Business
Nigeria’s External Reserves Rise 2.83% Amid Foreign Inflows
In a testament to Nigeria’s economic strength, the country’s external reserves have surged by 2.83% year-to-date, propelled by increased foreign capital and remittances.
Recent data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) reveals a noteworthy uptick, with foreign currency reserves reaching $34.11 billion as of March 7, 2024—up from $33.17 billion at the beginning of the year.
This boost in reserves, comprising foreign currencies, gold, and other international assets, reflects Nigeria’s ability to navigate and thrive amid global economic currents.
Recall that on Wednesday, the CBN unveiled a striking surge in Diaspora remittances.
February witnessed an extraordinary spike, with remittances skyrocketing by an astounding 433%, surging to $1.3 billion compared to the $300 million reported in January.
It said “We saw a 1.0 percent week-on-week (w/w) accretion in the foreign reserves to $34.02bn as of March 6th, 2024, owing to foreign capital inflow (evident in the year-to-date (YTD) foreign net inflows of $822.6m through the NAFEM window) following CBN’s drive to attract FX, analysts at Afrinvest Securities Limited.”
On Friday, the Naira experienced a 1.55% depreciation, with the dollar quoted at N1,627.40, marking a decline from Thursday’s N1,602.17, as reported by the FMDQ Securities Exchange.
The intraday high also weakened to N1,640 per dollar on Friday, compared to N1,635 on Thursday.
However, the intraday low showed improvement, reaching N1,413/$1 on Friday, stronger than Thursday’s N1,470/$1.
Notably, there was a substantial increase in dollar supply, rising by 63.48% to $269.35 million on Friday, up from $164.76 million recorded on Thursday.
In the parallel market, commonly referred to as the black market, the Naira remained stable at N1,620 per dollar.
Governor Olayemi Cardoso of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) announced, following the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting on February 27, 2024, that the country’s external reserves had increased to $34 billion from the initial $33 billion at the beginning of the year.
Moreover, on February 5, 2024, the CBN reported a reduction in the inherited $7 billion FX backlog to $2.2 billion.
The CBN expressed its commitment to resolving the outstanding balance, demonstrating efforts to address foreign exchange challenges.
According to a weekly report by Afrinvest, the Naira maintained stability across the FX market, trading within a similar band as the preceding week.
The report highlighted a 41.4% improvement in activity at the NAFEM Window, totaling $421.6 million, a notable increase from the previous week’s $473.1 million.
Furthermore, the report indicated a 4.9% week-on-week depreciation of the Naira against the dollar at the NAFEM Window, with the exchange rate falling to N1,627.40/$1.00.
Additionally, the parallel market witnessed a 5.3% week-on-week dip in the Naira against the dollar, settling at N1,600.00/$1.00.
It said “We note that the spread between the NAFEM and parallel rates sustained its streak for the second week though the weekly average declined 98.8 percent to N27.40.
“In the week ahead, the Naira is likely to trade within a similar band across FX segments, supported by intensified regulatory spotlight, the analysts.”
In a press briefing held in Abuja, Hakama Sidi Ali, the acting director of corporate communications at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), underscored a substantial increase in overseas remittances, surpassing four times the figures from the preceding month.
Ali emphasized the heightened interest of foreign investors in Nigerian assets, revealing investments exceeding $1 billion in February alone.
Additionally, she highlighted a positive trajectory in total portfolio flows for 2024, reaching $2.3 billion, showcasing promise compared to the $3.9 billion recorded for the entire previous year.
In addition, Ali highlighted that the momentum of increased foreign exchange inflows continued into March 2024.
This surge was attributed to a heightened investor appetite for short-term sovereign debt following adjustments to benchmark interest rates.
A significant development was observed in government securities issuances, with substantial oversubscription.
Foreign investors took a leading role, contributing to over 75 percent of the total bids received during auctions conducted on March 1 and 6, 2024.
Business
Eterna Posts N5.88bn Profit for H1
Improved operating performances have seen Eterna Plc report higher revenue and profitability for the second quarter and half-year ended June 30, 2026.
The company’s unaudited consolidated financial results showed that revenue rose by 38 per cent to N217.31bn from N157.65bn in the corresponding period of 2025.
The results show that gross profit more than doubled to N15.99bn, while operating profit increased to N8.78bn from N2.34bn. Profit before tax rose by 389 per cent to N7.67bn from N1.57bn recorded in the corresponding period of 2025.
Profit after tax (PAT) increased to N5.88bn from N573.81m, while earnings per share (EPS) improved to N2.69 from N0.44.
The company also reported an improved financial position, with total assets standing at N82.75bn as of June 30, 2026.
Cash and bank balances increased to N20.36bn from N4.79bn as of December 31, 2025, while total liabilities declined to N51.22bn from N84.43bn. Total equity rose to N31.53bn from N7.77bn, reflecting stronger liquidity and capitalisation.
ALSO READ: AVA Capital Lists on NGX Main Board
On the results, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Jude Nwaulune, said, “These results demonstrate the strength of our business and the impact of disciplined execution across our operations. The significant improvement in profitability and financial position provides a solid foundation to advance our growth priorities.
