Press Release

As part of efforts at fostering a better relationship between quoted companies and their investors, The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) held its maiden Investors Relations Forum on Monday, 27^th February in Lagos. The Forum with the theme: “Using Investor Relations to Enhance Equity Value” was organised by the NSE in collaboration with africapractice, a leading pan-african investment and strategic communications company.

The Chief Executive Officer of the NSE, Mr Oscar Onyema, in his opening remarks said that the purpose of the forum was to improve market related communications with the investing public and to sensitize companies on the many practical benefits of using investor relations as a tool.

According to Onyema, “Investors are the backbone of any business, and maintaining a mutually beneficial relationship with them is a challenging but essential task. Failing to do this effectively can affect a company’s reputation, perception, market positioning, and of course share price”.

He explained that through effective investor relations, companies can maintain and even increase their market valuations even during market turbulence as investor relations programs provide a channel for open communication and transparency which bolster investor confidence and trust in management decisions.

Speaking at the Forum, Mr Nick Chambers, africapractice’s Director Investor Relations said: “Investor relations is relatively new in Nigeria but has developed positively looking back three to four years ago amongst banks and a handful of real economy companies. We are working with the NSE to broaden the awareness and the use of investor relations by listed entities thus contributing to a more efficient and transparent capital market in Nigeria”.

An engaging and stimulating discussion was held by a panel of experts made up of International and Nigerian based Analysts, Fund managers, Stock brokers, Senior Investor Relations Advisers and representatives of the financial media. The panel discussion was followed by an interactive question-and answer session with participants shedding more light on strategic investor relations and disclosure principles in achieving fair market value for businesses.  

In the concluding remarks delivered by NSE’s Mrs Taba Peterside, Head of Listings, Sales & Retentions stated that as part of the NSE’s incentives to attract companies to the exchange newly listed companies would be given the opportunity for further introductory advice from investor relations experts through this forum.

The forum was well attended by senior management from companies currently listed on the exchange and companies with potential interest in a future listing. It was an encouraging forum for those who want to understand the relevance of investor relations to their business and also an opportunity to learn from experts, strategies on how to properly structure their communications messaging to international best practice standards.

Wole Tokede

Senior Manager

Media Relations| Corporate Communications

The Nigerian Stock Exchange