Economy
Stanbic IBTC Asset Mgt Maintains Spot as Nigeria’s Largest Mutual Fund Firm

By Quantitative Financial Analytics
The assets of Stanbic IBTC Asset Management have recorded a significant increase by 24 percent in the first quarter of 2017 to cement its position as Nigeria’s largest mutual fund company by asset, Quantitative Financial Analytics reports.
Assets under management stood at N107.4 billion as at March 31, 2017, up from N86.8 billion the previous year end.
Also, its nearest rival, FBN Asset Management, grew its assets by about 21 percent to N39.4 billion, according to analysis of latest available information by Quantitative Financial Analytics Ltd.
Stanbic IBTC Asset Management now overseas 41.53 percent of total mutual funds’ Asset Under Management (AUM) as at March 31, 2017.
Stanbic IBTC Asset Management has at least one fund in each category of mutual funds in Nigeria which enables the fund management company to offer market synergies and diversification for its clients
The fund management company has seen substantial investor interest in an array of its mutual funds over the years.
In particular, Stanbic IBTC Money Market fund has seen significant growth in net flows year after year since inception. Investment performance has also been solid especially with Stanbic IBTC Absolute fund.
The Stanbic IBTC Money Market fund currently offers the highest yield among money market funds and is also the largest mutual fund by assets in Nigeria. It currently has an AUM of N83.1 billion which represents 32.14 percent of total mutual fund assets in Nigeria.
Stanbic IBTC’s fund family is next to none in terms of reporting and transparency. While the prices of its mutual funds are readily available on its web site daily, the fact sheets of the funds are also easily accessible and comprehensible. The company is about the only one that indicates the risk profile of its funds on its fact sheet on a risk continuum ranging from 1 to 5, (5 being the highest risk). This information helps investors in selecting funds that match or are in tune with their risk appetites and tolerance levels.
The company has won a whole lot of accolades because of its skilful fund management.
In 2015, the company won three Global Banking and Finance Review Awards- “Best Asset Management Company in Nigeria award”, Best Mutual Fund Provider in Nigeria, 2015 and Best Non-Pension Fund Manager in Nigeria.
Only recently, the company launched two new mutual funds- Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund and Stanbic BTC Pension ETF 40, bringing the number of mutual funds being managed by the company to 13, including the Umbrella Funds.
“As the market leader in Nigeria, we are aware of our responsibility to continuously provide unparalleled solution and services to Nigerians in a very cost effective and timely manner” said Mrs Bunmi Dayo-Olagunju Chief Executive of Stanbic IBTC Asset Management.
Too Big to Fail Concern
The only concern about the fund manager is the fear of “too big to fail”, meaning that should Stanbic IBTC Asset Management sneeze, the Nigerian mutual fund industry might catch cold or even fever given the size of its stake in the industry.
That fear has been allayed by many experts who have opined that the too big to fail hysteria does not directly apply to asset management companies since they do not engage in lending or trading in exotic and high risk derivatives which were the triggers of the 2008 financial crisis.
Economy
Nigeria Bans Wood, Charcoal Exports, Revokes Licenses
By Adedapo Adesanya
The federal government has imposed an immediate nationwide ban on the export of wood and allied products, revoking all previously issued licenses and permits to exporters.
The announcement was made on Wednesday by the Minister of Environment, Mr Balarabe Lawal, during the 18th meeting of the National Council on Environment in Katsina State.
Mr Lawal said the directive, outlined in the Presidential Executive Order titled Presidential Executive Order on the Prohibition of Exportation of Wood and Allied Products, 2025, became necessary to curb illegal logging and deforestation across the country.
“Nigeria’s forests are central to environmental sustainability, providing clean air and water, supporting livelihoods, conserving biodiversity, and mitigating the effects of climate change,” the Minister said, warning that the continued exportation of wood threatens these benefits and the long-term health of the environment.
The order, published in the Extraordinary Federal Republic of Nigeria Official Gazette No. 180, Vol. 112 of 16 October 2025, relies on Sections 17(2) and 20 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which empower the state to protect the environment, forests, and wildlife and prevent the exploitation of natural resources for private gain.
Under the new policy, security agencies and relevant ministries are expected to enforce a total clampdown on illegal logging activities nationwide.
On his part, the Katsina State Deputy Governor, Mr Faruk Lawal Jobe highlighted the state’s history of pioneering socio-economic policies that have influenced national policy. He emphasized the importance of collaboration in addressing environmental challenges across the country.
