Business
NSE’s Bold Step in the Right Direction
LAGOS – Eromosele Abiodun writes that the bid by the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) to move from frontier market to emerging market status is a bold step that will determine the future of the capital market
During a news briefing on the 2013 market recap and outlook for 2014 in Lagos recently, the Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr. Oscar Onyema, announced that the Exchange will in the course of the year pursue key initiatives aimed at propelling the NSE into the emerging markets.
He said he expect Nigeria to be a key beneficiary of the MSCI 2013 annual market classification review, which will see Qatar and UAE’s (together accounting for 30 per cent) transition from the MSCI Frontier Markets Index to the MSCI Emerging Markets Index.
“Cautiously, we will watch for the effects as Nigeria’s weight in the MSCI Frontier Markets Index shifts from the current 13.8 per cent to 19.7 per cent, making it the second largest market in the index, ”he said.
In growing the capital market in preparation for achieving emerging market status, Onyema said the NSE would in 2014 facilitate access to and participation in the market, increase its footprint on the continent, and deploy a risk framework to safe-guard the market value.
Specifically, he said the NSE plans to increase the number of new listings across five asset classes, operate a fair and orderly market, based on just and equitable principles, and diversify income streams, among other things.
Achieving that, according to him, will involve introducing new products such as a premium board, adoption of Generation ‘Y’ trading tools, and introducing a world-class surveillance programme, among others.
The NSE also plans to champion the development of enabling laws and policies to drive capital market development in 2014.
NSE Indices Formulation
The effort to make NSE a global market actually started a long time ago when the first market index in Nigeria was formulated 24 years after the founding of the NSE. Called the NSE All-Share Index or ASI, it was formulated in January 1984 with a base value of 100. Only ordinary shares are included in the computation of the index.
The index is value-relative and is computed daily. Over thirty years after the introduction of the ASI, the Exchange introduced the NSE-30 Index, which is a sample-based capitalisation-weighted index plus four sectoral indices to complement existing indices. These are NSE-Food/Beverages Index, (Later renamed NSE–Consumer Goods Index) NSE Banking Index, NSE Insurance Index and NSE Oil/Gas Index.
Recently, the NSE introduced the NSE Industrial Index as part of key initiatives to drive market optimisation. The Industrial Goods sector, which has about 100 prospects in pipeline that may possibly list on the bourse, consists of four sub-sectors with 27 companies listed in the sector, which contributes to 28 per cent of total market capitalisation.
The sector has not been able to contribute its quota effectively to the Nation’s GDP due to some key issues affecting the sector e.g. poor infrastructures, influx of sub-standard and proliferations of smuggled goods, unfavourable import tariffs along with inconsistent government policies. According to the key players in the sector, all these have hindered the desired growth in the industrial sector.
A New Level
To further enhance the NSE’s chance and drive the market towards achieving its $1 trillion capitalisation plan, the NSE last year introduced a new NSE Industrial Index made of 10 companies selected from a total of 27 companies listed in the sector.
The selection was based on market capitalisation, liquidity, full year returns of 40.36 per cent in 2012 and year-to-date (YTD) returns of 41.18 per cent when it was launched 2013.
The foundation member of the index are Ashaka Cement Plc, Nigerian Bag Manufacturing Company Plc, Dangote Cement Plc, Lafarge Cement WAPCO Nigeria Plc, CAP Plc, Cement Company of Northern Nigeria Plc, Berger Paints Plc, Cutix Plc, DN Meyer Plc and Portland Paints & Products Nigeria Plc.
Experts had told THISDAY at the introduction of the NSE Industrial Index that it was timely because the existing market indicator, the NSE-30, is more or less a price-weighted average, which gives higher-priced stocks more influence over the average than their lower-priced counterparts, but takes no account of the relative industry size or market capitalisation of the components.
Effort Already yielding Results
The introduction of the NSE Industrial Index also compliments the NSE’s listing drive. Over 100 industrial goods firms were said the be making plans to List on NSE following the introduction.
Onyema had while speaking at a sectoral dinner for industrial goods in Lagos recently revealed that the number of companies listed in the industrial goods sector of the NSE is set to rise as over 100 companies were eyeing listing on the exchange.
