Menene Dividend da Dividend Yield? Fahimtar Ribarka Daga Hannun Jari a Sauƙaƙe

Tambaya:

Jazakhallahu Prof.

But sir idan kanason samu dividend a ina zakayi register? a apps irinsu Bamboo koko a Meristem, APT etc?

Amsata:

Wa iyyakum. A duk wanda ka yi register da shi, primary broker ne kaman su Meristem, APT, dss, ko kuwa 3rd-Party Apps ne kaman Cowrywise, Bamboo, Yochaa, dss, za ka sami Dividend matuqar kamfanin da ka siya Share din su na bayar da Dividend. 

Shin ta yaya za ka sani ko kamfani na biyan dividend?

(1) Cowrywise: Mafi sauqin hanyan da na ke dubawa in ga ko kamfani tana biyan Dividend shine ta Cowrywise. Da zaran ka bude shafin kamfanin, za ka ga DIVIDEND YIELD. Idan an rubuta sifili, to ba sa biyan Dividend kenen. Idan kuwa suna biya, to za ka ga adadin da suke biyan din a cikin dari, wato percentage.

(2) Meristem: Wannan broker din na da takarda wanda ta ke turawa duk sati domin bada shawara a kan stocks. A cikin wannan takardan, tana lissafta dukkanin kamfanoni masu biyan Dividend tare da Dividend Yield, da kuma lokacin da ta biya a baya ko kuma za ta biya a nan gaba, tare da Qualification Date, kai har ma da Bonus, wato qarin Shares kyauta da wasu kamfanoni suke bayar wa. Ga Screenshot nan, sannan kuma ga Link din takardan gabadayanta.

https://mcusercontent.com/bbb27b17b0b31a5b84a5e0467/files/1eff4219-d599-2891-b07b-30c423e47692/Weekly_Stock_Recommendation_and_Corporate_Benefit_Trigger_19th_January_2026.pdf

Me zai faru idan lokacin biyan Dividend ya wuce amma baka ji Alert ba?

Kafin ka cancanci a biya ka Dividend, dole sai kana da Shares din kamfanin kafin ko kuma har zuwa ranar Qualification Date. Idan ka cancanta, sannan kuma ka ji shiru, to sai ka nemi Registrar din kamfanin, ka tuntube su ta Email domin ka kai koken ka.

Menene Company Registrar?

Registrar, kamfani ne da ke kula da sunan masu hannun jari (Shareholders) na wani kamfani.

Ayyukansa sun haɗa da:

• Riƙe jerin sunayen masu shares

• Tabbatar da adadin Shares da kowa ke da su

• Tura Dividend ga masu Shares

• Gyarawa da sabunta bayanan masu Shares (suna, lambar waya, banki, da sauransu)

• Taimakawa a Rights Issue ko Public Offer

A takaice:

Registrar shi ne “ofishin rikodin” da ke kula da bayanan masu hannun jari na kamfani. Kuma kowace kamfani tana da Registrar din ta. Ga misalan su: Meristem Registrars, First Registrars, Coronation Registrars, CardinalStone Registrars, da dai sauransu.

Ta yaya zan gane Registrar din kamfanin da ni ke da Shares a ciki?

(1) Ta hanyar Internet Search za ka iya neman sunan Registrar din kowacce kamfani tare da Email din su.

(2) Cowrywise: A shafin kowanne kamfani ka bude a Cowrywise, to za ka ga sunan Registrar din kamfanin a can qasa. Idan ka ga sunan, to sai ka nemi Email din su ta Internet Search.

Idan ka tuntube su, za su duba su tabbatar da bayanan ka, sannan daga baya, ka ji Alert.

Wai shin menene Dividend?

Dividend kuɗin riba (Profit) ne da kamfani ke raba wa masu hannun jarinsa (Shareholders) daga ribar da ya samu a zango (Interim Dividend) ko kuma a shekara (Final Dividend).

Misali: Idan kana da hannun jari na kamfani, kuma kamfanin ya samu riba, zai iya ba ka wani kaso na wannan riba a matsayin Dividend. Manya da qananan kamfanoni suna iya biyan Dividend, matuqar sun ci riba. 

A da MTN na biyan Dividend, amma kuma da ta fadi a 2024, sai bata biya ba har sai da ta ci riba a 2025 sannan ta dawo da biyan Dividend.

Menene Dividend Yield kuma?

Dividend Yield yana nuna maka nawa kake samu daga Dividend idan aka kwatanta da farashin Share din.

Ana lissafa shi a cikin kashi dari (%).

Misali:

Idan ka sayi share a ₦100, kuma kamfanin ya biya dividend ₦10 a shekara ga kowacce Share,

to dividend yield ɗinka = 10%. Ka ga, idan kana da 1,000 Shares (₦100,000), za ka sami ₦10,000 kenan, idan kuma kana da 10,000 Shares (₦1 Million), za ka sami ₦100,000 kenan.

A takaice:

• Dividend = kuɗin riba da kamfani ke ba masu shares

• Dividend Yield = yawan ribar da ka samu idan aka kwatanta da farashin da ka biya ga kowacce Share.

Idan kana so, zan iya ba ka jerin kamfanonin Najeriya da ke biyan dividend mai kyau.

Kamfanonin da suka fi biyan Dividend

• Banks (UBA, GTB, Zenith, Stanbic IBTC): Interim da Final Dividend 

• Dangote Cement da BUA Foods: Final Dividend

• Seplat: Quarterly (sau hudu a shekara)

• Presco, Okomu: Interim da Final Dividend. Sun biya Interim Dividends sau biyu a 2025, ana tsammanin za sub iya Final Dividend bayan sun kammala tattara sakamakon riban 2025. 

Ku karanta wannan maqalan, domin qarin bayani. 

https://nairametrics.com/2026/01/14/ngx-swoot-dividend-stocks-to-invest-in-january-2026/#split_content

Let the Experts Do the Trading: Smart, Stress-Free Investing for Busy and Non-Technical Investors Using Equity Funds and ETFs

Question:

Do you have trusted people or know people one can rely on for trading and knowledge? I don't have the brain to be watching market.

