…Market Cap rises by N36trn, highest annual improve on report
Nigeria’s inventory market delivered a historic triumph in 2025, with equities surging 51.19 per cent regardless of fierce headwinds from Naira devaluation, hovering inflation, and international financial pressures—outpacing the earlier 12 months’s 37.65 per cent acquire.
Market capitalisation rocketed by a report N36.62 trillion to achieve N99.4 trillion, up from N62.76 trillion in 2024, marking probably the most vital annual improve on report and consolidating its bullish efficiency from 2024.
After a sluggish begin to the 12 months, market exercise picked up, pushed by strong company earnings, dividend funds, improved foreign money stability, and cut price looking in basically sound shares. Initially, buyers had rotated into fixed-income securities, attracted by elevated yields amid tight financial situations, however sentiment improved because the 12 months progressed.
Equally, the Nigerian Trade (NGX) Restricted All-Share Index (ASI) rose by 51.19 per cent from 102,926.40 factors on December 31, 2024 to 155,613.03 factors on December 31, 2025.
Primarily based on efficiency in 2025, native buyers continued to dominate actions on the NGX by 83.4 per cent.
In the meantime, overseas investor participation improved modestly to 21.2 per cent, although it remained under long-term historic averages. Complete overseas portfolio inflows rose sharply by 182.0 per cent to N1.1 trillion in 2025, whereas outflows elevated by 99.6 per cent to N909.6 billion. This resulted in a internet optimistic overseas portfolio stability for the primary time in three years (N208.2 billion), reflecting improved overseas alternate liquidity, clearer coverage path, relative alternate fee stability, and renewed confidence amongst overseas buyers in Nigerian property.
On key company actions that influenced the NGX’s efficiency for the 12 months embody: TotalEnergies divested its 12.5 per cent curiosity within the Bonga oilfield to Shell in a $510.0 million transaction, elevating Shell’s possession stake to 67.5 per cent and UACN acquisition of CHI Restricted (makers of Chivita & Hollandia).
With regulatory approval obtained, considerably increasing its FMCG footprint; the itemizing of Legend Plc, including N11.3 billion to capitalisation; Tolaram Group’s N104 billion acquisition of a 58.0 per cent stake in Guinness Nigeria is progressing via a compulsory takeover supply; the delisting of MRS Oil, Union Properties Financial savings & Loans, Goldlink Insurance coverage and Aso Financial savings & Loans from the NGX.
The chairman of the Nigerian Trade (NGX) Group Plc, Umaru Kwairanga said that the Nigerian capital market recorded a commendable efficiency in 2025, attributing the features to reforms, extra decisive company actions and resilient market participation.
Talking on this, the group managing director/chief government officer, NGX, Temi Popoola, said that “the Nigerian capital market in 2025 demonstrated resilience regardless of home and international financial headwinds. This efficiency highlights the significance of coverage consistency, purposeful reforms, and strategic collaboration in fostering investor confidence and driving market progress.
“Through the 12 months, efforts to advance financial reforms and enhance market buildings helped help a steady setting for capital formation, whereas our continued funding in know-how performed a crucial function in increasing entry, enhancing transparency, and enhancing operational effectivity throughout the market.”
Commenting on the event, the chief working officer of InvestData Consulting Restricted, Ambrose Omordion said that the inventory market in 2025 maintained optimistic momentum over stability within the overseas alternate and spectacular filings by listed corporations.
Afrinvest Restricted mentioned, “Total, 2025 recorded sturdy market participation, marked by sustained bullish sentiment punctuated by periodic profit-taking. Investor exercise was buoyed by reform-driven developments, the implementation of key insurance policies, and rising market consciousness, collectively driving elevated buying and selling volumes.”
The analysis agency famous that “Rising and Frontier markets outperformed with returns of 27.7 per cent and 36.5 per cent, respectively, supported by improved international liquidity and renewed investor urge for food for higher-growth economies. African equities led the worldwide market with a median return of 39.7 per cent, underpinned by stronger investor confidence and improved foreign money stability. On the similar time, the NGX-ASI prolonged its bullish run, rising 45.2 per cent YTD as of mid-December 2025.
“After a subdued begin resulting from excessive fixed-income yields, sentiment improved on the again of strong earnings, dividends, coverage help, and cut price looking, leading to heightened market participation, with July and September standing out as peak exercise months pushed by sturdy earnings releases and elevated curiosity in insurance coverage shares following the enactment of the NIIRA Act.”
