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Report Reveals Foreign Investors Withdrew N45.8bn from NGX in January 2025

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Foreign investors withdrew N45.85bn from the Nigerian stock market in January 2025, an outflow that significantly overshadowed the N25.66bn recorded as foreign inflows within the same period.

The latest Nigerian Exchange Domestic and Foreign Portfolio Investment Report revealed that foreign outflows accounted for 64.12 per cent of total foreign transactions on the exchange, reinforcing concerns over declining foreign participation in the market despite the relative stability of the naira.

It showed that total foreign transactions increased by 7.13 per cent, rising from N66.75bn in December 2024 to N71.51bn in January 2025.

However, this increase was largely driven by investors liquidating their holdings, as evidenced by the much larger outflow compared to inflows.

This trend indicates that while some foreign investors may still engage with the Nigerian market, a greater proportion opt to exit, contributing to capital flight.

The withdrawal of foreign funds from the market came amid a 9.89 per cent decline in total equity transactions on the NGX, which fell from N673.66bn in December 2024 to N607.05bn in January 2025.

On a year-on-year basis, total transactions dropped by 6.83 per cent from N651.52bn recorded in January 2024.

This suggests that investor sentiment remained subdued as both foreign and domestic players exercised caution in response to prevailing economic conditions.

The report read, “On a monthly basis, Nigerian Exchange Limited polls trading figures from market operators on their Domestic and Foreign Portfolio Investment flows.

“As at 31 January 2025, total transactions at the nation’s bourse decreased by 9.89 per cent from N673.66bn (about $438.64m) in December3 2024 to N607.05bn (about $410.84m) in January 2025.

“The performance of the current month when compared to the performance in January 2024 (N651.52bn) revealed that total transactions decreased by 6.83 per cent. In January 2025, the total value of transactions executed by Domestic Investors outperformed transactions executed by Foreign Investors by circa 76 per cent.”

The report further disclosed that foreign investors’ share of total market transactions stood at 11.78 per cent, with domestic investors dominating with 88.22 per cent.

This represents a slight increase from 9.91 per cent foreign participation in December 2024 but remains far below historical averages when foreign investors played a more substantial role in market liquidity and depth.

The disparity between inflows and outflows further highlights the persistent reluctance of foreign investors to commit fresh funds to Nigerian equities.

A closer look at domestic transactions revealed a notable shift in investor behaviour. Institutional investors, who traditionally drive market stability, significantly reduced their participation, with transactions falling by 33.95 per cent from N406.04bn in December 2024 to N268.19bn in January 2025.

This decline contrasts sharply with the retail segment, which saw a 33.10 per cent increase, as retail transactions rose from N200.87bn to N267.35bn within the same period.

This shift suggests that while institutional investors remain cautious, retail investors are showing increased enthusiasm, possibly seeking bargain opportunities in a market where valuations may appear attractive.

Despite concerns over foreign outflows, the exchange rate showed signs of stability, with the naira appreciating from N1,535.81/$ in December 2024 to N1,478.22/$ in January 2025.

This stability, however, was not sufficient to reverse foreign investor sentiment, as broader macroeconomic challenges persist.

The NGX report also provided a broader historical context, showing that over an 18-year period, domestic transactions increased by 33.15 per cent from N3.556tn in 2007 to N4.735tn in 2024, while foreign transactions grew by 38.31 per cent, from N616bn to N852bn over the same period.

However, foreign participation has steadily declined in recent years, with foreign investors accounting for only 15 per cent of total transactions in 2024, while domestic investors controlled 85 per cent of the market.

There is a need for foreign investors to increase their stake in Nigerian equities and for more stable macroeconomic policies, improved market transparency, and strengthened investor confidence.

However, the Central Bank of Nigeria’s monetary tightening policies, designed to curb inflation and stabilise the naira, are gradually boosting renewed foreign interest in the equity market.


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E-Financial

CBN to Simplify Bank Alerts over Rising Customer Complaints

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Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and commercial banks are reviewing the large number of transaction alerts sent to customers and the complaints about bank charges.

CBN to Simplify Bank Alerts over Rising Customer Complaints

So called bank alert refers to real-time SMS or email notifications from your financial institution about transactions, balances, or security updates.