There are 27 companies that are currently listed in the industrial goods sector covering building materials, electronic and electrical products, packaging/containers, tools and machinery. The sector contributes 28 per cent to the total market capitalisation of the exchange.
The NSE executive officer, had told THISDAY at the dinner that the situation would improve soon because the Exchange was putting policies in place that will turn the sector around.
According to him, the exchange has made deliberate efforts to encourage new listings. He noted that those efforts are beginning to yield the desired results. Those efforts, he explained, were in the areas of business development, strong regulatory environment and technology.
“We have introduced value adding services, reviewed our listing requirements. The exchange has also introduced x-compliance report for companies and dealing members among other initiatives. All these are attracting attention of companies that have shown willingness to list on the exchange,” he said.
As part of efforts to make the industrial goods sector of the exchange more attractive for investors thereby encourage more listings, the NSE last week introduced the NSE Industrial Index.
The index, which comprises the most capitalised and liquid companies in the industrial sector, is designed to provide an investible benchmark to capture the performance of the industrial sector.
Onyema had explained that 10 out of the 27 companies listed in the industrial goods sector of the NSE were selected for the index based on their market capitalisation and liquidity.
He disclosed that any investor who had invested in industrial goods sector would have recorded a return of 40.4 per cent in 2012, noting that year-to-date, the sector has fetched a return of about 41 per cent.
Apart from the introduction of the index, the NSE will also re-launch its Alternative Securities Market (ASeM) in order to improve the performance of existing firms and encourage the listing of new ones.
Alternative Securities Market
As part of its expansion effort, the NSE had in June last year launched the Alternative Securities Market (ASeM), a market for emerging companies with high potential for growth in Nigeria.
The ASeM, is a specialised board on the Nigerian bourse where small to medium companies can access the capital market under less stringent rules and requirements to raise long term, low cost capital.
Onyema had told THISDAY at the launch that the NSE is a staunch believer in the critical role of emerging enterprises in a developing economy and as such we have taken the bold move of providing a platform for sustainable growth and development of these companies.”
The ASeM board, he said, will allow issuers, especially indigenous companies the opportunity to inject relatively low cost and long term capital into their businesses through flexible rules that recognize their growth potential rather than the size of operation.
Shedding light on the possibility of most of the companies expected on the ASeM board being without any professional guidance and therefore being unable to meet the post listing requirements of the Exchange, GM Listings Sales and Retention, of the NSE, Mrs. Taba Peterside, said: “Designated Advisers (DA) will be required for all companies listed on the ASeM Board of The Exchange to ensure compliance with all the requirements and obligations of the Alternative Securities Market.
The DAs, she added, will provide professional resources to qualifying companies for guidance and advice on securities-related matters.
Information gathered from within the Exchange revealed that the NSE has already completed the selection process for the DAs and is soon to name the successful applicants ahead of the official launch of the ASeM Board slated for later this month.
– THIS DAY
Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu is of the view that his administration’s renewed focus in driving international and local investments into livestock sector of the agricultural value-chain will end the crisis of farmer-herder clashes, eradicate hunger and poverty in addition to promoting economic prosperity.
President Tinubu said this Thursday in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil at the signing of a Letter of Intent between the Nigerian Government and the JBS S.A, one of the top three largest meat processing companies globally.
“What we are doing right now is that we are solving a problem that afflicted humanity in that part of Africa, clashes between farmers and migrating cows that have caused some life and bloodshed when there is a modern, civilized way to solve those problems and even bring a successful economy out of it.
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“We are trying to turn a situation of tragedy, hopelessness into economic opportunity, see through problems and see the opportunity that is involved in it.”
The Nigerian leader called on the company to see the considerable potentials in what he called the $2.5billion livestock investment opportunities in Nigeria, especially with its huge population and tap into it, given JBS S.A’s globally recognized expertise in the area of guaranteeing food security.
“We’ve heard so much about you in terms of the reputation, and we believe in the partnership we are forging today.
“Food security is extremely important. As we talk right now, there is hunger. However, there is huge hope. And you are one of those hopes that we are looking at.”
