The Nigerian equities market recorded its strongest weekly performance of 2026, closing the week ended April 17 up 6.57% at 217,167.57, driven by heavyweight oil and gas and banking stocks.
This rally marked a 13,397.14-point surge from the opening level of 203,770.43, as the index crossed the 217,000 threshold for the first time in history.
Year-to-date return climbed to 39.56%, with market capitalization swelling to N139.8 trillion from N131.2 trillion, while trading activity totalled 3.5 billion shares across 254,553 deals.
Market breadth strengthened notably, with 61 stocks in the green, compared to 25 the prior week, while 36 equities declined from 54, and 49 stocks closed unchanged.
According to trading data, the market traded all five sessions of the week, closing each session in positive territory and reflecting sustained bullish sentiment throughout the period.
The week opened with a 0.35% gain on Monday to 204,487.8, and by Wednesday, the index had climbed further to 209,323.0 on the back of consistent buying pressure.
Momentum strengthened on Thursday as the market crossed the 210,000 mark for the first time, closing at 211,900 before extending gains to settle at 217,167 at week’s end.
Across key segments, the NGX Premium Index outperformed the broader market, rising 8.05% as First Holdco surged 22.96%, Access Holdings gained 15.00%, Zenith Bank advanced 12.50%, MTN rose 10.74%, and Seplat climbed 9.42%.
Other notable contributors included Lafarge Africa, up 4.20%, UBA gaining 2.13%, and Dangote Cement rising 1.60%.
The NGX 30 Index and NGX Main Board Index also posted gains of 6.99% and 5.75%, respectively.
The NGX Oil and Gas Index led sectoral performance with a 17.59% surge, driven by strong gains in Aradel, up 28.93%, Japaul Gold rising 10.92%, Seplat advancing 9.42%, and Oando gaining 3.66%.
The Nigerian Exchange Ltd. recorded a strong weekly performance, with investors gaining N8.661 trillion amid heightened trading activity.
Market capitalisation rose by 6.60 per cent to N139.827 trillion from N131.166 trillion.
The NGX All-Share Index climbed by 6.57 per cent to 217,167.57 from 203,770.43 recorded in the previous week.
The NGX report on Saturday noted investors recorded a total gain of N8.661 trillion within the review period.
A total turnover of 3.588 billion shares valued at N195.313 billion was traded in 254,553 deals.
This compares with 3.361 billion shares worth N151.948 billion exchanged in 229,442 transactions in the preceding week.
Sectoral analysis showed the Financial Services Industry led activity with 2.498 billion shares valued at N94.005 billion in 111,052 deals.
This contributed 69.62 per cent and 48.13 per cent to total equity turnover volume and value, respectively.
The Services Industry followed with 329.034 million shares worth N3.452 billion in 14,050 deals.
The Oil and Gas Industry ranked third, recording 152.472 million shares valued at N42.511 billion in 19,022 transactions.
Trading in Sterling Financial Holdings Company Plc, Access Holdings Plc and Zenith Bank Plc accounted for 1.038 billion shares worth N46.081 billion in 33,067 deals.
This contributed 28.92 per cent and 23.59 per cent to total turnover volume and value, respectively.
Sixty-one equities appreciated during the week, compared with 25 in the previous week.
Thirty-six equities declined, down from 54, while 49 equities remained unchanged, lower than 67 recorded previously.
Top gainers included Trans-Nationwide Express Plc, Ecobank Transnational Incorporated, Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, Royal Exchange Plc and Aradel Holdings Plc.
They recorded price increases of N2.28, N21.30, N50.55, 42k and N370 respectively.
On the losers’ chart were Coronation Insurance Plc, Ikeja Hotel Plc, International Energy Insurance Plc, Academy Press Plc and Honeywell Flour Mills Plc.
They recorded declines of 42k, N5.60, 49k, N1.10 and N2.35 respectively.
The exchange also notified Trading Licence Holders of activated codes for rights issues by three insurance firms: Guinea Insurance Plc, Lasaco Assurance Plc and Sunu Assurances Nigeria Plc.
Trading in Guinea Insurance Plc’s rights issue opened on 25 March 2026, for shareholders on record as of 21 January.
Lasaco Assurance Plc began trading its rights issue on 2 April for shareholders on record as of 20 February.
Sunu Assurances Nigeria Plc began trading its rights issue on Monday, 13 April, for shareholders on record as of 12 February.