“The successful Rights Issue has further strengthened our balance sheet, resulting in a healthy leverage position, stronger equity and improved net assets. We remain focused on expanding our retail, aviation, lubricants and gas businesses, improving operational efficiency and customer experience, and delivering sustainable value to shareholders and other stakeholders.”
The company said its full unaudited consolidated financial statements for the half-year ended June 30, 2026, are available on its website.
Business
AVA Capital Lists on NGX Main Board
AVA Capital Plc has been admitted to the Main Board of Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) following the listing by introduction of its 5 billion ordinary shares at ₦7.50 per share, with a market capitalisation of ₦37.5 billion.
The listing marks a significant milestone in the Company’s growth journey, reinforcing its commitment to sustainable growth, strong corporate governance and long-term value creation, while enhancing its visibility within Nigeria’s capital market.
Speaking at the listing ceremony, the Chief Executive Officer of AVA Capital Plc, Kayode Fadahunsi, described the admission as a defining moment in the Company’s evolution. “Our admission to the Main Board of Nigerian Exchange is more than a listing; it is a public affirmation of the business we have built and the future we are committed to creating. We have established a resilient institution with a clear growth strategy, strong governance culture and an unwavering focus on creating sustainable value for our shareholders. Becoming a listed company deepens our accountability, broadens our visibility and positions us to seize new opportunities as we continue our growth journey.”
ALSO READ: NNPC Ltd Remits N6.3tn to Federation Account, Makes N535bn PAT
Commenting on the listing, the Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Exchange Limited, Jude Chiemeka, said the admission reflects the continued confidence of businesses in Nigeria’s capital market as a platform for sustainable growth. “Today’s listing reflects the confidence that forward-looking companies continue to place in the Nigerian capital market. By joining the Main Board of Nigerian Exchange, AVA Capital Plc is embracing the transparency, governance standards and market discipline that define public companies, while positioning itself to access a broader investor base and unlock long-term value. We are delighted to welcome AVA Capital Plc to the NGX family and look forward to supporting its continued growth.”
The admission of AVA Capital Plc expands the range of investment opportunities available to investors while reinforcing NGX’s commitment to connecting businesses with long-term capital and supporting their growth through enhanced visibility, strong governance and deeper investor engagement.
Business
NNPC Ltd Remits N6.3tn to Federation Account, Makes N535bn PAT
June 2026 results of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) shows a Profit After Tax (PAT) of N535 billion, despite recording a marginal decline in crude oil and condensate production during the month.
The figure represents a 15.8 percent increase over the preceding month, according to the latest Monthly Financial and Operations Report of the state oil major, which indicates that the PAT rose by N73bn from the N462bn recorded in May, while revenue increased to N4.389tn.
According to the report, the company remitted cumulative statutory payments of N6.286tn to the Federation in H1, 2026.
It read, “NNPC Limited recorded N535bn profit after tax for the month of June, representing a 15.8 per cent increase from the N462bn recorded in May. Total revenue for the month stood at N4.389tn, while cumulative statutory payments to the Federation for the period January to June 2026 increased to N6.286tn, underscoring NNPC Limited’s sustained contribution to national revenue generation.”
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Average crude oil and condensate production declined marginally to 1.72 million barrels per day in June from 1.73 million barrels per day in May, representing a 0.58 percent decrease. However, output was 1.18 percent higher than the 1.70 million barrels per day recorded in June 2025.
According to the report, production was affected by operational disruptions, facility integrity issues and subsurface challenges across several assets.
It stated, “June production performance was impacted by operational disruptions, facility integrity issues, and subsurface challenges across several assets. However, performance was partially mitigated by production ramp-up following the completion of the Assa-Rumuekpe and 28-inch TNP Turnaround Maintenance.”
Despite the slight production decline, crude oil and condensate sales surged to 28.23 million barrels in June from 18.95 million barrels in May, representing a 48.97 percent month-on-month increase. The June sales volume was also 6.77 percent higher than the 26.44 million barrels sold in June 2025.
Gas production also improved, rising to 7,841 million standard cubic feet per day from 7,774 million standard cubic feet per day in May, while gas sales recovered to 4,970 million standard cubic feet per day from 4,921 million standard cubic feet per day.
The report highlighted progress on two major gas infrastructure projects. The Obiafu-Obrikom-Oben Gas Pipeline reached 98 percent completion, with final tie-in works ongoing.
It stated, “The Obiafu-Obrikom-Oben (OB3) Gas Pipeline progressed to 98% completion, with final tie-in works ongoing towards achieving First Gas in August 2026.”
Construction on the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano Gas Pipeline also advanced to 94 percent completion. According to the company, “Construction and installation activities on the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline advanced to 94 per cent completion, supporting the target of early gas delivery to Abuja in 2026.”
The NNPC Ltd declared that it would continue implementing measures to sustain production growth despite operational challenges.
It stated, “Focus remains on delivering incremental production across the asset portfolio by improving facility reliability and availability, minimizing Unscheduled Downtime, optimising crude export operations, and accelerating the maturation of production opportunities to sustain Upstream production growth.”
The report also showed that upstream pipeline availability remained at 100 percent during the month, while petrol availability across the NNPC Retail Limited stations stood at 53 percent. It added that all production, sales and financial figures remained provisional and were subject to reconciliation with relevant stakeholders.





