Top 10 Nigerian Stocks to Watch in 2025 (and Why They Matter)

Top 10 Nigerian Stocks to Watch in 2025 (and Why They Matter)

Nigeria’s markets are buzzing, and if you’re wondering where the next big winners might come from, here’s your cheat sheet. From oil to telecoms, banks to breweries—these are the stocks experts say you should keep on your radar in 2025.

Oil & Gas: Profit Gushers

1. Aradel Holdings
Aradel is quietly turning into an oil beast. Its profits from associate companies jumped 600% year-on-year in Q2 2025, thanks to its stake in Renaissance Africa Energy (which scooped up Shell’s Nigerian assets). With margins climbing to 67%, Aradel is squeezing gold from every barrel.

Telecoms: The Data Gold Rush

2. MTN Nigeria
Think MTN is just your SIM card? Think again. In H1 2025, it splashed ₦560bn into infrastructure—3x its usual spend—and revenues soared 54% YoY. With data demand booming, MTN isn’t playing small.

Agriculture: Palm Oil Power Plays

3. Ellah Lakes
This underdog is now an agribusiness rocket. Stock price? Up 340% in 2025 alone. Its shiny new 1,500-hectare palm oil mill and expansion plans have investors betting big.

4. Presco Plc
Nigeria’s palm oil king. Shares are up 200% in 2025, riding local and export demand. Still expanding. Still hot.

Bonus: Okomu Oil – Not as wild as Presco, but with a 129% gain, it’s the “steady hand” in the palm oil game.

Cement: Building Blocks of Growth

5. Lafarge Africa (WAPCO)
After Holcim’s exit, some worried about Lafarge. But Q2 profits of ₦200bn+ prove it’s still a heavyweight. Cement is Nigeria’s backbone, and Lafarge is central to that story.

Consumer Goods: Everyday Essentials = Steady Money

6. NASCON Allied (Dangote Salt)
Salt, seasoning, staples. Earned ₦5.77 per share in H1. Plus, it trades “cheap” with a P/E of 7.7x vs. industry’s 13.7x. Translation: hidden value.

7. Cadbury Nigeria
Sweet comeback. Posted ₦4.46 earnings per share in H1 and trades below industry valuation. Experts say it’s a growth stock hiding in plain sight.

Bonus: Nigerian Breweries – Whether the economy smiles or frowns, Nigerians still drink. Call it recession-proof.

Insurance: Quietly Exploding

8. NEM Insurance
One of the sector leaders, with 24% return on equity and juicy earnings. Trading cheaper than rivals, but policies are booming post-new Insurance Act.

Bonus: Custodian Plc – Not flashy, but steady.

Banking: Digital & Resilient

9. Wema Bank
Surprise performer of 2025. Strong digital banking play (think ALAT) + SME growth. Investors are warming up fast.

10. GTCO
A classic. Even amid recapitalisation noise, GTCO remains a “value play.” Experts group it with Fidelity, Zenith, and UBA as banks built for the long haul.

Bonus: Transcorp Power – If you’re bullish on electricity, Transcorp Power is the “next Geregu” play.

How Experts Pick Winners

Growth first: Revenue + profit must be moving up.

P/E ratio check: If it’s far below industry average, stock may be undervalued.

ROE & ROA: Are they squeezing money smartly?

Profit margins: High margins = efficiency = potential.

As analyst Efe Ogunnaiya says: “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Balance growth plays like banks & consumer goods with stability picks like dividend stocks.”

Bottom line: Nigeria’s market is buzzing, but not every rocket goes to the moon. Diversify, watch your risk, and ride the right waves.