The Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) has announced an extension of its daily trading hours in a move aimed at deepening market activity, improving liquidity, and broadening investor participation in Nigeria’s capital market. The new trading schedule will take effect from Monday, 27 April 2026, following regulatory approval from the Securities and Exchange Commission Nigeria.
Under the revised structure, trading on the exchange will now run from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. West Africa Time, replacing the previous trading window of 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. This effectively expands the market session from five hours to seven hours, giving investors and market operators more time to execute transactions and respond to market developments during the trading day.
According to NGX, the decision is part of a broader strategy to modernise Nigeria’s financial markets and align local market operations with international best practices. Exchange officials said the longer trading window is expected to enhance price discovery, improve the speed at which markets react to economic news, and create greater flexibility for both domestic and foreign investors operating across different time zones.
The development comes shortly after Nigeria’s reclassification to Frontier Market status by FTSE Russell, a move that has increased international attention on Nigerian equities. Analysts say the extension of trading hours could further strengthen the exchange’s attractiveness to institutional investors seeking more accessible and efficient markets in Africa.
NGX also stated that the transition followed consultations with key stakeholders to ensure operational readiness ahead of implementation. Oversight of the new system will continue through NGX Regulation Limited, which will monitor market integrity, transparency, and investor protection as the extended hours begin.
Market participants believe the reform could support higher trading volumes, encourage new listings, and improve capital formation by making it easier for investors to access the market throughout the day. The move is seen as another step in Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to build a more competitive and globally integrated capital market.
