Economy
NGX Chief Seeks More Involvement of Women in Capital Market Ecosystem
By Dipo Olowookere
The chief executive of the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited has stressed the need to broaden women’s involvement in the capital market.
Speaking on Tuesday at the closing gong ceremony to commemorate International Women’s Day 2026 in Lagos, he submitted that, “When more women participate in the market as investors and professionals, we deepen the market and strengthen the foundation for sustainable growth.”
The NGX Group Plc partnered with the Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) Plc, and the Women in Management, Business and Public Service (WIMBIZ) to observe the global Ring the Bell for Gender Equality initiative in alignment with the UN Women theme Rights, Justice, Action – For All Women and Girls.
Also addressing participants at the event, the chief executive of NGX Group, Mr Temi Popoola, emphasised the critical role capital markets must play in shaping inclusive economic growth.
“Capital markets are powerful engines for economic transformation. When women participate fully as leaders, entrepreneurs, and investors, markets become stronger, deeper, and more resilient.
“At NGX Group, we remain committed to advancing policies, partnerships, and platforms that expand opportunities for women and accelerate inclusive prosperity,” he said.
On her part, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Mrs Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, commended NGX Group and its partners for advancing gender inclusion through the initiative.
“I congratulate NGX Group and its partners for sustaining this important global movement and for championing gender equality within our financial ecosystem. Together, let us continue to open the doors of opportunity, so the next generation of women can lead with confidence and help transform our world,” she said.
Also, the First Lady of Imo State, Mrs Chioma Uzodimma, called for collective action to expand opportunities for women and girls.
“As we sound the NGX Gong today, let it symbolise our shared pledge to protect every girl child, expand opportunities for every woman, and build an inclusive economy where every woman and girl can flourish,” she said.
The Regional Industry Manager for Financial Institutions at the International Finance Corporation (IFC) for Central Africa and Anglophone West Africa, Ms Claude Owona, underscored the role of capital markets in translating gender equality commitments into real economic outcomes.
“Ring the Bell for Gender Equality is both symbolic and practical, because capital markets do not just reflect economies, they shape them. When women have equitable access to finance, leadership opportunities, and safe, inclusive workplaces, companies perform better, and economies grow stronger.
“At IFC, we are proud to partner with NGX Group on market‑driven solutions that expand women’s participation as leaders, entrepreneurs, and employees, recognising that inclusive growth is not aspirational, it is investable, and it is essential for long‑term resilience and shared prosperity,” she said.
Media entrepreneur and founder of EbonyLife Media, Ms Mo Abudu, encouraged women to pursue their ambitions with clarity and confidence.
“For me, it comes down to four things: purpose, passion, progress, and power. Find your purpose, let passion fuel your journey, stay consistent even when challenges arise, and most importantly, stand firmly in your power. Do not shrink,” she said.
Award-winning actor and filmmaker, Ms Funke Akindele, urged women to pursue their ambitions with discipline and courage, saying, “To every woman out there, you can do it.
“But beyond the words, we must put in the hard work, build structure into our businesses, and do things the right way. It takes courage to take the first step even when you’re not ready, courage to stay consistent when no one is clapping, and courage to hold firmly to your vision.”
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
In the 2025 financial year, Beta Glass Plc grew its revenue by 27 per cent to N149.12 billion from N117.58 billion in 2024, reflecting continued demand for the company’s glass packaging products across key sectors of the Nigerian economy.
Despite market challenges, the organisation performed well due to improved production efficiency, effective cost management, and a clear focus on its key customers and segments.
In the year, the gross margin improved to 35.3 per cent from 26.3 per cent, operating margin rose to 32.3 per cent from 20.0 per cent, reflecting improved operating efficiency and effective cost management.
A look at the bottom-line showed that profit after tax (PAT) went up by 144 per cent to N33.25 billion from N13.63 billion, demonstrating the resilience of its operations despite evolving global and regional market conditions, while the Earnings Per Share (EPS) stood at N55.41 versus N22.71 in 2024.
The chief executive of Beta Glass, Mr Alex Gendis, said, “This year’s results reflect the resilience of our business model and the successful execution of our strategic initiatives.
“Despite market challenges, our commitment to delivering value to our shareholders was and remains strong. Our performance was underpinned by improved production efficiency, effective cost management, and a clear focus on our key customers and segments.
“At the same time, we continued to invest significantly in our asset base, with the rebuild of our furnace in Delta, positioning the business for sustainable long-term growth.”
