Economy
SEC to Enlighten Investors on ‘Investing in Difficult Times’
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Efforts are being made by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to educate investors in the Nigerian capital market to understand the rudiments of investing in difficult times.
On Tuesday, August 18, 2020, the commission will hold a webinar, where experts in the sector will dissect this topic and explain ways investors can make a profit in this present situation.
It is no news that since the beginning of the year, the global COVID-19 pandemic has affected many businesses as well as economies of the world.
The effect of the virus, which is yet to wrap, caused economies of the United Kingdom, France and others to slip into recession and recently, Nigeria’s Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmed, warned that the country may fall into an economic crisis soon.
As things continue to get harder and the purchasing power of citizens further shrinks, it may be tough for capital market investors, who are battling with a double war of rising inflation rate and the declining interest rate on their investments, especially on government debt securities.
To help investors navigate these issues, the apex capital market regulator has come with this online lecture, which starts by 11am Nigerian time.
Speakers for the event are Mrs Tope Omojokun, Mr Derrick Msibi and Mr Efiok Efiok.
Mrs Tope Omojokun has over 17 years’ experience across Commercial and Corporate Banking, Wealth and Investment Management.
She has worked with Access Bank Plc. (formerly Intercontinental Bank Plc.) and later joined E.oN (UK) Limited as a Credit Specialist before proceeding to Asset and Resource Management Company Limited (ARM), where she was a Relationship Manager with the Wealth Management division before joining Investment One Funds Management Limited.
She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, an MA (Management) from the University of Nottingham and is currently pursuing a Doctoral degree (Ph. D) in Business Administration (Entrepreneurship) at Babcock University. Tope currently serves as President of Fund Managers Association of Nigeria.
On his part, Mr Derrick Msibi is the Chief Executive of STANLIB Asset Management, the investment arm of the Liberty Group, an insurance company listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and a part of the Standard Bank Group.
STANLIB is a steward of R569 billion of customer investments in various investment strategies straddling listed and alternative investments.
Mr Msibi is a chartered accountant with degrees in finance and accounting at both bachelors, honours and masters level from the University of Cape Town. He is a holder of the Program for Management Development Certificate from Harvard Business School and a Certificate of Management (a corporate-customised programme) from London Business School.
For Mr Efiok Efiok, who joined the SEC in 2002, he holds a degree in Business Management and is an associate of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS), Nigeria. H
e worked from 2002 to 2008 in the Collective Investment Services Department (now Investment Management Services Department, the Department responsible for the regulatory authorization and supervision of all forms of Collective Investment Schemes products.
He moved to the Monitoring and Investigation Department, 2008 – 2013, as part of the team undertaking continuous supervision of operations and operational capacity of all registered Capital Market Operators with respect to their registered market functions.
From 2014 to 2016, Mr Efiok served as Head of Fund Management Supervision Division, responsible for continuous supervision of Market intermediaries undertaking Asset management activities and subsequently became the Head of Investment Management Department from 2016 – till date.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) Plc has declared the first interim dividend in its history after posting its financial results for the first half of 2026, reflecting robust earnings growth, improved operating efficiency and stronger capital market activity.
The board approved an interim dividend of N1.00 per ordinary share for the six months ended June 30, 2026, citing the company’s strong cash generation, resilient balance sheet and confidence in the sustainability of its earnings.
The interim payout represents about 56 per cent of the total dividend of N1.78 per share paid for the 2025 financial year, underscoring its strong earnings momentum while preserving financial flexibility to invest in technology, innovation and future growth.
CSCS recorded one of the strongest financial performances in its history during the review period, with total operating income rising by 92 per cent to N18.51 billion from the corresponding period of 2025.
The growth was driven by higher transaction fee income as capital market activity strengthened, continued expansion in depository services, increased collateral management revenues and stronger contributions from data and technology-enabled services. Investment income also improved as the company optimised its investment portfolio.
Despite the sharp rise in revenue, operating expenses increased by only 38 per cent, reflecting disciplined cost management and the scalability of the company’s business model.
As a result, operating profit surged by 186 per cent to N10.11 billion, while profit before tax climbed by 115 per cent to N13.21 billion. Earnings per share also rose significantly to 190.1 kobo from 109.1 kobo in the corresponding period of 2025.
The organisation also recorded improvements in operating efficiency. Its cost-to-income ratio declined to 45.4 per cent from 63.2 per cent a year earlier, while operating profit margin improved to 54.6 per cent from 36.8 per cent.
According to the company, the results demonstrate not only the benefits of stronger market activity but also the resilience of its operating model and its ability to convert revenue growth into higher profitability, improved shareholder returns and sustainable long-term value creation.