President Tinubu told the JBS top executives that Nigeria is ready to do business with them, assuring them of a good return on their investment.
Prior to his visit to Brazil, President had commissioned a team of Nigerian officials and private sector players to take the advantage of the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Rio to conduct a study tour of Sao Paulo, Brazil and explore the opportunities in livestock development, meat processing, seed development and multiplication for key grains.
In his remarks, the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Muhktar Mahia, who led the delegation, reported to the President that the team embarked on guided, extended and intensive tours of companies on the scale of their global reach, the integrated nature of their operations as well as the deployment of advanced technology. He added that from their interactions with various companies, JBS S.A. was chosen being the second largest meat processing company in the world with the capacity to process 33,000 cattle daily and over eight million birds daily, using advanced zero-waste practices. The company employs over 200,000 people across its subsidiaries in more than 50 countries in the world including United States, Canada, Mexico, Saudi Arabia among others.
Wesley Batista, founder and President of the JBS group, said the company is the largest employer of labour in Brazil with over $79 billion dollars revenue already in year 2024.
“We are glad to work with Nigeria to work together to develop the livestock industry there. We think it’s a good opportunity for our business in Nigeria and Africa as we believe Nigeria can be the center of supply of protein to many countries in Africa. We look forward to working with you. We are almost in December and this year is almost gone. We hope to be in Nigeria as soon as possible,” the founder and Chief Executive said.
Other members of the delegation included Minister of State Agriculture and Food Security Hon. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, Co-chairman Presidential Livestock Reform Committee, Professor Attahiru Jega, the Secretary of the Committee, Professor Mohammed Kuta Yahya, and the Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Investment Promotion Council, Aisha Rimi.
The National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA) has disclosed an investment of ₦742 million over the past three years to position Nigeria as a premier tourism destination at the annual World Travel Market (WTM) in London.
Speaking in Lagos on Thursday, NANTA’s immediate past president, Mrs. Susan Akporiaye, revealed that the funds were used for exhibition pavilions, magazine publications, and logistical support for members attending the prestigious trade show.
“In three years, NANTA has spent ₦742,226,100 to deliberately put Nigeria on the global tourism map at the WTM. This was achieved with only skeletal support in 2022 and 2023,” Akporiaye said.
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According to Akporiaye, the association received minimal support in its early years of participation.
In 2022, La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort and Air Peace contributed by placing advertisements on the Nigerian pavilion and in the association’s magazine. By 2023, Ibom Air joined the effort, supporting NANTA with adverts, while La Campagne Tropicana maintained its support.
The 2024 edition, however, marked a turning point. Akporiaye noted that for the first time, Ibom Air went beyond advertisements to co-exhibit, alongside Eko Hotels and Sabre Travel Network. Their contributions made Nigeria’s representation at WTM more robust and impactful.
“Sabre Travel Network also supported us, so we had their graphics, as well as Ibom Air’s, displayed on our stand. Their contributions made our 2024 participation very grand,” she added.
Akporiaye highlighted that 90% of the funds for WTM participation came directly from NANTA members, underscoring their commitment to Nigeria’s tourism development.
“This shows that we are true patriots, and we deserve national recognition for our efforts,” she said.
NANTA began attending the WTM in 2022 to fill the gap left by Nigeria’s absence from the event for over 10 years.
The association saw the need to promote the country’s tourism potential and create international business opportunities for its members.
“It’s been a wonderful and successful three years that NANTA has participated in WTM, filling the gap left by Nigeria’s absence for over 10 years. We are glad to have handed over the baton of Nigeria’s participation at WTM to the Nigerian government this year,” Akporiaye said.
Through its participation, NANTA has secured affiliations with international tourism boards, organized product training for members, and raised awareness about Nigeria as a destination.
These efforts have also led to partnerships with global airlines and travel boards, fostering significant growth for members’ businesses.
“Our participation at WTM has helped members’ businesses grow significantly. We have formed partnerships with airlines and travel boards worldwide.
“Our greatest achievement at WTM is drawing Nigeria’s attention back to the need to exhibit at the global travel market,” Akporiaye said.
The initiative has also inspired members to expand their horizons into global Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) events.
