Nigerian stock market hits record N162 trillion capitalization

Nigerian stock market NGX All-Share Index market capitalization equities market financial services sector

The Nigerian equities market experienced a significant rebound during the week ending September 18, 2026. The Nigerian Exchange (NGX) All-Share Index rose by 2.78 per cent to close at approximately 249,804.56 points, pushing aggregate market capitalization to a record high of N162.157 trillion.

This growth was driven by renewed investor demand across several sectors, most notably the banking and financial services industries. The banking index led sectoral advances with a 4.4 per cent increase. High trading volumes were concentrated in major stocks, including Fidelity Bank Plc, Sterling Financial Holdings Company Plc, and Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc, which together accounted for nearly 38 per cent of the week's total share volume.

The market's year-to-date return has reached approximately 60.5 per cent. Analysts suggest the rally reflects a strategic repositioning by investors seeking to hedge against inflation and a shift in focus following previous portfolio adjustments related to the upcoming Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals initial public offering.