Investors in the Nigerian stock market have lost a staggering N5.45 trillion in eight consecutive trading sessions, as sustained selling pressure continued to drag down equities listed on the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX).
The market has remained under pressure since Tuesday, August 11, 2026, wiping out gains recorded earlier in the year. Losses accelerated last week, when investors suffered a combined N3.8 trillion decline across four consecutive bearish sessions.
The sell-off continued this week, with the NGX recording another N1.65 trillion loss between Monday and Thursday. Combined with last week’s losses, the market has now shed N5.45 trillion over eight trading sessions.
Thursday’s session added another N440 billion to the losses as investors continued to take profits from large- and mid-cap stocks. Market capitalisation fell by 0.30 per cent, dropping from N155.417 trillion at the start of trading to N154.977 trillion at the close.
The decline extended the market’s losing streak despite activity across several sectors. International Energy Insurance was among the biggest decliners, falling 9.85 per cent to close at N4.30.
The continued weakness in insurance stocks has also added pressure to the broader market. The implementation of the Nigerian Insurance Industry Reform Act 2025 has coincided with significant declines in some insurance counters, following recent licence revocations by the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM).
Universal Insurance and Nigeria Reinsurance were among the companies affected by the regulatory action, further weighing on investor sentiment in the insurance segment.
With the NGX now eight sessions into its bearish run, investors face renewed concerns over whether the market can stabilise after the sharp reversal in fortunes. The scale of the losses has erased a significant portion of the gains previously accumulated by the equities market.