By Adedapo Adesanya
If Nigeria continues producing crude oil at its current pace, its proven reserves would be exhausted in about 59 years, according to the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).
The regulator disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja, as it released the nation’s official petroleum reserves position as of January 1, 2026.
In a statement signed by its chief executive, Mrs Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, the commission said Nigeria’s total oil and condensate reserves stand at 37.01 billion barrels, while total gas reserves are about 215.19 trillion cubic feet.
“The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, in keeping with its mandate, is committed to improving upstream sector performance, enhancing the growth of oil and gas reserves, and ensuring stable production for shared prosperity via the operationalisation of the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021, and implementation of the strategic pillars of the commission,” she said.
Providing a breakdown, she stated that “2P crude oil and condensate reserves stand at 31.09 billion barrels and 5.92 billion barrels, respectively, amounting to a total of 37.01 billion barrels.”
On gas, she said, “2P associated gas and non-associated gas reserves stand at 100.21 trillion cubic feet and 114.98 trillion cubic feet, respectively, resulting in total gas reserves of 215.19 trillion cubic feet.”
Explaining the changes recorded within the period, Mrs Eyesan noted that crude volumes declined slightly due to production activities during the previous year.
While Nigeria’s reserves life index stands at 59 years for oil, it was put at 85 years for gas, indicating the estimated duration the resources would last at current production levels.
“The Reserves Life Index is 59 Years and 85 Years for Oil and Gas, respectively. The reason for the slight change in 1.1.2026 oil and condensate reserves by 0.74 per cent is attributable to production in 2025 and reserves update due to field performance and technical evaluation based on subsurface studies.
“The reason for the increase in 1.1.2026 AG and NAG reserves by 2.21 per cent is largely because reserves update is based on discoveries and the result of robust reservoir studies,” she said.
In contrast, she said gas reserves increased on the back of fresh discoveries and improved technical assessments.
“The reason for the increase in 1.1.2026 associated gas and non-associated gas reserves by 2.21 per cent is largely because the reserves update is based on discoveries and the result of robust reservoir studies,” she added.
Declaring the figures official, Mrs Eyesan said, “Consequently, and in furtherance of the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act, I hereby declare the total oil and condensate reserves of 37.01 billion barrels and total gas reserves of 215.19 trillion cubic feet as the official national petroleum reserves position as of 1st January 2026.”
Findings show that Nigeria’s reserves position in 2026 reflects a modest shift from 2025, when total oil and condensate reserves were slightly higher at about 37.3 billion barrels, while gas reserves stood at approximately 210–211 trillion cubic feet.
The 2026 data, therefore, indicates a 0.74 per cent decline in oil reserves, largely driven by sustained production and limited new oil discoveries, while gas reserves expanded by 2.21 per cent due to ongoing exploration success and renewed focus on gas development.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has allocated seven cargoes to the Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals for May 2026, up from five in previous months, to boost fuel production and ease rising costs.
The 650,000 barrels per day Dangote Refinery, which is responsible for over 60 per cent of domestic supply, has not been able to get its expected feedstock from the national oil company under the Crude-for-Naira initiative. It has received about 40 per cent of local feedstock in recent months, according to the chief executive of the oil refinery, Mr David Bird.
He said the refinery currently gets only about five cargoes of crude monthly, against an expected 13 to 15 cargoes, noting that this was below its agreed crude oil supply under the federal government’s Crude-for-Naira arrangement.
Business Post reports that the majority of Nigeria’s crude production is tied to Joint Venture (JV) contracts, which constrain the optimal supply of crude oil to the Dangote Refinery.
According to Reuters, an unnamed senior Dangote official said, “NNPC has allocated more cargoes to Dangote for May,” adding that, “While this will not completely meet our demands, it can help. We are also in negotiation with NNPC for more volumes.”
The increase in crude allocations to the 650,000 barrel per day refinery could also curb volumes of Nigerian crude available for export at a time when the Iran war has drastically cut supply from the Middle East.
Due to the shortfall in the crude-for-Naira policy, the company will still have to purchase crude at international benchmark prices. The company sources crude from Brazil, Equatorial Guinea, Angola, Algeria, and the US, among others.
The official said Dangote recently had to pay premiums as high as $18 a barrel over the Brent crude benchmark to secure cargoes from the international market.
Since NNPC cargoes are cheaper for the refinery because of lower shipping costs. This could translate to higher fuel prices with Nigerians buying as high as N1,300 – N1,400 at the pump.
Fuel prices in Nigeria have reached record highs as Dangote has had to increase petrol depot prices by about 13 per cent in the last month.
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