Nigerian Stocks Fall for Fifth Straight Session as Investors Lose N256bn

The Nigerian stock market closed lower on Tuesday, October 6, extending its losing streak to five consecutive trading sessions. Investors lost N256 billion as selling pressure persisted, pushing the NGX All-Share Index down by 0.16% to 250,273.50 points.

Market capitalisation fell to N162.495 trillion from N162.751 trillion in the previous session. The index dropped 394.36 points from 250,667.86 points. The market has now recorded losses in every trading session since Tuesday, September 29.

Banking sector leads decline

The NGX Banking Index recorded the biggest sectoral decline, falling by 1.25%. The NGX Consumer Goods Index slipped by 0.04%. The NGX Industrial Index was virtually flat, gaining 0.003%. The NGX Oil & Gas Index remained broadly unchanged, declining by 0.002%. The NGX Insurance Index was the strongest performer, rising by 0.53%.

Critical Minerals Fin. Corp dropped from N4.05 to N3.65, losing N0.40 or 9.88%. ABC Transport Plc fell from N6.70 to N6.05, shedding N0.65 or 9.70%. CWG Plc declined from N20.75 to N19.25, losing N1.50 or 7.23%. Zichis Agro Allied dropped from N18.25 to N17.05, down N1.20 or 6.58%. Neimeth International Pharmaceuticals fell from N8.10 to N7.60, losing N0.50 or 6.17%.

Gainers and trading activity

Tripple Gee & Co. Plc rose from N2.56 to N2.81, gaining N0.25 or 9.77%. Livestock Feeds Plc increased from N9.75 to N10.70, adding N0.95 or 9.74%. NPF Microfinance Bank advanced from N4.20 to N4.60, gaining N0.40 or 9.52%. Sovereign Trust Insurance rose from N2.31 to N2.50, up N0.19 or 8.23%. Coronation Insurance increased from N2.21 to N2.38, gaining N0.17 or 7.69%.

A total of 579.17 million shares were traded in 40,979 deals, representing a 33.83% decline in volume compared with the previous session. Access Holdings led activity with 192.58 million shares traded in 1,887 deals. United Bank for Africa traded 32.75 million shares. Zenith Bank recorded 30.82 million shares. Fidelity Bank exchanged 29.92 million shares. Guaranty Trust Holding Company traded 19.56 million shares.

Dangote student share grant

Separately, the Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF) has unveiled a Student Share Grant Initiative. It will give qualifying Nigerian students 10 free shares in Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE after they subscribe to the company's ongoing initial public offering (IPO).

The programme is open to students aged 18 and above who are enrolled in public or private tertiary institutions across Nigeria. To qualify, students must complete a verification process and subscribe to at least 10 shares through the foundation's dedicated platform, ipo.alikodangotefoundation.org.

What it means for investors

The five-day losing streak shows sustained profit-taking and weak sentiment, especially in banking stocks. With market capitalisation at N162.495 trillion, investors are watching whether the index can hold above 250,000 points. For businesses and consumers, a weaker stock market can signal tighter risk appetite, even as the naira and fixed income yields remain key drivers of capital flows.