The Nigerian Exchange Limited has officially launched its extended trading session, increasing daily market hours from the previous 9:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. window to a new 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. schedule.
The new trading structure took effect on Monday, April 27, 2026, marking a significant shift in Nigeria’s capital market operations.
In a statement shared on its X platform, NGX described the move as a transformative step for investors and market participants.
“It’s live. Effective today, 27 April, the market opens a new chapter earlier start, longer close, and more time to act,” the exchange stated. “From this moment, trading just got more flexible, more responsive, and more aligned with opportunity. 9:00 a.m. marks more than the opening gong. It marks a shift.”
The extended hours, which add more than three extra hours of trading time, were approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission and first announced earlier in April.
Market analysts say the change is expected to improve liquidity, enhance price discovery, and allow investors to react more efficiently to both local and global market developments.
By aligning more closely with international trading practices, NGX aims to strengthen its competitiveness and attract increased participation from both domestic and foreign investors.
The development signals a broader effort to modernize Nigeria’s financial markets and create a more dynamic, accessible trading environment.
