The Nigerian stock market kicked off 2026 on a positive note, with the All-Share Index (ASI) adding 879.3 points, or 0.57%, to close at 156,492.4 on Friday, January 2, 2026.
Trading data from the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) showed the index rising from 155,612.9, as bullish sentiment persisted on the bourse.
However, market activity was more subdued, with trading volume dropping sharply to 424 million shares from the 1.2 billion shares recorded in the final session of 2025.
The market’s 0.57% gain on the day signals a strong start to the year, with the ASI firmly above the 156,000 level, pushing the year-to-date return to 0.57%. Market capitalisation stood at N99.90 trillion, just shy of the N100 trillion psychological threshold.
The session showed strong interest in both large- and mid-cap stocks.
Among the trillion-naira club (SWOOTs), ARADEL gained 7.51% while International Breweries rose 1.79%. However, SEPLAT and Nigerian Breweries recorded losses of 3.43% and 0.66%, respectively.
The Tier-1 banking stocks, collectively known as FUGAZ, performed strongly.
The market’s strong opening suggests investors are optimistic about 2026, possibly positioning for early gains as the corporate earnings season approaches.
A breach of the N100 trillion market cap threshold in the coming days would mark a symbolic and psychological boost for investor sentiment.