Economy
Equities Market Ends March With N516bn Surge
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The Nigerian equities market has ended March, 2026 on a positive note, with a N516 billion gain, as investors showed renewed confidence in the market, particularly in large-cap stocks.
The All Share Index (ASI) gained by 803.35 points, representing a growth of 0.40 per cent to close at 201,287.78 points. Also, market capitalisation gained N516 billion to close at N129.210 trillion.
The upturn was impacted by gains recorded in medium and large capitalised stocks, amongst which are; MTN Nigeria Communications (MTNN), PZ Cussons Nigeria, Lafarge Africa, Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) and Cadbury Nigeria.
On market outlook, Imperial Asset Managers Limited said, “looking ahead, we expect the market to remain mixed in the short term, with investor attention increasingly pivoting to first quarter 2026 earnings releases and dividend declarations as the corporate reporting season gathers momentum. Sector rotationinto Oil & Gas already visible in today’s session may persist, alongside selective interest in insurance and growth-oriented counters that have underperformed the broader market year-to-date.
“We maintain our selective investment stance and advise investors to focus on fundamentally sound, dividend-paying stocks with strong earnings visibility, while leveraging any near-term price pullbacks as accumulation opportunities for medium- to long-term value creation.”
Investor sentiment remained broadly negative, as market breadth closed at 20 gainers against 49 decliners. Multiverse Mining & Exploration recorded the highest price gain of 9.88 per cent to close at N18.35, per share. International Energy Insurance followed with a gain of 9.49 per cent to close at N3.23, while Chams Holding Company rose by 8.40 per cent to close at N4.39, per share.
MTNN appreciated by 5.85 per cent to close at N760.00, while PZ Cussons Nigeria up by 4.59 per cent to close at N82.00, per share.
On the other hand, NPF Microfinance Bank led the losers’ chart by 10 per cent to close at N6.30, per share. Skyway Aviation Handling Company followed with a decline of 9.97 per cent to close at N143.10, while Zichis Agro Allied Industries declined by 9.96 per cent to close at N13.65, per share.
Mutual Benefits Assurance depreciated by 9.91 per cent to close at N4.09, while RT Briscoe declined by 9.90 per cent to close at N9.65, per share.
Meanwhile, the total volume traded increased by 49.63 per cent to 887.683 million units, valued at N35.560 billion, and exchanged in 53,436 deals. Transactions in the shares of Wema Bank topped the activity chart with 184.133 million shares valued at N4.788 billion. VFD Group followed with 103.560 million shares worth N1.191 billion, while Secure Electronic Technology traded 59.331 million shares valued at N63.755 million.
Chams Holdings traded 38.558 million shares valued at N151.971 million, while Access Holdings sold 27.768 million shares worth N720.086 million.
Telecommunication operators in Nigeria and other parts of Africa are expected to inject over $76 billion as capital expenditure (CapEx) into their various networks in five years.
GSMA said this projection is for between 2025 and 2030. It, however, said that for the investment to translate into improved coverage, quality and capacity, there is a need for an improved regulatory and cost environment.
According to the telecom body, markets that have reduced rights-of-way costs, enabled infrastructure sharing and provided regulatory predictability are seeing faster and broader capital deployment.
Infrastructure-sharing models in particular are emerging as a structural solution for extending coverage into areas where individual operator economics alone cannot justify the investment, it said.
MTN Nigeria’s quarterly CapEx this year has been extremely aggressive, starting with N390.3 billion in Q1 and reaching N620.5 billion by H1, while Airtel Africa invested $389 million in Q1 2026 alone, its highest first quarter rollout.
Both operators are front loading investments to expand 4G/5G coverage and fibre infrastructure.
For FY 2025, MTN Nigeria’s CapEx surged to N1 trillion, more than doubling from N443.5 billion in FY 2024. This was driven by aggressive investment in broadband coverage and spectrum leasing.
CapEx intensity stood at 19.3 per cent of revenue, reflecting heavy reinvestment into infrastructure.
Airtel Africa CapEx rose to $884 million in FY 2026, a 31.9 per cent increase year-on-year. The company rolled out over 3,250 new sites and expanded fibre by 3,200 km, with plans to accelerate spending to $1.1 billion in FY 2027.
