Economy
NDEP, Friesland Halt Unlisted Securities Bull Run
By Adedapo Adesanya
The recent bullish streak at the NASD Over-the-Counter (OTC) Securities Exchange ended at the opening trading day of the new month.
The unlisted securities market fell by 0.26 per cent on Thursday, April 1 as the bears chased out the bulls, which had held control for the past days.
The bears were invited to the market yesterday by Niger Delta Exploration and Production (NDEP) Plc and FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria Plc, halting the seven-day gaining streak at the bourse.
NDEP Plc recorded a N15.85 or 4.8 per cent loss to close at N315 per unit compared to the previous closing price of N330.85 per unit.
On its part, Friesland saw its share price fall by 23 kobo or 0.2 per cent to settle at N130.50 per unit in contrast to N130.27 per unit of the preceding session.
These losses recorded by the two bellwethers caused the market capitalisation of the NASD Exchange to shed N1.37 billion to settle at N529.61 billion at the final session for the week compared with N530.98 billion it finished on Wednesday.
Equally, this affected the NASD Unlisted Security Index (NSI), which closed 1.93 points lower to 745.08 points from 747.01 points recorded the previous session.
However, VFD Group Plc extended its recent rally on Thursday as its share price further rose by 10 per cent or N20.42 to close at N224.66 per unit in contrast to N204.24 per unit it finished a day earlier.
Amid the quagmire, there was an increase in the total volume of shares transacted by investors yesterday by 27.5 per cent to 63,755 units from 50,505 units realized at the previous trading session.
The total value of traded securities also rose by 165.9 per cent to N14.6 million from N5.5 million worth of shares reported by Business Post at the preceding trading session.
Also, the total number of deals shot up by 66.7 per cent as five deals were executed on three companies compared to three deals printed at the previous session.
These deals were executed on NDEP Plc, FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria Plc and the day’s single price advancer, VFD Group Plc.
UBN Property Plc ended the trading day as the most traded stock by volume on a year-to-date basis for trading 21.9 million units valued at N24.6 billion. It was followed by Central Securities Clearing Systems (CSCS) Plc, which traded 8.2 million units worth N126.3 million, and Friesland, which exchanged 3.5 million units worth N432.4 million.
By value (year-to-date), NDEP Plc was the most traded stock for transacting 2.2 million units for N674.8 million. Friesland trailed with the sale of 3.5 units of its securities valued at N432.4 million, while VFD Group Plc occupied the third position for exchanging 1.0 million units worth N155.0 million.
The market will not trade till Tuesday as the federal government has declared a public holiday for the Easter celebration from Friday, April 2 till Monday, April 5.
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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