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The Nigerian equity market closed trading activities for today on a negative note, as key performance indicators showed mixed outcomes. The NGX-ASI declined by -0.66%, while the Market Capitalization decreased by -0.63%. The mixed performances of these indicators can be attributed to the additional listing of 15,000,000,000 Ordinary Shares of 50 Kobo Each Arising from the Conversion of Fortis Global Insurance Plc’s N12,000,000,000.00 Debt to Equity at N0.80 Per Share. Consequently, the market index (All-Share Index) fell by -1,617.91 basis points in today’s trading session, indicating a -0.66% decline to close at 245,362.26, while Market Capitalization fell by ₦1,005.09 billion, representing a decline of -0.63%, settling at ₦158.34 trillion. The negative sentiment persisted, driven by sustained profit-taking in mid-cap and bluechip stocks, including HBMNG, ZENITHBANK, ACCESSCORP, and FIRSTHOLDCO, among others, across major market sectors.
However, the Total Volume of trades and the Total Value traded increased by +177.01% and +583.04%. Approximately 2,102.16 million units valued at ₦230,832.54 million were transacted across 48,231 deals. As regards volume, FIRSTHOLDCO generated 74.82% to emerge the most traded, followed by ACCESSCORP (1.78%), STERLINGNG (1.71%), ELLAHLAKES (1.65%), and ZENITHBANK with 1.58%. On value traded, FIRSTHOLDCO generated 85.04% of the total value of trade, thereby making it the highest traded on the exchange.
Meanwhile, on the best performers’ chart, LEGENDINT led by generating +8.64%, then trailed by DAARCOMM (+7.32%), STERLINGNG (+6.67%), SOVRENINS (+5.73%), ROYALEX (+4.69%), CAVERTON (+2.97%), and eleven others. A total of forty-four (44) stocks depreciated. With a price depreciation of -10.00%, TRIPPLEG topped the worst performers’ chart, followed by LASACO (-9.92%), CILEASING (-9.84%), MBENEFIT (-9.80%), TRANSEXPR (-9.03%), and LIVESTOCK (-8.99%). Hence, the market breadth closed on a negative note, as there were 17 gainers and 44 losers.
Finally, the market sectoral performance was negative today as four of the five major market sectors declined. The Insurance sector led by -2.26%, followed by the Banking sector (-2.04%), the Consumer goods sector (-1.10%), and the Industrial goods sector (-0.70%). Only the Oil & Gas sector increased by +0.01%.
Following the recently released data by NBS, the country’s GDP stood at 3.89% in Q1’2026, marking a 18bps decline from the 4.07% recorded in Q4’2025. However, on a year-on-year basis, the growth rate in the first quarter of the year reflects a 78bps improvement compared to the 3.13% posted in Q1’ 2025.
Sectoral GDP Dynamics: Oil vs. Non-Oil
The non-oil sector contributed 96.08% to total GDP in Q1’2026 a decline from 97.13% in Q4 2025, but higher than 96.03% recorded in Q1 2025. Conversely, the Oil sector’s contribution increased by 1.05% to 3.92% in Q1’2026, from 2.87% in Q4 2025, but dropped by 0.05% when compared to 3.97% contributed in Q1’2025, due to reduction in crude oil production compared to the previous quarter. Furthermore, in terms of growth, the Oil sector receded by 4.22% points, recording a growth rate of 2.57% in Q1’2026, compared to 6.79% in Q4’2025. Likewise, the non-oil sector recorded real GDP growth of 3.94%, down by 0.05% points compared to 3.99% in Q4’2025.
The country’s crude oil production averaged 1.55mbpd in Q1’2026, which was lower than the daily average crude oil production of 1.62mbpd recorded in the same quarter of 2025, and 0.03mbpd lower than the Q4’2025 production volume of 1.58mbpd.
Mixed Narrative in the Agricultural Sector
Agricultural sector posted a real growth rate of 3.15% in Q1’2026, a decline of 85bps from 4.00% growth recorded in Q4’2025. However, the sector’s performance expanded by 3.08% points when compared to Q1’2025, when it grew by 0.07%. The 85bps decline from the 4.00% growth recorded in Q4’2025 is a typical seasonal phenomenon in Nigerian agriculture. Q4 marks the peak main harvest season across the country, where crop production maximizes output, whereas Q1 marks the dry season and planting cycle, resulting in lower output momentum. In addition, the sector contribution to the GDP dropped, standing at 23.16% in Q1’2026, which was 550bps lower than 28.66% recorded in Q4’2025.
