Business
Top manufacturing companies incur N1.96trn debt in 2025

By Yinka Kolawole
Analysis of the audited 2025 full-year financial statements of top ten Fast-Moving Consumer Goods, FMCG, companies in Nigeria has revealed that the firms incurred a combined debt burden of about N1.963 trillion, underscoring the mounting pressure facing operators in the consumer goods sector amid soaring inflation, rising interest rates and foreign exchange volatility.
The analysis showed that while some companies aggressively reduced borrowings and strengthened liquidity positions, others remained heavily leveraged as they relied on debt to sustain operations, finance expansion and manage rising production costs.
Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc emerged as the most indebted FMCG company in 2025 with total borrowings of N725.31 billion, representing a 1.09 per cent increase from N717.51 billion recorded in 2024. The company’s net debt stood at N672.73 billion, while its debt ratio of 0.75 indicated that a significant portion of its assets was financed through borrowings. Analysts noted that the company’s high leverage exposes it to elevated financing costs in the current high-interest-rate environment.
Closely following was Nestlé Nigeria Plc, which posted total debt of N476.04 billion despite reducing borrowings by 27.18 per cent from N653.70 billion in 2024. However, the company’s weakened equity base pushed its debt-to-equity ratio to an alarming 65.64 times, highlighting concerns over its capital structure and solvency risks should earnings weaken further.
BUA Foods Plc ranked third with debt of N469.38 billion, although the company maintained a stronger liquidity position supported by a sizeable cash reserve, leaving net debt at N189 billion.
Further analysis showed that PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc reduced its debt profile by nearly 20 per cent to N71.27 billion. However, the company’s negative equity position of N17.34 billion reflected lingering balance sheet stress.
Similarly, Nigerian Breweries Plc recorded one of the sector’s strongest deleveraging efforts, slashing debt by 64.68 per cent to N59.71 billion from N169.05 billion in 2024. The brewer also ended the year with a net cash position of N1.43 billion, signalling improved liquidity and stronger financial resilience.
Mid-tier operators also witnessed varying debt trends. Champion Breweries Plc recorded a sharp rise in borrowings to N59.03 billion from negligible levels in the previous year, indicating a significant shift in its capital structure. Guinness Nigeria Plc increased debt by 9.43 per cent to N43.92 billion amid sustained operating pressures.
On the other hand, Honeywell Flour Mills Plc maintained a stable debt profile at N26.97 billion, while Cadbury Nigeria Plc cut debt by 30.49 per cent to N22.81 billion as part of efforts to deleverage its balance sheet.
At the lower end of the debt spectrum, Vitafoam Nigeria Plc posted debt of N9.30 billion, down 33.5 per cent year-on-year. The company also maintained strong liquidity with cash holdings of N9.02 billion, leaving net debt at just N286 million.
Meanwhile, some consumer goods firms ended the year in stronger liquidity positions with more cash than debt. These include International Breweries Plc with net cash of N155.24 billion, Unilever Nigeria Plc at N108.58 billion, and NASCON Allied Industries Plc with N41.57 billion.
Industry analysts attributed the divergent debt profiles to worsening macroeconomic conditions, including persistent inflation, naira depreciation and rising borrowing costs, which significantly increased operating expenses and the cost of imported raw materials.
The post Top manufacturing companies incur N1.96trn debt in 2025 appeared first on Vanguard News.
Business
Mutual Benefits delivers strong 2025 financial performance

