Economy
Coronation Securities Helps Clients Understand Real Returns After Inflation—Owadokun
Nigeria’s economy is in a transition phase—marked by ambitious reforms, rising inflation, and a shifting investor landscape. The country recorded a 4.6 per cent GDP growth in Q4 2024, with 2025 projections at 3.6 per cent, driven by exchange rate unification, fiscal reforms, and a more market-driven policy approach.
At the same time, inflation—at 22.97 per cent as of May 2025—remains a concern. The Naira, while stabilising, still presents FX-related risks. Despite these headwinds, investors are beginning to regain confidence, and market reforms are gradually unlocking opportunities, particularly for digital-first institutions focused on access, trust, and financial empowerment.
In this interview shared with Business Post, the deputy chief executive of Coronation Securities, Mr Segun Owadokun, highlighted how the firm is positioning itself and its clients for long-term growth, navigating uncertainty, and building leadership in Nigeria’s capital markets. It has been edited for clarity.
What strategies are you deploying to help clients preserve and grow wealth in a high-inflation environment?
Our strategy is focused on preserving real returns. We offer high-yield fixed income options like commercial papers and corporate bonds as well as strong equities with capital appreciation potential and consistent dividends. But more than just picking the right products, we help clients understand their real returns after inflation. We combine this with continuous investor education and active portfolio tracking, so clients stay nimble in a fast-moving market.
Has the unification of exchange rates influenced investor sentiment and portfolio strategy?
Absolutely. The FX unification has introduced more clarity and reduced the uncertainty that plagued investors for years. We’re already seeing renewed interest from foreign portfolio investors—this is key for liquidity and pricing efficiency. Clients can now manage currency risks more transparently, and that strengthens confidence. The FX reform is foundational—it’s building a more predictable investment environment.
What measures are in place to strengthen investor confidence during periods of economic uncertainty?
Investor confidence comes from consistency and clarity. At Coronation Securities, we provide timely insights, personalized advisory, and investor education. We run webinars, thought pieces, and send regular market updates that help clients understand the “why” behind our strategy. When clients feel informed and supported—even in volatility—they stay invested with confidence.
In what ways is Coronation Securities leveraging technology to enhance access and improve client engagement?
Technology is at the centre of how we engage. Our Coronation Wealth App and eBusiness Suite allow real-time trading, seamless onboarding, and full portfolio visibility from anywhere. We’ve also built a robust API hub that allows digital partners and aggregators to embed our services in their platforms—extending access to underserved audiences. As Nigeria’s digital-first capital markets platform, we’re rethinking access, efficiency, and scale.
Can you elaborate on your efforts to promote financial literacy, especially among retail and emerging investors?
We’re passionate about empowering informed investors. That’s why we launched the Coronation Investment Academy—a platform that simplifies financial concepts and helps new and seasoned investors build their knowledge base. We complement this with webinars, newsletters, articles, and partnerships with schools, youth groups, and regulators. For us, it’s about inclusion, empowerment, and building long-term investor confidence.
What advice does Coronation Securities provide to clients affected by infrastructure deficits and high operating costs?
We help clients, both businesses and individuals, stay resilient. For businesses, we recommend maintaining liquidity buffers, deploying capital into flexible, short-term fixed income instruments, and hedging where needed.
For individuals, we guide them toward conservative, yield-driven investments that protect capital and ensure flexibility. In volatile markets, agility and cash management are everything.
What strategies are being used to attract and engage younger Nigerians in wealth-building and investment?
At Coronation Securities, we have adopted a three-pronged approach to engage younger Nigerians in wealth creation, built around the philosophy of “Learn, Play, and Invest.” First, we launched the Coronation Investment Academy, an educational platform designed to bridge the knowledge gap by simplifying investment concepts and promoting financial literacy. Once users grasp the fundamentals, they transition to the Coronation Fantasy League App – a gamified, real-time simulation that allows them to build virtual investment portfolios using actual market data. It is a safe, engaging way to practice investing without risking real money. The final step is onboarding them onto the Coronation Wealth App, our fully digital investment platform that allows users to trade and invest seamlessly in the Nigerian capital market from anywhere. This ecosystem not only educates but also empowers young investors to take charge of their financial future in a fun, accessible, and practical way.
How are ESG principles reflected in your investment advisory and product development?
