The Nigerian Stock Exchange held its 55th Annual General Meeting (AGM) on June 23, 2016, at the NSE Event Centre, Stock Exchange House, Lagos. The Report of the National Council, the Financial Statements of The Exchange as at 31 December 2015, and the Report of the Auditors were presented to the Members as part of the Ordinary Business of the day.
At the AGM, the members agreed to NSE Council’s proposal to have an Extra-Ordinary general meeting on the demutualisation to allow for more consultation. The suggestion was supported by Emeka Madubuike, President of Association of Stock broking Houses of Nigeria and Mike Itegboje. The speakers further urged the Council and Management of NSE to fast track the demutulaisation process and pick a date for the EGM
Speaking at the Annual General Meeting, the President of Council of The NSE, Mr. Aigboje Aig- Imoukhuede, CON noted that the Exchange weathered the impact of capital flight shocks experienced globally through effective fiscal discipline and tight budgetary controls. "Although 2015 was characterised by recessionary pressures including a slump in crude oil price, uncertainty in Nigerian economic policies and significant local currency exchange rate pressures, our management and staff successfully delivered on a number of ambitious operational and strategic initiatives”.
“We recorded an operating surplus of N1.86 billion as a result of management diligence in managing the budget as well as strategic prioritization and execution of key initiatives based on efficiency, scale and growth potential. Total assets of The NSE grew by over 10%, while net assets grew by 11%, year-on-year. By the end of year, the Exchange's asset base exceeded N22.78 billion, with N19.29 billion in accumulated funds, providing us adequate financial flexibility to support strategy execution in key business areas for the road ahead,” he added.
According to the CEO of The NSE, Mr. Oscar N. Onyema, OON, the Exchange illustrated its resilience during the year amidst prolonged economic uncertainty, diminishing commodity prices and volatile securities markets. “Despite declines in our core income streams, alternative sources of income continued to play an important role in supporting the financial performance of our business. In 2015, revenue excluding transaction fees and listing income, grew by 15% contributing 40% to total revenue. The greatest drivers of this growth were revenues from our proactive investment strategy and income generated from our market services business”.
“Our balance sheet remains solid, with over N22.78 billion in assets, representing a 10% growth rate in 2015. Our liquidity metrics remain strong as well, with a current ratio 3.79 and a total liabilities -to- total assets factor of 15% as of December 31, 2015”, Onyema said.
At the AGM, Members of the Exchange re-elected to the National Council Mr. Aigboje Aig- Imoukhuede, CON, as the President; Engr. Muhammad Daggash; Mr. Oluwole Abegunde (Representing Meristem Securities Limited); Mr. Oladipo Aina (Representing Signet Investment & Securities Ltd) as members of the National Council.