My Response

Yes — if you don’t have the time, interest, or “brain” to monitor the market daily, there are trusted, professional options where fund managers trade for you. These fall into two main categories: actively managed equity funds and passively managed exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

🔹 OPTION 1: Actively Managed Equity Funds

Professionals select and trade stocks for you. 

These funds aim to outperform the market through research-driven and active trading decisions.

Examples:

•⁠  ⁠Lotus Halal Equity ETF (LOTUSHAL15) – Shariah-compliant. Tracks the NGX Lotus Islamic Index (NGX-LII) which consists of 11 shariah-compliant stocks.

•⁠  ⁠Afrinvest Equity Fund

•⁠  ⁠Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund

•⁠  ⁠ARM Equity Fund

•⁠  ⁠Meristem Equity Fund

•⁠  ⁠United Capital Equity Fund

•⁠  ⁠FSDH Equity Fund

Best for you if:

✔ You want experts to handle stock selection

✔ You prefer long-term growth

✔ You don’t want to watch charts daily

🔹 OPTION 2: Passively Managed ETFs

They track a given set of stocks under an index, say NGX 30 (which tracks the top 30 companies by market capitalization and liquidity), automatically.

ETFs simply mirror an index like the NGX 30 index, Banking Index, Growth Index, Consumer Goods Index, Oil & Gas Index, Premium Index, etc. No active stock picking.

Examples:

•⁠  ⁠Stanbic IBTC NGX 30 ETF

•⁠  ⁠NewGold ETF (Gold-backed)

•⁠  ⁠Vetiva Griffin 30 ETF

Best for you if:

✔ You want low-stress investing

✔ You believe in market growth over time

✔ You don’t want active trading

🔹 OPTION 3: Hybrid Platforms (Easy & Guided)

Apps like Cowrywise, Bamboo, and Trove let you:

•⁠  ⁠Invest in funds and mutual funds that invest in a diversified asset class such as bonds, T-bills, placements, and other fixed-income.

•⁠  ⁠Buy ETFs

•⁠  ⁠Get basic guidance

•⁠  ⁠Avoid daily monitoring

🧠 Simple Truth

You don’t need to be a market expert to grow wealth.

Just choose the right structure:

If you want…         Choose…

Experts to trade Equity Funds

Simple growth          ETFs, Mutual Funds

Easy access         Cowrywise / Bamboo

Halal investing LOTUSHAL15 ETF, Stanbic IBTC Imaan Fund, Afrinvest Halal Fund, ARM Halal Balanced Fund, FBN Halal Fund, etc.

Final Advice

Let professionals do the heavy lifting while you focus on your life.

Smart investing isn’t about stress — it’s about structure.

Beyond the Real Estate Myth: Why the Stock Market is a Safer Bet for the Informed Investor

 Comment

“Stock market is good only for those who are patient and those who can absorb pressure in case of sudden depreciation and losses. If you know you are hypertensive or impatient, you better avoid investing in stocks and invest in landed properties in good location!”

My Response

While it is true that the stock market requires patience and emotional discipline, it is not accurate to say that only a certain “type” of person should invest in it. The real issue is not hypertension or impatience, but strategy and risk management. A well-structured, diversified portfolio across strong, fundamentally sound stocks, sectors, and asset classes can significantly reduce the impact of sudden market shocks. When one spreads investments wisely, temporary losses in one stock are often balanced by gains in others.

Moreover, the stock market is naturally cyclical—it rises and falls over time. Short-term dips are normal and do not automatically mean real loss unless one sells at that moment. For people who are emotionally sensitive to price movements, a simple solution is to avoid checking their portfolio value too frequently. Constant monitoring magnifies anxiety, even when nothing fundamentally has changed.

 

The liquidity and entry barrier in another major issue. The above comment suggests "investing in landed properties" as an alternative. However, real estate in prime locations requires massive upfront capital (often ₦10M – ₦50M+) and is illiquid compared to stocks. If you have a medical or financial emergency, you cannot sell a "bedroom" of your house to get cash. Stocks allow you to start with virtually any amount, say ₦1,000, and provide the liquidity to exit whenever you choose within just T+2 (trading day plus 2 additional working days) settlement period.

Bricks and mortar have become the silent vault for Nigeria’s stolen billions. By utilizing proxies to shroud their tracks, the architects of corruption have transformed the landscape of cities like Lagos and Abuja into a graveyard for public funds. According to former EFCC Chairman Abdulrasheed Bawa, a staggering 97% of looted assets find their final resting place in real estate. The extensive forfeitures linked to former power players - like Petroleum Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke, CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele, and Attorney General & Justice Minister Abubakar Malami - serve as a sobering reminder that while these assets may be fixed in stone, the shadows of their acquisition are increasingly coming to light.

Real estate, like stocks, also carries risks — maintenance costs, legal issues, and market downturns. No investment is completely stress-free. What matters is choosing investments that match one’s financial goals, time horizon, and risk tolerance. You don't have to choose between your health and the 51% returns the Nigerian market is currently offering—you just need a balanced asset allocation. Even Dangote acknowledged that he would have been way richer had he invested in stocks rather than building an oil refinery.

In summary, the stock market is not for the “fearless,” but for the informed, disciplined, and diversified. With the right approach, even conservative investors can benefit from long-term wealth creation without unnecessary emotional pressure.

Real estate is a great asset, but it is not a replacement for the compounding power of the stock market. Don't let the fear of 2008 or daily price "noise" rob you of the wealth-building opportunities of 2026. Invest logically, not emotionally.

 

HOW MANY STOCK MARKETS ARE THERE — AND WHAT SHOULD YOU KNOW AS AN INVESTOR?

Many people say “the stock market” as if it’s just one place.

In reality, there are different types of stock markets, each serving a unique purpose.