ESG is no longer a cliché – it is becoming central to how we approach investments. At Coronation Securities, we are gradually embedding ESG principles into our advisory process. We have started integrating ESG screening into our equity research and are actively guiding clients towards emerging opportunities like green bonds and sustainable finance instruments. While corporate governance has always been a key pillar in our analysis, we are now seeing growing investor interest in broader social and environmental factors, such as workplace diversity, product safety, and climate responsibility. Our clients increasingly want to align their portfolios with their values, and we are right there with them. For us, it is not just about financial returns anymore – it is about making a meaningful impact through smarter and more responsible investing.
What risk management practices help safeguard client portfolios amid current macroeconomic risks?
At Coronation Securities, we take a proactive and disciplined approach to risk management. Our dedicated risk and investment teams continuously monitor market dynamics, conduct regular stress testing, and adjust portfolio strategies to anticipate and respond to potential shocks. We emphasise diversification, real-time scenario analysis, and dynamic asset allocation to cushion against volatility. By staying ahead of economic trends and maintaining strong internal controls, we aim to ensure our clients’ portfolios remain resilient, even in volatile macroeconomic environments.
Could you share recent innovations tailored to today’s market challenges?
We’ve launched a Fixed Income Trading Desk to give clients access to high-yield, short-term products. Our digital platforms now feature tailored investment recommendations and thematic watchlists—helping clients act swiftly and strategically.
How does Coronation Securities navigate the evolving regulatory landscape to ensure compliance and investor protection?
We maintain direct engagement with regulators and run rigorous internal audits. Continuous training and transparent governance ensure we manage client assets with integrity and protect investors at all times. Our strong governance framework guarantees that client assets are managed with the highest level of integrity and transparency, safeguarding investor interests at all times.
Are there any strategic partnerships that Coronation Securities is leveraging to enhance product offerings or market reach? Absolutely. Our collaborations with fintechs and ecosystem players help us scale offerings, improve execution, and reach new segments. These partnerships keep us agile, innovative, and deeply connected across Nigeria’s financial landscape.
What is your outlook for Nigeria’s investment market over the next 3 to 5 years?
We’re optimistic. Economic reforms are gaining traction—fueling deeper market participation, diverse products, and foreign capital inflows. While fixed-income yields may normalize, equities in banking, telecoms, and FMCG will shine. Digital evolution will continue democratizing access for more Nigerians.
What practical advice would you offer to new and existing investors looking to capitalize on opportunities in Nigeria’s current economic environment?
Our advice is simple: Stay informed. Diversify. Think long term. Spread investments across sectors and work with trusted advisors like Coronation Securities. In a reforming economy, disciplined and research-based investing is the best way to unlock opportunity.
By Adedapo Adesanya
Dangote Petroleum Refinery is preparing to raise about $5 billion through an initial public offering (IPO) expected to conclude in October, in what could become the largest stock market listing in Africa’s history.
The company has already submitted an initial application to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), with approval expected in the coming weeks. Once authorised, the refinery is expected to release its prospectus in September ahead of the public offer.
The primary listing will be on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited, although investors across Africa are expected to participate through structured investment instruments rather than a dual listing.
The proceeds will be used to expand the capacity of the 700,000-barrels-per-day refinery in Lagos and possibly support plans to replicate the project in Kenya as Dangote seeks to deepen Africa’s energy independence.
The proposed IPO comes after the refinery benefited from increased demand for refined products during the recent Iran conflict, supplying jet fuel across Africa and into Western Europe as global shortages disrupted markets.
As per Reuters, stock exchanges in South Africa, Kenya, Egypt, Ghana and Rwanda have held discussions with advisers to the transaction as interest in the offering continues to build across the continent.
Kenya alone could account for as much as $500 million of the targeted capital raise, driven largely by demand from institutional investors, including pension funds, the publication reported.
While the company is targeting a $5 billion raise, the final amount will depend on the outcome of the SEC’s review. If achieved, the offering would represent more than four per cent of the Nigerian Exchange’s current market capitalisation.
The IPO follows a $2.5 billion private placement completed last month, in which a six per cent stake in the refinery was sold, implying a valuation of about $40 billion.
That valuation, however, would place the refinery well above several listed global refining companies. Turkey’s Tupras, which operates a similar combined refining capacity across four facilities, has a market value of roughly $12 billion, while US-listed HF Sinclair, with a comparable processing capacity, is valued at around $16 billion.
Although the NGX generally requires companies on its main board to maintain a minimum free float of 20 per cent, there have been exceptions. Dangote Cement, for instance, currently has a free float of just over 12 per cent.
The publication also reported that investors outside Nigeria are likely to gain exposure through instruments such as global depositary receipts or exchange-traded products linked to the Nigerian-listed shares, rather than through a cross-listing on other African exchanges.
