The Nigerian Exchange has more than 150 listed companies, but only a handful consistently stand out for earnings strength, dividend quality and sector leadership. This is Kobo Terminal's shortlist of the 10 NGX stocks we think deserve a place on a 2026 watchlist, split between dividend payers and growth stories.
Unlike most "best stocks" lists, the numbers below are live. Prices, year-to-date returns and dividend yields come straight from Kobo Terminal's market data and update every trading day.
The 10 picks at a glance (live)
| Stock | Price | Day | YTD | Div. yield | P/E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zenith BankZENITHBANK | ₦122.00 | −1.2% | +97.4% | 7.9% | 5.5x |
| Guaranty Trust Holding CompanyGTCO | ₦122.40 | −0.1% | +35.0% | 10.2% | 5.4x |
| United Bank for AfricaUBA | ₦41.90 | −0.2% | +0.6% | — | 5.4x |
| Seplat EnergySEPLAT | ₦16,000.10 | 0.0% | +175.4% | 4.0% | 19.9x |
| MTN Nigeria CommunicationsMTNN | ₦825.00 | 0.0% | +61.4% | 3.1% | 12.3x |
| Dangote CementDANGCEM | ₦1,008.00 | 0.0% | +65.5% | 4.2% | 15.8x |
| BUA FoodsBUAFOODS | ₦760.60 | 0.0% | −4.8% | 3.7% | 24.9x |
| PrescoPRESCO | ₦2,045.30 | 0.0% | +41.1% | 1.0% | 19.4x |
| Okomu Oil PalmOKOMUOIL | ₦1,276.20 | 0.0% | +16.5% | 4.3% | 24.3x |
| Aradel HoldingsARADEL | ₦1,499.90 | 0.0% | +123.9% | 2.2% | 8.5x |
Prices as of the 21 October 2026 close. Dividend yield is trailing 12 months. Market data is delayed. YTD compares with the last close of the previous year.
How the picks are doing
As of 21 October 2026, 9 of the 10 picks are up for the year. The strongest performer is Seplat Energy (+175.4% year to date), followed by Aradel Holdings (+123.9%). The weakest is BUA Foods at −4.8%. For income, Guaranty Trust Holding Company has the highest dividend yield on the list at 10.2%.
In this article
Buying through the Bamboo app? See the Bamboo-specific cut of this list: Best Nigerian Stocks to Buy on Bamboo
How we chose these stocks
These picks are based on public fundamentals, dividend history, sector outlook and 2026 catalysts. This is not personalised investment advice. Always do your own research and speak to a registered broker where necessary.
Why each stock made the list
1. Zenith Bank (ZENITHBANK)
Dividend + growth. Zenith is the benchmark Nigerian bank for profitability, payout consistency and scale. It suits investors who want large-cap dividend exposure, and it pays both an interim and a final dividend each year.
2. GTCO (Guaranty Trust Holding Company) (GTCO)
Dividend + growth. GTCO is one of the clearest all-rounders on the NGX. It combines a strong dividend with payments, asset management and other non-bank income, and it is one of the most traded stocks on the exchange.
3. United Bank for Africa (UBA)
Dividend. UBA gives you pan-African banking exposure across 20 countries. It often trades at a lower valuation than Zenith and GTCO, which is why it appears on so many income watchlists.
4. Seplat Energy (SEPLAT)
Dividend + growth. Seplat pays dividends every quarter, and its gas and upstream assets give it more than just yield. It is priced in naira but earns largely in dollars, which helps when the naira weakens.
5. MTN Nigeria (MTNN)
Growth. MTN Nigeria is the country's largest telecoms company. The 2026 case is about earnings recovering after the tariff reset, which gives the stock room to re-rate.
6. Dangote Cement (DANGCEM)
Dividend + growth. Dangote Cement is the market leader in cement across Africa. It combines income with long-term demand from housing and infrastructure, and it is one of the largest companies on the NGX by market value.
7. BUA Foods (BUAFOODS)
Dividend + growth. BUA Foods is the consumer-goods pick for investors who want something more dynamic than a pure defensive name, with flour, sugar and pasta businesses and a growing dividend.
8. Presco (PRESCO)
Dividend + growth. Presco is a palm oil producer that can offer both income and upside. Its earnings follow palm oil prices, so expect bigger swings than a bank stock.
9. Okomu Oil Palm (OKOMUOIL)
Growth. Okomu is a growth-first agriculture name and one of the NGX's strongest re-rating stories of recent years. Like Presco, it moves with palm oil prices.
10. Aradel Holdings (ARADEL)
Growth. Aradel is a higher-risk energy growth story. It won't suit every investor, but its upside case is very different from the mature dividend names on this list.
Long-term vs short-term: which picks fit
For the long term, start with the large, profitable dividend payers: Zenith Bank, GTCO, UBA, Dangote Cement and Seplat. They are the most liquid stocks on the NGX, so you can build and trim positions without moving the price, and their dividends pay you while you wait. Track upcoming payouts on the NGX dividend calendar.
For the short term, fundamentals matter less than momentum and liquidity. Use the Kobo Terminal stock screener and the day's top gainers on the market page, and favour stocks that trade in volume every day. Growth names like MTN Nigeria, Okomu Oil and Aradel can move sharply in both directions.
⚠️ Risks to keep in mind
- Currency risk: naira moves change the dollar value of your returns
- Regulation: banking rules and recapitalisation can change sector dynamics
- Commodity prices: Seplat, Aradel, Presco and Okomu follow oil and palm oil prices
- Liquidity: smaller stocks can be hard to sell quickly
How to buy Nigerian stocks
To buy NGX stocks you need a stockbroker account and a CSCS account, where your shares are held electronically. Compare brokers in the Kobo Terminal brokers directory, or follow the step-by-step guide to opening a brokerage account in Nigeria. New to the market? Start with the beginner's guide to investing in Nigerian stocks.
Once you own shares, track them for free with Kobo Terminal's portfolio tracker.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best Nigerian stocks to buy now?
There is no single best stock for every investor. For dividend income, Zenith Bank, GTCO, UBA, Seplat and Presco stand out. For growth, MTN Nigeria, Okomu Oil and Aradel have stronger upside stories. The live table on this page shows each pick's current price, year-to-date return and dividend yield.
Which Nigerian stocks are best for the long term?
Long-term investors usually start with large, profitable companies that pay steady dividends: the tier-1 banks (Zenith, GTCO, UBA), Dangote Cement, MTN Nigeria and Seplat. These are the most traded names on the NGX, so they are also the easiest to buy and sell.
Which Nigerian stocks are best for the short term?
Short-term trading is about momentum and liquidity rather than fundamentals. Check the day's top gainers and the most-traded stocks on the Kobo Terminal market page, and stick to liquid names, because thinly traded stocks can be hard to exit quickly.
How much money do I need to start investing in Nigerian stocks?
There is no official minimum. Many investors start with about ₦50,000 so they can spread money across more than one stock, but smaller regular amounts also work. You need a stockbroker account and a CSCS account to hold the shares.
Which NGX sector looks strongest in 2026?
Banking remains the most reliable large-cap dividend sector after recapitalisation, while agriculture and oil and gas have offered stronger growth. Telecoms matter too because of MTN Nigeria's earnings recovery after the tariff reset.
Investment disclaimer
All investments carry risk. Past dividends and price performance do not guarantee future returns. This article is for information only and is not personalised financial advice.