By Aduragbemi Omiyale

One of the leading energy firms in Nigeria, Oando Plc, ended the 2025 financial year with a strong cash position of N422.9 billion, enhancing its financial flexibility and capacity to fund future growth.

In its audited financial statements for 2025, the organisation strengthened its financial position through disciplined capital allocation, improved working capital management, and targeted balance sheet optimisation initiatives, which contributed to operating cash flow generation of N258.3 billion in the year.

The company recorded strong production performance from upstream operations, delivering average production of 32,482 boepd, improved uptime and operational reliability across core assets, and maintained a strong safety performance with zero fatalities, zero lost-time injuries, and a Total Recordable Incident Rate (TRIR) of 0.05.

Last year, its revenue, however, shrank to N3.2 trillion from N4.1 trillion in 2024, reflecting trading optimisation and exit from low-margin PMS activities, while profit after tax contracted to N205 billion from N220 billion.

The chief executive of Oando, Mr Wale Tinubu, in his reaction to the results, said, “FY 2025 marked our first full year of operational execution following the acquisition of the NAOC Joint Venture assets and represents an important milestone in Oando’s evolution.

“Having successfully completed the integration phase, our focus shifted to operatorship, operational excellence, and value realisation across the enlarged portfolio.”

“During the year, we strengthened asset integrity, enhanced security across our operating areas, and improved uptime, resulting in a 32 per cent year-on-year increase in production to 32,482 boepd net to Oando. This performance was driven by stronger output across crude oil, gas, and NGLs, improved operational reliability, and the successful stabilisation of our expanded asset base.

“A key highlight of the year was the successful completion and start-up of the Obiafu-44 gas-condensate well, our first operated development well following the assumption of operatorship. This achievement demonstrates that indigenous operators can safely, efficiently, and responsibly execute complex development programs at scale while creating long-term value from strategic national assets.

“We also continued to advance our broader development programme and asset optimisation initiatives designed to unlock additional value from our portfolio.

“In our trading business, we responded proactively to evolving market dynamics by deliberately repositioning the portfolio away from lower-margin gasoline importation and towards higher-margin crude and gas opportunities. This strategic shift, combined with structured offtake and financing arrangements, strengthened liquidity, improved cash generation, and enhanced the business’s resilience,” he added.

He further said, “Beyond operational delivery, we continued to strengthen the Group’s financial position through disciplined capital allocation, improved working capital management, and targeted balance sheet optimisation initiatives. These efforts contributed to operating cash flow generation of N258.3 billion during the year and supported a strong closing cash position of N422.9 billion, enhancing the group’s financial flexibility and capacity to fund future growth.

“With operational control firmly embedded, a strong reserves base, and improving financial flexibility, we are well-positioned to build on the momentum achieved in 2025 and enter 2026 from a position of strength. Our focus remains on executing our development programme, growing production, strengthening cash generation, prudent capital allocation, and delivering sustainable long-term value for our shareholders,” Mr Tinubu noted.

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

Stanbic IBTC Bank, a subsidiary of Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, has provided insights that empower businesses to navigate a complex economic landscape.

This was done at its annual Global Markets Economic Outlook forum themed Global Economic Trends and Nigeria’s Position, which was attended by key stakeholders, industry leaders, and clients.

The Executive Director for Corporate and Transaction Banking at Stanbic IBTC Bank, Mr Eric Fajemisin, said the forum reflects the bank’s continued commitment to keeping clients ahead of global shifts that have direct implications for their businesses.

“As global trade patterns continue to realign, it’s important that our clients understand not just what is happening, but what it means for their operations and growth strategies.

“This forum is part of our ongoing effort to translate global trends into actionable insights for businesses operating in Nigeria,” he said.

Also, the Head of Global Markets, Nigeria at Stanbic IBTC Bank, Mr Dare Otitoju, highlighted Nigeria’s growing relevance in global trade conversations, noting the country’s potential to strengthen its position as a trade and investment hub on the continent.

“Nigerians should look forward to a transition from stabilisation to selective growth. Global higher-for-longer rates indicate that capital will reward countries with policy consistency, which Nigeria is building post-reforms. Key areas to watch include infrastructure funding, gas and manufacturing, and capital market opportunities as FX becomes more predictable.

“The Outlook message was clear: while 2026 may not be a boom year, prepared individuals and businesses will find real opportunities. That’s the plan we want Nigerians to leave with,” he stated

On his part, the Resident Representative for Nigeria at the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Mr Christian Ebeke, in a keynote address, shed light on Nigeria’s optimistic outlook.

He highlighted several factors, including rising hydrocarbon prices, decreasing global financing costs, and tax reforms that took effect in January 2026, all of which could help the country surpass its revenue targets. He also pointed out the advantages associated with enhanced state policing.

Mr Ebeke stated in his presentation that Nigeria should capitalise on immediate opportunities. This includes securing oil pipelines, improving electricity infrastructure, and shifting investment from government securities to the private sector.

Also, the Special Adviser on Financial Markets and Economic Policy to the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Mayokun Ajibade, emphasised the necessity of addressing excessive liquidity in the banking system as a sustainable means of combating inflation.

He expressed the importance of a balanced approach, advocating for a focus on lowering inflation before pursuing interest rate reductions; noting that the Nigerian banking system has too much liquidity, therefore a decline in interest rates should not be expected without first addressing inflation.

By Adedapo Adesanya

The NASD Over-the-Counter (OTC) Securities Exchange depreciated by 1.63 per cent on Monday, July 6, after the share price of Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) Plc depleted by N9.04 to N81.70 per unit from last Friday’s N90.74 per unit.

This shrank the NASD Security Index (NSI) during the session by 70.29 points to 4,236.97 points from 4,307.26 points, and contracted the market capitalisation by N42.19 billion to N2.543 trillion from N2.585 trillion.

The unlisted securities exchange lost yesterday despite having more price gainers than losers. Afriland Properties Plc gained N1.48 to end at N16.65 per share versus the previous N15.17 per share, Industrial General Insurance (IGI) Plc appreciated by 5 Kobo to close at 55 Kobo per unit compared with the preceding session’s 50 Kobo per unit, and Food Concepts Plc improved by 1 Kobo to trade at N2.51 per share, in contrast to last Friday’s N2.50 per share.

During the session, the value of trades by investors fell by 98.3 per cent to N2.8 million from N160.1 million, the volume of transactions dipped by 93.6 per cent to 114,175 units from 1.8 million units, and the number of deals decreased by 14.3 per cent to 18 deals from 21 deals.

Great Nigeria Insurance (GNI) Plc ended the day as the most traded stock by value on a year-to-date basis, with 3.4 billion units worth N8.4 billion, trailed by Infrastructure Credit Guarantee (Infracredit) Plc with 2.3 billion units valued at N6.5 billion, and CSCS Plc with 70.7 million units exchanged for N4.9 billion.

GNI Plc also closed the session as the most traded stock by volume on a year-to-date basis, with 3.4 billion units sold for N8.4 billion, followed by Infracredit Plc with 2.3 billion units traded for N6.5 billion, and Resourcery Plc with 1.1 billion units transacted for N415.7 million.