Economy
Nigerian Capital Market Positioned to Support Bank Recapitalization
The Nigerian capital market is strategically positioned to drive the ongoing bank recapitalization exercise, leveraging advanced technology to facilitate the capital-raising efforts mandated by the Central Bank of Nigeria’s new requirements. Nigerian Exchange Group Plc (NGX Group) and its subsidiaries are spearheading this initiative, working in close collaboration with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to ensure a seamless and effective process.
Temi Popoola, Group Managing Director of NGX Group, emphasized the market’s readiness for this significant undertaking: “The capital market has historically been a catalyst for transformative change during pivotal government interventions. This central bank-led recapitalization presents a unique opportunity to make a real, lasting impact.” NGX Group’s approach aims to generate substantial liquidity, with projections indicating that banks could raise approximately N3 trillion over the next two years.
Popoola added, “This capital influx has the potential to revitalize the market, providing an avenue for foreign capital to re-enter.” He stressed that NGX Group is working in tandem with SEC to ensure the initiative’s success.
The GMD/CEO also highlighted the critical role of technology in this process, aiming to enhance financial inclusion and deepen market participation, particularly among retail investors. “Our goal is to make these transactions more digital, reaching the core of our country’s financial inclusion objectives and engaging retail investors,” he explained.
The platform was recently demonstrated to market operators and other stakeholders at the exchange. Popoola noted that banks had already integrated their applications with the platform. Additionally, banks and other issuers have been utilizing the “Facts Behind the Offer” platform created by the Exchange to engage investors for their capital raising exercises. Notably, Fidelity Bank Plc and International Breweries have recently leveraged this platform.
Jude Chiemeka, Acting CEO of Nigerian Exchange Limited, reinforced the collaborative efforts between NGX and SEC to ensure the recapitalization exercise’s success. “Effective implementation requires extensive collaboration with stakeholders and regulators. The SEC is taking a strong lead in this regard,” Chiemeka stated.
SEC Director-General Emomotimi Agama, during a market engagement with NGX Group, expressed confidence in the regulator’s preparedness to handle the increased activities and challenges that may arise from the exercise. “Drawing from our experience with past recapitalization efforts, the Commission is well-prepared as a regulator to navigate any challenges or increased activity that may emerge from the planned bank recapitalization,” Agama affirmed. He assured that the relevant departments and procedural manuals are in place to guide the exercise.
The quality of leadership at both SEC and NGX Group is noteworthy. Dr. Agama, the Director-General, is an astute capital market professional, scholar, and regulator with decades of experience and expertise. The leadership at NGX Group comprises professionals who have honed their skills in globally acclaimed markets like Wall Street as well as the domestic Nigerian capital market. With these seasoned leaders at the helm, industry stakeholders can be confident that the recapitalization process will be seamless and successful, setting a benchmark for the West African region and the broader continent.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The Debt Management Office (DMO) on Monday allotted bonds worth N929.3 billion to investors from the N1.7 trillion bids it received from subscribers.
The exercise, which took place on Monday, July 20, 2026, was oversubscribed by market participants, reflecting the confidence investors have in the government’s ability to redeem the debt instrument on maturity.
On offer for sale for the July auction was N1.2 trillion worth of the FGN bonds, but the DMO allotted below this, despite receiving bids above the offer.
The papers were offered in 10-year, 15-year, and 20-year tenors, at N400 billion each.
For the decade-old note, investors staked N444.47 billion, but the debt office sold N245.73 billion at an 18.34 per cent coupon rate. For the one and a half-decade-old paper, bids valued at N518.00 billion were received by the DMO, with a non-competitive bid of N50.00 billion, with N302.13 billion allotted to investors at 18.40 per cent, and for the two-decade paper, the DMO got competitive bids of N665.19 billion and N381.46 billion was sold to bondholders at 18.35 per cent.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Yemi Cardoso, disclosed that Nigeria’s external reserves had risen to $52.5 billion, enough to finance about nine months of imports.
