Economy
Can You Make a Living Trading Forex?
Forex trading has a certain appeal to people who would like to be their own boss and work at flexible hours.
In the past, the market was restricted to big companies; however, the internet made it possible for everyone to trade currencies.
Although some people might call it an easy way to make a living, it is a huge risk, especially if you are trading a lot of cash. If you are a risk-taker and want to participate, read on for some tips on how to start making a living trading forex.
Trading forex
Before jumping into the market, you need to understand the concept of forex trading. It takes place between two parties in an over-the-counter market that is controlled by different banks in the major trading centres.
You can trade any time of the day at any hour that you see fit because there is no central location restricting you. It is all about buying currencies and selling them when their value hits the roof.
Amount of Capital Needed
Some people worry about the capital needed to start trading because they think that they must have a considerable amount of cash.
However, it is easier than they think as you can trade forex with any capital because of the availability of micro-accounts. You just have to make sure that you can afford to lose that amount without risking your ability to pay the daily bills.
Furthermore, the more you risk, the higher your earnings will be. Consider starting as a part-time trader, then become a full-timer when you are confident that you can make a living from it.
The Importance of Brokers
Making it into the world of trading on your own may be a bit hard. That’s why brokers, or middlemen as they are called in the forex market, are needed. They are the third party that makes the transactions easier and helps you find good bids. The number of brokers in the market is growing, and that’s why researchers at Observer recommend checking testimonials and looking for the most reliable brokers.
This is especially because no rules are governing the market. You should also ask the broker about the way to withdraw your earnings and the ease of navigation of their website.
Another reason why hiring forex brokers is necessary is because they can offer you a fixed or variable spread according to your deal. The perks of a variable spread are the ability to adjust your bid depending on the volatility of the market. However, volatility is a double-edged weapon because you can lose money if the value of the currency drops.
Putting a Successful Strategy
Understanding yourself and your goals will help you put a successful strategy. Before you start trading forex, you have to include the possibility of losing and winning in order to keep your expectations in check. Many factors affect your strategies such as your capital, patience, and degree of dependency on the trading money.
You get to choose the type of forex market according to your plan and whether you would like short or long-term profits. For instance, the spot forex market takes place as soon as you choose the currency pair you want to exchange.
On the other hand, if you want to earn profit in the future, you can choose between forwarding or future forex markets. The difference between them is that the future one will bind you with a legal contract regardless of the price of the currency at that time.
Consider checking the available strategies to help you in making up your mind. Some of the methods are day trading, scalping, and arbitrary trading. It is better to be flexible when it comes to changing plans after realizing that the initial one isn’t paying off anymore.
Certain factors can affect your plans such as the ratio between the risk and win rates. Even though trading forex is flexible, you have to teach yourself discipline and commitment to make money.
Predicting the Market
Although it is hard to guarantee the full return of your money, amount of profit, or cash you may lose, you can learn how to predict the market’s volatility. Some surprise moves may take place raising the value of the currency or dropping it to the ground. This can help some traders become millionaires while leaving others bankrupt.
Periods of sudden volatility are not that common, so there is always room for prediction. The most important risk possibility that you need to take into consideration is slippage. You should also know when you have achieved an edge on the market. This will help your capital grow and lead to great profits.
Understanding the industry will help you minimize the risks and increase the probability of making huge sums of money. It is better to start as a part-timer and test the market before throwing away a job that provides you with a stable income. Trading forex can be quite profitable in the long-term, especially if you put a sound strategy and deal with a smart broker.
By Adedapo Adesanya
Nigeria attracted $10.37 billion in capital importation in the first quarter of 2026, representing an 83.8 per cent increase from the $5.64 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2025, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
The latest Capital Importation Report released by the stats bureau also showed that capital inflows rose by 60.97 per cent from $6.44 billion recorded in the fourth quarter of 2025.
The report stated, “In Q1 2026, total capital importation into Nigeria stood at $10.37bn, higher than $5.64bn recorded in Q1 2025, indicating an increase of 83.83 per cent. In comparison to the preceding quarter, capital importation increased by 60.97 per cent from $6.44bn in Q4 2025.”
Analysis of the inflows showed that portfolio investment remained the dominant source of foreign capital, accounting for $9.86 billion or 95.09 per cent of the total amount imported into the economy.
The stats office disclosed that foreign direct investment stood at $135.08 million, representing only 1.30 per cent of total capital inflows, while other investments accounted for $374.48 million or 3.61 per cent.
“Portfolio Investment ranked top with $9.86bn, accounting for 95.09 per cent, followed by Other Investment with $374.48m, accounting for 3.61 per cent. Foreign Direct Investment recorded the least with $135.08m, representing 1.30 per cent of total capital importation in Q1 2026,” the report added.
A further breakdown showed that money market instruments attracted the largest share of portfolio investments at $6.50 billion, while investments in bonds amounted to $3.23 billion.
Equity investments under the portfolio category stood at $131.81 million.
The banking sector emerged as the biggest destination for foreign capital during the quarter, attracting $7.55 billion, representing 72.79 per cent of total inflows.
