Business
Market Indicators And FGN Bonds Drop
On speculation that foreign investors’ exist as a result of alleged easing of US Federal Reserve’s Stimulus Package among others, the twin market performance indicators on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), the all share index and the market capitalisation last week finished on the red as both lost well over 5 per cent respectively.
In specific terms, the all share index otherwise called the composite index closed at 36,4644.39 basic points from an opening of 37,249.93 basis points while the market capitalisation of listed equities finished at N11.71 trillion from an opening value of N11.97 trillion.
The first trading day on the Nigerian bourse during the week under review finished on a negative note having recorded 0.44 percent lost. The bears’ hold on the market continued the next day as the market dipped further by 0.16 percent.
The bulls took over on Wednesday as the market garnered 0.30 percent on the strength of highly capitalised stocks.
The bears took over the market on Thursday as the market depreciated by 0.46 percent while on Friday it recorded a further plunge of 1.35 percent.
A total of 1.63billion units of shares worth N21.68billion were exchanged by investors in 30,952 transactions. The week’s activity chart was led by the financial service sector having recorded a turnover of 1.10 billion units of shares valued at N10.55 billion traded in 16,479 deals which represents 67.67 percent, 48.67 percent and 53.24 percent of the overall traded volume, value and deals respectively.
The conglomerate sector emerged second on the activity chart with a turnover volume of 141.20 million units of shares valued at N412.13 million in 1,046 deals contributing 8.6 percent, 1.90 percent and 3.38 percent of the total equity turnover volume, value and deals in that order.
The Consumer Goods Sector came third with a recoded turnover volume of 141.02 million units of shares at the cost of N8.10 billion traded in 6,365 transactions.
According to the NSE weekly report transactions in the shares of Zenith Bank Plc, Sterling Bank Plc and Transactional Corporation of Nigeria Plc accounted for 419.40 million units of shares worth N3.542 billion in 3,173 trades contributing 25.72 percent, 76.34 percent and 10.25 percent to the overall equity market turnover volume, value and deals respectively.
A total of 32 stocks appreciated in their prices during the week under review while 49 stocks depreciated in their prices and 112 share prices remained unchanged.
Meanwhile, major equity markets around the globe were upbeats as their indices gained marginally. The NASDAQ, S $ P500 and Dow Jones rose by 1.26 percent, 1.02 percent and 0.78 percent respectively during the review week.
In Europe, the German Dax, FTSE100 and France CAC 40 increased by 0.66 percent, 0.78 percent and 1.20 percent respectively.
Nikkei 225 rose by 4.57 percent while Hangbeng and BSE Sensex, all in the Asia Pacific region increased by 2.4 percent and 0.57 percent in that order.
Those on the downside were Brazilian Bovespa which reduced by 2.62 percent while Russia’s RTS Index dropped by 0.68 percent.
The Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) bonds to be issued during the third quarter of 2013 will range between N140 billion and N250 billion according to Debt Management office (DMO) calendar.
In comparism with a range of N200 billion to N280 billion issued during the corresponding period in 2012, the range was on the downside though the actual bond issued was N210 billion.
The DMO stated that, in the next quarter, the 5-year and 20-year bonds would be reopened even as a new 3-year bond would be issued.
The Treasury bill calendar revealed that a total of N751 billion worth of bills across all maturities are to be issued during the third quarter of this year meanwhile the actual amount of treasury bills issued during the third quarter of 2012 was N1.538 billion.
According to market analysts, the drop in the amount of FGN bonds to be issued reflects government’s plan to reduce domestic borrowing.
The over the counter bond market last week saw more sell off than bargain hunting as the 20-year, 10 percent FGN July 2030 instrument dipping by N0.69 while yield rose to 13.29 percent from 13.69 percent. The 10-year 7 percent FGN October 2019 paper depreciated by N0.54 even as yield surged from 13.01 percent to 13.18 percent. The 5-year 4 percent FGN April 2015 bond tanked by N0.07 having yield rose from 13.41 percent to 13.56 percent.
On the flipside the 7-year 9.25 percent FGN September 2014 debt paper gained N0.01 even as the yield declined from 13.39 percent to 13.44 percent.
In a concerted effort to tackle racketeering and reduce inflated transportation costs in the Nigeria’s seaports, Trucks Transit Parks Ltd. (TTP) has trained Licensed Customs Agents and Freight Forwarders on the use of its Ètò electronic call-up system.
The training was held recently at Customs Processing Centre (CPC) Auditorium, Apapa, Lagos, in collaboration with the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and supported by the leadership of the Joint Association of Licensed Customs Agents and Freight Forwarders (JALCAFF), Apapa Command.
Speaking at the event, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu expressed appreciation to TTP for facilitating the training and emphasized the need for customs agents to take personal ownership of the Ètò booking process.
“I want to thank TTP for this impactful training. I encourage all customs agents to begin doing their own bookings directly. By doing so, they can take back power from the unscrupulous elements exploiting their lack of knowledge, selling tickets at highly inflated prices,” Olomu declared.
