Economy
Nigeria’s Asset Under Management Grows 25% to N3.5trn—Agusto
By Adedapo Adesanya
Research and ratings agency, Agusto & Co., has estimated that Nigeria’s assets under management (AuM), as of the end of 2022, grew by 25 per cent to N3.5 trillion ($7.8 billion).
This makes Nigeria the third largest investment management zone in sub-Saharan Africa, after South Africa and Morocco.
In a note shared with Business Post, it was stated that this growth was driven in part by increased investor confidence following the gradual rise in the yields offered on naira-denominated investments during the latter half of the year and growth in dollar-denominated portfolios as discerning Nigerians hedge against the persistent devaluation of the naira.
Nonetheless, despite Nigeria’s population estimate of 220 million people and the high foreign exchange remittance inflows from Nigerians living in the diaspora ($20.9 billion or N9.3 trillion in 2022), the asset management industry continues to underachieve.
The firm noted that the industry’s growth remains constrained by a large informal sector (estimated at 65 per cent of GDP), a high poverty rate of 40 per cent and limited investment opportunities offered by the Nigerian capital market.
It warned that the challenging operating environment in Nigeria has led to an erosion of real incomes and purchasing power, prompting a surge in investors’ inclination towards dollar-denominated assets.
“The escalation of the year-over-year inflation rate from 15.6 per cent in January 2022 to 21.37 per cent in December 2022 is indicative of an unfavourable macroeconomic climate. In addition, the parallel market exchange rate stood at N750/$ as of December 31, 2022, indicating a 63 per cent arbitrage from the official market rate and a 32 per cent depreciation from N570/$ recorded in the corresponding period of the prior year.”
According to Agusto, Naira-denominated investments have lost their lustre in light of current market conditions, and investors are instead looking to high-yield alternatives and FCY-denominated investments.
“In 2022, segregated portfolios accounted for more than half of total managed assets (52 per cent), which amounted to N1.76 trillion as of December 31, 2022, – 40.2 per cent higher than in 2021 – marking a noteworthy shift in the Industry as segregated portfolios overtook collective investment schemes (CISs) in terms of AuM share for the first time in three years.”
Segregated portfolios include privately managed discretionary and non-discretionary client funds, as well as other private collective investment schemes, which provide investment options that are tailored to the unique risk profiles and investment objectives of individual clients. Unlike collective investment schemes, segregated portfolios provide more flexibility and autonomy as they are not directly subject to the scrutiny and monitoring of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Agusto estimated that CISs accounted for 42 per cent (N1.37 trillion) of AuM in 2022, while alternative assets – comprising publicly-listed private equity and infrastructure funds – accounted for the remaining 6 per cent (N345 billion) of the asset management industry’s managed assets as at the same date.
“Investors have shown a growing inclination towards privately managed portfolios rather than the often more restrictive and conservative collective investment schemes, as they seek to gain relatively higher yields from investments.
“In addition, many asset managers have focused more on fostering the growth of segregated portfolios through their investment advisory services while also improving product distribution and enhancing customer experience.
“Furthermore, segregated portfolios have continued to account for a large portion of the Industry’s AuM due to the large volume of funds invested by high-net-worth individuals (HNIs) and corporations seeking exposure to specific investment vehicles (in many cases regional Eurobond issuances).”
These specific investment options typically offer relatively higher returns and provide a currency hedge, which may not be widely accessible with collective investment schemes,” it noted.
Giving an outlook, Agusto & Co. anticipates a moderate increase in the size of the asset management industry, with an estimated average growth rate of 15.9 per cent over the next three years.
This will result in total AuM reaching the N4 trillion mark by 2024, it said.
“Growth is expected to be driven by various factors, including increased investments from pension fund administrators and institutional clients.
“The unification of exchange rates is anticipated to result in the repatriation of funds formerly invested in international money markets and reignite foreign interest in naira-denominated assets.
“Furthermore, the anticipated growth trajectory is likely to be fuelled by an increase in the size of segregated portfolios, infrastructure funds and REITs, amongst others.
“The prolonged deterioration of macroeconomic fundamentals, which might severely reduce discretionary income and the marginal inclination to save, remains a risk to the growth forecast.”
By Bon Peters
The new acting Comptroller of the Eastern Marine Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Mr Esien Etim Esiet, a Deputy Comptroller of Customs, has promised to maintain an open-door policy with stakeholders, including licensed agents and partners.
He gave this assurance when he officially assumed leadership of the command on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, according to a statement issued by the command’s spokesman, Mr Joshua Iliya, a Deputy Superintendent of Customs (DSC), in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
In a proactive move to strengthen maritime security and trade facilitation, he immediately initiated an extensive tour of operational facilities and high-level engagements across the region, including Rivers (Abonnema and Onne Outstations), Akwa Ibom (Oron Outstation), and Cross River (Calabar Outstation) States.
During the visitations, Mr Esiet conducted rigorous inspections of equipment and personnel readiness, emphasising that the success of the command relied on a united front, adding that a “sustained synergy is our greatest weapon in combating smuggling and maritime crimes,” insisting that a united front was non-negotiable for national security.
