Economy
Retirement Savings Account Holders Grow by 96,346 in Q2
The total number of persons with Retirement Savings Account (RSA) in Nigeria increased by 96,346 to 7,589,936 workers under the contributory pension scheme as at the second quarter of 2017, compared with 7,493,590 registered in the first quarter of the year.
They country’s total working population stood at 69,470,901 as at the fourth quarter of 2016.
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) stated this in its Retirement Savings Account (RSA) Membership Distribution for the second quarter 2017 (Q2 2017), posted on its website.
The RSA membership distribution as at Q2 of 2017 represented 10.93 per cent of the total working population.
This, the NBS stated was not surprising given the largely informal structure of the Nigerian labour force with about 50 per cent of the current workforce engaged in subsistence agriculture and informal trading.
Micro businesses, for example, accounts for over 90 per cent of total micro, small and medium scale enterprises in Nigeria.
Further disaggregation of RSA membership revealed that of a total male working population of 36,363,042 only 5,391,887 or 14.83 per cent male workers registered under the pension scheme as at Q2 2017 compared to 5,328,035 or 14.65 per cent registered male workers in Q1 2017.
Similarly, only 2,198,049 or 6.64 per cent out of a total female working population of 33,107,859 were registered under the scheme as at Q2 2017 compared to 2,165,555 or 6.54 per cent registered female workers in Q1 2017.
Accordingly, out of the 7,589,936 RSA members, 71.04 per cent were men and 28.96 per cent were women compared to 71.10 per cent men and 28.90 per cent women in Q1 2017.
This was compared with the gender split of the working population which had 52.3 per cent men and 47.7 per cent women.
RSA membership was dominated by the Private sector. The federal level had 1,898,199 registered RSA members under the national pension scheme as at Q2 2017 of which 1,384,579 or 72.94 per cent were male and 513,620 or 27.06 per cent were female compared to 1,889,143 registered RSA members of which 1,378,382 or 72.96 per cent were male and 510,761 or 27.04 per cent were female in Q1 2017.
“This may indicate that there are a lot more male employees in the federal public service than female. At the state (including local government) level, 1,537,138 State public workers are registered under the national pension scheme with 863,605 or 56.18 per cent male and 673,533 or 43.82 per cent female as at Q2 2017 compared to 1,525,748 registered public workers of which 858,365 or 56.26 per cent were male and 667,383 or 43.74 per cent were female in Q1 2017.”
“This may indicate that the federal public service is larger than that of all 36 States combined and similar to the Federal service, men dominate with respect to number of employees,” it added.
According to the study, private firms had 4,154,599 registered RSA members under the pension scheme as at Q1 2017 of which 3,143,703 or 75.67 per cent were male and 1,010,896 or 24.33 per cent were female compared to 4,078,699 registered RSA members of which 3,091,288 or 75.79 per cent were male and 987,411 or 24.21 per cent were female in Q1 2017.
It showed that the highest number of registered working population came from the age bracket of 30-39yrs and closely followed by the working population within the age bracket of 40-49 years and 50-59years. This, it said was expected considering ages 2544 accounts for about 55 per cent of the total working population.
“However, the least number of registered working population came from above 65yrs and 60-65yrs age bracket.
“1,898,199 federal working population are registered under the national pension scheme as at Q2 2017 compared to 1,889,143 in Q1 2017.
“1,384,579 are male while 513,620 are female compared to 1,378,382 male and 510,761 female in Q1 2017.
“1,537,138 state working population are registered under the national pension scheme as at Q2 2017 compared to 1,525,748 in Q1 2017. 863,605 are male while 673,533 are female compared to 858,365 male and 667,383 female in Q1 2017,” it added.
According to the NBS report, 4,154,599 private firms’ working population were registered under the national pension scheme as at Q2 2017 compared to 4,078,699 in Q1 2017. Also, 3,143,703 were male while 1,010,896 were female compared to 3,091,288 male and 978,411 female in Q1 2017
In addition, 7,589,936 working population were registered under the national pension scheme as at Q2 2017 compared to 7,493,590 in Q1 2017. 5,391,887 are male while 2,198,049 are female compared to 5,328,035 male and 2,165,555 female in Q1 2017
Private firms’ working population dominated the membership distribution and closely followed by the federal and state working population.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The profit after tax (PAT) of Lafarge Africa Plc for the first quarter of 2026 more than doubled to N97.95 billion from N48.64 billion in the same period of last year.
This was largely driven by volume-led revenue growth, sustained cost discipline, and prudent financial management.
Analysis of the results filed with the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited, the leading provider of innovative and sustainable building solutions noted that it improved its net sales by 35 per cent year-on-year to N334.88 billion from N248.35 per cent in the corresponding period of 2025, supported by improved volumes, enhanced plant stability, and distribution efficiency, while operating profit went up by 97 per cent to N141 billion.