Understanding this will help you invest smarter, manage risk better, and avoid costly mistakes.

🏛️ 1. Primary Market (Where Shares Are First Sold)

This is where companies raise money directly from the public.

Examples:

•⁠  ⁠Initial Public Offer (IPO): When a company sells its shares to the public for the first time to become a publicly listed company. For example, Dangote Oil Refinery is expected to be listed this year, likely in April.

•⁠  ⁠Public Offer (PO): When an already listed company sells additional shares to the general public to raise more capital. TIP had recently closed its PO, 2 weeks ago, selling a share at 9.5 naira. The share price has closed today at 15 naira, i.e., about 58% discount for those who bought it.

•⁠  ⁠Rights Issue (RI): When a company offers EXISTING shareholders the right to buy more shares at a discounted price in proportion to what they already own before a given qualification date. FIDSON has a right issue that closes at the end of this month. A share via the RI is 35 naira, but closed today at about 70 naira, i.e., about 50% instant discount for any eligible shareholder on the register of the qualification date (12 November 2025).

•⁠  ⁠Private Placement: When a company sells shares to a selected group of investors (new investors, institutional investors, high-net-worth individuals, strategic partners) to raise capital. Many banks (UBA, FIRST BANK, etc.) used this method to raise their capital and meet the new CBN bank recapitalization.

Here, you buy shares directly from the company, often at a discounted price. 

🔑 What to know:

•⁠  ⁠Great entry point applicable to IPO and Private Placement

•⁠  ⁠Prices are fixed for the duration of the offer

•⁠  ⁠Good for long-term investors

📊 2. Secondary Market (Where Shares Are Traded Daily)

This is the regular stock market where investors buy and sell shares among themselves.

Examples:

•⁠  ⁠Nigerian Exchange (NGX)

•⁠  ⁠NASD OTC Market

•⁠  ⁠Newyork Stock Exchange (NYSE), USA

•⁠  ⁠London Stock Exchange (LSE)

Prices move up and down daily based on demand, company performance, and economic news.

🔑 What to know:

•⁠  ⁠Prices are dynamic

•⁠  ⁠You can profit or lose

•⁠  ⁠Research matters

🇳🇬 3. NGX vs NASD OTC (Nigeria’s Two Main Markets)

NGX (Nigerian Exchange)

It is the only market for all publicly LISTED companies like:

BUA FOODS, Jaiz Bank, GTCO, Dangote Cement, etc. 

There are 143 companies currently whose total value of all shares, i.e., market capitalization (cap), stands at 106 trillion naira, monitored using the all-share-index or NGXASI. Market cap is the primary way investors categorize companies by size, such as large-cap (stable, established, e.g., MTN, BUA FOODS, Seplat), mid-cap (growth-oriented, e.g., FIDSON, Julius Berger, PZ, Jaiz Bank), or small-cap (high potential but volatile, e.g., NCR, Eunisell, Deap Capital Management).

•⁠  ⁠Highly regulated

•⁠  ⁠Very liquid (with variation from one company to another)

•⁠  ⁠Transparent

NASD OTC Market

NASD OTC stands for the National Association of Securities Dealers Over-the-Counter. Think of NASD OTC as a “waiting room” or alternative market for companies that are public but not yet ready, willing, or eligible to list on the NGX—yet investors can still buy and sell their shares in an organized, regulated way. There are about 45 companies with a total market cap of 2.2 trillion naira, monitored using the securities index or NASDSI.

For UNLISTED PUBLIC companies like:

MTN Nigeria (before listing), MRS Oil Nigeria Plc, Access Bank Plc, etc. All companies have a suffix, PLC.

•⁠  ⁠Less liquid

•⁠  ⁠Some delisted companies from NGX

•⁠  ⁠Companies preparing for future NGX listing

•⁠  ⁠Special purpose or restructuring entities

•⁠  ⁠You must go through a licensed stockbroker. Some brokers give you access to both NGX and NASD OTC stocks.

Compared to NGX:

•⁠  ⁠Easier and cheaper to join

•⁠  ⁠Less stringent disclosure rules

•⁠  ⁠Attractive to mid-sized or transitioning companies

🌍 4. Global Stock Markets

You can also invest in:

•⁠  ⁠U.S. Stocks

•⁠  ⁠European Stocks

•⁠  ⁠Asian Markets

•⁠  ⁠Saudi Arabian stocks (from 1 February 2026 if you are a non-resident)

While international markets often command the spotlight, the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) has quietly emerged as a premier destination for high-yield returns. Last year, the NGX delivered a staggering 51% return—vastly outperforming the US market’s 17% and securing its position as the second-best performing market in Africa. For the Diaspora, Nigeria represents a frontier of untapped potential. We are seeing a global shift; for the first time in US history, equity investments have surpassed real estate in popularity. While the allure of property in Lagos and Abuja is undeniable, those who master the art of stock selection could find that the capital markets offer a superior vehicle for wealth creation.

Using apps like:

Bamboo, Trove, Chaka, etc.

🔑 What to know:

•⁠  ⁠Dollar exposure

•⁠  ⁠Global diversification

•⁠  ⁠FX risk involved

📌 What Every Beginner Must Know

Before investing, always ask:

✔ Which market am I entering?

✔ Is it short-term or long-term?

✔ How liquid is this market?

✔ What risks are involved?

✔ Do I understand this company?

The market type determines:

•⁠  ⁠Your risk level

•⁠  ⁠Your strategy

•⁠  ⁠Your patience requirement

•⁠  ⁠Your expected returns

🎯 Final Thought

There isn’t just one stock market.

There are different markets for different goals.

Smart investors don’t just buy shares —

They understand where, why, and how they are investing.

Brokerage Account vs Cowrywise, Trove & Bamboo: What’s the Difference?

Question: 

Is there difference between broker account and Cowrywise, Trove and Bamboo?

Answer

Yes — there is a difference between a brokerage account and platforms like Cowrywise, Trove, and Bamboo. Here’s a simple breakdown:

 1. Brokerage Account (Traditional NGX Broker)

What it is:

An account you open with a licensed stockbroker (e.g., CardinalStone, Meristem, United Capital, Afrinvest, APT, United Capital, etc.).

Purpose:

To trade Nigerian Exchange (NGX) stocks directly. You MUST have a brokerage account before you can trade stocks on the NGX.

Key Features:

✔ Gets you a CSCS account & CHN

✔ You can place buy/sell orders on NGX through a broker or third-party apps like Cowrywise/Bamboo/Trove

✔ Direct ownership of shares

Who it’s best for:

Anyone who wants to actively trade or own NGX stocks.

 2. Third-Party Investment Platforms (Cowrywise, Trove, Bamboo)

These are fintech apps that make investing simpler — but they work a bit differently.

✨ Cowrywise

Type: Investment app + savings platform

How it works:

•⁠  ⁠Can invest in naira and US dollar mutual funds. Creates a brokerage account for you via Meristem to trade NGX shares

•⁠  ⁠Beginner-friendly

•⁠  ⁠Offers other savings/investment plans too, including Halal options

Best for:

Beginners who want simpler access + savings plans + investing without deep stock trading experience.

✨ Trove

Type: Online wealth app

How it works:

•⁠  ⁠Lets you buy NGX stocks and U.S./international stocks. Creates a brokerage account for you via a primary broker to trade NGX shares

•⁠  ⁠Simplified trading experience

•⁠  ⁠Often friendlier UI than some brokers

Best for:

People new to stocks who want local & global investing under one roof.

✨ Bamboo

Type: Online wealth app

How it works:

•⁠  ⁠Provides access to NGX stocks plus U.S. stocks. Creates a brokerage account for you via a primary broker to trade NGX shares

•⁠  ⁠User-friendly and beginner-oriented

•⁠  ⁠Has order book and basic charting

Best for:

Investors who want both Nigerian and foreign equities with a simple interface.

🧠 Summary

•⁠  ⁠A brokerage account gives you direct access to NGX and is essential if you want to trade Nigerian stocks seriously and hold shares in your own name.

•⁠  ⁠Cowrywise, Trove, Yochaa and Bamboo are investment platforms/fintech apps that make investing simpler.

o They can access NGX stocks (via linked primary brokers) after creating a brokerage account for you on their platforms. You need a minimum of about 5,000 naira to buy any stock on any third-party app/platform irrespective of the stock’s price. Usually, primary brokers like APT, Meristem, United Capital, etc. do not have any minimum buying amount. You can buy a stock for as little as less than 1,000 naira.

o They also offer other products like international stocks or mutual funds. You can buy mutual funds without necessarily possessing a brokerage account.

o They are great if you want an all-in-one investing experience

Which Should You Choose?

✔ If your main goal is active trading on NGX stocks→ get a brokerage account.

✔ If you want easy access, diversification, and simple tools → platforms like Trove or Bamboo are excellent. 

✔ If you want saving + investing + beginner tools + mutual funds → Cowrywise is great. Remember, you don’t need a brokerage account to trade mutual funds. 

How to Start Trading Stocks in Nigeria — Step-by-Step (Slides)

 

How to Start Trading Stocks in Nigeria — Step-by-Step

1️⃣ Get Your Residential Address Verified

Before anything else, you need proof of residential address (often part of KYC for both bank & brokerage accounts). Valid documents include:

PHCN bill or prepaid meter receipt

Bank statement

Water bill

Tenancy agreement with receipt

These help verify your identity when opening accounts. 

2️⃣ Open a Bank Account (Naira Account)

You must have an account with a licensed deposit money bank — not OPAY or Moniepoint for brokerage funding because many brokers require a traditional bank for opening an account, but can be funded using any other bank, including OPAY, so long as it is your account.

Examples:

✔ GTBank

✔ Zenith Bank

✔ Access Bank

✔ UBA

Your bank account will be used to fund your trading account and receive dividends or withdrawals. 

3️⃣ Choose a Good Stockbroker or Trading Platform

In Nigeria, you cannot buy NGX stocks directly — you must use a licensed stockbroker or SEC-registered trading platform. Some options include:

Traditional Brokers (Direct NGX Focus)

CardinalStone Securities

APT Securities

United Capital Securities

Meristem Securities

Afrinvest Securities 

Online / Third-Party Platforms (Beginner-Friendly)

Cowrywise – investing via Meristem, beginner-friendly

Bamboo – Nigerian & global stocks

Trove – NGX & foreign stocks

Chaka / Yochaa / Risevest – diversified access 

📌 Always confirm that the broker/platform is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Nigeria and listed as a Dealing Member of NGX. 

4️⃣ Open a Brokerage Account

Once you’ve chosen a broker/app:

✔ Fill the broker’s account opening form online

✔ Provide:

Valid ID (NIN, passport, driver’s license, National ID)

Proof of residential address

Bank account details & BVN

Source of funds (employment letter, company certificate, self-employed, etc.)

✔ Passport photograph(s)

This usually takes 24–72 hours for KYC verification and CSCS registration. 

5️⃣ Get Your CSCS & CHN

When your brokerage account is approved, your broker will help you open a Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) account — this is like the electronic vault where your shares are held securely. Your CSCS number is similar to your bank account number, meaning you can have many CSCS numbers, one per broker, if you register with many brokers. 

You are issued a Clearing House Number (CHN) — a unique identifier that stays with you even if you switch brokers, similar to your BVN. 

⏱ Typically, obtaining your CSCS & CHN takes at least 2 more working days. Your brokerage account can be ready within 5 working days. 

6️⃣ Fund (Deposit) Your Trading Account

Once CHN & CSCS are set, fund your brokerage account from your bank account.

Use bank transfer, or the platform’s preferred method.

Some brokers/mobile apps allow instant funding or using a personal virtual account. 