By Rosemary Nwunze
Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc has announced its audited financial results for the year ended 31 December 2025, reporting a strong performance marked by significant growth in profitability, improved insurance revenue and continued expansion of its balance sheet. The results underscore the company’s resilience, disciplined execution and strategic positioning within Nigeria’s insurance industry.
The audited results, drawn from Mutual Benefits’ consolidated and separate financial statements, reflect sustained momentum across underwriting, investment income and operational efficiency.
Highlights include a rise in insurance revenue to ₦80.05 billion, up from ₦66.92 billion in 2024, driven by growth across key business segments. Profit for the year increased to ₦16.42 billion, compared to ₦11.32 billion in 2024, reflecting strong bottom-line expansion, while profit before tax stood at ₦17.41 billion, up from ₦11.80 billion in the prior year.
Furthermore, total assets expanded to ₦176.25 billion, compared to ₦147.13 billion in 2024, reinforcing balance sheet strength. In addition, total equity grew to ₦69.73 billion, from ₦54.79 billion in 2024, supported by retained earnings and improved profitability, while earnings per share rose to 81 kobo, compared to 54 kobo in the previous year. The leading insurer also recorded improved net investment income of ₦19.87 billion, supported by higher interest income, fair value gains, and disciplined portfolio management.
Equally important, Mutual Benefits reported strong operational performance, with its insurance service result improving significantly to ₦8.77 billion, compared to 1.07 billion in 2024. The result reflected stronger underwriting discipline, improved claims management and enhanced reinsurance structuring.
Growth in net insurance and investment performance was supported by diversified income streams, including ₦10.88 billion in interest income and improved returns from financial assets measured at amortised cost and fair value.
Meanwhile, the company’s total assets growth to ₦176.25 billion was driven by expansion in financial assets at amortised cost, which rose to ₦86.99 billion, alongside broader investment portfolio diversification. Shareholders’ funds attributable to owners of the parent company strengthened to ₦65.00 billion, reflecting continued value creation and prudent capital management.
Speaking on the results, the Managing Director of Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc, Olufemi Asenuga, said the performance reflects the success of the company’s long-term strategic priorities.
“The 2025 results demonstrate the strength of our underwriting discipline, the resilience of our investment strategy and the effectiveness of our ongoing transformation agenda. We remain committed to delivering sustainable value to our policyholders, shareholders and all stakeholders while strengthening our leadership position in Nigeria’s insurance industry,” he stated.
Asenuga further reaffirmed the company’s focus on digital transformation, operational efficiency and enhanced customer experience as key enablers of future growth.
Looking ahead, Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc remains committed to expanding its market presence, deepening digital distribution channels and strengthening claims efficiency. The company will also continue to pursue growth opportunities across retail and corporate insurance segments in Nigeria and selected African markets.
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Business
Premium Pension posts 24% AUM growth, sustains dividend run

By Rosemary Iwunze
Premium Pension Limited has recorded total assets of N21.07 billion for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025. This is against N15.84 billion recorded in 2024.
This was disclosed to shareholders by the Chairman of the company, Maj. Gen. Bitrus Kwaji (Rtd) at its Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Abuja.
He stated that total equity increased significantly to ₦14.65 billion from ₦12.69 billion in the prior year.
Fee Income also remained resilient, closing the year at ₦17.771 billion, compared to ₦13.93 billion in the previous year, reflecting improved operational efficiency and service delivery.
Assets Under Management (AUM) grew by over ₦328.5 billion, representing a 24.2% year-on-year increase, closing at ₦1.67 trillion in December 2025.
Retirement Savings Account (RSA) count increased by 32,698 new members, bringing total RSA holders to 850,797 as at December 2025.
The company maintained its long-standing dividend tradition, declaring a final dividend of ₦2.96 per share, in addition to an interim dividend of ₦3.23, marking 18 consecutive years of payouts.
The company noted plans to accelerate growth through enhanced customer engagement and digital platforms.
Premium Pension also advanced its digital transformation initiatives to improve service delivery and customer experience, while strengthening governance, risk management, and regulatory compliance.
Looking ahead, the company will focus on cybersecurity, digital infrastructure, talent development, and sustainable investments to drive long-term growth and shareholder value.
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Business
Dangote Refinery reduces petrol price to N1,250/litre

By Udeme Akpan
The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has reduced the gantry price of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, also known as petrol, to N1,250 per litre from N1,275 per litre, representing a two per cent decrease.
Market checks by Vanguard confirmed the development as competition intensifies in Nigeria’s deregulated downstream petroleum market amid declining crude oil prices in the international market.
An official of the refinery confirmed the price adjustment, attributing it to the sustained drop in global crude oil prices, the refinery’s major feedstock.
“It is true that we have adjusted the gantry price of petrol due to the reduction in crude oil prices, which is our major feedstock. In a deregulated market, such adjustments should be expected,” the official said.
He added: “We are still monitoring developments and will continue to adjust prices in line with market realities.”
However, findings showed that many filling stations across the country are yet to reflect the new pricing, with petrol still selling above N1,350 per litre depending on location and marketer.
Meanwhile, the refinery recently stated that it has become a major driver of Nigeria’s improving economic outlook following the country’s sovereign credit rating upgrade by S&P Global Ratings.
According to the company, S&P upgraded Nigeria’s long-term foreign and local currency sovereign credit ratings to “B” from “B-”, citing stronger economic growth, improved external balances, rising oil production and increased domestic refining capacity as key factors supporting the nation’s economic recovery.
The refinery noted that the global ratings agency specifically identified the operational ramp-up of the 650,000 barrels-per-day Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals as a significant contributor to Nigeria’s improving balance of payments position and broader economic resilience.
“Significant refining capacity is now also online; Dangote Industries Ltd.’s large-scale refinery and petrochemical complex has ramped up to near its maximum capacity of 650,000 barrels per day,” the company stated.
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