Fortren and Company has released its 2026 ranking of Nigeria’s top 10 property developers, evaluating firms based on completed project portfolios, scale of delivery, and market maturity. Mixta Nigeria secured the top position, reporting 23,000 completed residential and retail units, followed by Brains and Hammers Limited with 11,000 units and Palton Morgan Holdings with 7,000. The assessment highlights a market evolution toward large-scale urban developments and mixed-use estates, primarily concentrated in Lagos and Abuja. UPDC Plc is the only NGX-listed entity featured in the top 10, ranking eighth with 1,000 completed units.

Eight companies listed on the Nigerian Exchange are scheduled to pay dividends to shareholders throughout September 2026. MTN Nigeria leads the list by payout value, offering an interim dividend of N26.00 per share, following a strong performance in the first half of the year. Other companies set to distribute cash include Ikeja Hotel, Custodian Investment, Honeywell Flour Mills, Red Star Express, University Press, Learn Africa, and Academy Press. Additionally, the UPDC Real Estate Investment Trust will distribute funds to unit holders during the month. These payments follow the qualification dates established by the respective companies.

The Nigerian equity market recorded a mixed performance in August 2026, with the NGX All-Share Index (ASI) closing the month 0.44% lower at 244,199.39 points. Market capitalization dropped by N590 billion to settle at N157.74 trillion. Despite an 11-session mid-month decline, a strong late-month recovery, driven by banking and consumer goods, helped the market maintain a robust 56.93% year-to-date gain.

Banking was the top-performing sector, rising 3.82%, while insurance emerged as the month’s laggard, falling 9.26%. Trading activity peaked on the final day, with transaction values climbing to N38.66 billion. Analysts expect sustained momentum as investors rotate toward undervalued stocks and prepare for Nigeria’s return to FTSE Russell Frontier Market status on September 21.

SEC Director-General Emomotimi Agama has urged the Federal Capital Territory Administration to look beyond budgetary allocations and leverage the capital market to fund critical infrastructure. At the Abuja Business and Investment Summit, Agama proposed the use of infrastructure bonds, REITs, and asset recycling to finance projects like the Millennium Tower. Separately, analysts note that Nigeria’s underdeveloped REIT market holds significant potential to bridge the country’s N50 trillion housing finance gap, even as high interest rates continue to divert institutional capital toward government securities. Despite challenges, local REITs like UPDC, Union Homes, and SFS have seen portfolio expansion and improved returns, signaling growing investor interest in the sector.

The Nigerian equities market closed the week ended July 24, 2026, on a positive note, with the All-Share Index rising by 1.6% to 247,357.40 points. Market capitalization gained approximately N2.53 trillion, finishing at N159.59 trillion, as year-to-date returns improved to 58.96%. Activity levels spiked, with trading volume and value increasing significantly. Financial services led market activity, while UPDC REIT and First HoldCo emerged as the top performers. Meanwhile, the Nigerian Exchange suspended Aluminium Extrusion Plc for failing to file its 2025 audited financial statements. Analysts remain optimistic for the near term, citing sustained momentum in banking and industrial stocks.

Nigeria’s mortgage market remains severely underdeveloped, with outstanding loans accounting for less than 1 percent of GDP and homeownership stagnant at 25 percent. Industry experts, including UPDC CEO Odunayo Ojo, cite a massive housing deficit of up to 28 million units, driven by prohibitive construction costs, low income levels, and a lack of long-term, low-interest funding. Analysts argue that to stimulate the sector, Nigeria must implement structural reforms that include single-digit interest rates with 20-year tenures, streamlined land titling, and solutions to reduce construction costs. Currently, rising property values—which have surged by up to 150 percent in some areas—further widen the gap between housing availability and the average citizen’s purchasing power.

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.