Economy
Equity, Bond Markets Buoy Nigeria’s $12b Capital Inflow in 2017
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The total value of capital imported into the country in 2017 increased significantly when compared with two years ago.
According to figures released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) few days ago, a total of $12.2 billion was attracted into Nigeria in 2017, an increase of $7.1 billion or 138.7 percent from the figure recorded in 2016.
The stats office said in its report that the growth in capital importation in 2017 was mainly driven by an increase in portfolio investment, which went up by $5.5 billion from the previous year to reach $7.3 billion in 2017, and accounting for 60 percent of capital imported.
During the reference quarter total capital imported when compared with the previous quarter increased by $1.2 billion, the NBS said.
In the fourth quarter alone, the capital inflow was $5.4 billion, representing an annual growth of 247.5 percent, and quarterly growth of 29.9 percent.
During the quarter, portfolio investment, which recorded $3.5 billion, remained the largest component of capital imported and contributed 64.6 percent of the total amount, $5.4 billion.
It increased significantly year on year, recording a rise of 1,123.5 percent or $3.2 billion from $284.2 million to $3.5 billion, expanding faster than the two other components of capital importation; Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and other investments.
In the fourth quarter of last year, Foreign Direct Investment recorded $378.4 million, which is a year on year increase of 9.8 percent, while Other Investment recorded $1.5 billion, growing by 66 percent when compared with the fourth quarter of 2016.
According to the NBS, in Q4 2017, Foreign Direct Investment hit $378.4 million for the first time since Q4 2015 when it reported $123.2 million. This figure in Q4 2017 was a substantial increase of 221.8 percent when compared to the 3rd quarter, and a 9.8 percent increase compared to Q4 2017. The growth in FDI was mainly driven by Equity Investments, which contributed 99.8 percent, while Other Capital Investment contributed 0.2 percent.
Furthermore, the stats office said Portfolio Investment was the main driver of Capital Importation in the fourth quarter of 2017, with an amount of $3.5 billion, representing a quarter on quarter growth of 25.7 percent.
Year on year, it increased by 1,123.5 percent, which is over 12 times the figure recorded in Q4 2016, $284.2 million.
The increase in Portfolio Investment was driven by a strong growth in Money Market Instruments, which recorded $2.2 billion, the first time since Q3 2013.
Money Market Instruments contributed 63 percent to Portfolio investments. Equity, which had been the main driver of Portfolio investments in previous quarters, dropped by $942.9 million from $1.9 billion in Q3 to $989.2 million in Q4 2017.
On the other hand, Bonds recorded an increase of $194.1 million, from $115.4 million in Q3 to $309.5 million in Q4 of the same year.
Also, Other Investment accounted for 28.4 percent of total capital importation in the fourth quarter of 2017. This category of capital importation grew 65.96 percent year on year, and by 21.2 percent when compared to the previous quarter.
The $1.5 billion recorded by Other Investment was mainly in the form of Loans, which was $1.1 billion in the fourth quarter, followed by Other Claims which recorded $425.7 million, and then Trade credits which reported $10 million, having posted no inflows since Q4 2016.
Economy
SEC Postpones Q2 2026 Pre-registration Training, Examination for CMOs
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.
Economy
Fidson Lists Additional 600 million Shares on Stock Exchange
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.”
Economy
FG Approves Payments to 1,240 Contractors to Ease Liquidity Pressure
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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