Dangote Cement Plc, a leading cement manufacturer, has donated multi-million Naira educational support projects to secondary schools in Lagos as part of its social investment initiatives.
The company in a statement explained that the move is aimed at complementing the government’s efforts in providing quality and sustainable education in the state.
It was gathered that the projects were commissioned and handed over to various schools in the Ikoyi-Obalende Local Council Development Area, align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on education. These goals focus on ensuring inclusive, equitable, and quality education, as well as promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all.
The projects, warmly received by both teachers and students, include 100 dual school desks for Ilado Community Junior High School and Wahab Folawiyo Senior High School, alongside a refurbished and fully equipped Chemistry Laboratory at the Government Senior Secondary School, Ikoyi.
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Also donated were reading tables, chairs, and bookshelves for the library at Government Junior Secondary School, Ikoyi.
A celebration also took place at Falomo Junior High School and Ireti Senior Grammar School, both in Ikoyi, where the company donated 20 brand-new desktop computers to the ICT departments of the schools.
At the event at Government Junior College, Ikoyi, the Group Managing Director of Dangote Cement Plc, Arvind Pathak, explained that social investment is a key part of Dangote Cement’s operations.
He said the company is dedicated to giving back to society and supporting the sustainable development of local communities, especially in areas where it operates.
Pathak’s address was delivered by Wakeel Olayiwola, the Head of Social Performance at Dangote Cement Plc.
He said, “education holds a pivotal role in the development and empowerment of the youths in the country. As a cornerstone for societal advancement, it serves as a critical tool for personal growth, economic development, and national progress. An educated youth population not only fosters individual success but also contributes significantly to the nation’s overall wellbeing.
“At Dangote Cement, we believe that providing quality education to our youth is vital and should not be left solely as the government’s responsibility. Thus, we aim to partner with the government to enhance educational development in this regard.
“The projects we are handing over today are part of our 2024 Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme for selected schools within the neighbourhood of Dangote Cement Plc’s Head Office in Ikoyi, Lagos. These projects were selected based on need assessments in collaboration with the schools.”
As a responsible corporate entity, Pathak noted that Dangote Cement’s commitment to societal wellbeing, with investments in four key areas: Education, Healthcare, Infrastructure, and Economic Empowerment programmes.
“This year, our plants in Ibese, Ogun State; Obajana, Kogi State; Gboko, Benue State; Okpella, Edo State; and our Pan-African operations have launched several social investment projects. These efforts contribute to the quality of life in our host communities and support sustainable national development,” he added.
Pathak thanked the Lagos State Government, the Tutor General/Permanent Secretary, and the school management teams for their collaboration in identifying the schools’ needs and ensuring the timely completion of the projects.
Dr. Idowu Olufunke Oyetola, Tutor General and Permanent Secretary of Education District 3, Lagos State Ministry of Education, who was represented by Bolaji Rotimi Ajayi, Director of School Administration, praised the long-standing partnership with Dangote Cement, noting that the schools selected for the donations were fortunate beneficiaries. “We hope for more collaborations that will positively impact education,” she added.
The principals of the recipient schools expressed their gratitude after the formal handover of the projects.
Odunlami Olubunmi, Principal of Ilado Community Junior High School, Ikoyi, thanked Dangote Cement for the new desks, stating that the donation would significantly improve the learning environment for the students, helping to prepare them for a brighter future.
Bamidele Ayotunde, Principal of the school with the refurbished laboratory, urged other businesses to follow Dangote Cement’s example in supporting local schools, pointing out the positive impact of the laboratory’s renovation on the school’s learning environment.
The Principal of Ireti Senior Grammar School, Ikoyi, whose school received the new desktop computers, described the donation as a positive development and expressed hope for more support in the future.
Pupils also shared their appreciation for the contributions. Abiola Jamaudeen, a lab prefect at Government Senior College, Ikoyi, promised that the laboratory would be used to its fullest potential and well-maintained.
Lawal Rumayzo Abdulsalam, a student at the school, said the new library equipment would foster better reading habits and create a more conducive environment for learning, ultimately preparing them for success. Some students even performed special songs to welcome the Dangote team to their schools.
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