The founder of the 700,000-barrels-per-day capacity plant, Mr Aliko Dangote, said in April that the refinery aims to increase production capacity to 1.4 million barrels per day.
Mr Dangote is also pursuing plans to build another refinery in Lamu along Kenya’s coast in partnership with other East African governments, although it remains unclear whether part of the IPO proceeds will be allocated to that project valued at an estimated $17 billion.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The NASD Over-the-Counter (OTC) Securities Exchange rallied by 0.89 per cent on Tuesday, August 4 amid renewed buying interest in unlisted stocks.
During the session, the market capitalisation added N24.07 billion to end at N2.739 trillion compared with Tuesday’s N2.715 trillion, while the NASD Security Index (NSI) gained 40.11 points to quote at 4,563.96 points compared with the preceding day’s 4,523.85 points.
The NASD OTC Exchange ended the trading session with two price losers and three gainers, led by Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) Plc, which chalked up N7.80 to close at N119.80 per unit versus the previous session’s N112.00 per unit. Afriland Properties Plc increased its value by N1.27 to N23.95 per share from N22.68 per share, and Nitrox Industrial Gases Plc expanded by N1.15 to N21.15 per unit from N20.00 per unit.
On the flip side, FrieslandCampina Wamco Nigeria Plc slid by N8.64 to sell at N144.00 per share compared with the previous day’s N152.64 per share, and 11 Plc dipped by 1 Kobo to end at N225.00 per unit, in contrast to Monday’s closing price of N225.01 per unit.
Tuesday’s trading data showed that the volume of securities rose by 9.0 per cent to 1.6 million units from 1.5 million units, and the number of deals climbed by 6.5 per cent to 33 deals from 31 deals, while the value of securities dropped by 26.9 per cent to N47.6 million from N65.2 million.
At the close of trades, Great Nigeria Insurance (GNI) Plc remained the most traded stock by value on a year-to-date with 3.4 billion units worth N8.4 billion, followed by Infrastructure Credit Guarantee (Infracredit) Plc with 2.3 billion units valued at N6.5 billion, and CSCS Plc with 76.9 million units exchanged for N5.5 billion.
GNI Plc also closed the session as the most traded stock by volume on a year-to-date with 3.4 billion units transacted for N8.4 billion, followed by Infracredit Plc with 2.3 billion units sold for N6.5 billion, and Resourcery Plc with 1.1 billion units transacted for N415.7 million.
By Dipo Olowookere
A 0.38 per cent loss was suffered by Nigerian stocks on Tuesday on the back of continued selling pressure from investors embarking on profit-taking.
Data from the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited showed that the contraction was influenced by the 1.78 per cent decline recorded by the insurance sector, the 0.24 per cent slip printed by the consumer goods index, and the 0.09 per cent drop posted by the energy space, offsetting the 0.75 per cent growth achieved by the banking sector and the 0.21 per cent growth recorded by the industrial goods segment.
Investor sentiment was weak during the trading day, as the bourse ended with 13 price gainers and 40 price losers, representing a negative market breadth index.
LivingTrust Mortgage depreciated by 10.00 per cent to N3.42, Multiverse also shed 10.00 per cent to N22.95, McNichols dropped 9.92 per cent to N5.45, Thomas Wyatt dipped by 9.87 per cent to N3.56, and Eterna lost 8.57 per cent to trade at N33.00.
On the flip side, AVA Capital improved by 9.94 per cent to N9.95, Livestock Feeds expanded by 9.71 per cent to N8.65, Neimeth increased by 8.43 per cent to N9.00, AIICO gained 3.47 per cent to settle at N4.18, and Oando grew by 3.30 per cent to N36.00.
A total of 1.6 billion equities valued at N28.7 billion exchanged hands in 54,160 deals yesterday versus the 923.0 million equities worth N37.9 billion traded in 72,544 deals on Monday, indicating a 73.35 per cent surge in the trading volume, a 24.27 per cent decline in the trading value, and a 25.34 per cent slip in the number of deals.
The busiest stock was Japaul, which transacted 904.4 million units for N2.7 billion. Sterling Holdings sold 54.0 million units valued at N431.9 million, FCMB exchanged 49.5 million units worth N545.9 million, Chams traded 44.9 million units for N199.2 million, and Neimeth sold 42.4 million units worth N327.8 million.
Business Post reports that the All-Share Index (ASI) gave up 927.70 points to 244,802.83 points from 245,730.53 points, and the market capitalisation receded by N599 billion to N158.016 trillion from N158.615 trillion.
