CAPITAL MARKET
VFD Group Proposes N0.25 Dividend, Promises Stronger Return
The Board of Directors of VFD Group Plc has proposed a final dividend of N0.25 per share, translating to an annualised return of 10per cent for shareholders who participated in the December 2025 rights issue at N10.00 per share. The proposed dividend is subject to shareholder approval at the upcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM). The board, therefore, maintains a balanced approach of rewarding shareholders in the short term, while retaining sufficient earnings to fund future growth and enhance overall valuation. —-Thisday
Stock Market Extends Gains As Capitalisation Crosses N141trn
The Nigerian equities market sustained its bullish momentum, extending gains since the start of the week as sustained buying interest pushed the overall market capitalisation above N141 trillion. The All-Share Index gained by 1,336.39 per cent, representing a growth of 0.61 per cent to close at 219,586.20 points. Similarly, the overall market capitalisation value rose by N861 billion to close at N141.384 trillion.—-Leadership
FG plans N700 billion bond sale in April as rates climb
The Federal Government, through the Debt Management Office (DMO), plans to raise N700 billion from the domestic debt market in April 2026, maintaining an aggressive borrowing stance as yields on long-term instruments remain elevated. Details from the April 2026 FGN Bond Offer Circular show that the offering will be conducted via auction on April 27, with settlement scheduled for April 29. —-Nairametrics
N3.2 trillion T-bills traded in March as CP market slumps by 58%
Nigeria’s money market recorded a sharp divergence in March 2026 as treasury bills (T-bills) sold by the Debt Management Office (DMO) rose to N3.2 billion, representing a 10.37 per cent increase from February’s N2.8 billion. At the same time, commercial paper (CP) issuance dropped to N34 billion, a 58.45 per cent decline from N82.18 billion in the previous month. —-Guardian
Stock Market Advances by N861bn on Buy Interest in Blue-Chip Coys
The Securities & Exchange Commission ((SEC), NGX Group Plc and other capital market stakeholders in Africa recently convened in Lagos to advance cross-border listings and deepen integration across the continent’s capital markets. The engagement brought together stakeholders within the African Securities Exchanges Association, including representatives from the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE), Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE), Ethiopian Securities Exchange (ESX), Bourse Régionale des Valeurs Mobilières (BRVM), and Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE), lead issuing houses and financial advisers, Vetiva Capital Management, Stanbic IBTC Capital and FirstCap (First Capital). —-Thisday
European stocks trade lower; Nokia and L’Oreal shares soar on earnings beats
European stocks traded lower on Thursday as regional market sentiment remains downbeat and oil prices tick higher. The pan-European Stoxx 600 was down almost 0.1% by 9:00 a.m. in London (4:00 a.m. E.T.), with most of the region’s major bourses in negative territory and sectors showing mixed performance. —-CNBC
BUSINESS AND ECONOMY
Nigeria’s debt burden sparks calls for fiscal discipline
Nigeria’s worsening debt profile is forcing renewed calls for stricter fiscal discipline and alternative financing strategies, as rising debt servicing costs continue to consume a significant share of government revenue and limit spending on critical development needs. —-Businessday
Oyedele Has Fiscal Expertise To Deliver Amid Fiscal Challenges – Mutfwang
Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang has described President Bola Tinubu’s appointment of Taiwo Oyedele as minister of finance and coordinating minister of the economy as “well-deserved,” citing his proven expertise in fiscal policy and economic reform amid Nigeria’s fiscal challenges. —-Leadership
Tinubu: CBN clearing financial hurdles to boost Nigeria-UK aviation ties
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said the resolution of outstanding financial liabilities by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) marks a major turning point in strengthening Nigeria’s economic and aviation ties with the United Kingdom and its flagship carrier, British Airways. This was disclosed in a statement issued by presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga following a meeting with a delegation from British Airways on Wednesday, as the airline celebrates 90 years of operations in Nigeria. —-Nairametrics
CBN allots N894 billion at April 22 Treasury-Bills auction as demand surge
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) allotted a total of N894.17 billion at its Treasury Bills Primary Market Auction held on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, amid strong investor demand and stable stop rates across all maturities. The auction results seen by Nairametrics on Wednesday show that total subscriptions surged to N2.36 trillion, significantly exceeding the N750 billion offered across the 91-day, 182-day, and 364-day tenors. —-Nairametrics
