Taiwo Oyedele, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, has called for the listing of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) and Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG), describing them as choice government assets whose listing would improve transparency and spread wealth among Nigerians.
Speaking on Monday at the National Capital Market Conference 2026, Oyedele said Nigeria's gross domestic product at purchasing power parity had reached $2.4 trillion after government reforms, evidence of an economy already taking off.
"By the time inflation comes down to single digits, interest rates follow at single digits, we're growing at 4.43%, borrowing at 30%, imagine what would happen when businesses borrow at single digits. And that's what we're getting to now," he said.
He added: "So by the time we become a $1.5 trillion economy, our capital market cannot and should not be less than $1 trillion."
Oyedele said the Federal Government would lead in cleaning up NNPC ahead of any listing. "If we clean up the NNPC and list the NNPC, do you know that NNPC is worth more than the entire capital market value that we have today in Nigeria?" he asked.
"Saudi Aramco is worth $1.6 trillion. So just give NNPC 10% of that, that's $160 billion," he said.
"NNPC, NLNG, those choice assets of government have to be listed because, by doing that, I believe that we will actually get a win-win outcome," he added. Listing, he said, would "improve transparency, allow Nigerians who own these assets to share in the wealth, and deepen the capital market."
The minister also launched the National Savings Scheme, saying tax incentives would be provided within the ambit of the law, properly costed, and transparently administered to ordinary Nigerians.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, represented by Deputy Chief of Staff Senator Hassan Hadeija, commended the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for strengthening enforcement, bringing digital assets within the regulatory perimeter, pursuing faster settlement, and defending market integrity before global index providers.