The financing sector followed with $2.43 billion or 23.42 per cent, while the production and manufacturing sector attracted $152.27 million, accounting for 1.47 per cent of total capital imported.
Other sectors that received foreign investments included shares, trading, agriculture, information technology services, telecommunications, oil and gas, transport, construction, healthcare, education, and consultancy services.
The United Kingdom remained Nigeria’s largest source of foreign capital, accounting for $5.08 billion or 49.01 per cent of total inflows. The United States followed with $3.18 billion, representing 30.69 per cent, while South Africa accounted for $983.83 million or 9.49 per cent.
Among financial institutions, Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria Limited received the highest capital inflow during the quarter at $4.41 billion, representing 42.56 per cent of the total.
Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc followed with $2.78 billion or 26.79 per cent, while Rand Merchant Bank handled $930.82 million, accounting for 8.97 per cent.
Other banks that facilitated capital inflows into the country during the period included Citibank Nigeria, Access Bank, First Bank of Nigeria, Guaranty Trust Bank, Zenith Bank, FCMB, Ecobank, Fidelity Bank, and United Bank for Africa.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The 2026 licensing round for oil fields is expected to commence in the third quarter of 2026, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has disclosed.
This followed the approval of President Bola Tinubu, who doubles as the Minister of Petroleum Resources.
A statement issued by the spokesperson of NUPRC, Mr Eniola Akinkuotu, on Wednesday said the authorisation is in compliance with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
“We are also fortunate that the President and Minister of Petroleum Resources has approved the 2026 Licensing Round,” the chief executive of the agency, Mrs Oritsemeyiwa Eyesa, was quoted as saying in the statement when she received representatives of Meren Energy (formerly Africa Oil) in Abuja yesterday.
Mrs Eyesan, who expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the 2025 Licensing Round so far, stated that the commercial bid would take place in July, after which the next licensing round would commence.
The NUPRC boss said the heightened participation in the 2025 Licensing Round was a testament to the fact that Nigeria was headed in the right direction.
She said the rise in investments, coupled with the upswing in production, was evidence that Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, had become attractive.
“We are in the process of finalising the 2026 launch, which will happen by the third quarter at the latest. So, this is the make-or-break point, and we want to make sure we make it,” she stated.
In his remarks, the chief executive of Meren Energy, Mr Oliver Quinn, said the current reforms had inspired the company to increase its investments in Nigeria, hence its interest in asset divestments and licensing rounds, revealing that his company’s investment priority is Africa, of which Nigeria ranks as number one.
“We have operated in Agbami, Akpo and Egina world-class fields. I think till date, in 20 years, about $11bn in capital from our side has gone into these assets, and about $4bn has gone to tax and royalties,” he said, adding, “Nigeria remains the core of our business today because of the quality of these assets.”
According to Mr Quinn, Meren Energy is pressuring its partners on these assets to deepen their investments and then increase overall production, noting that the energy firm was the first in Nigeria to sell crude oil to the Dangote refinery and will continue to fulfil its Domestic Crude Supply Obligation so long as the price remains right.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The NASD Over-the-Counter (OTC) Securities Exchange extended its gains by 0.91 per cent on Wednesday, June 3, spurred by three price gainers led by FrieslandCampina Wamco Nigeria Plc, which rose by N13.90 to sell N210.41 per share versus the previous day’s N196.51 per share. MRS Oil appreciated by N10 to N190.00 per unit from N180.00 per unit, and Food Concepts Plc added 5 Kobo to sell at N3.00 per share versus N2.95 per share.
As a result, the market capitalisation increased by N23.91 billion to N2.660 trillion from N2.636 trillion, and the NASD Unlisted Security Index (NSI) gained 39.97 points to finish at 4,446.27 points, in contrast to Tuesday’s 4,406.30 points.
The NASD exchange witnessed three price losers at midweek, led by Nipco Plc, which shrank by N21.30 to close at N325.97 per unit compared with the previous session’s N347.27 per unit, Nitrox Industrial Gases Plc went down by N1.20 to quote at N24.30 per share versus the preceding session’s N25.50 per share, and Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) Plc weakened to by 69 Kobo to N75.41 per unit from N76.10 per unit.
The volume of trades yesterday significantly improved by 71.5 per cent to 527,221 units from Tuesday’s 307,363 units, as the value of transactions soared by 49.9 per cent to N64.2 million from the preceding session’s N49.9 million, and the number of deals surged by 9.5 per cent to 46 deals from 42 deals.
When trading activities ended for the day, Great Nigeria Insurance (GNI) Plc remained the most active stock by value on a year-to-date basis with 3.4 billion units valued at N8.4 billion, followed by Infrastructure Credit Guarantee (Infracredit) Plc with 2.3 billion units worth N6.5 billion, and CSCS Plc with 64.6 million units exchanged for N4.4 billion.
GNI Plc also ended the session as the most traded stock by volume on a year-to-date basis with 3.4 billion units sold for N8.4 billion, followed by Infracredit Plc with 2.3 billion units traded for N6.5 billion, and Resourcery Plc with 1.1 billion units transacted for N415.7 million.
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