Economy
H1 2018: Unilever Nigeria Gains N5.7b Despite 12% Rise in Cost of Sales
By Dipo Olowookere
Leading British-Dutch transnational consumer goods company with operations in Nigeria, Unilever, on Friday released its financial statements for the first six months of 2018.
The company, headed by Mr Alfred Yaw Oduro Nsarkoh, recorded a profit before tax of N7.6 billion in the period under review compared with N4.8 billion posted in the corresponding period of last year.
Also, its profit after tax stood at N5.7 billion as at June 30, 2018 versus N3.7 billion it was as at June 30, 2017.
It was disclosed that the revenue generated in H1 2018 was N48.6 billion against N42.6 billion in H1 2017.
However, the cost of sales recorded by the company skyrocketed by 11.8 percent to N32.8 billion from N29.4 billion 12 months ago.
Also, there was an increase in the selling and distributions expenses by 12.9 percent to N2.1 billion from N1.9 billion in first half of last year, while the marketing and administrative expenses surged by 31.7 percent to N7 billion from N5.3 billion.
However, the gross profit stood at N15.3 billion as at June 30, 2018 against N12.3 billion as at June 30, 2017.
In addition, the operating profit was N6.2 billion in the period under review in contrast to N6.1 billion in the corresponding period of last year, while the finance income jumped by 324.9 percent to N1.5 billion from N354.4 million.
Business Post gathered from the financial statements that the earnings per share of Unilever Nigeria in H1 2018 stood at N1 versus 97 kobo in H1 2017, while the return on assets closed at 4.37 percent against 3.04 percent, with the return on equity finishing at 7.26 percent in contrast to 4.84 percent.
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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