[BREAKING] Nigerian Stock Exchange Adds Two Hours to Daily Trading Window

Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) has announced the expansion of its trading hours from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (WAT), effective Monday, 27 April 2026, in a move designed to deepen market liquidity, enhance price discovery, and broaden investor access.

Approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Nigeria, the expansion shifts the market opening earlier from 9:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and extends the close from 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., marking a significant evolution in the Exchange’s market structure, according to a statement on Friday evening.

The NGX said the extended trading window would provide greater flexibility for investors, improve responsiveness to market-moving information, and support broader participation across the market.

“The development builds on the momentum of Nigeria’s recent reclassification to Frontier Market status by FTSE Russell, reinforcing NGX’s global positioning and enhancing its attractiveness to a broader pool of domestic and international investors,” it said.

This reform, according to the bourse, reflects “strong regulatory collaboration” and underscores SEC’s “continued commitment to advancing market development initiatives”.

“Alongside Nigeria’s Frontier Market reclassification, it signals a deliberate shift towards a more accessible, liquid, and globally competitive market,” the NGX added.

It said the implementation followed extensive stakeholder engagement, ensuring alignment and operational readiness ahead of the go-live date. NGX Regulation Limited will continue to provide robust oversight to support a smooth and orderly transition, while maintaining high standards of transparency and investor protection, according to the statement.

“With this development, NGX reinforces its position as a leading multi-asset exchange, deepening liquidity, improving market access, and supporting efficient capital formation within Nigeria’s financial markets,” it said.