NGX Considers Extending Trading Hours to 5 PM

The Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) is weighing plans to extend its trading hours beyond the current 9:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. schedule to a longer window running from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Chief Executive Officer Jude Chiemeka hinted at the possible change during a meeting with market operators on Tuesday, noting that further engagements will be held as part of the exchange’s vision to lengthen trading sessions.

The idea has circulated for years but has recently gained traction as regulators and operators explore ways to deepen liquidity and attract foreign investment. Market analyst Tajudeen Olayinka of Wyoming Capital explained that discussions on longer hours are becoming more serious as stakeholders look for reforms that would boost activity.

If implemented, the move would bring NGX closer in line with global practices. The Johannesburg Stock Exchange is currently considering 24-hour trading, while the London Stock Exchange runs for eight and a half hours daily. Other major markets operate within similar windows, including New York, which trades for six and a half hours, and Tokyo, which has a five-hour trading day with a midday break.

By adopting a 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. schedule, NGX would align itself more closely with these international peers. The extension is also seen as part of a broader strategy to strengthen Nigeria’s capital market, improve liquidity, attract foreign inflows, and expand investor participation.