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Nigeria Sinks Below Zimbabwe Stock Valuations

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Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Coordinating Minister for the Economy
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Nigeria’s Islamist insurgency, tumbling oil revenue and a looming presidential election have turned the nation’s stocks into Africa’s biggest laggards, according to Bloomberg.

The country’s main equity index lost 25 percent this quarter after tumbling to a 22-month low, the continent’s largest retreat.

The Nigerian measure dropped to 8.1 times estimated earnings Dec. 11 in Lagos, falling below Zimbabwe for the first time since Bloomberg started tracking the southern African nation in 2010.

Bloomberg reported that tension in Africa’s largest economy is escalating before polls in February pitting southern Christian President Goodluck Jonathan against former military ruler Muhammadu Buhari, a northern Muslim, with attacks by the Islamist militant group Boko Haram killing at least 450 people in November.

Crude’s plunge below $65 a barrel has deepened the rout as Nigeria needs a price of $126 to balance its budget, more than any other major developing-nation producer bar Venezuela and Bahrain, according to Deutsche Bank AG.

“The government situation is somewhat chaotic,” Mark Mobius, who oversees about $40 billion as the executive chairman of Templeton Emerging Markets Group, said by phone from Bangkok on Dec. 9.

“You’re going to get a lot of hesitation on the part of investors” until after the polls, he said.

The Nigerian Stock Exchange All Share Index decreased 3.5 percent to 31,062.03, the lowest level since January 2013. The gauge has dropped 28 percent from this year’s high in July.

 It is the fourth-biggest fall among 93 stock gauges tracked by Bloomberg worldwide this quarter through Dec. 11.

The last time Nigeria held general elections in 2011, stocks declined 1 percent in the six months before the April poll to end the year 16 percent down.

Jonathan’s victory triggered riots across the north that killed more than 800 people and led to the burning of churches, mosques and homes and was challenged by the runner-up.

Investors are more concerned this year as increased attacks by Boko Haram “make these elections particularly fraught,”

Nnamdi Obasi, a senior analyst for West Africa at Brussels-based International Crisis Group, a conflict resolution organization, said in a report last month.

Consumer and energy shares have been among the biggest drags on the benchmark index. Dangote Cement Plc, controlled by the continent’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, has dropped 28 percent this year.

The stock makes up about a quarter of the gauge’s $62 billion market capitalization. FBN Holdings Plc, owner of the country’s biggest lender, fell 47 percent amid higher capital requirements.

The estimated price-to-earnings ratio for Nigeria is the lowest of nine of the largest markets in sub-Saharan Africa and compares with 8.14 times for the main measure of the stock exchange in Zimbabwe, where a decade-long recession that began in 2000 reduced the size of the economy by half.

Kenya’s Nairobi All Share Index is valued at 11.4, while Russia’s Micex Index is at 4.6 times estimated earnings as the economy teeters on recession amid international sanctions against the world’s biggest energy exporter. Brazil’s Ibovespa Index is valued at 10.3, while the MSCI Frontier Markets Index measures 9.1.

The selloff in some consumer stocks and banks has been extreme even after accounting for a more difficult business environment amid lower oil prices, Joseph Rohm, who helps manage about $2 billion in Africa for Investec Asset Management, said by phone from Cape Town Dec. 10. “It’s a better environment now for stock-pickers with a long-term horizon.”

Nigerian securities will rebound in 2015 if the political environment improves, Mobius said. The $1.8 billion Templeton Frontier Markets Fund hasn’t reduced its exposure to Nigeria during the recent downturn, he said.

The latest data from Nigeria’s stock exchange show foreign investors have been net sellers of the nation’s shares and bonds on the whole. They pulled $273 million from the country in October, the most since February when central bank Governor Lamido Sanusi was suspended.

Oliver Bell, a money manager at T. Rowe Price Group Inc. in London, said last month that the firm’s Africa and Middle East fund has cut holdings of Nigerian shares to the lowest level since the fund’s inception in 2007, even as he predicts the country’s long-term investment case will stay intact.

“We’re not seeing this as a buying opportunity at all,” David Wickham, director of frontier and emerging-market equity at HSBC Global Asset Management, which has $850 million in frontier market shares, said by phone from London Dec. 10.

“It’s a pretty challenging period. Most investors, unless they’re extremely contrarian, will sit back and wait.”

While Jonathan will probably win the elections, he is weakened by Boko Haram’s Islamist attacks along with his administration’s failure to curtail corruption and by senior party member defections to the opposition, Sebastian Spio- Garbrah, managing director at New York-based consultancy DaMina Advisors LLP, said last month.

Nigeria’s economy, which relies on oil for more than 90 percent of exports and 70 percent of government revenue, is getting buffeted by Brent crude’s more than 40 percent plunge since June to the lowest level in more than five years.

 The finance ministry, which had projected 6.35 percent economic growth in 2015, may reduce that forecast by about one percentage point next week, spokesman Paul Nwabuikwu said by phone Dec. 10 from the capital, Abuja.

The central bank raised interest rates to a record 13 percent last month in a bid to stem capital outflows and defend the local currency, which dropped to a record low against the dollar on Dec. 2 and is heading for its biggest annual decline since 2008. The naira weakened 0.3 percent to 181.82 per dollar as of 9:50 a.m. in Lagos, extending losses this quarter to 9.9 percent.

“In the next 30 years, it’s a fantastic place to be,” said HSBC’s Wickham. “Right now, it’s a different story.”