⚠️ Always fund from your verified bank account — this ensures easy withdrawal later. It is also allowed to fund your account using any of your other accounts from other banks that bear your name.

7️⃣ Understand How to Place Orders

Now you can place buy/sell orders:

✔ Market Order — Buy/Sell immediately at the current market price, depending on the availability of offers/bids at the time.

✔ Limit Order — Specify a price you want to buy/sell at and how long (1, 2, 3, 5 days, weeks?) to hold your order until a match is found for your order. Check the order book (provided by most brokers at the point of placing orders) and decide the price you wish to buy/sell at a maximum range ±10% of the opening price of the stock for the day. A minimum allowable decimal of 0.01 and 0.05 for stock prices below 100 and above 100, respectively. 

Always use the Limit Order to take advantage of the market and buy stocks at a discount price or sell at a higher price for more profit. Sometimes, you may need to cancel a buy/sell order or revise it by changing your bid/offer based on the order book entries. Highest bids and lowest offers are executed first, and then what follows them in descending and ascending orders, respectively.

Your broker executes these orders on NGX on your behalf. 

8️⃣ Start with Education and Practice

Before investing serious funds, educate yourself and practice:

📌 YouTube channels & content creators that visually show this process:

Nigerian Exchange Group (official NGX learning) – covers basics and market structure

YouTube search: “How to open brokerage account Nigeria stock market”

Cowrywise tutorial videos (many beginner walkthroughs)

Meristem’s MeriTrade app tutorials (https://www.youtube.com/@MeristemNigeria)

Chaka, Bamboo, and Trove tutorial playlists

Many creators show step-by-step how to open accounts and place trades (search on YouTube for e.g., “Bamboo Nigeria stock trading tutorial”).

9️⃣ Learn Market Research Techniques

Once ready to trade, develop basic research habits:

✔ Review company financials

✔ Look at share price history, say, 1-5 years (Cowrywise, Bamboo, Yochaa, etc.)

✔ Study dividends, earnings, leadership

✔ Understand basic market indicators like the NGX All-Share Index, sectoral indices, YtD, MtD, traded volume/value, deals, etc.

These help you invest wisely, not just react emotionally. 

10️⃣ Monitor, Adjust, & Stay Patient

Set your investment goal ab initio (trading or medium to long-term investment), but remember that investment is more profitable in the long-term. Even if your investment goal is for the medium to long-term holding, you can still take profit if you wish, depending on the portfolio (collection of held stocks) performance.

✔ Track news and earnings

✔ Use reliable data sources (NGX website, Nairametrics, Proshare)

✔ Avoid panic selling (never sell in RED)

✔ Create a strong diversified portfolio to maximize your profit and minimize losses. 

Smart beginners who stay informed tend to outperform emotionally driven traders and investors. 

📌 Helpful Practical Links to Tutorials

👉 Nigerian Exchange Group (official learning) — search NGX Exchange Group on YouTube

👉 Search on YouTube: “how to open a brokerage account Nigeria stock market walkthrough”

👉 Search: “Cowrywise stock investing tutorial”

👉 Search: “Bamboo Nigeria stocks tutorial”

These visual guides show step-by-step how to:

✔ Register

✔ Fund accounts

✔ Get CHN & CSCS

✔ Place buy/sell orders

🧠 Key Takeaway (Simplified Flow)

📍 Valid residential address →

🏦 Bank account with a real bank →

📈 Choose broker/app →

📝 Open brokerage account →

🔑 Get CSCS & CHN →

💰 Fund your account →

📊 Place trades →

📚 Learn & grow gradually.

Boom or Bust? Know What You’re Buying — Why Smart Investors Still Win in a Rising Market

“I remain deeply skeptical about buying shares when the market is booming. But that's me. I can be wrong on this. I am happy to hear success stories 2–4 years from now if buyers can hold through the market cycles. Know what you are buying. Good luck.” - Dr. Usman Isyaku

Dr., you have already said it all with one powerful statement:

“Know what you are buying.”

While buying shares in a booming market may appear risky, sound investment decisions are not based on sentiment alone. When a stock is backed by strong fundamentals, historical performance, and technical indicators, it is entirely possible to enter during a bullish phase and still make meaningful gains.

The stock market is naturally cyclical—it rises and falls over time. Buying the dip is often the best entry point, but waiting endlessly for the “perfect moment” can also lead to missed opportunities. Even when the NGX All-Share Index (NGXASI) is rising, some quality stocks are still undervalued or temporarily declining. Likewise, during bearish periods, certain stocks continue to grow or remain largely unaffected.

This shows that not all stocks move with the market. Some companies—across both high and low market capitalizations—have shown consistent long-term growth regardless of market cycles. That is why proper research is essential.

Looking at 3–5 year performance charts, while the NGX gained about 303% despite periodic downturns, several individual stocks delivered extraordinary returns with only minor dips. Companies such as BUAFOODS, PRESCO, EUNISELL, NCR, MECURE, and GEREGU recorded gains ranging from 1,000% to over 5,300%.

So yes, skepticism is healthy. But history shows that informed, patient, and research-driven investors can still succeed—whether the market is booming or dipping.

In the end, success in the stock market is not about fear of cycles, but about knowledge, discipline, and conviction in what you own.

Beyond Politics and Election Cycles: Rethinking Investment Timing and the Long-Term Promise of Nigeria’s Stock Market

Introduction 

The concern about investing during an election cycle is understandable, especially in a country where politics often influences economic outcomes. However, while political uncertainty can affect short-term market sentiment, long-term investment performance is driven more by economic fundamentals, policy reforms, and structural improvements. This rebuttal explains why Nigeria’s current economic indicators still present promising opportunities for patient and informed investors, even as the 2027 elections approach.

Original comment from Dr. Usman Isyaku:

"These are thoughtful details, Prof. My concern is still valid. You can't enter a market at the beginning of an election cycle. Politics and economics work together. Let's see how much profit people will declare in 2028."