Olayemi Cardoso, governor, CBN, said this in Abuja after the 305th Monetary Policy Committee meeting.

He explained that many bank customers are confused because they receive too many debit alerts for a single transaction.

To address this, the CBN has created a quarterly meeting system involving its consumer protection team, commercial banks, and the top 10 microfinance banks. The goal is to resolve customer complaints faster and improve banking services.

Cardoso said one major issue being studied is how banks send multiple notifications for one transaction.African Politics Analysis

He said this often confuses customers and suggested that alerts should be simplified and combined so people can clearly understand what each debit is for.

He added that the issue is still being worked on and solutions will be proposed soon.

On the N50 stamp duty charge, the CBN governor explained that it is not a bank charge.

He said the charge comes from tax authorities, while banks only collect it and send it to the government.

He advised customers who notice wrong charges to first complain to their bank. If the issue is not resolved, they can escalate it to the CBN’s consumer protection department.

Cardoso also said the CBN has strengthened its monitoring system to ensure banks handle complaints properly, compensate customers when needed, and improve customer service.

The CBN is also reviewing how banks apply rules on charges and customer complaints, with the aim of improving transparency and reducing repeated issues in the banking system.

 


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Griffin Capital Group Launches Integrated Financial Services Group Positioned to Strengthen Capital Formation in Nigeria, Africa

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Griffin Capital Group Limited has announced its official market entry as a fully integrated financial services group, bringing together investment banking, asset management, trusteeship, lending, and insurance capabilities under a unified institutional platform.

The launch reflects a deliberate response to the evolving demands of Nigeria’s financial ecosystem, where the need for disciplined capital deployment, stronger Corporate Governance frameworks, and deeper market liquidity continues to shape the next phase of growth.

Structured as a multi-business financial services group, Griffin Capital is designed to operate across the full spectrum of capital formation, from origination through innovatively structuring complex financial transactions in a simplified manner; to execution, distribution, and investment management. This enables us to both advise on and actively participate in transactions.

The Group enters the market with a leadership team whose experience spans investment banking, Insurance brokerage, capital markets, corporate finance, development finance, and investment management across Africa and global financial centers.

Griffin Capital’s operating model reflects a clear emphasis on institutional discipline, combining advisory expertise with balance sheet strength to support more efficient capital allocation and improved transaction quality.

As Nigeria’s economic reforms continue to unlock new opportunities across infrastructure and project finance, financial advisory, and private capital markets; the Group is positioned to support both issuers and investors through a structure designed for scale, transparency, and execution.

Commenting on the launch, the Group Chief Executive Officer, Babatunde Obaniyi said: “The opportunity in Nigeria’s financial markets is significant, but unlocking it requires more than capital. It requires structure, governance, and the ability to deploy capital with discipline. Griffin Capital Group has been built to address these fundamentals. Our model allows us to operate across the full lifecycle of transactions from advisory to execution, while maintaining a strong focus on risk management and long-term value creation.

“We are entering the market with a clear sense of responsibility, particularly in how capital is structured, deployed, and preserved. Our ambition is to build an institution that contributes meaningfully to market development while maintaining the highest standards of governance and execution.”

The Chairman of the Group, Musa Bello added: “Financial institutions play a critical role in shaping economic outcomes, particularly in emerging markets where capital must be deployed with both precision and purpose. Griffin Capital Group represents a long-term commitment to building an institution that combines local market understanding with global standards of governance and execution.

“As Nigeria continues to deepen its capital markets and expand private sector participation, institutions with the capacity to structure, mobilize, and manage capital effectively will be essential. Our focus is not only on participating in this evolution, but on contributing to it in a meaningful and sustainable way.”

With a medium-to-long-term strategy focused on growth in assets under management and expanded participation across key sectors, Griffin Capital Group intends to play an active role in facilitating capital flows within Nigeria and across the African continent.

The Group’s integrated platform is expected to support a broad range of clients, including retail, corporates, institutional investors, development finance institutions, government institutions, and high-net-worth individuals, through tailored financial solutions and disciplined execution.


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Court Orders Globus Bank to Pay Firm N256m for Breach of Contract

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A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, presided by Justice Christopher Oba, has ordered Globus Bank Ltd to pay a total of N256 million to an Abuja-based company, Haril Global Solutions Ltd, for breaching a contractual agreement.

