Economy
Lafarge, BUA Cement, Others Harden Bulls’ Grip on Stock Market by 0.20%
By Dipo Olowookere
The bulls cemented their dominance on the local stock market on Tuesday with a further 0.20 per cent appreciation buoyed by gains in the share prices of Lafarge Africa, BUA Cement, Honeywell Flour and 13 others.
The improvement in the share prices of the cement stocks raised the industrial goods sector by 1.21 per cent at the close of transactions, with the insurance counter appreciating by 0.17 per cent. The consumer goods space grew by 0.14 per cent, the banking index expanded by 0.03 per cent, while the energy sector fell by 0.38 per cent.
When the trading activities on the floor of the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited closed for the session, the All-Share Index (ASI) was up by 96.46 points to settle at 48,366.69 points versus 48,270.23 points of the preceding day, while the market capitalisation increased by N52 billion to N26.344 trillion from N26.292 trillion.
Business Post reports that the activity chart was in red yesterday as the trading volume, value and number of deals depreciated by 71.37 per cent, 14.76 per cent, and 8.52 per cent apiece.
This was because investors exchanged 184.7 million shares worth N3.6 billion in 3,189 deals against the 645.0 million shares worth N4.2 billion traded in 3,486 deals in the prior trading session.
The most active stock on Tuesday was FBN Holdings for trading 66.1 million units, followed by Transcorp, which transacted 36.6 million units. Geregu exchanged 17.5 million stocks, Access Holdings traded 7.4 million equities, and RT Briscoe sold 5.6 million shares.
Honeywell Flour topped the gainers’ table yesterday after it gained 8.06 per cent to finish at N2.28, Champion Breweries rose by 7.14 per cent to N3.75, Ecobank appreciated by 4.98 per cent to N10.55, Lasaco Assurance grew by 4.71 per cent to 89 Kobo, and RT Briscoe improved by 4.00 per cent to 26 Kobo.
On the flip side, UPDC topped the chart of 13 price losers after it went down by 7.07 per cent to finish at 92 Kobo and was followed by Wema Bank, which dropped 6.12 per cent to N3.22. FTN Cocoa lost 3.33 per cent to trade at 29 Kobo, Coronation Insurance fell by 2.63 per cent to 37 Kobo, and Oando declined by 2.50 per cent to N3.90.
Economy
Zichis Confirms Intention to Borrow from Capital Market
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
One of the newest members of the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited, Zichis Agro-Allied Industries Plc, has confirmed its intention to approach the capital market to raise funds, subject to shareholder and regulatory approval.
However, it denied reports suggesting it’s “set to undertake an Initial Public Offering (IPO) or related capital raising activity.”
In a notice on Monday, the firm affirmed proposing “to seek shareholders’ approval at its forthcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM) to raise additional capital, which may be through equity, debt, or a combination of both, subject to regulatory approvals and market conditions.”
“At this stage, the structure, timing, and details of any such capital raising have not been finalised, and no specific transaction has been concluded,” a part of the statement signed by the company secretary, Solomon Itsede, stressed.
Zichis expressed its commitment to upholding “the highest standards of corporate governance, transparency, and timely disclosure.”
“Accordingly, any material corporate actions or capital market activities will be formally communicated through the appropriate regulatory channels,” it said, advising shareholders and the investing public “to rely solely on official disclosures and filings made by the company through the NGX and other authorised regulatory platforms when making investment decisions.”
Zichis welcomed the “continued interest of investors and market participants in its operations and performance,” promising to remain focused on delivering sustainable value through disciplined strategic execution.
It also lauded the continued support of its shareholders, saying it remains committed to maintaining transparency in all its communications.
Economy
NERC Orders Transparent Reporting of Transmission Loss Factors
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has issued a directive to ensure transparency in reporting the Regional Electricity Transmission Loss Factor, as it remains above the 7 per cent threshold.
In a public notice posted on its official X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, the order, contained in No. NERC/2026/026 is aimed at improving transparency and efficiency in Nigeria’s power grid through enhanced reporting of Regional Transmission Loss Factors (TLF).
The regulator disclosed that the order is backed by the provisions of the Electricity Act 2023, which enables the commission to regulate, monitor, and ensure efficiency in the power sector.
According to the statement, the Data from the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) indicate that the national average TLF was 8.71 per cent in 2024 but was reduced to 7.24 per cent in 2025.
The statement added that the report exceeds the 7 per cent benchmark approved by NERC in the Multi-Year Tariff Order (MYTO).
The statement reads, “The Order dated 8 April 2026 establishes a formal framework for reporting transmission losses across regions operated by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).
“Taking effect from 13 April 2026, the Order is backed by provisions of the Electricity Act 2023, which empower NERC to regulate, monitor, and ensure efficiency in the electricity market.”
The directive reads, “NISO to install smart meters at all boundary regional interconnection points by December 2026 to accurately measure energy flows for each region of the transmission network.
“NISO to measure and document all energy flow of power transformers at transmission substations.
“NISO to file quarterly reports on TLF to NERC on a regional basis.”
It added, “TCN to file an action plan by July 2026 on the reduction of TLF to a value within the 7 per cent approved benchmarks in the regions.
“TCN to ensure that TLF across transmission regions shall not exceed 6.5 per cent by December 2026.”
NERC concluded that the order is designed to strengthen accountability in transmission operations and support better grid performance through structured loss reporting.
Economy
Dangote Refinery Plans Cross-border Listing of Shares
By Adedapo Adesanya
Nigerian businessman, Mr Aliko Dangote, is planning to list shares of his $20 billion oil refinery on multiple African stock exchanges.
The landmark cross-border public offering on the continent was disclosed by the chief executive of the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE), Mr Frank Mwiti, following a meeting held last week in Lagos between Mr Dangote and several heads of African exchanges.
Last year, Mr Dangote unveiled plans to list a 10 per cent stake in his Lagos-based refinery on the Nigerian Exchange this year.
According to a Bloomberg report, citing an email from the chief executive of FirstCap, Mr Ukandu Ukandu, Stanbic IBTC Capital Limited, Vetiva Advisory Services Limited, and FirstCap Limited have been appointed as advisers for the initial public offering of Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE.
Mr Mwiti said the proposed listing is designed to cut across multiple markets and deepen investor participation across the continent.
“The plan is to structure a pan-African IPO,” he said.
Bloomberg also reported that a spokesman for the Dangote Group confirmed that discussions had taken place between Mr Dangote and exchange officials but declined to provide further details.
In February 2026, Mr Dangote said that the IPO could be launched within the next five months.
“But individually Nigerians too will have an opportunity in the next maximum four or five months, they will actually be able to buy their shares,” he said at the time.
He added that investors would have flexibility in how they receive returns.
“People will have a choice either to get their dividends in naira or to get their dividends in dollars because we earn in Dollars.”
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