Business
Expert Predicts Rebound In Price Of Stocks
Chief Executive Officer, Foresight Securities and Investment Ltd, Mr.Charles Fakrogha on Wednesday predicted a gradual rebound in the prices of stocks.
Fakrogha told newsmen in Lagos that it was a natural phenomenon that prices of stocks could depreciate very low to a certain stage, before it would start rebounding.
According to him, the little appreciation noticed in the prices of stocks in the past two days was as a result of the decline in prices, which have started to rise.
He said that the appreciation of the stock prices would continue to be slow, until the electioneering period elapsed.
Fakrogha said that this would continue until the second quarter of the year when the capital market was expected to stabilise.
He said that the electioneering activities and the fall in the value of the naira and crude oil prices had made local and foreign investors to withdraw or sell-off their shares.
Fakrogha said that the situation had caused sell pressure in the market that had resulted to a fall in the prices of stocks.
“A significant appreciation in the prices of stocks is likely to be observed in the market in the second quarter, when the election might be over and the economy becomes generally stabilised,” he said.
Meanwhile, the market All-Share Index for the second consecutive day improved further by 128.21 points.
The Index rose by 0.43 per cent, to close at 29,907.66, in contrast to the 29,779.45 achieved on Tuesday.
The market capitalisation, which opened at N9.945 trillion, grew by N16 billion or 0.16 per cent, to close at N9.961 trillion.
Guinness topped the gainers’ table with N2.99, to close at N131.99 per share.
Forte Oil followed with a gain of N2.98, to close at N227.98, while Unilever gained N1 to close at N34.5 per share.
PZ Cussons appreciated by 75k, to close at N27, while Seplat rose by 51k to close at N301.51 per share.
Conversely, Wapco Lafarge topped the losers’ chart with a loss of 95k, to close at N81.05 per share.
Nigerian Breweries trailed with a loss of 89k to close at N144, while Flour Mill lost 8k to close at N39 per share.
Oando Oil depreciated by 28k to close at N15.6, while Redstarex declined by 18k to close at N3.44 per share.
Reports say that a total volume of 242.760 million shares worth N3.670 billion were traded in 3,892 deals.
This was in contrast to the 468.181 million shares valued at N4.66 billion traded in 4,346 deals on Tuesday.
Access Bank emerged the most traded stock with 31.24 million shares worth N167.83 million.
It was followed by Unilever with 28.97 million shares valued at N1.01 billion, while Diamond Bank traded 27.13 million shares worth N107.66 million.
General Manager, EMS Nigeria, Mr Osadolar Eboigbodin (left) conferring with PHCCIMA Financial Secretary, Mr Prince A. Ogidigben, during PHCCIMA council meeting in Port Harcourt, recently. Photo: Nwiueh Donatus Ken
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) yesterday said 33 banks have met new minimum capital requirements under its recapitalisation programme, raising a combined N4.65 trillion to strengthen the financial system.
The apex bank disclosed this in a statement marking the end of the exercise, which commenced in March 2024 and drew participation from domestic and foreign investors.
The statement was jointly signed by the Director of Banking Supervision, Olubukola Akinwunmi, and the Acting Director of Corporate Communications, Hakama Sidi-Ali.
The statement said “Over the 24-month period, Nigerian banks raised a total of N4.65tn in new capital, strengthening the resilience of the financial system and enhancing its capacity to support the economy.”
The regulator said local investors accounted for 72.55 per cent of the funds, while international investors contributed 27.45 per cent, reflecting continued confidence in the sector.
Commenting on the outcome, the CBN Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, said in the statement, “The recapitalisation programme has strengthened the capital base of Nigerian banks, reinforcing the resilience of the financial system and ensuring it is well-positioned to support economic growth and withstand domestic and external shocks.”
It added that while 33 banks have complied with the new thresholds, a few others are still undergoing regulatory and legal processes.
The statement noted, “The CBN confirms that 33 banks have met the revised minimum capital requirements established under the programme.
“A limited number of institutions remain subject to ongoing regulatory and judicial processes, which are being addressed through established supervisory and legal frameworks.