On the inter-agency level to foster a one-service approach, DC Esiet held strategic meetings with the Customs Area Controllers of Port Harcourt II (Onne), the Oil and Gas Free Trade Zone, and the Cross River/Calabar Free Trade Zone/Akwa Ibom Area Command.
To further reinforce maritime safety, he equally paid courtesy visits to top maritime security brass, including the Commander, NNS Pathfinder, Port Harcourt, the Commanding Officer, Navy Forward Operation Base (FOB), Ibaka, the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Eastern Naval Command, and the Cross River State Commissioner of Police.
On community and private sector partnership and in recognition of the vital role of grassroots support, DC Esiet visited monarchs in the region, underscoring commitment to maintaining deep-rooted ties with host communities, among others.
On fiscal policy compliance, he reiterated his administration’s resolve to strictly align with the policy direction of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Mr Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, emphasising that his leadership would focus on streamlining maritime enforcement protocols, ensuring officers were motivated and equipped while maintaining an open-door policy with licensed agents and partners.
The Eastern Marine Command, which is a specialised wing of customs, is dedicated to patrolling the nation’s Eastern Waterways, preventing smuggling, and ensuring the security of maritime trade.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The NASD Over-the-Counter (OTC) Securities Exchange recorded a marginal loss of 0.02 per cent on Tuesday, May 26, due to selling pressure, as investors cut down their exposure to unlisted stocks.
During the session, the volume of securities traded by investors jumped by 45.6 per cent to 2.2 million units from the previous day’s 1.5 million units, the value of securities increased by 119.5 per cent to N129.9 million from the N59.2 million recorded a day earlier, and the number of deals soared by 92.6 per cent to 52 deals from the preceding day’s 27 deals.
At the close of business, Great Nigeria Insurance (GNI) Plc remained the most traded stock by value on a year-to-date basis, with 3.4 billion units worth N8.4 billion, trailed by Infrastructure Credit Guarantee (Infracredit) Plc with 2.3 billion units sold for N6.5 billion, and Central Securities and Clearing System (CSCS) Plc with 61.2 million units exchanged for N4.1 billion.
GNI Plc was also the most active stock by volume on a year-to-date basis, with 3.4 billion units valued at N8.4 billion, followed by Infracredit Plc with 2.3 billion units valued at N6.5 billion, and Resourcery Plc followed with 1.1 billion units traded for N415.7 million.
Five securities recorded various movements yesterday at the OTC securities exchange, with three price gainers and two price losers.
For the advancers, they were led by 11 Plc, which added N22.11 to its share price to close at N243.11 per unit versus N221.10 per unit, CSCS Plc grew by N2.95 to N77.80 per share from N74.85 per share, and IPWA Plc expanded by 80 Kobo to N8.83 per unit from N8.03 per unit.
On the flip side, FrieslandCampina Wamco Nigeria Plc shrank by N12.11 to N167.89 per share from N180.00 per share, and Geo-Fluids Plc lost 2 Kobo to sell at N2.98 per unit versus Monday’s N3.00 per unit.
As a result, the market capitalisation dropped N600 million to close at N2.571 trillion compared with the previous day’s N2.571 trillion, and the NASD Unlisted Security Index (NSI) fell by 1.00 points to 4,297.17 points from 4,298.17 points.
The market will be closed on Wednesday (May 27) and Thursday (May 28) for the Eid al-Kabir holidays.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Naira recorded a loss of 49 Kobo or 0.03 per cent against the United States Dollar in the Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market (NAFEX) on Tuesday, May 26, trading at N1,375.41/$1 compared with the preceding day’s N1,374.92/$1.
However, the local currency appreciated against the Pound Sterling in the official market during the session by N3.47 to close at N1,852.26/£1 versus Monday’s closing price of N1,855.73/£1, and gained N1.37 against the Euro to finish at N1,599.32/€1, in contrast to the previous session’s N1,600/€1.
As for the black market, the Naira traded flat against the US Dollar yesterday at N1,385/$1, and also maintained stability at the GTBank forex counter at N1,383/$1.
Interbank FX turnover increased to $73.598 million across 110 deals, indicating a significant rise from $55.786 million that passed through local banks’ records the previous day.
Market analysts noted that the Naira outlook remains stable, citing the latest round of FX inflows, which have lifted gross external reserves to $49.259 billion.
Largely, the domestic currency will close the first half of 2026 stronger as the CBN continues to inject FX inflows into the official market, due to a significant increase in FX receipts from elevated oil prices in the global commodity market.
Meanwhile, the cryptocurrency market was down on Tuesday as global stocks hit record highs, widening a recent divergence between crypto and equities.
There were also outflows as retail traders added leverage, raising the risk of sharp liquidations despite new SEC-approved bitcoin index options aimed at institutions.
Bitcoin (BTC) fell by 1.4 per cent to $75,737.18, Ethereum (ETH) depleted by 1.2 per cent to $2,075.39, Ripple (XRP) lost 1.0 per cent to sell at $1.33, Binance Coin (BNB) slumped by 0.9 per cent to $651.75, Solana (SOL) depreciated by 0.8 per cent to $83.86, Cardano (ADA) dipped 0.7 per cent to $0.2402, and TRON (TRX) dropped 0.2 per cent to settle at $0.3726, while the US Dollar Tether (USDT) and the US Dollar Coin (USDC) closed flat at $1.00 each.
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