He noted that empowering agents with hands-on training was key to dismantling racketeering networks that have plagued access to the ports and frustrated efficient logistics processes.
Also speaking, the Chairman, Apapa Chapter of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Chief Emeka Chukwumalu, said the engagement was critical to the ongoing push to reduce cargo transportation costs and ease business operations at the Apapa Port.
According to a freight forwarder, “The training is basically for us to have awareness of the operations of the Ètò call-up system through TTP. We also want to brainstorm on ways to reduce the high cost of cargo transportation in Apapa Port.
“This training opened our eyes to how simple it is to book tickets ourselves. We now know the right steps to follow and how to avoid falling victim to fraudsters.”
Earlier, Head of Operations at TTP, Mr. Irabor Akonoman, talked on common misconceptions about ticket pricing, reaffirming that the cost of Ètò bookings had remained consistent since its inception.
“The official price remains the same since inception. What people are paying higher amounts for is the manipulation by racketeers”.
Towards strengthening small businesses and promoting a more supportive regulatory environment, the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) says it will hold the 2025 edition of its flagship MSMEs Fair on Tuesday (May 6, 2025).
The event, themed, “Galvanising MSMEs for Economic Growth and Stability”, will take place at NECA House in Lagos.
According to NECA’s Director-General, Mr Adewale Smatt Oyerinde, the fair seeks to provide micro, small, and medium enterprises with essential tools, resources, and strategic networks to thrive in Nigeria’s challenging business climate.
He emphasised the vital role MSMEs play in national development, describing them as the “lifeblood of Nigeria’s economy.”
Oyerinde noted that the fair is designed to offer entrepreneurs practical solutions to navigate economic uncertainties, regulatory hurdles, and business scalability issues.
A major attraction of this year’s event is the keynote address by the CEO of FATE Foundation, Mrs. Adenike Adeyemi, a prominent advocate for MSME development.
She is expected to share transformative insights on innovative strategies for sustaining and growing small businesses in Nigeria.
A unique feature of the fair will be interactive sessions with key regulatory bodies. Entrepreneurs will engage directly with agencies responsible for licensing, compliance, taxation, and business registration.
NECA said these sessions aim to demystify bureaucratic processes and foster a more enabling business environment.
It also said the fair will provide a platform for entrepreneurs to exhibit their products and services, connect with potential investors, and explore new markets.
It added that participants would gain critical knowledge on digital transformation, access to finance, and strategies for sustainable business growth.
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· NECA stressed that the fair aligns with its broader mission of promoting enterprise development and economic resilience.
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· “By empowering MSMEs with the right support and information, the organisation aims to stimulate job creation, innovation, and long-term economic stability”, NECA said.
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· The 2025 MSMEs Fair is expected to attract a wide range of stakeholders, including financiers, tech experts, regulators, and industry leaders, all united in advancing the growth of Nigeria’s MSME sector.
The Lagos State Commissioner for Transport, Mr Oluwaseun Osiyemi, says over two million passengers have been transported on the Blue Line Rail since its launch, while state-run buses move an average of 42,000 commuters daily.
Osiyemi, who disclosed this during the Year 2025 Ministerial press briefing held at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa, on Tuesday, noted that the Lagos State Transport Policy, launched in May 2024, was now in its implementation phase, focusing on inclusivity, safety, affordability, and sustainability.
“On rail development, Phase One of the Blue Line (Marina to Mile 2) has served over two million passengers, with Phase Two (Mile 2 to Okokomaiko) in progress.
“Phase One of the Red Line (Agbado to Oyingbo) is now operational with eight stations and additional rolling stocks procured, while Phase two (Oyingbo to link Blue Line at National Theatre) is underway”, he said.
The Commissioner said in the state-owned bus operations, over 60 million commuters have been served since 2019, with daily ridership exceeding 40,000.
He also said plans were on to deploy new buses with Quality Bus Corridors under construction, adding that the Abule=Egba Bus Terminal had also been commissioned.
“For water transport, 15 locally-built Omibus Ferries have been launched and are in operation, with the Ijegun Egba Terminal now open.
“The OMI EKO project, in partnership with the French Development Agency (AFD), will deliver 25 terminals and 78 electric ferries.
“Over 280,000 passengers have used ferry services in the past year, and 12 boats have been upgraded to meet safety standards”, he said.
On road infrastructure and traffic management, the Commissioner said 49 junction improvement projects had been completed, including ongoing ones at Ikorodu, Iju, as well as Allen-Opebi-Toyin axis.
He added that solar-powered Traffic Signal Lights, road markings covering 67.9km, new medians, laybys, and 3,941 parking lots had also been provided.
Additionally, Osiyemi announced that the deployed Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras had detected over 470,000 traffic violations and that the Vehicle Inspection Service issued over one million roadworthiness certificates.
He also said that the Lagos State Drivers’ Institute trained more than 32,000 drivers in the past 13 months.
The event marked the second anniversary of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second term, showcasing major strides in the transport sector under the THEMES+ agenda.
Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos