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.
Premier Paints finished Q1 2026 as the second top-performing stock, soaring 275% with over 16 million units traded, closing the quarter at N37.50.
- The company had a quiet January with no trading activity, before a modest 10% rise from N10 in February.
- March became the standout month, with stock spiking to N37.50 on a volume of 15 million units.
Momentum likely followed news from mid-December 2025 that the company’s majority shareholders were in talks with Xenergi Limited over a potential 51% stake acquisition, which would give Xenergi majority control and influence over board appointments.
Premier Paints audited 2025 results, published in late March, showed a strong rebound from a N477,000 loss to a pre-tax profit of N2.4 million, reflecting a turnaround in operations.
The company now has a market capitalization of N4.6 billion and remains priced at N37.50 in April 2026, with flat month-to-date performance.