Both operators are scaling aggressively to meet surging data demand and smartphone penetration.
MTN’s investment intensity is higher relative to revenue, while Airtel is focusing on pan-African expansion with Nigeria as a key growth driver.
For FY 2026, Airtel reported 47.5 per cent constant currency revenue growth in Nigeria, showing strong returns on its infrastructure push.
Airtel Africa is balancing pan African expansion with Nigeria as a key growth driver. Its CapEx is more diversified across regions but still heavily weighted toward network densification.
The National Insurance Commission, NAICOM, has revoked the operating licence of Nigeria Reinsurance Corporation over its failure to meet the statutory Minimum Capital Requirement, MCR, and appointed Dr. Muiz Banire, SAN, as Receiver/Provisional Liquidator to wind up the company’s affairs.
The appointment took effect on August 3, 2026, following the cancellation of the corporation’s certificate of registration by the insurance regulator.
In a public notice dated August 4, 2026, Banire said he was appointed by NAICOM, in exercise of its statutory powers, to take charge of the receivership and liquidation of Nigeria Reinsurance Corporation (RR-002).
According to the notice, the company’s licence was revoked after it failed to comply with the prescribed Minimum Capital Requirement applicable to its category of licence within the stipulated compliance period, in accordance with the Nigerian Insurance Industry Reform Act (NIIRA) 2025 and other extant laws, regulations and guidelines.
Banire said his appointment empowers him to immediately trace, recover, secure and take possession of all assets belonging to the company, collate and settle its liabilities in accordance with the NIIRA 2025, liaise with NAICOM on matters relating to the liquidation, and submit periodic reports to the Commission.
He also directed banks, financial institutions, insurance policyholders and members of the public not to honour any instruction relating to the company except those issued by him or persons expressly authorised by him.
As part of the liquidation process, Banire announced that all bank accounts belonging to Nigeria Reinsurance Corporation had been frozen with immediate effect pending further directives from his office.
He warned that any transaction carried out without his authorisation would be at the risk of the parties involved.
“Members of the general public, banks and financial institutions in Nigeria are hereby informed that no financial transactions should be conducted pursuant to any instruction from anyone except those that I issue as the Receiver/Provisional Liquidator,” the notice stated.
According to him, only instructions bearing his official seal and stamp as a legal practitioner, or those issued by persons duly authorised by him, will be recognised throughout the liquidation process.
The regulatory action marks a significant enforcement measure by NAICOM and underscores the Commission’s resolve to ensure that insurance and reinsurance companies operating in Nigeria comply with statutory capital requirements designed to safeguard policyholders and strengthen the financial stability of the industry.
The liquidation process is expected to involve the recovery and realisation of the company’s assets, verification and settlement of valid claims and liabilities, and the orderly winding up of its affairs in accordance with the provisions of the law.
The public notice serves as formal notification to policyholders, creditors, banks and other stakeholders that all dealings concerning Nigeria Reinsurance Corporation must henceforth, be channelled through the Receiver/Provisional Liquidator until the liquidation process is concluded.
The Black Market Dollar-to-Naira Exchange Rate for 5th August 2026 Can Be Accessed Below.
NOTE: The exchange rate changes hourly. It depends on the volume of dollars available and the Demand. This means…you can buy or sell 1 dollar at a certain rate, and the price can change (high or low) within hours.
The official naira black market exchange rate in Nigeria today, including the Black Market rates, Bureau De Change (BDC), and CBN rates.
The exchange rate fluctuates hourly based on the supply and demand of dollars in the market.
What’s the dollar to naira black market today, 5th August 2026?
The exchange rate for a dollar to naira at Lagos Parallel Market (Black Market) players sell a dollar for ₦1425 and buy at ₦1410 on Wednesday, 5th August, 2026, according to sources at Bureau De Change (BDC).
Please note that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) does not recognize the parallel market (black market), as it has directed individuals who want to engage in Forex to approach their respective banks.
Dollar to Naira Black Market Rate Today
Dollar to Naira (USD to NGN) Black Market Exchange Rate Today
Selling Rate ₦1425
Buying Rate ₦1410
Dollar to Naira CBN Rate Today
Dollar to Naira (USD to NGN) CBN Rate Today
Highest Rate ₦1364
Lowest Rate ₦1361
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