Oando PLC, a leading player in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, has found itself in hot water once again as the regulatory arm of the Nigerian Exchange Group, NGX RegCo, suspended trading in its shares on October 24, 2024. The suspension comes after Oando failed to submit its Audited Financial Statements for the year ending December 31, 2023, missing the regulatory deadline set by the NGX.
This marks another challenging moment for the company, which had already faced a trading suspension earlier in 2024 by the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) due to delayed financial reporting.
According to a notice issued by NGX RegCo, the regulatory arm of the Nigerian Exchange Group, Oando was given a specific “cure period” to submit the required financials. When the company failed to comply, the exchange moved swiftly, citing Rule 3.1 of the Default Filing Rules, which outlines the consequences for companies that miss financial filing deadlines.
These include issuing a Second Filing Deficiency Notification, suspending trading in the company’s securities, and informing the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the broader market.
This latest development underscores NGX RegCo’s commitment to enforcing compliance rules strictly, as companies listed on the exchange are expected to maintain transparent and timely financial reporting practices.
Acquisition of Nigerian Agip Oil Company Blamed for Delays
Oando’s management has attributed the delay in filing its audited financials to the complexities involved in its recent acquisition of the Nigerian Agip Oil Company, a major asset purchase that was finalized on August 22, 2024. In a corporate notice filed with the NGX earlier in October, Oando cited the scale of the acquisition and the integration of Agip’s operations into its structure as significant reasons for the reporting delays.
While the acquisition is seen as a strategic move to bolster Oando’s operational capacity and market share, the integration process appears to have stretched the company’s resources, resulting in delayed financial reporting.
Financial Recovery Amid Operational Challenges
Despite these regulatory setbacks, Oando has shown signs of strong financial recovery. According to its unaudited financial results for 2023, the company recorded a profit of N74.7 billion, a remarkable turnaround from the N78.71 billion loss posted in 2022. This recovery is further supported by a 71% increase in turnover, which rose from N1.9 trillion in 2022 to N3.4 trillion in 2023.
In its statement accompanying the financial results, Oando emphasized that the profit is indicative of the company’s improving fortunes, especially when compared with its performance in 2022. The company credited strategic adjustments and operational efficiencies for its impressive rebound in 2023.
Outlook: Navigating Regulatory and Market Pressures
Oando now faces the challenge of resolving its financial reporting delays while maintaining investor confidence. The trading suspension could have short-term impacts on the company’s stock price and overall market performance, but the company’s strong financial performance in 2023 may help mitigate some investor concerns.
As Oando works to submit its delayed financials and resume trading on the NGX, analysts and investors will closely monitor how the company manages its regulatory obligations and integrates its newly acquired assets. The suspension highlights the importance of balancing growth with compliance, a challenge Oando must navigate carefully to protect its market position and long-term growth potential.
