By Aduragbemi Omiyale

One of the main goals of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for 2026 is prioritising the mobilisation of long-term capital to bridge Nigeria’s infrastructure and sectoral gaps while also streamlining regulatory frameworks and aggressively facilitating the issuance of innovative financial instruments that channel disciplined capital into productive sectors.

In his New Year message on Thursday in Abuja, the Director General of the agency, Mr Emomotimi Agama, also disclosed that SEC intends to facilitate the issuance of infrastructure bonds, green bonds, municipal bonds, and infrastructure-focused funds.

He further disclosed that efforts would be made to drive the revitalisation of Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) and introduce innovative affordable housing bonds.

According to him, these initiatives will unlock capital for mass housing delivery, create new asset classes for investors, and move millions of Nigerians closer to homeownership.

“Our goal is to attract long-term domestic and international capital into roads, power, rail, housing, and digital infrastructure, while making it easier for state governments and infrastructure companies to access the market efficiently.

“We will promote the listing of agribusiness firms and create tailored listing windows for agricultural cooperatives and value-chain companies.

“Through commodity exchanges, agricultural investment trusts, and commodities-linked financial instruments, we will de-risk agriculture, ensure fair pricing for farmers, strengthen food security, and allow Nigerians to own a stake in the nation’s breadbasket,” he stated.

“We are reviewing our rules to incentivize listings from small and medium-scale industries, with special focus on manufacturing, automotive, pharmaceuticals, and finished goods.

“By providing patient capital through the capital market, we will revitalize factories, reduce import dependency, create jobs, and position Made in Nigeria as a global brand.

“The SEC will support Nigeria’s power sector through infrastructure bonds, green energy bonds, project-backed securities, and public–private investment vehicles.

“We will help unlock long-term capital for grid expansion, renewable energy projects, embedded power solutions, and energy transition initiatives. By improving bankability structures and attracting patient capital into the power value chain, the capital market will support energy security,” he added.

Mr Agama noted that as the new year begins, the SEC is  not merely turning a page on the calendar; but is embracing a profound opportunity—an opportunity to redefine the very purpose and power of the Nigerian capital market.

“We look back at a year of transformation and look forward to a future where our capital market becomes the definitive solution provider for Nigeria’s most pressing economic and developmental needs,” he added.

By Dipo Olowookere

Shareholders of Nigeria’s leading fully integrated edible oils and fats company, Presco Plc, recently increase their investment in the business by oversubscribing its N236.67 billion rights issue.

The exercise, which commenced on November 12, 2025, and ended on December 2, 2025, witnessed a subscription rate of 103 per cent.

The strong participation of investors in the rights issue demonstrated an overwhelming confidence in the organisation’s strategic direction and long-term growth outlook.

Business Post reports that the firm offered to shareholders a total of 166,666,667 new ordinary shares at a unit price of N1,420 on the basis of one new share for existing six shares.

Analysts view the strong response as a clear endorsement of Presco’s business fundamentals, disciplined execution, and strengthened governance.

The outcome reinforces confidence in its operational resilience, integrated business model, and ability to continuously deliver on its commitment to sustainable long-term value.

This is because Presco was able to pull this through amid a cautious capital-market environment characterised by tightening liquidity and selective investor participation.

The rights issue strengthened the organisation’s financial position, providing greater balance-sheet capacity to support business expansion and disciplined strategic execution to help achieve its long-term vision and growth trajectory.

The strong appetite for Presco’s shares also consolidates its standing as a credible and well-regarded issuer within the Nigerian capital market.

By Dipo Olowookere

The Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited inched closer to N100 trillion on Wednesday after it gained 0.37 per cent on the last trading day of 2025.

The growth recorded by the local stock market was driven by bargain-hunting in the financial services sector, according to data obtained by Business Post.

Yesterday, the insurance space grew by 2.17 per cent, the banking index improved by 1.40 per cent, and the consumer goods sector expanded by 0.20 per cent.

However, three other major sectors witnessed profit-taking, with the energy counter shedding 0.55 per cent, the commodity industry losing 0.31 per cent, and the industrial goods segment declining by 0.14 per cent.

The losses posted by the trio could not bring down Customs Street, as the All-Share Index (ASI) closed higher by 578.31 points to 155,613.03 points from 155,034.72 points and the market capitalisation increased by N533 billion to N99.376 trillion from N98.843 trillion.

Aluminium Extrusion was the biggest price gainer with an appreciation of 9.90 per cent to trade at N21.65, Austin Laz gained 9.82 per cent to close at N4.25, Meyer jumped by 9.75 per cent to N12.95, C&I Leasing soared by 9.60 per cent to N6.85, and Union Dicon advanced by 9.52 per cent to N6.90.

Conversely, Neimeth lost 9.37 per cent to sell for N5.80, Tantalizers declined by 6.72 per cent to N2.50, International Breweries crumbled by 4.44 per cent to N14.00, NPF Microfinance Bank depreciated by 3.13 per cent to N3.71, and Vitafoam slumped by 3.06 per cent to N92.00.

Investor sentiment remained bullish after the bourse finished with 47 price gainers and 16 price losers, representing a positive market breadth index.

Market participants transacted 1.2 billion equities worth N35.1 billion in 27,884 deals yesterday compared with the 4.7 billion equities valued at N38.9 billion traded in 34,852 deals on Tuesday, showing a shortfall in the trading volume, value, and number of deals by 74.47 per cent, 9.77 per cent, and 19.99 per cent apiece.

Chams led the activity chart with 710.3 million units sold for N2.6 billion, Zenith Bank traded 58.8 million units worth N3.7 billion, Access Holdings exchanged 57.6 million units valued at N1.2 billion, FCMB transacted 44.1 million units for N516.3 million, and Tantalizers traded 39.9 million units worth N100.1 million.