Economy
Why Cryptocurrency Trading Has Begun to Feature Prominently in the Nigerian Marketplace
Similar to many African nations, Nigeria is currently in the midst of a digital revolution. More individuals have access to the Internet than ever before and as a result, a host of new financial economic opportunities are beginning to present themselves.
Cryptocurrencies are a perfect example of such a paradigm shift and this marketplace has already attracted both novice and senior investors alike. What are some of the primary benefits associated with this sector and might there be any drawbacks to consider? It pays to look at both sides of the proverbial coin in order to better appreciate where the domestic economy may be headed.
The Notion of a Decentralized Trading Platform
Most cryptocurrency traders think that one of the most appealing aspects of this marketplace involves the use of the blockchain in order to access decentralized investment opportunities. Cryptocurrencies are not governed by any type of central bank and therefore, issues such as inflation and interest rate hikes do not play nearly as important of a role.
Nigerians are also keen to become involved thanks to the decidedly anonymous nature of crypto trading. This has become a practical concern due to increased cybersecurity threats on both a national and international stages. Fiat-backed investments are not nearly as anonymous in nature.
A Market that Knows no Geographical Boundaries
Similar to the Forex sector, cryptocurrency trades can be carried out 24 hours a day and seven days a week. This is ideal for individuals who need to accommodate hectic schedules or who might simply wish to trade after hours and at their personal convenience. Online investment platforms likewise provide around-the-clock access; enabling traders to take advantage of the latest movements at a moment’s notice.
Relatively Low Entry-Level Investments
Although institutional cryptocurrency investors often make news headlines for turning massive profits (and losses on occasion), it is important to mention that this very same marketplace is now open to the general public. Nigerians have become more aware of the potential benefits and registering with a qualified digital platform takes only a matter of minutes.
Furthermore, traders will not need to possess a significant bankroll in order to become involved. The fact that companies are now catering to entry-level positions opens up a world of possibilities even for those who are governed by tight finances.
Intuitive Trading Platforms
Speaking of online trading platforms, Nigerians can leverage a host of professional options. Many of these software packages have been engineered with a user-friendly edge so that little prior experience is required. Some are now offering tutorials and lessons on cryptocurrency basics including:
- Fundamental blockchain principles.
- A closer look at altcoins.
- The top cryptocurrencies at the moment.
- The principle of margin and swing trading.
- How to read technical charts.
It is now clear to see that getting in on the proverbial “ground floor” has never been more of a reality.
Possible Drawbacks
A dose of pragmatism is nonetheless required. Losses can and do occur within the cryptocurrency marketplace. Furthermore, these assets are not currently governed by any central body (such as a government coalition or a central bank). This has caused some individuals to question its inherent levels of transparency.
Another possible issue involves those who choose to invest in tokens with a much smaller market capitalization (altcoins generally fall into this category). Sizeable trades can quickly generate a fair amount of volatility; causing both profits and losses to mount within a relatively short period of time.
A final concern is associated with how future governmental regulations may influence the entire cryptocurrency ecosystem. For example, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is currently engaged in a heated debate regarding whether or not cryptocurrencies should be classified as traditional securities. Some investment analysts feel that tighter governmental regulations may cause larger institutional traders to look elsewhere; a scenario that would negatively impact the value of crypto tokens across the boards.
A Bright (Digital) Future
Notwithstanding the possible concerns outlined above, cryptocurrencies are indeed here to stay. They have now begun to attract a new generation of Nigerian investors that are keen to understand how these unique digital tokens function. Although no one is entirely certain what the future may hold, many feel that this sector could soon rival the Forex marketplace in terms of its overall popularity. As always, only time will tell.
By Adedapo Adesanya
US sanctioned Russian oil giant Lukoil, will sell its foreign assets, including those in Nigeria and five other countries, to the US investment firm, The Carlyle Group.
According to an announcement on Thursday, Lukoil reached an agreement with the US investment firm on the sale of Lukoil International GmbH, the holding company that owns the group’s non-Russian international assets.
These foreign assets include shares in oil fields and refineries across the globe, including in Iraq, Azerbaijan, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Nigeria, and Mexico.
The sale follows the US sanctions on Lukoil and Rosneft, “as a result of Russia’s lack of serious commitment to a peace process to end the war in Ukraine.”
The Donald Trump administration in October 2025 had carried out the decision to put pressure on Russia’s state finances, adding the country’s two largest oil producers, Lukoil and Rosneft, to its blacklist of sanctioned entities. The US had initially given the oil firm one month to sell the holdings before gradually extending it as negotiations dragged on.
Lukoil had announced that same month that it would sell all of its international assets, initiating a formal process to receive bids from potential buyers.
After months of negotiations with potential buyers and one preliminary agreement with Gunvor blocked by the US Treasury, which described the trading group as “the Kremlin’s puppet”, it has now signed an agreement to sell Lukoil International GmbH to Carlyle.
