Economy
Investors Buy, Sell N59bn Stocks in One Week
By Dipo Olowookere
Investment in stocks in Nigeria attracted about N59.0 billion in the four trading sessions of last week, analysis of the transactions on the floor of the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited has revealed.
The significant increase in the volume and value of trades by investors in the week was due to the patronage of BUA Foods equities after they were listed on the exchange.
Business Post reports that in the week, a total of 2.0 billion shares worth N59.0 billion were bought and sold in 15,750 deals compared with the 995.4 million shares worth N13.2 billion transacted in 10,264 deals a week earlier.
BUA Foods, Wema Bank and Transcorp were the most traded equities in the week, accounting for 1.4 billion units worth N51.3 billion executed in 1,120 deals, contributing 67 per cent and 86.85 per cent to the total trading volume and value respectively.
In terms of the sectors, the consumer goods industry led the activity chart with 1.3 billion shares valued at N52.0 billion traded in 2,581 deals, accounting for 61.90 per cent and 88.07 per cent of the total trading volume and value respectively.
The financial services counter followed with 538.0 million shares worth N4.6 billion in 8,015 deals, while the ICT space posted a turnover of 76.9 million shares worth N704.4 million carried out in 933 deals.
Academy Press ended the week as the highest price riser, growing by 20.00 per cent to trade at 60 kobo, followed by Cornerstone Insurance, which gained 19.57 per cent to sell for 55 kobo.
Meyer also rose by 19.57 per cent to 55 kobo, Wema Bank increased by 18.06 per cent to 45 kobo, while Japaul appreciated by 15.38 per cent to 78 kobo.
The heaviest price loser in the week was Sunu Assurances, which fell by 17.78 per cent to 37 kobo, trailed by Consolidated Hallmark Insurance, which dropped 16.46 per cent to 66 kobo.
Sovereign Trust Insurance decreased by 13.33 per cent to 26 kobo, Vitafoam lost 10.00 per cent to finish at N20.25, while Northern Nigerian Flour Mills deflated by 9.38 per cent to N7.25.
At the close of transactions, the bourse ended with 40 price gainers, higher than 37 gainers of the preceding week, 31 price losers, also higher than 21 losers of the earlier week, while 84 equities closed flat, lower than 99 equities of the previous week.
In terms of the movement of the key indices of the exchange, the All-Share Index (ASI) and market capitalisation appreciated by 2.66 per cent and 5.97 per cent to 43,854.42 points and N23.628 trillion respectively.
Similarly, all other indices finished higher with the exception of the premium, insurance, AFR Div Yield, Meri Growth, consumer goods, and Lotus II indices, which fell by 0.47 per cent, 0.93 per cent, 0.97 per cent, 0.66 per cent, 0.87 per cent, and 0.12 per cent respectively, while the ASem and sovereign bond indices closed flat.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The founder and chief executive of Austin Laz and Company Plc, Mr Asimonye Austin Lazarus Azubuike, has sold off about 52.24 million shares of the organisation.
The stocks were offloaded in 11 tranches at an average price of N4.36 per unit, amounting to about N227.8 million.
The transactions occurred between December 2025 and January 2026, according to a notice filed by the company to the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited on Friday.
Business Post reports that Austin Laz is known for producing ice block machines, aluminium roofing, thermoplastics coolers, PVC windows and doors, ice cream machines, and disposable plates.
The firm evolved from refrigeration sales to diverse manufacturing since its incorporation in 1982 in Benin City, Edo State, though facing recent operational halts.
According to the statement signed by company secretary, Ifeanyi Offor & Associates, Mr Azubuike first sold 1.5 million units of the equities at N2.42, and then offloaded 2.4 million units at N2.65, and 2.0 million units at N2.65.
In another tranche, he sold another 2.0 million units at a unit price of N2.91, and then 5.0 million units at N3.52, as well as about 4.5 million at N3.87 per share.
It was further disclosed that the owner of the company also sold 9.0 million shares at N4.25, and offloaded another 368,411 units at N4.66, then in another transaction sold about 6.9 million units at N4.67.
