The Nigerian equities market wrapped up the first quarter of 2026 in the green, rising 29.35% with total trading volume exceeding 52 billion shares, reflecting strong investor participation.
Tracked by the All-Share Index, the market surged 45,674.8 points, climbing from an opening of 155,612.9 to close at 201,287.8, comfortably surpassing the 200,000-point milestone for the first time.
This marked the best quarterly performance since Q1 2024, when the market returned 39.8%, and represented a six-quarter winning streak after a red Q3 2024.
A closer look shows all three months in Q1 2026 ended positively, with February posting the strongest performance at 16.60%, making it the standout month for the quarter.
Although March’s 4.39% return was the lowest in the quarter, it demonstrated resilience, considering trading activity declined to just over 15 billion shares compared to over 21 billion in February.
Here are the top 10 stocks that led the performance table in Q1 2026, with Zichis Agro Allied excluded due to its mid-quarter listing and temporary trading suspension.
SCOA Nigeria held the 5th spot among Q1 2026’s top gainers, surging 219.01% with over 13 million units traded, closing the quarter at N22.65.
- The conglomerate, active in automobiles, power generation, furniture, and agriculture, had a strong January, jumping 345% from N7.10 to N31.60 per share.
Bullish momentum carried into February, reaching N38.15 before a pullback in March trimmed the quarter-to-date gains, settling the stock at N22.65.
The rally was likely supported by solid 2025 financials: pre-tax profit rose to N723.8 million from N27.1 million, as revenue hit N8.3 billion on equipment sales.
SCOA currently has a market capitalization of N14.7 billion and remains at N22.65 in April, with no change month-to-date.