According to the chief executive of Lafarge Africa, Mr Lolu Alade-Akinyemi, these numbers “reflect continued progress in executing our strategic priorities” and also “underscore our continued focus on delivering sustainable value to our shareholders.”
He stated that sustained revenue growth and continued progress on cost and efficiency initiatives were responsible for the rise in operating profit.
Mr Alade-Akinyemi noted that the company will continue to leverage the industrial and technical expertise of its partner, Huaxin Building Materials Ltd, to further enhance operations and unlock additional efficiency gains.
He stated that the company would continue to focus on disciplined capital deployment and tight cost control in its operations while unlocking opportunities aligned with its growth priorities, explaining that the company’s volume growth, evident in sustained momentum in consumer demand, resulted from easing macroeconomic pressures and reduced global supply chain disruptions.
“We anticipate continued market expansion from Nigeria’s infrastructure and construction sector demand, underpinned by improving economic fundamentals and demand across key segments.
“Within this context, we remain focused on capturing volume growth opportunities across its operating markets, while maintaining disciplined cost optimisation initiatives to safeguard margins amidst global tensions,” he said.
While expressing profound appreciation to customers and loyal stakeholders for their support, he noted that the company would continue to do its best to deliver consistent performance and long-term value to shareholders.
“Our sustainability-led growth model continues to anchor our long-term value creation agenda, supported by the effective execution of our strategic priorities and an unwavering commitment to operational excellence,” he added.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The average price of refilling a 5kg cooking gas cylinder surged 12.60 per cent in March 2026 to N7,655.73 from N6,799.18 in February 2026, according to the latest estimates by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
The NBS disclosed this in its Cooking Gas Price Watch for March, released this week.
It disclosed that on a year-on-year basis, the 5kg price climbed 4.55 per cent from N7,322.49 in March 2025, as Nigerians suffer the ripple effect of the Middle East crisis.
Kaduna had the highest state price at N9,212.21, followed by Lagos at N8,909.73, and Taraba at N8,802.78, while Bauchi recorded the lowest at N6,295.40, with Osun at N6,457.35, and Ondo at N6,598.10.
By zone, the North-West led at N8,137.81, trailed by the North-East at N7,890.53, while the South-South had the lowest at N7,300.95.
For 12.5kg cylinders, prices jumped 15.62 per cent month-on-month to N19,652.83 from N16,997.94 in the previous month, and rose 6.48 per cent year-on-year from N18,456.24.
Nasarawa hit the highest at N23,418.12, followed by Kaduna at N23,030.52, and Akwa Ibom at N22,816.74. Bauchi was lowest at N15,738.50, then Osun at N16,143.38, and Ondo at N16,495.25. The North-West zone averaged at N20,701.66, with the South-East lowest at N18,432.63.
The rise in the price of cooking fuel came as the closure of the Strait of Hormuz affected prices of liquified natural gas (LNG) and over 10 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) of global LNG supplies. Coupled with other issues like volatile exchange rates, global market swings, and high transport costs to northern rural areas, the cost continued to bite.
LPG, priced in US Dollars, faces higher landing costs from Naira devaluation and imported supply reliance.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The one-for-three bonus share issue proposed by the board of Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited has been approved by shareholders.
The approval was given at the 65th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the organisation on Wednesday. They also authorised the payment of the proposed N2.00 per share dividend for 2025.
Shareholders applauded the board and management for the group’s performance and strategic direction, urging continued focus on growth and long-term value creation.
They okayed the re-election of Mr Umaru Kwairanga as the chairman, Okechukwu Itanyi as an independent non-executive director, and Mrs Ojinika Olaghere as an independent non-executive director.
Speaking at the event, the president of New Dimension Shareholders Association, Mr Patrick Ajudua, commended the leadership of the firm for delivering a strong financial outcome, noting that the results reflect both improved market conditions and deliberate strategic execution.
“The numbers speak to a business that is gaining strength and direction,” he said.
Similarly, the chairman of the Progressive Shareholders Association of Nigeria, Mr Boniface Okezie, lauded the group’s commitment to innovation and infrastructure development.
“The market is becoming more forward-looking, supported by strong leadership at the Group level. Initiatives around market infrastructure and participation are yielding results, and this is positive for investors,” he noted.
Mr Kwairanga, while addressing investors, appreciated them for their continued support and reaffirmed the board’s commitment to sustainable value delivery, saying, “The progress recorded reflects the strength of the group’s strategy and the performance of its operating businesses.
|As a board, our responsibility is to ensure disciplined oversight, uphold strong governance standards, and position NGX Group to deliver sustainable, long-term value to shareholders.”
The chief executive of NGX Group, Mr Temi Popoola, said, “This next phase is about deepening momentum. Our priority is to scale infrastructure, broaden participation, and unlock new pathways for capital formation.”
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