Business

Exchange Moves 1,202bn Shares

Published

10 years ago

February 24, 2016

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (middle), with delegation from the United Kingdom Trade Mission, during its visit to the Presidential Villa in Abuja, recently

Investors on the floor of
the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) moved a total of 1.202 billion shares, valued at N9.641 billion in 13,712 deals between February 15th -19th, 2016.
The performance of traded equities however depreciated as the turnover was in constrast to the traded total shares of 1.407 billion, worth N17.277 billion which investors exchanged in 14.914 deals.
On Monday 15/2/16, in investor 283.521 million shares, valued at N2.923 billion exchanged hands in 3,030 deals. Tuesday saw the movement of 290.944 million shares, valued at N2.881 billion in 2,934 deals.
Investors traded a total of 335.612 million shares, worth N1.952 billion, in 2,847 deals on Wednesday (17/2/2016). On Thursday, a total of 119,339 million shares, worth N959.773 million exchanged hands in 2,464 deals.
The end of the week on Friday was the lowest performance as only 172.394 million shares, valued at N925.393 million exchanged hands in 2,437 deals.
According to NSE records, the financial services industry led the market activity chart by volume, trading a total of 1.005 billion shares, worth N6.471 billion that exchanged hands in 8,313 deals. These performances represent 84 and 67 percent of the total turnover of equities by volume and value respectively.
The consumer goods industry followed with 54.333 million shares worth N2.114 billion in 2,365 deals. The performance of the financial services sector was boosted by the activities of Zenith International Bank Plc, Guaranty Trust Bank Plc and United Bank for Africa Plc which moved a total of 500.360 million shares valued at N5.449 billion in 4.011 deals.
According to exchange records, the performance of these banks represent 41.63 percent and 56.52 percent of the sector’s turnover volume and value respectively.
ETPs
Investors also traded a total of 93,518 units of Exchange Traded Products (ETPs) worth N1.158 million executed in 48 deals, as against a total of 115.641 units worth N1.285 million transacted last week in 28 deals.
Bonds
The federal government’s 150.000 units bonds worth N169.326 million were also traded in two deals, compared to a total of N39, 340 units of both state (1) and federal government Bond (2), valued at N44.246 million executed the previous week in 3 deals.
Index Movement
The Exchange All-share Index and market capitalisation also depreciated by 1.04 percent closing the week’s performance at 24, 432.51 points and N8.403 trillion respectively.
Naira Crisis
The crisis rocking the financial sector has depend as exchange rate rose to over N370 per dollar.
The foreign reserve also declined by $1.14 billion. Non-performing loans (NPL) in the commercial banks, records revealed averaged 4.7 percent last year and may increase to 10 percent in the medium team by 2016. This is due to the banks explosure to oil and gas sector.
The NPLs in 17 banks currently are estimated at over N9.9 trillion, though World Bank’s loan to Nigeria also stands at over $ 6.29 billion.
At the black market, one US dollar is trading at N385, compared to a year ago when one dollar was exchanged at N160.
The present situation became serious about eight months after the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) came up with its foreign exchange restrictions policy on 41 raw material items, the ripple effect has turned out more catastrophic than planned.
Meanwhile the organised private sector and manufacturers are predicting that if foreign exchange available for the import of their raw materials continue to be scare it would lead to the closure of most factories and the movement of some companies to near-by countries, deepening unemployment situation in Nigeria.
Some stakeholders in the financial sub-sector had also urged the president to convene an emergency economic summit to present what they called looming economic recession.

Business

Fidelity Bank To Empower Women With Sustainable Entrepreneurship Skills, HAP2.0

Published

3 days ago

February 27, 2026

The Tide

Leading financial institution, Fidelity Bank Plc, has announced the launch of the second edition of its flagship women-empowerment initiative, the HerFidelity Apprenticeship Programme 2.0 (HAP 2.0).

According to the report, the programme is designed to equip women with practical, income?generating skills and structured pathways to entrepreneurship.

Accordingly, the HAP 2.0 will build on the success of its inaugural edition held in 2023.

During media chat with journalists to herald the launch of HAP 2.0, the Divisional Head, Product Development, Fidelity Bank Plc, Osita Ede, explained that the initiative has been enhanced to deliver greater impact.

He said HerFidelity Apprenticeship Programme 2.0 reflects their commitment to continuous improvement, having evaluated feedback from the first edition, they have returned with stronger partnerships and deeper mentorship programmes to ensure that women acquire not just skills, but sustainable economic opportunities.

Mr Ede, who said the programme is guided with real?world learning, also said that participants will undergo intensive apprenticeship training under reputable institutions and industry experts across selected fields such as hair styling, shoe making, auto mechatronics, and interior decoration.

Additionally, he said HerFidelity Apprenticeship Programme 2.0 goes beyond skills acquisition by offering participants a wide range of business advisory services.