Nigeria, UK To Deepen Economic Relations, Says Tinubu As British Airways Marks 90 Years
President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to deepening economic relations with the United Kingdom, particularly in the aviation sector and other mutually beneficial areas. The President gave the assurance on Wednesday when he met with a delegation from British Airways led by the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr. Richard Montgomery, and the Commercial Officer of British Airways, Mr. Colm Lacy, at the State House, Abuja. —-AriseNews
Afreximbank, Government of St Kitts and Nevis sign hosting agreement for ACTIF2026
African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has announced the signing of the Hosting Agreement with the Government of St Kitts and Nevis for the fifth edition of the AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum (ACTIF2026). The signing of the host agreement highlights a shared resolve to deepen Afri-Caribbean partnerships and enhance trade and economic ties. ACTIF2026 will take place from 29–31 July 2026 at the St. Kitts Marriott Beach Resort, Casino & Spa in Basseterre. —-Guardian
Statutory revenue rises by N137.9 billion as FAAC disburses N2.04 trillion
Analysts have projected that Nigeria’s headline inflation could rise to about 18 per cent in January, defying the downward trend recorded in 2025. Analysts who made the projection cited base effects from the recent rebasing of the Consumer Price Index by the National Bureau of Statistics, even as underlying price pressures continue to ease. The forecast comes ahead of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) data release by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), following steady inflationary moderation through 2025. —-Leadership
OIL AND GAS
Regulatory clarity, implementation key to gas investment, says NGA
Stakeholders at the inaugural Legal Forum of the Nigerian Gas Association (NGA) have identified regulatory clarity, disciplined implementation and institutional alignment as critical to unlocking sustained investment in Nigeria’s gas sector. The forum, held under the theme, ‘Strengthening Nigeria’s Gas Legal Framework for a Low-Carbon, Commercially Viable Future’, brought together policymakers, regulators, legal practitioners and industry executives to examine how legal frameworks can support a low-carbon and commercially viable gas sector. —-Guardian
Stakeholders seek stronger gas laws to attract investment
Stakeholders in Nigeria’s gas industry have called for stronger legal and regulatory frameworks to attract investment and unlock the country’s vast gas resources, following deliberations at the inaugural Legal Forum organised by the Nigerian Gas Association. —-Punch
StanChart: $95 Per Barrel Is The New Oil Price Equilibrium
Oil prices were rallying again on Wednesday after Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) captured two commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. Brent crude for June delivery gained 2.99% to trade at $101.40 per barrel at 3.49 pm ET, while the corresponding WTI crude contract was up 3.18% to change hands at $92.52/bbl. —-Oilprice
Oil prices edge lower with no progress on U.S.-Iran talks, Hormuz shipping still disrupted
Oil prices were marginally lower on Thursday after big gains in the previous session amid the stalled peace talks between Iran and the United States, and as both nations maintained restrictions on the flow of trade through the Strait of Hormuz. Brent crude futures fell 15 cents to $101.76 a barrel, after settling above $100 for the first time in more than two weeks on Wednesday. West Texas Intermediate futures fell 14 cents to $92.82. —-CNBC
TECHNOLOGY
WATRA Raises the Alarm over Threat to West Africa’s $150bn Digital Economy
The West African Telecommunications Regulators Assembly (WATRA) has raised the alarm over threat to West Africa’s digital economy that is contributing between $100 billion and $150 billion in economic activities annually, with strong growth prospects, citing a fragile foundation that is threatening its transformation. —-Thisday
UK Alert on Cyberwar Signals Urgent Lessons for Nigeria’s Digital Security
As global cyber threats escalate, Nigeria faces renewed concerns over the vulnerability of its digital infrastructure following fresh warnings from the United Kingdom on the growing risk of state-backed cyberattacks. The head of Britain’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), Richard Horne, has cautioned that countries must brace for a surge in cyberattacks linked to hostile states, noting that the most damaging attacks are increasingly carried out by nation-state actors rather than criminal gangs. —-Leadership
Tesla Raises 2026 Spending By 25% As Musk Doubles Down on AI, Robotics
Tesla has significantly increased its 2026 capital expenditure plans to over $25 billion, marking a sharp escalation in spending as CEO Elon Musk accelerates investments in artificial intelligence, robotics, and semiconductor development. The revised projection represents a substantial jump from the company’s earlier forecast of more than $20 billion for the year and far exceeds the $9 billion spent in 2025. —-AriseNews