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World Bank Blocks Social Media Comments from Nigerians over Loan Backlash

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World Bank has restricted comments on its Instagram page after thousands of Nigerians flooded the platform begging them to stop lending money to Nigeria.

World Bank Blocks Social Media Comments from Nigerians over Loan Backlash

The protest erupted after reports that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is seeking a fresh $1.25 billion dollar loan for approval on June 26.

Some Nigerians asked the World Bank to provide more details about the purpose of the loan and how the funds would be managed.

Others said the country should reduce dependence on foreign loans and focus on improving local revenue.

The federal government has continued to defend its borrowing plans.

Officials say the funds will support economic reforms, development projects and efforts to strengthen the economy.

Nigeria remains one of the major borrowers from the World Bank in Africa, with different administrations securing loans over the years for infrastructure, social programmes and economic support.


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Lagos Plans New Cybersecurity Centre

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The Lagos State Government plans to establish a Cybersecurity Operations Centre to strengthen protection of government systems, digital services and citizen data amid rising cyber threats linked to the city’s expanding digital economy.

Tunbosun Alake, Lagos commissioner for innovation, science and technology, said the centre would help secure the infrastructure supporting online payments, e-government services, cloud platforms and technology-driven business operations across the state.

According to Alake, the facility will monitor, detect and respond to cyber threats targeting government networks, digital transactions and sensitive public data.

The move comes as Lagos accelerates its smart city agenda through investments in broadband infrastructure, digital identity systems and automated public services.

Alake said Lagos had already deployed 109 Data Protection Officers across Ministries, Departments and Agencies, which he described as the highest number among Nigerian states, to strengthen compliance with data protection regulations.

Alongside the proposed cybersecurity centre, the state also launched the Lagos Campus Network Upgrade project aimed at improving digital infrastructure within the public sector.

The upgrade is expected to improve network performance, automate internal government processes and enhance digital engagement with residents. The cybersecurity initiative follows the release of Lagos State’s cybersecurity guidelines in April.

The framework recommends measures including multi-factor authentication, vulnerability testing, encrypted backups and tighter endpoint security controls.

The guidelines align with Nigeria’s Cybercrime Act 2024, the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023 and the National Cybersecurity Policy and Strategy 2021.

 


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LG Electronics Strengthens Household Energy Efficiency in Nigeria with Advanced Inverter Refrigerator Solutions

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LG Electronics (LG) is reinforcing its commitment to smarter and more energy‑efficient living by spotlighting its range of inverter‑powered refrigerators designed to meet the evolving needs of Nigerian households.

As electricity costs continue to rise and inflationary pressures shape consumer spending, LG’s refrigerator portfolio is positioned as a practical solution that combines dependable performance with responsible energy consumption.

Refrigerators are among the most frequently used appliances in Nigerian homes, operating 24 hours a day and accounting for a significant share of household electricity usage. LG addresses this challenge through its proprietary Inverter Compressor technology, which intelligently adjusts cooling power based on actual usage conditions.

By reducing unnecessary energy draw, the system delivers stable temperature control while helping households lower energy consumption and manage monthly utility costs more effectively.

Beyond energy savings, LG refrigerators are designed to support food security and reduce waste, an increasingly important consideration for families navigating rising food prices. The inverter system enables faster cooling recovery after power interruptions and helps maintain consistent internal temperatures, preserving food freshness for longer periods. With fewer friction points in the compressor design, LG refrigerators also offer enhanced durability and long‑term reliability, minimizing maintenance costs over time.

LG’s energy‑saving refrigerator lineup includes Top Mount, Side‑by‑Side, and Door‑in‑Door models, each tailored to different household sizes, storage needs, and lifestyle preferences. The Top Mount refrigerators offer practical, space‑efficient designs ideal for everyday family use, delivering reliable cooling with optimized energy efficiency.

The LG GN-F452PFAQ model keeps food perfectly fresh with FRESH Converter+ that optimizes temperature as per food items and never runs out of ice with the Auto Ice Maker.

For households that require larger storage capacity and improved organization, Side‑by‑Side models provide generous interior space, improved visibility, and consistent cooling across compartments.

For more design‑conscious consumers, LG’s Door‑in‑Door refrigerators reduce cold air loss by allowing quick access to frequently used items, supporting both energy efficiency and long‑lasting freshness.

At the premium end, LG continues to innovate with advanced models such as the MoodUP™ refrigerator, which combines customizable aesthetics with functional energy‑saving features like the InstaView panel, allowing users to view contents without opening the door and reducing unnecessary cold air loss. This refrigerator comes with a washing machine as a bundle promotion.

According to LG, this range‑based approach reflects a deep understanding of how Nigerian households differ in size, consumption habits, and lifestyle needs.

“Nigerian consumers are becoming more intentional about how they use energy and manage household costs,” said Mr. Oktai Kim, General Manager, Home Appliance Solutions, LG Electronics Nigeria. “By offering a diverse range of inverter‑powered refrigerators, we are giving families the flexibility to choose solutions that suit their homes while delivering long‑term value through energy efficiency and dependable performance.”

Rather than focusing on technology alone, LG’s energy‑saving refrigerator portfolio emphasizes everyday benefits, efficient operation, reliable cooling, and designs that adapt to real living conditions. Available nationwide, LG refrigerators continue to support smarter living and economic resilience, reinforcing the company’s commitment to delivering durable, consumer‑focused home solutions for Nigerian households.


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