“All banks remain fully operational, ensuring continued access to banking services for customers.”
The apex bank stressed that the exercise was executed without disrupting banking operations, ensuring uninterrupted access to services nationwide.
It further stated that key prudential indicators have improved, particularly capital adequacy ratios, which remain above global Basel benchmarks.
The minimum ratios were set at 10 per cent for regional and national banks and 15 per cent for banks with international licences.
The bank also said the recapitalisation coincided with a gradual exit from regulatory forbearance, a move it said improved asset quality, strengthened balance sheet transparency, and enhanced overall stability.
To preserve these gains, the CBN said it has reinforced its risk-based supervision framework, mandating periodic stress tests and adequate capital buffers for banks.
It added that supervisory and prudential guidelines would be reviewed regularly to strengthen governance, risk management, and resilience across the sector.
“The successful completion of the programme establishes a stronger and more resilient banking system, better positioned to support lending, mobilise savings, and withstand domestic and global shocks,” the statement said.
The Tide learnt that foreign capital inflows into Nigeria’s banking sector rose by 93.25 per cent year-on-year to $13.53bn in 2025, up from $7.00bn recorded in 2024, amid the ongoing recapitalisation drive by the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Data from the National Bureau of Statistics capital importation report showed that the banking sector remained the dominant destination for foreign capital, accounting for $13.53bn of the total $23.22bn recorded in 2025, representing 58.26 per cent of total inflows, up from 56.81 per cent in 2024.
The surge reflects heightened investor interest in Nigerian banks as they raised fresh capital to meet new regulatory thresholds introduced by the apex bank, with industry-wide recapitalisation activities driving large-scale inflows across all quarters of the year.
However, the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE) recently raised concerns over weak credit flows to small businesses despite recent banking sector reforms.
The CPPE, led by a renowned economist, Dr Muda Yusuf, acknowledged that the ongoing bank recapitalisation exercise by the CBN has strengthened the financial system, but warned that the benefits have yet to translate into meaningful support for the real economy.
The facility will be disbursed through participating Microfinance Institutions (MFIs), which will in turn extend the loans to their customers, particularly SMEs, as they directly interface with businesses at the grassroots level.
The Executive Director of COMCIN, Mr. Micheal Ogbaa who represented the Chairman, Dr. Iredele Oyedele (FCA, FCCA), said the initiative is designed to strengthen micro-lending institutions and expand access to finance for grassroots entrepreneurs, particularly women and youths in the informal sector.
Ogbaa explained that COMCIN does not lend directly to individuals but works through its network of microfinance and cooperative institutions, which in turn provide loans to end users.
“We came together to advocate for the microfinance ecosystem. Commercial banks often exclude people at the grassroots, but our members are positioned to reach them. This facility will empower them to do more,” he said.
He noted that the loan scheme offers low interest rates and flexible repayment plans, making it more accessible to small business owners.
According to him, about 90 percent of beneficiaries are expected to be women, who play a key role in sustaining families and driving economic activities at the local level.
“Our focus is on traders, service providers, and players in the informal sector. These are the real movers of the economy. By supporting them, we are strengthening families and contributing to national development,” he added.
Ogbaa disclosed that eligible SMEs with proven integrity and business track records could access up to N5 million each through participating micro-lending institutions. The rollout has commenced in Lagos and will extend to Abuja, Enugu, and other regions, including the South-West, South-East, and North-East.
He said 12 micro-lending institutions have already benefited from the scheme, while 85 applications are currently being processed under the pilot phase.
“Our target is to reach at least 100,000 SMEs nationwide. We are building a platform that connects funding partners with credible micro-lending institutions, creating a reliable channel for financial inclusion,” Ogbaa said.
He added that COMCIN is also working to attract larger funding pools from development finance institutions and private investors, noting that successful implementation of the pilot phase would boost confidence and unlock more capital for SMEs.
“We have seen encouraging testimonies from early beneficiaries. As we demonstrate transparency and efficiency, more institutions will be willing to channel funds through us,” he said.