In the last two transactions he carried out, Mr Azubuike first traded 10.0 million units equities at N5.13, with the last being 8.5 million stocks sold at N5.64 per unit.
By Dipo Olowookere
ASO Savings and Loans Plc has been delisted from the daily official list of the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited.
This action followed the revocation of the operating licence of the company by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in December 2025.
In a circular on behalf of the NGX Regulation (NGX RegCo) by Ugochi Eke, it was disclosed that the effective date of the delisting is today, Friday, January 16, 2026.
Already, the company has been notified of this development, according to the notice obtained by Business Post.
Before ASO Savings lost its operating licence, it had failed to meet some post-listing requirements, a part of the disclosure from the NGX RegCo stated.
“The board of NGX Regulation Limited via its decision dated January 1, 2026, approved that the step below should be taken pursuant to the process for regulatory delisting of issuers.
“The board has approved the delisting of ASO Savings and Loans Plc from the Nigerian Exchange Limited’s daily official list effective January 16, 2026.
“ASO Savings is hereby notified of this enforcement action and is advised to direct any communication in respect of the foregoing to [email protected].
“NGX RegCo was engaging the listed entity, concerning its outstanding post-listing obligations. However, due to the revocation of the operating license of ASO Savings by its primary regulator, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) effective December 16, 2025; NGX RegCo will delist the entity from the daily official list effective January 16, 2026.
“In view of the foregoing, NGX RegCo has proceeded with publishing the name of the Company in the national dailies.
“The company has been duly notified of this enforcement action, and this publication serves as notification to the investing public, particularly shareholders of the company and investors in the Nigerian capital market,” the statement read.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Mr Heineken Lokpobiri, has issued a stern warning to oil and gas investors that petroleum licences in Nigeria are strictly for active development, not asset hoarding or speculative holding, declaring that operators must drill or risk losing their rights.
He made this admonition while delivering his message at the 2025 Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) Licensing Bid Round Conference in Lagos, where he outlined the government’s hardline stance on asset utilisation and investor accountability.
“The oil assets in portfolio are not mere symbols or souvenirs,” Mr Lokpobiri said, adding that, “Holders of licences are obligated to drill, drill and drill for a shared benefit for the Government, Nigerians and the operators.”
He stressed that the administration is determined to ensure petroleum assets are translated into tangible economic value, noting that licences are time-bound rights granted solely for productive use.
“These assets belong to the Federal Government, and licences are granted strictly for a defined period for productive use, not passive ownership,” the minister said. “Our licensing framework is designed to eliminate speculation and ensure that only serious, capable investors participate.”
Mr Lokpobiri also issued a strong caution to bidders seeking to participate in the 2025 licensing round, urging them to fully understand the process and obligations before submitting bids.
“As prospects take part in this bid round, a clear understanding of the modus operandi guiding the process is essential,” he said, recalling previous bid rounds where some winners attempted to reverse their commitments.
“Past experiences have shown instances where some winning bidders sought refunds based on unmet expectations or perceived asset limitations,” Lokpobiri stated. “Such actions are untenable, as there is no provision in law for the refund of a bid already won.”
According to him, the conference was convened to remove ambiguity and protect the integrity of the licensing system, stressing that the government would strictly enforce all contractual obligations arising from the process.
“This conference serves to provide clarity upfront,” he said. “Participants must be fully informed, deliberate and committed, as the Government will uphold the sanctity of the process and enforce all obligations.”
The minister’s remarks reinforce the Federal Government’s broader push to accelerate upstream development, boost production and attract only technically and financially capable investors into Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, amid renewed licensing activity under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
-
Feature/OPED6 years agoDavos was Different this year
-
Travel/Tourism9 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 agoFirst Bank Announces Planned Downtime
-
Banking3 years agoSort Codes of UBA Branches in Nigeria
-
Sports3 years agoHighest Paid Nigerian Footballer – How Much Do Nigerian Footballers Earn