research have predicted that inflation rate for the month February 2018 will slow further to 14.31 percent from 15.13 percent recorded in January 2018.
The drop in the rate for the month is attributed to the base effect of previous year.
FSDH said it observed decrease in some major food prices as well as the slowdown in the price movement in some categories of non-food items in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) basket.
On March 14, 2018, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) is expected to release the inflation rate for the month of February 2018, based on the data release calendar on its website.
The February 2018 monthly Food Price Index (FPI) from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) shows that the Index averaged 170.8 points, 1.07 percent higher than the revised value for January but 2.68 percent lower than the February 2017 figure. The increase in the FPI represented increases in all categories of commodities used in the calculation of the Index except vegetable oil and sugar.
The FAO Dairy Price Index appreciated by 6.21 percent in February. The prices of products in all the four categories of milk products that constitute the Index firmed up. This increase was mainly supported by strong import demand and lower than expected milk output.
The FAO Cereal Price Index increased by 2.55 percent from the previous month. The sustained increase recorded in the cereal price Index is as a result of the rise in the prices of wheat, maize and rice.
The FAO Meat Index was marginally up by 0.06 percent. The increase in the prices for bovine meat was offset by decreases recorded in the prices of poultry and pig meat. On the flip side, the FAO Sugar Price Index dropped by 3.45 percent and represents its lowest level in two years. The drop in the Index is on the heels of favourable supply conditions in the main sugar producing regions and last year’s removal of output quotas.
The FAO Vegetable Oil Price Index was down by 3.15 percent. The easing global import demand and rising inventories exerted downward pressure on the prices of palm oil and soy.
“Our analysis indicates that the value of the Naira appreciated in the parallel market while it depreciated in the inter-bank market.
“The Naira gained N2.00 in the parallel market to close at N362.50/$ while it lost 20kobo at the inter-bank market to close at N305.90/$ at the end of February.
“FSDH Research notes that there is a potential increase in the local prices of imported food items because of the faster than expected increase in the international food prices.
“This may have negative impact on inflation rate going forward.
“The prices of most of the food items we monitored in February 2018 recorded moderate increases, leading to 0.80 percent increase in our Food and Non-Alcoholic Index. The Index increased by 17.50 percent from 224.77 points recorded in February 2017.
“We also noticed increase in the prices of Transport and Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas & Other Fuels divisions between January and February 2018.
“We estimate that the increase in the Composite Consumer Price Index (CCPI) in February 2018 would produce an inflation rate of 14.31 percent lower than the 15.13 percent recorded in January,” the report tagged Inflation Watch said.
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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