Investors in Nigeria’s equity market have suffered a combined loss of N5.45 trillion after share prices fell for an eighth straight trading session on Thursday. The downturn has erased earlier gains on the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX), with listed stocks under heavy pressure since Tuesday, August 11, 2026.
Quick-scan facts
- Eight consecutive NGX sessions have ended in decline.
- Investors lost N3.8 trillion across four negative sessions last week.
- Stocks shed N1.65 trillion from Monday through Thursday this week.
- Thursday’s market-value decline stood at N440 billion, or 0.30%.
The four bearish sessions recorded last week produced losses of N3.8 trillion. A further N1.65 trillion was wiped from market value between Monday and Thursday this week, taking the total reduction across the latest eight sessions to N5.45 trillion.
Thursday trading
The market’s slide continued on Thursday, when investors lost another N440 billion as shareholders continued to lock in profits from large- and mid-cap companies. Total market capitalisation fell from N155.417 trillion at the start of trading to N154.977 trillion at the close, representing a 0.30% decrease.
Haldane McCall was the strongest performer, rising 9.38% to finish at N3.85. International Energy Insurance posted the steepest decline, dropping 9.85% to close at N4.30.
Insurance shares have also faced pressure following the recent implementation of the Nigerian Insurance Industry Reform Act 2025. The regulatory shift came after the National Insurance Commission revoked the licences of Universal Insurance and Nigeria Reinsurance in recent weeks, adding to the weakness across the sector.