Court Orders Globus Bank to Pay Firm N256m for Breach of Contract

In the suit marked; FCT/HC/CV/1456/2026, Haril Global Solution Ltd, Chinedu Mba, Idris Olayiwola and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), were listed as Defendants to the counterclaim filed by the bank.

The Claimant filed the suit by way of Writ of Summons, wherein it complained of breach of contractual agreement and wrongful deductions running into millions of naira by the bank.

Delivering judgement on the matter, Justice Oba declared that there was a valid and subsisting contract between the Claimant and the Defendant, pursuant to the letter of offer of facility dated July 4, 2023, signed by both the Claimant and the Defendant and the Overdraft Facility Agreement executed between the Claimant and the Defendant dated July 4, 2023.

Subsequently, the Court made a declaration that the Claimant is entitled to the return of the Debt Service Reserve Fee Sum of One Hundred and Nine Million Naira (N109M) wrongfully withdrawn by the Defendant from the Claimant’s Debt Service Reserve Account with account number 4000006572 and transferred to the Claimant’s Overdraft with account number 1000085336 on December 29, 2023, contrary to the Overdraft facility Agreement executed between the Claimant and the Defendant dated July 4, 2023 and the letter of offer of facility dated July 4, 2023.

The Court also mandated the Defendant to return the sum of Twenty-Six Million, Seventy-Six Thousand, Three Hundred and Eighty-Eight Naira Thirty-Two, kobo (N26,076,388.32) wrongfully withdrawn on January 31, 2024, from the account of the Claimant with account number 1000085336 as interest despite the fact that a Post-No-Debit has been placed on the Claimant’s account as a result of which the Claimant could not carry out his business.

In addition, the Judge ordered Globus Bank to return the sum of Fifteen Million Naira (N15,000,000.00) wrongfully withdrawn from the account of the Claimant on February 6, 2024, with account number 1000085336, with interest despite the fact that a Post-No-debit has been placed on the Claimant as a result of which the Claimant could not carry out its business.

The Court equally ordered the Defendant to pay the Claimant Five Million Naira (N5M) as general damages for breach of contract, as well as pay the Claimant the sum of One Million Naira (N1m) as the cost of this suit.

According to the Court, the Defendant breached the accepted Letter of offer of facility dated July 4, 2023, overdraft facility agreement executed between the Claimant and the Defendant dated July 4, 2023.

“A declaration of this honourable court is hereby made that the contract between the Claimant and the Defendant pursuant to the Letter of offer of facility dated the 4th July, 2023, and the Overdraft Facility Agreement executed between the Claimant and the Defendant dated 4th day of July 2023, is discharged by the breach occasioned by the Defendant.

“A declaration of this Honourable Court is hereby made that the defendant is liable to the Claimant for breach of contract thus liable to pay the Claimant general damages for breach of contract.

However, the court dismissed the counterclaim by Globus Bank on the ground that it failed to adduce credible evidence to establish its claims for fraud or unlawful interference with the contract terms by Haril Global Solutions Ltd.

The Counter-Claimant had alleged that the Claimant manipulated the system by debiting other merchants to credit its own account.

“However, no evidence was led to show which specific merchants were debited or to provide testimony from such third parties, the court stated.

Regarding the Police investigation report (Ex Q1-2), the court stated that the report did not indict the Claimant for the alleged fraud, noting that the report mentioned a figure of N900 million, which was vastly different from the N2.5 billion sought in the Counter-Claim.

The Judge held that the Police Investigation Report was a mere report and not a judicial pronouncement that the court can use to determine the allegation of fraud against the Claimant.

“Consequently, the Counter-Claimant has failed to provide cogent, credible, and compelling evidence to establish its claims for fraud or unlawful interference with trade.

“The reliefs sought in the Counter-Claim are declaratory and monetary in nature, and such reliefs cannot be granted on the basis of unsupported allegations or documents that have been expunged by the Court.

“In the circumstances, I find that the Counter-Claimant has failed to discharge both the legal and evidential burden of proof required by law.

“I hereby dismiss the counter-claim in its entirety for lack of merit. On the whole, the case of the Claimant succeeds” Justice Oba said.


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