By Dipo Olowookere

The Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited expanded by 0.27 per cent on a week-on-week basis last week, driven by gains recorded by 52 stocks, led by ABC Transport.

The notable transport and logistics firm posted a 44.87 per cent surge in its share price in the four-day trading week, closing at N2.26.

Legend Internet appreciated by 32.40 per cent to N9.03, Fidson rose by 22.85 per cent to N22.85, University Press jumped by 20.88 per cent to N4.11, and NAHCO flew by 20.17 per cent to N82.50.

On the flip side, Ecobank lost 18.75 per cent to sell at N26.00, Multiverse declined by 18.59 per cent to N6.35, Livestock Feeds crashed by 10.63 per cent to N8.49, Aradel Holdings slipped by 9.86 per cent to N448.00, and Tripple Gee depreciated by 9.60 per cent to N1.79.

Business Post reports that 52 shares gained weight in the week versus 64 shares a week earlier, 37 stocks depreciated versus 27 stocks in the previous week, and 59 equities closed flat versus 57 equities in the preceding week.

The All-Share Index (ASI) and the market capitalisation improved by 0.27 per cent and 0.28 per cent each to 106,042.57 points and N66.648 trillion, respectively.

Similarly, all other indices finished higher apart from the banking, insurance, AFR Bank Value, MERI Value, energy, Lotus II, sovereign bond and commodity indices, which depreciated by 0.38 per cent, 2.89 per cent, 0.04 per cent, 2.08 per cent, 2.90 per cent, 0.01 per cent, 0.19 per cent and 1.12 per cent, respectively.

The market operated for four days last week because of the public holiday observed on Thursday for the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration.

Despite this, Customs Street witnessed a higher turnover compared with the preceding trading week, as investors bought and sold 2.200 billion shares worth N75.409 billion in 70,329 deals versus the 1.854 billion shares valued at N56.025 billion traded in 51,386 deals a week earlier.

The financial services sector led the activity chart with 1.432 billion equities valued at N30.908 billion in 33,095 deals, contributing 65.09 per cent and 40.99 per cent to the total trading volume and value, respectively, as the ICT industry transacted 230.248 million shares worth N27.453 billion in 4,811 deals, and the consumer goods space sold 166.345 million stocks for N4.708 billion in 8,284 deals.

Fidelity Bank, Access Holdings, and UBA transacted 704.639 million units worth N16.757 billion in 10,466 deals, accounting for 32.03 per cent and 22.22 per cent of the total trading volume and value, respectively.

By Adedapo Adesanya

The sum of N1.48 billion has disbursed by the Bank of Industry (BoI) in loans to 29,000 small business owners in Imo State as part of efforts to drive economic growth across the country.

The Managing Director of the bank, Mr Olasupo Olusi, said this at a town hall meeting on the federal government’s loan scheme for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Owerri.

Mr Olusi, represented by the bank’s Divisional Head for MSME in the South, said that the loan scheme was intended to address challenges facing businesses in the state, such as access to finance and cost of doing business.

He said that business owners could access up to N5million each at an interest rate of 9 per cent per annum with a three months moratorium and a tenure of up to three years.

He added that the disbursed funds were part of FG’s N200 billion Special Intervention Fund in line with President Bola Tinubu’s prosperity agenda.

He, therefore, urged business owners to take advantage of the opportunity to grow their businesses.

He also urged stakeholders such as the National Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME) and the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) to mobilise their members to be able to access the loan.

“Application is open to the public and the Bank of Industry facilitates the verification of applicants’ data to facilitate disbursement.

“ We, therefore, call on all stakeholders – MSME owners, community leaders, youth groups, women associations, and Local Government authorities to be active advocates of the scheme.

“ It is our shared prosperity and we need to empower our young people to be architects of their own future,,” Mr Olusi said.

Also, the Secretary of NASME in Imo, Mr Ugochukwu Ohaegbu, called on owners of registered businesses to identify with the association for optimal benefits.

By Adedapo Adesanya

As Nigeria sets its sight on becoming a $1 trillion economy by 2023, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mrs Jumoke Oduwole, in the short term, has outlined plans to facilitate $6 billion in foreign investment into Nigeria’s productive economy in 2025 via the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Group.

This collaboration was highlighted during the Closing Gong Ceremony at the NGX Group, Lagos, where the minister was giving the honour.

From the $6 billion target, $3 billion is projected to come from Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) into key sectors such as infrastructure, manufacturing, agribusiness, technology, and renewable energy.

According to Mrs Oduwole, these sectors are pivotal to creating jobs, promoting exports, and enhancing Nigeria’s productive capacity.

Another $3 billion will be mobilized through Foreign Portfolio Investments (FPIs)by leveraging innovative financial instruments like green bonds, diaspora-linked securities, and SME-focused platforms.

These efforts aim to deepen market liquidity and align capital flows with national priorities, she added.

Mrs Oduwole emphasized the integral role of capital markets in driving economic resilience and sustainable growth,

“Deepening Nigeria’s capital markets is fundamental to improving investment flows, creating jobs, and sustaining long-term economic resilience,” she said.

On his part, Mr Ahonsi Unuigbe, Chairman of Nigerian Exchange Limited, NGX, reinforced the importance of this collaboration, noting that capital markets are powerful engines of innovation, business expansion, and economic inclusion, all of which are essential to advancing Nigeria’s industrialisation objectives.

Mr Temi Popoola, Group Managing Director/CEO of NGX Group, highlighted the Exchange’s technology-driven vision.

“We are building a next-generation exchange ecosystem designed to democratize investment opportunities, enhance market liquidity, and position Nigeria as a competitive destination for both domestic and international capital.”

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Umaru Kwairanga, Chairman of NGX Group, commended the Ministry’s leadership and bold reforms, which have set the stage for inclusive growth.

“By fusing policy innovation with market infrastructure, we can catalyze a new era of sustainable growth and national development,” he stated.