Economy
Despite Rise in FX Turnover, Naira Gains 0.02% as Cryptos Fall
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Naira appreciated against the US Dollar at the Investors and Exporters (I&E) window of the foreign exchange (FX) market on Monday, February 21 amid a significant increase in the value of transactions.
Data obtained from the FMDQ Securities Exchange indicated that the Nigerian currency gained 0.02 per cent or 8 kobo against the greenback yesterday as it was traded at N416.67/$1 compared with the preceding session’s N416.75/$1.
The FX turnover for the opening trading session of the week stood at $141.31 million as against the $64.03 million published at the preceding session, implying an increase by $77.28 million or 120.7 per cent.
For yet another session, at the Peer-2-Peer (P2P) category of the forex market, the exchange rate of the Naira to the United States Dollar remained flat at N574/$1.
At the spot market, the local currency appreciated against the Pound Sterling by 6 kobo to trade at N567.08£1 compared with N567.14/£1 it was traded last Friday. The domestic currency also appreciated against the Euro at the same market window yesterday by 52 kobo to settle at N472.56/€1 in contrast to N473.08/€1 of the preceding session.
At the cryptocurrency market, investors counted more losses on the back of profit-taking caused by the Russia-Ukraine row, leaving seven of the 10 digital assets tracked by Business Post to land in the negative territory.
The three gainers were led by Ethereum (ETH) with a price appreciation of 2.1 per cent to trade at N1,574,192.00, Bitcoin (BTC) made a 0.2 per cent gain to close at N22,234,897.45, while the US Dollar Tether (USDT) improved by 0.1 per cent to sell for N588.92.
On the losers’ end, Dash (DASH) slid by 5.0 per cent to trade at N53,302.08, Ripple (XRP) depreciated by 2.6 per cent to close at N487.58, Solana (SOL) went down by 2.5 per cent to sell at N52,702.64, Binance Coin (BNB) retreated by 1.7 per cent to N154,056.78, Cardano (ADA) fell by 1.0 per cent to N552.35, Dogecoin (DOGE) declined by 0.9 per cent to trade at N80.06, while Litecoin (LTC) contracted by 0.3 per cent to sell at N65,463.05.
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.
-
Feature/OPED6 years agoDavos was Different this year
-
Travel/Tourism10 years ago
Lagos Seals Western Lodge Hotel In Ikorodu
-
Showbiz3 years agoEstranged Lover Releases Videos of Empress Njamah Bathing
-
Banking8 years agoSort Codes of GTBank Branches in Nigeria
-
Economy3 years agoSubsidy Removal: CNG at N130 Per Litre Cheaper Than Petrol—IPMAN
-
Banking3 years agoSort Codes of UBA Branches in Nigeria
-
Banking3 years agoFirst Bank Announces Planned Downtime
-
Sports3 years agoHighest Paid Nigerian Footballer – How Much Do Nigerian Footballers Earn