Economy
NSE to Launch Growth Board for Listing SMEs, Start-ups on Wednesday
By Dipo Olowookere
On Wednesday, January 29, 2020, the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) will formally launch a Growth Board, a platform aimed to provide an avenue for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and start-up firms to source for funds and probably join the main board of the exchange.
Business Post reports that rules for listing on the Growth Board have already been approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and on Wednesday, the platform would be officially launched.
Business Post confirmed that the event will take place at the exchange by 11am. The Growth Board is intended to act as a vehicle to attract fast growing issuers to list on the NSE, increase overall market capitalisation and order flow in line with the bourse’s strategic objectives.
It was created to cater to the growing needs of start-ups, provide exit opportunities for investors and reduced the cost of funding.
The NSE, through the Growth Board, aims to provide a platform for greater global visibility for eligible Nigerian entities and foreign companies, which will engender global capital flows.
According to the NSE rules for listing on the Growth Board, the entry segment is the board’s platform for listing eligible entities, and financing start-ups and SMEs with market capitalisation between N50 million and N500 million.
For the Standard Segment, it is the platform for listing eligible entities, and financing medium-size businesses with market capitalisation between N500 million and N4 billion or such other amount as may be approved by the exchange from time to time.
In the rules, the National Council of the exchange may authorise the listing of an applicant’s securities on the Entry Segment if the issuer satisfies some requirements.
To remain on the Growth Board’s Entry and Standard Segments, an issuer’s continued eligibility shall be evaluated by the exchange annually in line with all the criteria set out in these Rules as amended from time to time, provided that each Issuer shall comply with all other continuing listing obligations as specified under the Listings Rules of the exchange, including but not limited to submission of quarterly and annual financial statements.
View the full rules HERE
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The pre-registration training and examination for capital market operators (CMOs) for the second quarter of 2026 has been postponed.
Business Post gathered that the new date for the exercise is now Monday, June 15, 2026.
This information was disclosed by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) through a circular on Monday, June 8, 2026.
The Nigerian capital market regulator stated that this postponement has also resulted in the extension of the deadline for registration to Friday, June 12, 2026.
In the notice today, the SEC expressed its regret for the inconvenience this action may cause operators, who had prepared for the initial date of the training and examination.
“Further to the recent circular on Q2 2026 Pre-registration Training and Examination, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) hereby informs all eligible applicants for the Q2 2026 Pre-registration Training and Examination that the commencement date has been postponed to Monday, June 15, 2026.
“Registration on the designated portal has also been extended to Friday, June 12, 2026. All other conditions contained in the circular remain unchanged.
“The commission regrets any inconvenience this postponement may cause and appreciates the understanding of all applicants,” the disclosure noted.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
One of the leading healthcare firms in Nigeria, Fidson Healthcare Plc, has listed additional shares on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited.
The new stocks absorbed into the stock market were 600 million units, raising the total issued and fully paid-up shares of Fidson to 3,000,000,000 ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each from 2,400,000,000 ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each.
The fresh equities came from the company’s rights issue of 600,000,000 ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each at N35.00 per share.
They were issued to existing investors on the basis of one new ordinary share for every existing four ordinary shares held as of the close of business on Wednesday, November 12, 2025.
Confirming the development, the regulator in a notice said, “Trading licence holders are hereby notified that an additional 600,000,000 ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each of Fidson Healthcare Plc were on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, listed on the daily official list of Nigerian Exchange Limited.
“The additional shares arose from the company’s rights issue of 600,000,000 ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each at N35.00 per share on the basis of one new ordinary share for every existing four ordinary shares held as at the close of business on Wednesday, November 12, 2025.
“With the listing of the additional 600,000,000 ordinary shares, the total issued and fully paid-up shares of Fidson Healthcare Plc have now increased from 2,400,000,000 to 3,000,000,000 ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each.”
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
This news will surely excite local contractors with verified claims of N100 million or less, as the federal government has approved their payments.
This approval for the disbursement was given by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Taiwo Oyedele.
This followed a verification and reconciliation exercise designed to ensure only validated claims qualify for payment.
The beneficiaries cover contractors across multiple ministries, departments and agencies. The release of the funds is expected to enable contractors to return to project sites, pay workers, settle suppliers and meet outstanding financial commitments.
In an announcement on Monday, the Federal Ministry of Finance also said this latest batch of payments would ease liquidity pressure on small businesses and accelerate economic activity nationwide.
It was noted that the payments for verified claims of N100 million below were strategically done to spread economic impact broadly rather than concentrate disbursements among a handful of large firms.
The payments form part of a broader push to clear inherited contractor obligations, with over N700 billion verified in recent months.
“For many beneficiaries, the release of funds represents more than a financial transaction. It provides the certainty needed to sustain operations, preserve jobs, complete ongoing projects, and contribute to economic recovery and growth,” the ministry said in a statement.
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