Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has hailed Nigeria’s capital market after the Nigerian Exchange, NGX, crossed the historic N100 trillion market capitalisation mark, describing the milestone as a powerful signal of renewed investor confidence and a turning point for the economy.
In a statement by his special adviser on media and strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President said the achievement reflects the growing strength of Nigeria’s economic reforms and positions the country as an increasingly attractive destination for global and domestic capital.
“With the Nigerian Exchange, NGX, crossing the historic N100 trillion market capitalisation mark, the country is witnessing the birth of a new economic reality and rejuvenation,” Tinubu said.
From a business perspective, the President highlighted the NGX’s performance as one of the strongest globally in 2025, noting that the All-Share Index closed the year with a 51.19 per cent return, outperforming major global indices.
“In 2025, while many of the world’s markets struggled with stagnation or tepid recovery, the NGX All-Share Index was on the ascent,” he said. “This performance ranks among the highest in the world, significantly outpacing the S&P 500, the FTSE 100, and even many of our emerging-market peers in the BRICS+ group.”
Tinubu said the rally underscores a broader shift in how Nigeria is perceived by investors.
“Nigeria is no longer a frontier market to be ignored; it is now a compelling destination where value is being discovered,” he stated, adding that stock market performance is a key indicator of economic health and investor trust.
He attributed the surge in market value to strong performances across sectors, including banking, energy, manufacturing and technology.
“From blue-chip industrial giants that have localised their supply chains, to a banking sector that has demonstrated resilience and technological innovation, Nigerian companies are proving that the country can deliver strong returns on investment,” he said.
Looking ahead, the President said the outlook for new listings remains robust, with indigenous energy companies, technology firms, telecoms operators and infrastructure-heavy businesses preparing to access the capital market.
According to him, these listings will further deepen market capitalisation and expand public ownership of the economy.
Beyond equities, Tinubu linked the NGX milestone to wider macroeconomic improvements driven by reforms. He noted that inflation has eased significantly, falling from a peak of 34.8 per cent in December 2024 to 14.45 per cent by November 2025, with projections of about 12 per cent in 2026.
“We are finally seeing a bend in the inflation curve,” he said. “Crucial monetary tightening and the removal of distortionary ‘Ways and Means’ financing have restored stability to the Naira.”
The President also cited stronger external fundamentals, including a projected current account surplus of $18.81 billion in 2026, rising non-oil exports, and foreign reserves that have crossed $45 billion, with expectations of exceeding $50 billion in early 2026.
“The N100 trillion market capitalisation is a signal to the world that the Nigerian economy is robust and productive,” Tinubu said.
“As your leader, I pledge to continue working unrelentingly to build an egalitarian, transparent, and high-growth economy.”
