Ongoing expansion joint repairs on the Kara Bridge along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway have triggered severe traffic gridlock, forcing many businesses to adopt remote or hybrid work models. The construction, which began on September 8 and is expected to last two weeks, has caused significant delays for commuters and hindered the movement of goods. HR experts and corporate leaders are advocating for temporary flexible work arrangements to mitigate productivity losses, protect employee mental health, and avoid the operational strain caused by prolonged commutes.

Nigerian equities rallied during Friday’s trading session, driven by investor optimism following FTSE Russell’s confirmation of thirty-one Nigerian stocks for its Frontier Index Series. This follows Nigeria’s official reclassification to Frontier Market status, effective September 21, 2026. Market analysts expect the transition to improve global visibility, liquidity, and foreign portfolio inflows, particularly for large-cap stocks that meet the index criteria. The NGX All Share Index rose to 247,016 points, with banking sector gains leading the market activity.

The Nigerian equity market is poised for further gains in the second half of 2026, though investors should anticipate a more selective environment as the NGX All-Share Index approaches its optimistic growth targets. According to VNL Capital, the first-half rally, which saw the index surge over 60 percent, was underpinned by banking sector recapitalization, strong corporate earnings, and improved external liquidity. While oil and gas stocks significantly outperformed, the outlook remains cautious due to potential profit-taking, elevated interest rates, and pre-election uncertainty. Despite these risks, improved macroeconomic indicators, including rising foreign reserves and a potential reclassification of Nigeria to frontier market status by S&P Dow Jones Indices, continue to support investor sentiment.

Fifteen stocks on the Nigerian Exchange have delivered year-to-date returns exceeding 100% as of August 14, 2026, significantly outperforming the 55.91% gain recorded by the NGX All-Share Index. SCOA Nigeria leads the group with a 365.49% increase, followed by Union Dicon Salt and R T Briscoe. While the list spans diverse sectors, the data highlights a clear divergence between share price appreciation and underlying financial performance, with several top gainers continuing to report net losses. Fortis Global Insurance remains a significant outlier, having surged 1,215% following its return from a multi-year trading suspension and a share consolidation.

Julius Berger Nigeria Plc reported a 14.7 percent decline in profit after tax to N6.06 billion for the first half of 2026, despite a 23.6 percent increase in revenue to N424.56 billion. The firm’s pre-tax profit rose by 78.6 percent to N23.52 billion, but this growth was significantly eroded by a 188.1 percent surge in income tax expenses. While the company saw improved performance in the second quarter, negative operating cash flows remain a challenge as working capital requirements and capital expenditure continue to pressure liquidity.

Nigeria’s top audit firms reported over N175 billion in combined revenue for the 2025 financial year, according to Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria transparency reports. KPMG Nigeria led the revenue rankings with N67 billion, despite having fewer clients than PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). PwC, which topped the market by client count with 295 entities, recorded N55.36 billion in revenue, followed by Ernst & Young (EY) at N42.27 billion. The data highlights a significant shift in the professional services sector, where advisory, tax, and consulting services increasingly drive revenue growth over traditional statutory audit engagements. Deloitte, BDO, Grant Thornton, and Forvis Mazars also maintained substantial market influence, though Deloitte did not disclose specific revenue figures.

Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, has stated that the regulator will maintain heightened supervision of the banking sector despite the successful conclusion of the recent recapitalisation exercise.

Speaking at the BusinessDay 14th Annual CEO Forum, Cardoso noted that while the industry raised between N4 trillion and N5 trillion in fresh capital to build resilience against economic shocks, continuous oversight remains essential. He emphasized that the stronger capital base is intended to support eventual increased lending to the private sector once inflation and interest rates moderate. Cardoso also warned banks against indiscriminate lending, urging them to prioritize sophisticated risk management and proper analysis, especially when navigating complex sectors like oil and gas. The CBN plans to collaborate with financial institutions to enhance their internal risk assessment capabilities.