He disclosed this on Tuesday at the end of the 306th meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) held in Abuja, where the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) retained the benchmark interest rate at 26.50 per cent as well as the standing facilities corridor at +50/-450 basis points around the MPR.
Similarly, the Cash Reserve Requirement (CRR) was maintained at 45 per cent for Deposit Money Banks, 16 per cent for Merchant Banks, and 75 per cent for non-Treasury Single Account (TSA) public sector deposits.
Speaking on FX developments, the central banker said at the $52 billion level, the country’s external reserves were significantly above the internationally recommended threshold of three months of import cover.
On the Naira exchange rate, Mr Cardoso said the foreign exchange market had deepened and was now operating on a transparent willing-buyer, willing-seller basis.
He said the apex bank remained committed to maintaining a liquid and functional foreign exchange market, adding that daily market turnover sometimes exceeded $1 billion.
According to him, the long-term stability of the naira would depend on key economic fundamentals, including increased oil exports, foreign direct investment, and improved domestic productivity to reduce dependence on imports.
He also added that the MPC welcomed the federal government’s renewed commitment to stronger policy coordination, particularly collaboration between fiscal and monetary authorities, which he said had helped reduce the impact of the Middle East crisis on the Nigerian economy.
Mr Cardoso said members of the committee also commended efforts to improve crude oil production and urged relevant agencies to intensify reforms in other sectors, including solid minerals, to boost government revenue.
On the regulatory forbearance granted to banks during the COVID-19 period, he reiterated that this had been discontinued because it had served its purpose.
According to him, the policy had “outlived its time” and was no longer necessary in assessing the health of the banking sector.
“Forbearance, we felt, had outlived its time. Many of you will recall this is something that came as a result of COVID. And now we are in 2026; we did not see the reason why that should continue to form part of the analysis of the banking system,” he said.
Mr Cardoso explained that banks had begun recalibrating their portfolios following the end of the policy, leading to a temporary reduction in outstanding risk assets.
He, however, assured that the development was part of a transition towards a stronger and more sustainable credit environment.
“It reflects a transition to a more sustainable and better quality credit environment, which is what we all want. We don’t want unanticipated shocks that come in a boom-and-bust fashion,” he said.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The NASD Over-the-Counter (OTC) Securities Exchange extended its recent positive run by 1.17 per cent on Tuesday, July 21, triggered by appreciation seen in four bellwethers.
Leading the pack was FrieslandCampina Wamco Nigeria Plc, which added N12.00 to its value to close at N153.15 per share compared with the previous day’s N141.15 per share. NASD Plc appreciated by N1.90 to N36.00 per unit from N34.10 per unit, Food Concepts Plc improved by 23 Kobo to N2.48 per share from N2.25 per share, and Afriland Properties Plc grew by a marginal 1 Kobo to N15.01 per unit from N15.00 per unit.
As a result, the market capitalisation of the bourse increased by N30.40 billion to N2.637 trillion from Monday’s N2.606 trillion, and the NASD Security Index (NSI) gained 50.70 points to finish at 4,393.97 points, in contrast to the 4,343.27 points it ended a day earlier.
The unlisted securities exchange recorded a price loser yesterday, and it was Geo-Fluids Plc, which shed 1 Kobo to settle at N2.30 per share versus N2.31 per share.
During the trading day, the volume of securities traded by market participants on Tuesday dropped 99.4 per cent to 322,147 units from the previous day’s 52.6 million units, the value of securities dipped by 89.8 per cent to N19.4 million from the preceding session’s N191.2 million, and the number of deals contracted by 3.6 per cent to 27 deals from 28 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 traded for N8.4 billion, followed by Infrastructure Credit Guarantee (Infracredit) Plc with 2.3 billion units transacted for N6.5 billion, and Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) Plc with 75.4 million units exchanged for N5.3 billion.
GNI Plc also closed the day as the most traded stock by volume on a year-to-date basis, with 3.4 billion units worth N8.4 billion, followed by Infracredit Plc with 2.3 billion units valued at N6.5 billion, and Resourcery Plc with 1.1 billion units sold for N415.7 million.