I completely understand your concern — entering a market at the beginning of an election cycle can feel risky, and it is true that politics and economics interact. But saying that one cannot enter the market because of elections oversimplifies how markets behave and ignores key macroeconomic strengths and structural reforms already underway.

Let’s unpack this with economic realities rather than fear-based assumptions.

Disclaimer:

On a lighter note, Dr., I am well aware of your political leanings and your support for Atiku ahead of the 2027 elections, just as I know you are not a supporter of the current APC administration under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. I genuinely respect your political convictions and your right to express them freely. Out of the same respect, I have always chosen not to engage with your political posts, as I am neither a politician nor aligned with any political party.

Therefore, my advocacy for stock market investment should not be misconstrued as an endorsement of the Tinubu administration. It is purely an expression of my personal journey as a beginner investor who has come to appreciate the stock market as a legitimate tool for building financial independence, regardless of the prevailing political climate.

1.⁠ ⁠Political Cycles Don’t Dictate Market Returns Alone

While elections introduce uncertainty, history shows that elections do not automatically derail markets — especially when the economy is supported by strong fundamentals.

For example:

•⁠  ⁠After the 2015 elections, the NGX continued to attract investors and delivered positive returns in subsequent years.

•⁠  ⁠In 2019, despite a tightly contested election, companies with strong earnings still delivered dividends and price gains.

Elections may add noise, but markets react more consistently to economic performance than headlines.

2.⁠ ⁠Stable FX Rate = Better Business Planning

Exchange rate stability is critical for corporate performance and investor confidence. Recently, Nigeria has seen:

•⁠  ⁠More stable FX rates relative to recent volatility, reducing uncertainty for importers and exporters.

•⁠  ⁠Less erratic naira depreciation in official windows, helping companies plan earnings, costs, and dividend distributions.

A stable FX helps:

✔ Multinationals operating in Nigeria

✔ Export-oriented businesses

✔ Consumer goods companies with imported inputs

This supports earnings predictability, which investors value highly.

3.⁠ ⁠Decreasing Inflation Rate Supports Real Growth

Inflation is one of the biggest enemies of investment returns. When inflation begins to fall:

•⁠  ⁠Real wages improve

•⁠  ⁠Consumer demand stabilizes

•⁠  ⁠Cost pressures on companies ease

A sustained downward trend in inflation helps improve:

✔ Consumer confidence

✔ Corporate profitability

✔ Long-term capital formation

Investors are more willing to put money to work when inflation pressure eases — even during election cycles.

4.⁠ ⁠Removal of Fuel Subsidy = Market Discipline

The removal of the fuel subsidy may be politically sensitive, but economically it:

✔ Reduces fiscal drain on government budgets

✔ Encourages private sector participation in energy markets

✔ Improves government revenue allocation to infrastructure, security, and social services

This may cause short-term price pain, but it forces market efficiency and reduces long-term fiscal imbalance.

Fiscal discipline strengthens macro stability, which is good for markets.

5.⁠ ⁠Dangote Oil Refinery = Domestic Energy Security

With the Dangote oil refinery coming online:

•⁠  ⁠Nigeria no longer needs to import refined petroleum products

•⁠  ⁠Fuel scarcity could become a thing of the past

•⁠  ⁠Cost of energy for industries could drop over time

This is a game-changing structural development with far-reaching economic implications:

✔ Lower production costs

✔ Better profitability for energy-intensive sectors

✔ Potential foreign-currency savings on import bills

Investors reward economies that reduce dependency and improve internal value chains.

6.⁠ ⁠Stronger Capital Market Regulation = Healthier Market

Post-2008 and post-2020 reforms reflect a more mature regulatory environment:

•⁠  ⁠Banks face recapitalization and stress tests

•⁠  ⁠Capital market reforms tighten governance

•⁠  ⁠Broker-dealer oversight is stronger

•⁠  ⁠Corporate disclosures are more transparent

Stronger regulation reduces systemic risk — which is exactly what long-term investors want.

A regulated and disciplined market attracts:

✔ Institutional investors

✔ Foreign portfolio flows

✔ Pension funds and insurance capital

These are the engines of sustainable capital market growth.

7.⁠ ⁠Elections Don’t Cancel Economic Momentum

Economic growth drivers often outlast the election cycle:

📌 GDP recovery & broadening

📌 Increased private investment

📌 Infrastructure expansion

📌 Corporate earnings growth

📌 Consumer demand resilience

Yes, elections matter — but markets are forward-looking. They price future expectations, not just present uncertainty.

In many countries, markets have:

•⁠  ⁠Rallied before elections

•⁠  ⁠Recovered quickly after

•⁠  ⁠Rewarded companies with strong earnings continuity

The Nigerian market is no different in principle.

8.⁠ ⁠Looking to 2028: A Promising Outlook

Despite political noise, there are several structural forces supporting market growth into 2028 and beyond:

🚀 Stable FX — supports corporate predictability

🚀 Lower inflation — boosts real returns

🚀 Fiscal reform — strengthens macro stability

🚀 Dangote refinery — enhances energy security

🚀 Tighter regulation — healthier market

🚀 Rising local and institutional participation

🚀 Strong dividend culture in many companies

🚀 Growth prospects in consumer, industrials, banking, and energy sectors

These are economic drivers, not just political sentiment.

Final Thought

No investment environment is risk-free — especially in emerging markets. But risk is not the same as uninvestable.

The smart investor does not wait for certainty — they manage risk through:

•⁠  ⁠fundamental analysis

•⁠  ⁠diversification

•⁠  ⁠strategic entry and exit

•⁠  ⁠long-term perspective

Elections may add uncertainty, but they don’t erase economic fundamentals. And markets always look ahead — not backwards.

So the real question isn’t:

Can we invest during an election cycle?

It’s:

Do we understand the underlying drivers of growth?

And today, the evidence suggests there are real structural opportunities for growth through 2028 and beyond, despite the political calendar.

