Nigeria, March 9 -- The oil and gas index on the Nigerian Exchange recorded the strongest performance, surging 9.43 percent, driven by strong investor demand for shares in Aradel Holdings and Oando. Industrial goods stocks followed with a 3.89 percent gain as buying interest strengthened in Premier Paints, Lafarge Africa, and Dangote Cement.



Consumer goods companies also recorded modest growth of 1.12 percent, supported by gains in PZ Cussons Nigeria and Cadbury Nigeria. Banking stocks rose 0.24 percent, with investors showing interest in Stanbic IBTC Holdings, Zenith Bank, and Guaranty Trust Holding Company.

The insurance sector was the only laggard, slipping 1.88 percent amid selling pressure in AXA Mansard, Universal Insurance an...