Economy
Naira Weakens to N768/$1 at P2P, N744/$1 at Black Market
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Naira opened the new week bearish in the Peer-to-Peer (P2P) segment of the foreign exchange market on Monday, December 19, after it lost N12 against the United States currency to trade at N768/$1 compared with the preceding session’s N756/$1.
The story was similar in the black market segment yesterday as it depreciated against the US Dollar by N2 to settle at N744/$1, in contrast to last Friday’s value of N742/$1, amid a resurgence of mild FX scarcity in the system.
However, in the Investors and Exporters (I&E) window, the Nigerian currency was stable against its American counterpart on Monday at N451.50/$1, amid a significant fall in the forex turnover for the trading session.
According to data from FMDQ Securities Exchange, the value of FX transactions recorded at the spot market stood at $69.18 million versus the $355.12 million achieved in the previous session, indicating a plunge of 80.5 per cent or $285.94 million.
In the interbank segment, the Naira appreciated against the British Pound Sterling by N5 to close at N544.46/£1 compared with the previous session’s rate of N549.46/£1, and against the Euro, the local currency depreciated by 99 Kobo to sell for N474.89/€1 versus last Friday’s N473.90/€1.
In the digital currency space, the 10 tokens tracked by Business Post were in the green even as the market continued to face uncertainty as countries raised interest rates to cushion the effect of inflation.
Litecoin (LTC) rose by 3.4 per cent to trade at $65.05, Ethereum (ETH) grew by 2.2 per cent to $1,207.31, Ripple (XRP) added 0.8 per cent to trade at $0.3443, Solana (SOL) appreciated by 0.5 per cent to sell at $12.32, Binance Coin (BNB) rose by 0.4 per cent to quote at $248.42, and Bitcoin (BTC) improved by 0.3 per cent to $16,773.69.
But Dogecoin (DOGE) suffered a 3.8 per cent slump during the session to close at $0.0746, while Cardano (ADA) took a 2.9 per cent hit to trade at $0.257, with the US Dollar Tether (USDT) and the Binance USD (BUSD) closing flat at $1.00 each.
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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