Fear vs Facts: Lessons from 2008, Opportunities in 2026, and the Real Truth About Buying Shares Today

In every market cycle, there are voices of caution — some rooted in wisdom, others shaped by past losses and fear. While history offers valuable lessons, it should guide us, not paralyze us. A recent comment circulating on Nigerian investment discussions reflects this sentiment and deserves a thoughtful, data-informed response.

Here is the original Facebook post by my friend, Dr. Usman Isyaku:

“I read so many people encouraging others to buy Nigerian stocks now. You don't buy anything when people are talking about it. It signals the market top. Buy now and lose your money. We are back in 2007–2008 era once again. I was smart enough to resist buying booming banks and telecoms shares that collapsed with my colleagues' money. 2–3x isn't worth the risk. Be careful!”

While caution is healthy in investing, broad conclusions based solely on past market crashes can be misleading. The Nigerian stock market of today is not the same market of 2007–2008, and history itself shows that popular markets do not always signal a top.

Let’s examine this claim through multiple real-world scenarios and today’s market realities to separate fear from facts using concrete NGX (Nigerian Exchange Group, formerly Nigerian Stock Exchange – NSE) examples. 

1.⁠ ⁠When “Everyone Was Talking” — Yet Prices Still Rose

In 2020 and 2021, after the COVID-19 crash, Nigerian stocks became widely discussed again. Many investors were skeptical, claiming the rebound was just hype.

Yet, companies like:

•⁠  ⁠BUA Foods (1,700%+ gains, 2022-2026)

•⁠  ⁠Jaiz Bank (1,000%+ gains, 2021-2026)

•⁠  ⁠Geregu Power (1,000%+ gains, 2022-2026)

•⁠  ⁠Presco (2,100%+ gains, 2021-2026)

•⁠  ⁠Okomu Oil (1,100%+ gains, 2021-2026)

•⁠  ⁠Seplat Energy (1,100%+ gains, 2021-2026)

went on to record massive multi-year gains, in some cases exceeding 2,000% in just 5 years. These were not speculative bubbles — they were driven by:

•⁠  ⁠Strong earnings

•⁠  ⁠FX revaluation benefits

•⁠  ⁠Real business expansion

•⁠  ⁠Rising consumer demand

Popularity did not mean the market was at its peak.

Fundamentals did.

2.⁠ ⁠2–3x Returns Are Not “Small” in Real Life

Calling a 2–3x return “not worth the risk” ignores the reality of wealth building.

For example:

•⁠  ⁠Dangote Cement (pays final dividends only per year)

•⁠  ⁠Seplat Energy (pays quarterly dividends, 4 times per year)

•⁠  ⁠GTCO - GTBank (pays interim and final dividends, i.e., twice per year)

•⁠  ⁠Zenith Bank (pays interim and final dividends, i.e., twice per year)

have delivered solid capital appreciation (at least 100% returns in the last 5 years) plus consistent dividend payouts over the years. For long-term investors, this means:

•⁠  ⁠Compounding growth

•⁠  ⁠Regular income

•⁠  ⁠Lower volatility than crypto

•⁠  ⁠Better inflation protection

Wealth is not built only by chasing “10x”.

It is built on repeatable, sustainable gains.

3.⁠ ⁠2007–2008 Was a Different Market Structure

The 2007–2008 crash was fueled by:

•⁠  ⁠Heavy margin lending

•⁠  ⁠Weak regulation

•⁠  ⁠Excessive speculation

•⁠  ⁠Poor corporate governance

Today’s NGX has:

•⁠  ⁠Stronger regulation

•⁠  ⁠Better disclosure standards

•⁠  ⁠Less leverage

•⁠  ⁠More institutional participation

Companies like MTN Nigeria, Airtel Africa, Seplat Energy, and BUA Cement operate under stricter financial reporting and governance frameworks.

The risks still exist —

But the structure is not the same.

4.⁠ ⁠The 2007 Stock Market Bubble

From 2005 - 2007, Nigeria experienced:

•⁠  ⁠Banking sector consolidation

•⁠  ⁠Easy access to credit

•⁠  ⁠Massive public interest in stocks

•⁠  ⁠Aggressive margin lending by banks

Stock prices rose far beyond the real value of companies.

People were:

•⁠  ⁠Borrowing money to buy shares

•⁠  ⁠Using shares as collateral to borrow more

•⁠  ⁠Chasing quick profits without understanding fundamentals

This created a speculative bubble.

Weak Regulation and Poor Risk Management

At the time:

•⁠  ⁠Risk controls were weak

•⁠  ⁠Corporate governance was poor

•⁠  ⁠Financial disclosures were limited

•⁠  ⁠Insider trading was common

Many investors didn’t know:

•⁠  ⁠The true financial health of companies

•⁠  ⁠How risky the market had become

The system lacked transparency.

The Global Financial Crisis (2008)

The U.S. financial crash spread worldwide.

Foreign investors:

•⁠  ⁠Pulled money out of emerging markets

•⁠  ⁠Sold Nigerian stocks

•⁠  ⁠Reduced liquidity

This added external pressure to an already fragile market.

Banking Sector Crisis (2009)

In 2009, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) discovered:

•⁠  ⁠Massive non-performing loans

•⁠  ⁠Poor corporate governance

•⁠  ⁠Excessive exposure to stock market loans

Several bank CEOs were removed.

Some banks collapsed or were rescued.

Confidence in the financial system dropped sharply.

Why Many Investors Lost Money

People lost money because:

•⁠  ⁠They bought at extremely inflated prices

•⁠  ⁠They leveraged, i.e., used borrowed money 

•⁠  ⁠They panicked and sold at the bottom

•⁠  ⁠They didn’t diversify

•⁠  ⁠They chased hype, not fundamentals

Many never recovered because they:

•⁠  ⁠Exited the market completely

•⁠  ⁠Never benefited from later recoveries

Key Lesson from 2007–2009

The crash was not caused by:

❌ Investing in stocks

❌ The NGX itself

It was caused by:

✔ Excessive borrowing

✔ Weak regulation

✔ Herd mentality

✔ Poor risk control

✔ Speculation without fundamentals

The lesson is not:

“Never invest again.”

