Economy
SEC Okays Coinage Fund as Portfolio Manager
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
Coinage Fund Management Limited has been permitted to operate as a fund or portfolio manager in Nigeria.
The operating licence was handed over to the Africa-focused investment management firm by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) after meeting the requirements.
This not only reinforces Coinage Fund’s credibility but also signals its readiness to partner with individuals and institutions seeking structured pathways to wealth creation in an increasingly complex financial landscape.
With this regulatory green light, Coinage Fund is now fully licensed to deliver tailored investment and portfolio management solutions to a broad spectrum of clients, including high-net-worth individuals, mass affluent investors, emerging investors, institutions, and corporate organisations.
A statement from the firm said this milestone marks a significant step in its mission to democratise access to professional wealth management and reshape the future of investment advisory across Nigeria and the broader African market.
At the core of Coinage Fund’s proposition is a forward-looking investment philosophy that blends disciplined asset management, technology-enabled insights, and a deep commitment to client outcomes.
The organisation enters the market at a time when the need for structured, professional investment management has never been more critical. Across Nigeria, a significant portion of individual and institutional capital remains underutilised or inefficiently allocated—often due to limited access to credible expertise and trusted advisory platforms.
“Too many individuals and businesses leave capital idle or poorly managed due to limited access to the right expertise. We are here to change that,” the chairman of the company’s board, Mr Victor Gbenga Afolabi, commented.
The chief executive, Mr Biodun Oke, described the approval as both a validation of the firm’s strategic direction and a launchpad for its long-term ambitions.
“At Coinage Fund Management Ltd, we are building Nigeria’s next generation of wealth and retirement future. We are committed to helping our clients achieve financial security, retirement readiness and sustainable wealth creation through ethical management practices, informed decision-making and a long-term investment philosophy.”
Coinage Fund distinguishes itself through a combination of robust governance structures, strict regulatory compliance, and a client-first operating model. Backed by a team with over 50 years of combined industry experience, the firm leverages intelligent, technology-driven investment strategies to deliver consistent, risk-adjusted returns.
Beyond portfolio performance, the company is also advancing a broader agenda—building a financially literate and empowered investor base. Through continuous investor education, thought leadership, and advisory services, Coinage Fund aims to cultivate a new generation of “financially fit” individuals equipped to achieve long-term financial independence.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
Nigeria slightly surpassed its quota set by the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) in July 2026.
In the month under review, the country produced about 1.57 million barrels of crude oil per day.
It was the third consecutive month Africa’s largest oil-producing nation was meeting its monthly quota, set to stabilise the price of the commodity on the global market by the oil cartel.
Data released by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) on Wednesday showed that the 1.5 million barrels per day ceiling for Nigeria was surpassed last month.
The agency disclosed in a statement today that the country produced 1.505mbpd of crude oil and 0.17mbpd of condensate, bringing the combined daily production to 1.67mbpd.
In the month under review, the daily peak production of crude oil and condensate was 1.78mbpd, while the lowest daily production was 1.57mbpd.
Although Nigeria met its OPEC quota in the month of July, the statistics show that on a month-on-month basis, production fell by 4 per cent.
This was attributed to the decline in production due to operational challenges experienced at the Erha and Akpo fields, which impacted crude oil output during the period under review.
These disruptions constrained production volumes and contributed significantly to the overall reduction in national crude oil output.
Despite the challenges, production operations across most other producing assets remained relatively stable, with operators implementing measures aimed at maintaining production efficiency and minimising the impact of operational constraints, NUPRC stated.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The over 9 billion shares of Lasaco Assurance Plc issued to shareholders of the company via a rights issue have been listed on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited.
The equities were brought to Customs Street on Wednesday by the organisation, increasing its total issued and fully paid-up share capital.
Lasaco Assurance, which scaled the recapitalisation hurdle of the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) in July 2026, raised fresh capital from the capital market to shore up its capital base.
The underwriting firm got about N18.5 billion from the rights issue, which involved the issuance of 9,236,321,546 ordinary shares at a unit price of N2.00.
The exercise was on the basis of five new ordinary shares for every existing six ordinary shares held as of the close of business on Friday, February 20, 2026.
Confirming the listing of the additional stocks of Lasaco Assurance today, the Head of Issuer Regulation Department of NGX RegCo, Mr Godstime Iwenekhai, announced in a circular that, “Trading licence holders are hereby notified that an additional 9,236,321,546 ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each of Lasaco Assurance Plc were today, Wednesday, August 12, 2026, listed on the daily official list of Nigerian Exchange Limited.
“The additional shares arose from the company’s rights issue of 9,236,321,546 ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each at N2.00 per share on the basis of five new ordinary shares for every existing six ordinary shares held as of the close of business on Friday, February 20, 2026.
“With the listing of the additional 9,236,321,546 ordinary shares, the total issued and fully paid-up share capital of Lasaco Assurance Plc has now increased from 11,083,585,855 to 20,319,907,401 ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each.”
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA) has said the successful recapitalisation of the insurance industry will strengthen the sector’s ability to support financial stability and economic growth.
NIA Chairman, Mrs Ebelechukwu Nwachukwu, said a well-capitalised insurance industry would be better positioned to meet its obligations promptly, underwrite complex and large-scale risks and serve as a dependable pillar of the Nigerian economy.
She made the remarks while commending the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) for its structured implementation of the new minimum capital requirements under the Nigerian Insurance Industry Reform Act (NIIRA) 2025.
Mrs Nwachukwu said NAICOM’s clear guidelines, systematic verification process, defined timelines and rigorous supervision had provided operators with a credible framework for navigating the recapitalisation exercise.
She described the outcome as a major milestone for the industry and congratulated the 43 insurance and reinsurance companies that have successfully met the prescribed minimum capital requirements.
According to her, the exercise represents “a major win not just for regulators and operators, but for policyholders, investors and the wider Nigerian economy.”
Mrs Nwachukwu said the association would continue to work with NAICOM and other stakeholders to consolidate the gains of the exercise, with emphasis on sustainable industry growth, stronger market conduct and improved consumer confidence.
The official also expressed solidarity with the eight companies still undergoing final verification and regulatory review, urging them to remain confident as NAICOM completes the process within the 14-day review period.
The NIA chairman assured policyholders and the wider business community that the insurance industry would emerge from the recapitalisation exercise stronger, more resilient and better positioned to contribute to Nigeria’s economic development.
