The Nigerian stock market kicks off the year in the green on Friday, January 2, with ₦561.55 billion gained by investors.
The positive momentum maintained on the floor of the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) saw the market capitalisation rise to ₦99.94 trillion from ₦99.38 trillion, as the market ended on Wednesday, December 24, 2025.
Similarly, the All-Share Index (ASI) advanced by 0.57 per cent to 156,492.36 points to start the year.
All the sectors tracked started the year on a positive note, except the industrial goods, which closed flat.
The banking sector advanced the most, rising by 2.32 per cent to close on Friday at 1,551.09 points.
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The insurance sector rose by 2.07 per cent to close at 1,213.95 points, and the oil and gas sector by 1.38 per cent to 2,707.07 points.
While the commodity sector index rose by 0.71 to 1,182.23 points, the consumer goods inched up by 0.21 per cent to 3,983.84 points.
Market sentiment was strong as 53 stocks advanced against 10 that declined.
ABC Transport, FTN Cocoa Processors, Mutual Benefits Assurance, Deep Capital Management and Trust, and Aluminium Extrusion Industries emerged as the top gainers.
On the flip side, Abbey Mortgage Bank, FCMB Group, Seplat Energy, Guinea Insurance, and Universal Insurance Company posted the steepest declines.
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A total of 439.95 million shares were traded, valued at ₦24.97 billion in 40,245 deals.
Investors gained N36.62trn in 2025
Pinnacle Daily reports that the Nigerian stock market rallied in 2025, as investors gained N36.62 trillion, a sum higher than the federal government’s projected revenue for 2026.
Specifically, trading activity closed on December 31, 2025, for the year, leaving the market capitalisation to close at N99.38 trillion from the N62.76 trillion it opened at on January 2, 2025, leaving investors with a gain of N36.62 trillion.
The ASI also returned a 51.19 per cent year-to-date gain, advancing by 52,686.63 points to close at 155,613.03 points from the 102,926.40 points it opened at in January 2025.
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Analysts attributed the strong market performance to the ongoing CBN banking sector recapitalisation exercise, inflow from foreign investors and reforms by the management of the NGX.
Speaking on the stock market rally in 2025, the NGX Group managing director/chief executive officer, Temi Popoola, said, “The Nigerian capital market in 2025 demonstrated resilience despite domestic and global economic headwinds. This performance underscores the importance of policy consistency, purposeful reforms, and strategic collaboration in strengthening investor confidence and sustaining market growth.
“During the year, efforts to advance economic reforms and improve market structures helped support a stable environment for capital formation, while our continued investment in technology played a critical role in expanding access, enhancing transparency, and improving operational efficiency across the market.
He assured that the group would remain focused on deepening partnerships with regulators, issuers, market operators, policymakers, and the wider financial ecosystem to sustain this momentum in the new year.
“We are optimistic about the opportunities ahead and committed to positioning the Nigerian capital market as a key driver of economic growth and wealth creation, while advancing NGX Group’s vision as Africa’s preferred exchange hub,” Popoola added.
Alex is a business journalist cum data enthusiast with the Pinnacle Daily. He can be reached via ealex@thepinnacleng.com, @ehime_alex on X