The lesson is:

Invest wisely. Avoid leverage. Focus on fundamentals. Diversify.

Markets recover.

Good companies grow.

Informed investors win over time.

5.⁠ ⁠Market Timing Often Costs More Than It Saves

Many investors waited for another “big crash” after 2020. While they waited, stocks like:

•⁠  ⁠Geregu Power (IPO at ₦100, later over ₦1,000)

•⁠  ⁠BUA Foods

•⁠  ⁠Presco

•⁠  ⁠Okomu Oil

multiplied in value.

Waiting for the “perfect moment” often leads to missed opportunities. One should understand that whenever the overall market performance is appreciating or bullish, i.e, NGX all-share-index (NGXASI) increasing, you would still find out that some company stocks are depreciating. Conversely, whenever the NGXASI is negative or bearish, some stocks would still be surging or remain completely unaffected by the overall market downward performance. 

What this means is that the market rewards:

•⁠  ⁠Patience

•⁠  ⁠Staying well-informed

•⁠  ⁠Fundamentals

•⁠  ⁠Consistency

Not fear-based decisions.

6.⁠ ⁠Popularity vs Fundamentals

Yes, blind hype can be dangerous.

But informed participation is not the same as speculation.

When people talk about:

•⁠  ⁠Strong earnings

•⁠  ⁠Dividend growth

•⁠  ⁠FX-driven revenue gains

•⁠  ⁠Expansion projects

•⁠  ⁠Consistent historical capital gains

That is not hype —

That is fundamental investing.

7.⁠ ⁠Strong Market Growth Projections in 2026

Economists, like Birmarch Rewane, forecast significant expansion in the NGX market capitalization, with estimates suggesting it could grow from the current ₦106 trillion to about ₦262 trillion by the end of 2026, driven by:

•⁠  ⁠new major listings (Dangote Oil Refinery, NNPCL, Dangote Fertilizer Refinery, etc.)

•⁠  ⁠improved corporate earnings

•⁠  ⁠structural reforms

•⁠  ⁠broader institutional participation 

This implies potential broad-market gains if fundamentals continue to improve.

Anyone who trades in stocks - traders and long-term investors – would confirm that market growth has already started in just 15 market days in 2026, given the year-to-date (YtD) % returns of some stocks. Can you imagine the capital gains to be accrued for someone who invests, say, ₦100,000 in each of these stocks from the beginning of this year alone?

•⁠  ⁠JAIZ BANK – 80% (Gains = ₦80,000)

•⁠  ⁠DEAPCAP – 135% (Gains = ₦135,000)

•⁠  ⁠MAY & BAKER – 74% (Gains = ₦74,000)

•⁠  ⁠MULTIVERSE MINING & EXPLORATION – 112% (Gains = ₦112,000)

•⁠  ⁠NCR – 77% (1,300%+, in 2025) (Gains = ₦77,000)

•⁠  ⁠NEIMETH INTERNATIONAL PHARMACEUTICALS – 74% (Gains = ₦74,000)

•⁠  ⁠SCOA – 110% (Gains = ₦110,000)

•⁠  ⁠RED STAR EXPRESS – 52% (Gains = ₦52,000)

•⁠  ⁠OMATEK VENTURES – 57%, (Gains = ₦57,000)

•⁠  ⁠MECURE INDUSTRIES – 50%, (Gains = ₦50,000)

•⁠  ⁠EUNISELL INTERLINKED– 36% (Gains = ₦36,000)

•⁠  ⁠FIDSON HEALTHCARE – 40% (Gains = ₦40,000)

•⁠  ⁠ETRANZACT INTERNATIONAL – 62% (Gains = ₦62,000)

•⁠  ⁠LOTUS HALAL EQUITY ETF – 26% (Gains = ₦26,000)

•⁠  ⁠MCNICHOLS – 84% (Gains = ₦84,000)

You cannot realize such gains without patience, staying well-informed, being consistent, and investing fundamentally. I first bought 

•⁠  ⁠Jaiz Bank shares in 2024 at ₦2.14, closed today at ₦8.19 (283%)

•⁠  ⁠FIDSON in November last year at ₦36, closed today at ₦70 (94%), with right issue going for ₦35, i.e., 100% instant return

•⁠  ⁠NCR in October 2025 at ₦18, closed today at ₦129 (614%)

•⁠  ⁠BUAFOODS in 2024 at ₦347, closed today at ₦799 (130%)

•⁠  ⁠MTN in 2024 at ₦200, closed today at ₦580 (190%)

•⁠  ⁠EUNISELL in November, 2025, at ₦60, closed today at ₦157 (161%)

•⁠  ⁠SEPLAT in 2024, at ₦3416, closed today at ₦6,700 (96%)

•⁠  ⁠SCOA in December last year at ₦7.33, closed today at ₦14.9 (103%)

With the right diversification, positioning, and patience, the stock market – especially NGX - is one of the best passive wealth-creating machines. 

Study it. Embrace it.  

Final Thought

Every market cycle has:

•⁠  ⁠Winners

•⁠  ⁠Losers

•⁠  ⁠Skeptics

•⁠  ⁠Opportunists

Those who succeed are not the ones who avoid the market forever,

but those who understand it, respect risk, and act with discipline.

History should educate, not intimidate.

The lesson from 2008 is not “never invest again.”

The lesson is:

Invest smarter. Diversify. Focus on fundamentals.

The Nigerian stock market is not perfect. Two mortgage banks went under last year - Asosavings & Loans and Union Homes - NDIC has started the process of liquidating their assets to pay depositors and shareholders.

But it remains a powerful tool for long-term wealth creation for those who approach it with knowledge, patience, and discipline.

Fear protects you from losses —

But knowledge positions you for gains.