Nigerian Exchange Extends Trading Hours After FTSE Russell index return

The Nigerian Exchange Group said it will lengthen equities trading hours after FTSE Russell announced Nigeria’s return to its frontier‑markets index later this year.^[1] The expansion was disclosed in a Bloomberg report on April 18, and it marks the exchange’s first major schedule change since 2020.

Longer sessions matter because they give traders additional time to execute orders, which can deepen liquidity and narrow price gaps that often appear at the close. Analysts in Lagos said the added two hours could attract more foreign portfolio managers who have previously been limited by the short trading window.^[2][3] The change also signals confidence that recent reforms are creating a more stable investment environment. Longer hours aim to capture growing investor interest in Lagos.

FTSE Russell announced that Nigeria will re‑enter its frontier‑markets benchmark later in 2026—citing improved macro‑economic indicators, reduced foreign‑exchange volatility, and a clearer regulatory framework.^[2] The index provider said the reinstatement reflects confidence that the country’s recent policy adjustments will sustain market depth, improve corporate disclosure, and align with global best practices. FTSE Russell’s reinstatement signals confidence in Nigeria’s recent reforms.

NEG said it plans to extend the regular trading session from nine to 11 hours, opening at 9:30 a.m. and closing at 6:30 p.m. local time.^[1] NEG will add two hours to its daily trading schedule. The extra two hours will be added to the Lagos‑based market, where more than 80 percent of Nigeria’s listed securities are traded.^[3] The schedule shift is expected to give foreign investors a larger overlap with European markets, while also providing domestic traders more flexibility to respond to news releases.

The extended hours align with broader economic reforms that have eased capital controls and introduced a more flexible exchange‑rate regime earlier this year. Those measures have helped reduce foreign‑exchange pressure on businesses and have been highlighted by FTSE Russell as key factors in the index reinstatement.^[2] Regional fund managers said the longer trading window could improve order execution quality and lower transaction costs.

Market participants expect that the longer day will encourage higher trading volumes, improve price discovery, and make the Nigerian exchange more competitive with other African frontier markets.^[1] NEG said the change will be monitored for its impact on market depth, and the exchange will consider further adjustments if investor demand grows.

Implementing the longer schedule will require upgrades to the exchange’s trading platform and additional staffing to handle the extended operating hours. NEG said it is working with technology partners to ensure system reliability and that broker‑dealers have been briefed on the new timeline.^[1]