Commenting on the interim dividend, the Chairman of CSCS Plc, Mr Temi Popoola, said the board’s decision reflected confidence in the firm’s financial strength, earnings quality and long-term strategic direction.
He said the strong performance was driven not only by increased market activity but also by sustained improvements in operational efficiency, disciplined cost management and the continued diversification of revenue streams.
Mr Popoola noted that the Board remained committed to balancing shareholder returns with investments in technology, innovation, resilience and new growth opportunities that would strengthen CSCS’ position as Nigeria’s leading financial market infrastructure and one of Africa’s foremost post-trade institutions.
The chief executive of CSCS Plc, Mr Shehu Yahaya Shantali, attributed the strong performance to the resilience of the entity’s business model, the dedication of its workforce and the confidence of market participants.
He said the first-ever interim dividend demonstrated the company’s ability to translate strong earnings growth and improved operating efficiency into enhanced shareholder value.
Mr Shantali added that CSCS would continue to strengthen its core market infrastructure, invest in technology and innovation, diversify its revenue base and enhance value creation for stakeholders while supporting the development of Nigeria’s capital market.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The national scale long-term issuer rating of Axxela Limited has been upgraded by GCR Rating to A+(NG), just as its short-term issuer rating was affirmed with a stable outlook.
The rating firm upgraded the long-term issue rating for Axxela Funding 1 Plc’s N16.4 billion series 1 senior unsecured bond to A+(NG), while the N11.5 billion series 1 senior secured bond was lifted to A+(NG)(EL).
GCR noted in a note that the actions reflect the leading gas and power portfolio company’s robust business model, strong earnings performance, and sustained financial profile, reinforcing its ability to deliver long-term value while maintaining financial discipline.
Axxela’s recent achievements have been driven by its continued focus on responsible growth, customer satisfaction, and creating lasting value for national development.
“The ratings upgrade by GCR is a strong endorsement of Axxela’s disciplined approach to business. Beyond recognising our financial strength, it reflects the resilience of our business model and the confidence in our strategic direction.
“Over the past few years, we have continued to make significant strides across the business by expanding our natural gas infrastructure, strengthening our operational footprint, advancing our sustainability agenda, and maintaining an unwavering commitment to operational excellence and safety,” the chief executive of Axxela, Mr Moshood Olajide, commented on the development.
As the company continues to advance its long-term growth strategy, the upgraded ratings reinforce confidence in Axxela’s credit profile, financial resilience, and ability to create enduring value for investors, customers and other stakeholders.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Ministry of Solid Minerals Development and the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) have strengthened their partnership to deploy digital identity technology, aiming to combat illegal mining and enhance security in Nigeria’s mining sector.
Speaking while receiving the Director-General and management of NIMC on a courtesy visit to his office in Abuja, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Mr Dele Alake, described the commission as a critical institution in Nigeria’s development architecture, stressing that effective governance could not be achieved without a credible identity management system.
“NIMC occupies a critical position in translating policy into reality. It is pivotal to the development of any nation because governance today is driven by data, technology and credible identity systems,” he added.
He noted that inadequate identification systems had weakened enforcement efforts over the years, allowing illegal mining activities to flourish in mineral-rich communities.
“Without identification, we cannot trace or track, and insecurity will flourish. In the solid minerals sector, we need effective monitoring of both legal and illegal operations.
“A credible identity ecosystem will strengthen regulation, improve enforcement and support our efforts to sanitise the sector,” Mr Alake said.
The minister identified technology, statistics, data gathering and digital identity as critical enablers for evidence-based policymaking, improved regulatory oversight, efficient licensing, investment promotion and national development.
On her part, the DG of NIMC, Mrs Abisoye Coker-Odusote, highlighted several opportunities for collaboration between both institutions, noting that the newly enacted NIMC Act has positioned Nigeria to fully embrace a digital governance ecosystem.
She explained that deeper integration of identity management into the solid minerals sector would facilitate database integration across government institutions, enhance regulatory compliance, strengthen security and law enforcement, improve monitoring of operators, and provide stronger support for the implementation of Community Development Agreements (CDAs) in mining host communities.
Mrs Coker-Odusote added that NIMC’s upgraded digital infrastructure is capable of supporting government institutions in building reliable databases, improving transparency and delivering more efficient public services.
Both institutions said they would immediately begin implementing technology-driven initiatives under the partnership, expressing confidence that expanding access to trusted digital identities for miners and other eligible residents would enhance accountability and strengthen governance in the solid minerals sector.
