LAGOS, Nigeria — Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) has announced an expansion of its trading hours, extending daily market operations from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (WAT) from Monday, 27 April 2026, in a move aimed at improving liquidity, broadening investor participation, and strengthening market efficiency.
In a statement, the Exchange said the new schedule was introduced “in a move designed to deepen market liquidity, enhance price discovery, and broaden investor access.”
The adjustment, which has been approved by Nigeria’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), will see the market open 30 minutes earlier than before and close 90 minutes later, marking a major shift in the Exchange’s current structure.
According to NGX, the decision “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.”
The Exchange said the longer trading window is expected to give investors more flexibility, allow the market to respond faster to major developments, and encourage wider participation across the financial system.
“The extended trading window will provide greater flexibility for investors, improve responsiveness to market-moving information, and support broader participation across the market,” the statement said.
Okay News reports that the development comes as Nigeria seeks to build on renewed international attention following its recent return to Frontier Market status by FTSE Russell. NGX said the reform is expected to reinforce its standing among global investors and make the market more attractive to a broader pool of participants.
“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,” the Exchange stated.
NGX also linked the move to continued cooperation with regulators, saying the reform reflects a broader effort to modernise Nigeria’s capital market and improve competitiveness.
“This reform reflects strong regulatory collaboration and underscores the Securities and Exchange Commission’s continued commitment to advancing market development initiatives,” the statement noted.
It added that, “Alongside Nigeria’s Frontier Market reclassification, it signals a deliberate shift towards a more accessible, liquid, and globally competitive market.”
The Exchange said preparations for implementation followed consultations with relevant stakeholders to ensure readiness before the go-live date. It added that NGX Regulation Limited would continue to oversee the process to ensure orderliness and investor confidence.
“The implementation follows extensive stakeholder engagement, ensuring alignment and operational readiness ahead of the go-live date,” NGX said.
It further stated that “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.”
With the new trading hours, the Exchange said it is reinforcing its role in supporting efficient capital formation and deeper market access in Nigeria.
“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.”