“Environmental sustainability is critical to achieving growth and improving the quality of life of our people,” he said. “Our administration has prioritised initiatives aimed at combating desertification and promoting afforestation.”
The ban reflects the government’s commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s shrinking forest cover and addressing climate change, while ensuring sustainable use of natural resources for future generations.
Economy
Unlisted Securities Bourse Appreciates 0.24% Midweek
By Adedapo Adesanya
The NASD Over-the-Counter (OTC) Securities Exchange rose by 0.24 per cent on Wednesday, December 17, pulling the Unlisted Security Index (NSI) up by 8.62 points to 3,614.64 points from 3,606.02 points.
In the same vein, the market capitalisation added N4.72 billion to close at N2.164 billion compared with the N2.160 trillion it ended on Tuesday.
The growth was inspired by four securities, which finished on the gainers’ log, neutralising the losses printed by two other securities on the trading platform.
MRS Oil Plc gained N17.90 on Wednesday to end at N196.90 per unit versus N179.00 per unit, NASD Plc appreciated by 59 Kobo to N58.50 per share from N57.91 per share, FrieslandCampina Wamco Nigeria Plc added 15 Kobo to sell at N60.19 per unit versus N60.04 per unit, and Industrial and General Insurance (IGI) Plc rose by 6 Kobo to 64 Kobo per share from 58 Kobo per share.
On the flip side, Golden Capital Plc extended its loss by 76 Kobo to end at N7.75 per unit versus N8.51 per unit, and Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) Plc slipped by 35 Kobo to N39.65 per share from N40.00 per share.
Yesterday, the volume of transactions increased by 737.3 per cent to 20.4 million units from 2.4 million units, but the value of trades fell by 33.8 per cent to N72.2 million from N109.1 million, and the number of deals slid by 62.5 per cent to 21 deals from 56 deals.
Infrastructure Credit Guarantee Company (InfraCredit) Plc remained the most traded stock by value on a year-to-date basis with 5.8 billion units sold for N16.4 billion, the second position was occupied by Okitipupa Plc with 178.9 million units transacted for N9.5 billion, and the third place was taken by MRS Oil Plc with 36.1 million units worth N4.9 billion.
InfraCredit Plc was also the most traded stock by volume on a year-to-date basis with 5.8 billion units traded for N16.4 billion, followed by IGI Plc with 1.2 billion units valued at N420.7 million, and Impresit Bakolori Plc with 536.9 million units worth N524.9 million.
Economy
NGX All-Share Index Nears 150,000 Points After 0.26% Growth
By Dipo Olowookere
A 0.26 per cent growth was achieved by the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited on Wednesday on the back of sustained bargain-hunting by investors.
This happened despite a pocket of profit-taking, with industrial goods losing 0.63 per cent and the energy index shedding 0.05 per cent.
But the insurance space increased by 2.02 per cent, the banking counter appreciated by 1.48 per cent, the commodity sector improved by 0.48 per cent, and the consumer goods segment rose by 0.03 per cent.
Consequently, the All-Share Index (ASI) went up by 383.71 points to 149,842.82 points from 149,459.11 points and the market capitalisation jumped by N244 billion to N95.525 trillion from N95.281 trillion.
The market breadth index remained positive after the bourse finished with 38 price gainers and 23 price losers, indicating a strong investor sentiment.
The quartet of First Holdco, Lasaco Assurance, Veritas Kapital, and Prestige Assurance gained 10.00 per cent to quote at N39.60, N2.75, N1.76, and N1.65, respectively, while Mecure Industries grew by 9.92 per cent to N50.40.
Conversely, Living Trust Mortgage Bank lost 10.00 per cent to close at N3.15, International Energy Insurance dropped 9.92 per cent to trade at N2.27, McNichols shrank by 6.90 per cent to N2.97, Omatek decreased by 6.84 per cent to N1.09, and Chams dipped by 6.41 per cent to N2.92.
The activity level witnessed a significant surge at midweek, with Ecobank trading 5.3 billion units for N168.7 billion.
Further, First Holdco sold 108.2 million units worth N4.2 billion, Sterling Holdings exchanged 87.3 million units valued at N606.2 million, FCMB transacted 74.3 million units worth N783.6 million, and Access Holdings sold 41.5 million units for N841.4 million.
At the close of trades, market participants traded 5.9 billion units valued at N216.2 billion in 25,205 deals compared with the 1.0 billion units worth N21.8 billion traded in 23,701 deals a day earlier, showing a rise in the trading volume, value, and number of deals by 490.00 per cent, 891.74 per cent, and 6.35 per cent, respectively.
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