These include business and financial literacy training, mentorship support throughout the apprenticeship journey, access to Fidelity Bank’s women?focused and SME financial solutions, as well as guidance on business formalisation and growth strategies.

Emphasizing the bank’s vision further, Ede said: “By integrating structured mentorship with entrepreneurial development, Fidelity Bank is positioning women not just as trainees, but as future employers, innovators, and economic contributors within their communities.

This aligns with our mandate to help individuals grow, businesses thrive, and economies prosper”.

It is noteworthy that interested participants are encouraged to indicate their interest by visiting https://bit.ly/Apprenticeshipbyherfidelity.

It is important to note that Fidelity Bank Plc is ranked among the best banks in Nigeria, with a full-fledged Commercial Deposit Money Bank serving over 10 million customers through digital banking channels, with 255 business offices in Nigeria and United Kingdom subsidiary, FidBank UK Limited.

It is reported that the Bank is a recipient of multiple local and international Awards, including the 2024 Excellence in Digital Transformation & MSME Banking Award by BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards, the 2024 Most Innovative Mobile Banking Application award for its Fidelity Mobile App by Global Business Outlook, and the 2024 Most Innovative Investment Banking Service Provider award by Global Brands Magazine.

By: Nkpemenyie mcdominic, Lagos

Business

President Tinubu Approves Extension Ban On Raw Shea Nut Export

Published

3 days ago

February 27, 2026

The Tide

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the extension of the ban on the export of raw shea nuts for a further one year, from February 26, 2026, to February 25, 2027.

Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on (Information and Strategy) who disclosed this on Wednesday, February 25, 2026 stressed the Federal Government remains committed to policies that promote inclusive growth, local manufacturing, and position Nigeria as a competitive participant in global agricultural value chains.

The decision underscores the administration’s commitment to advancing industrial development, strengthening domestic value addition, and supporting the objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda.

The ban aims to deepen processing capacity within Nigeria, enhance livelihoods in shea-producing communities, and promote the growth of Nigerian exports anchored on value-added products.

To further these objectives, President Tinubu has authorised the two Ministers of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, and the Presidential Food Security Coordination Unit (PFSCU), to coordinate the implementation of a unified, evidence-based national framework that aligns industrialisation, trade, and investment priorities across the shea nut value chain.

He also approved the adoption of an export framework established by the Nigerian Commodity Exchange (NCX) and the withdrawal of all waivers allowing the direct export of raw shea nuts.

The President directed that any excess supply of raw shea nuts should be exported exclusively through the NCX framework, in accordance with the approved guidelines.

By: Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos

Business

Crisis Response: EU-project Delivers New Vet. Clinic To Katsina Govt.

Published

3 days ago

February 27, 2026

The Tide

A Non – Governmental Organisation (NGO), Mercy Corps, has handed over a newly constructed Veterinary Clinic and a rehabilitated structure in Danmusa Local Government Area (LGA), to the Katsina State Government.

The project, which included a 20,000-litre capacity upgraded solar-powered borehole, was executed under the European Union-funded Conflict Prevention, Crisis Response and Resilience (CPCRR) project.

The initiative is being implemented in collaboration with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), and the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD).

Speaking during the handover ceremony, Wednesday, the Commissioner for Livestock and Animal Husbandry in Kastina State, Prof Ahmed Bakori, commended Mercy Corps and its partners on such commitment to support peace and development in the state.

While praising the state government for restoring peace and stability, the said project would improve livestock services and the welfare of farmers who depend on animal health services for livelihood.

Bakori buttressed that improved security in the state had enabled development partners to implement meaningful interventions in communities affected earlier.

He said, “Recently, Gov. Dikko Radda was in South Africa to explore strategies for boosting livestock production and strengthening the livestock value chain in line with the government’s economic development agenda.”

In his remarks, Mercy Corps Senior Programme Manager, Mr Philip Ikita, expressed satisfaction on the timely and successful implementation of the project in Danmusa.

He stated that although Mercy Corps began its operations in the state in 2023, security challenges, had initially prevented the organisation from accessing some areas, including Danmusa.

Ikita said that the project would improve access to essential services, strengthen livelihoods and contribute to sustaining peace in the community.

“The project involves the upgrade of a veterinary clinic from a two room structure into a fully functional six office facility, embarked on to strengthen livestock healthcare services in the area.

“The programme builds on the success of the Conflict Mitigation and Community Reconciliation (CMCR) project and seeks to promote long-term peace and stability in Northwest Nigeria.

“It works across 48 communities in Zamfara and Katsina States, addressing the root causes of conflict, enhancing community resilience, and strengthening socio-economic recovery,” he said.

Also, the District Head of Danmusa, Ahmadu Abubakar, expressed appreciation to Mercy Corps and its partners for the intervention, describing the projects as timely and beneficial.

Earlier, the Chairman of Danmusa LGA, Ibrahim Na-Mama, represented by his Deputy, Musa Muhammad, expressed appreciation for the projects, assuring that the council would support efforts to safeguard them.