Companies working with the sanctioned firms risk secondary sanctions that would deny them access to US banks, traders, transporters, and insurers.
The agreement is not exclusive and is subject to conditions such as the procurement of necessary regulatory approvals, including permission from the US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) for the transaction with Carlyle.
Carlyle said that the agreement “has been structured to be fully compliant” with US Treasury policies and that it was “conditional upon Carlyle’s due diligence and regulatory approvals”.
Prior to the Carlyle news, other US oil and gas supermajors Chevron and ExxonMobil, and International Holding Company (IHC) of Abu Dhabi expressed interest to the US Treasury to potentially acquire Lukoil’s international assets.
The sale would further dent Russian economy which has been struggling because of its war in Ukraine and Western sanctions have increased inflation and slowed economic growth. In 2025, the country’s oil and gas revenues, which make up about a quarter of government income and help fund the war, fell to their lowest level in five years.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The chief executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Mrs Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, has assured investors of a transparent, merit-based and competitive process for Nigeria’s 2025 oil and gas licensing round.
Mrs Eyesan, gave the assurance on Wednesday while speaking at a Pre-Bid Webinar organised by the commission, noting that only applicants with strong technical, financial credentials, professionalism and credible plans would proceed to the critical stage of the bidding process.
The NUPRC in December 1, 2025 inaugurated Nigeria’s 2025 Licensing Bid Round, offering 50 oil and gas blocks across frontier, onshore, shallow water, and deepwater terrains for potential investors.
The basins included Niger Delta basin, with 35 blocks, Benin (Frontier) with three blocks, Anambra (Frontier), with four blocks, Benue (Frontier), with four blocks and Chad (Frontier) with four blocks on offer.
Mrs Eyesan explained that the licensing process would follow five stages: Registration and pre-qualification, data acquisition, technical bid submission, evaluation, and a commercial bid conference, with only bidders that meet strong technical and financial criteria progressing.
The NUPRC executive said the 2025 Licensing Round represented a deliberate effort by Nigeria to reposition its upstream petroleum sector for long-term investment, transparency, and value creation, amid increasing global competition for capital.
She said that energy security and supply resilience had become key global economic and geopolitical priorities, while investment capital was increasingly selective and disciplined.
“Our national priority is clear: to attract capital, grow reserves, and improve production in a responsible and sustainable manner.
“A structured and transparent licensing round is essential to achieving these objectives.
“The NUPRC is legally mandated to conduct licensing rounds in a periodic, open, transparent, and fully competitive manner and the entire 2025 process will be governed strictly by published rules,” she said.
The official further revealed that, with the approval of President Bola Tinubu, signature bonuses for the 2025 round have been set within a range designed to lower entry barriers and prioritise technical capability, credible work programmes, financial strength, and speed to production.
She emphasised that the bid process will fully comply with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and remain open to public and institutional scrutiny through the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) and other oversight agencies.
By Adedapo Adesanya
Four price losers weakened the NASD Over-the-Counter (OTC) Securities Exchange by 0.06 per cent on Wednesday, January 28.
The decliners were led by Afriland Properties Plc, which lost N1.53 to close at N14.50 per share compared with the previous day’s N16.03 per share, Geo-Fluids Plc dropped 50 Kobo to end at N6.35 per unit versus Tuesday’s price of N6.85 per unit, Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) Plc declined by 35 Kobo to N40.15 per share from N40.50 per share, and Food Concepts Plc decreased by 28 Kobo to sell at N2.72 per unit versus N3.00 per unit.
As a result, the market capitalisation of the bourse went down by N1.3 billion to N2.173 trillion from the N2.174 trillion it ended a day earlier, and the NASD Unlisted Security Index (NSI) fell by 2.17 points to 3,632.56 points from Tuesday’s 3,634.73 points.
In the midst of the profit-taking, some securities witnessed bargain-hunting, with Nipco Plc gaining N22.00 to close at N242.00 per share versus N220.00 per share of the previous session, FrieslandCampina Wamco Nigeria Plc improved by N4.00 to N68.00 per unit from N64.00 per unit, and Acorn Petroleum Plc added 8 Kobo to finish at N1.38 per share versus N1.30 per share.
At midweek, the volume of securities transacted by the market participants surged by 259.9 per cent to 4.7 million units from 1.3 million units, but the value of securities went down by 8.6 per cent to N52.4 million from N57.3 million and the number of deals shrank by 15.8 per cent to 32 deals from 38 deals.
CSCS Plc remained the most traded stock by value (year-to-date) with 15.3 million units exchanged for N622.4 million, followed by FrieslandCampina Wamco Nigeria Plc with 1.6 million units valued at N108.4 million, and Geo-Fluids Plc with 8.9 million units worth N60.3 million.
CSCS Plc was also the most traded stock by volume (year-to-date) with 15.3 million units sold for N622.4 million, followed by Geo-Fluids Plc with 8.9 million units exchanged for N60.3 million, and Mass Telecom Innovation Plc with 8.4 million units traded for N3.4 million.
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