By Dayo Johnson

Regius Capital Limited, a Securities and Exchange Commission-licensed issuing house, has formally entered Nigeria’s debt capital market with the successful execution of its first Commercial Paper (CP) transaction, acting as a dealer in the ₦30 billion issuance by Johnvents Industries Limited.

The issuance was undertaken under Johnvents’ ₦100 billion Commercial Paper Programme and registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

It opened and closed in December 2025, comprised three series — Series 22, 23 and 24 — with tenors of 181 days, 269 days and 364 days respectively.

The papers were priced at yields of 22.0 per cent, 23.0 per cent and 24.5 per cent per annum, reflecting prevailing market conditions and investor demand for short-dated, high-yield instruments.

The offer was fully subscribed within the offer window, underscoring strong appetite among qualified investors for quality corporate issuances despite a relatively tight liquidity environment.

The programme is backed by investment-grade issuer ratings of BBB+ from Agusto & Co and BBB+ from GCR Ratings, providing additional comfort to investors regarding the company’s credit profile and repayment capacity.

For Regius Capital Limited, a Securities and Exchange Commission-licensed issuing house, the transaction represents a strategic milestone.

Acting as a dealer, the firm contributed to the structuring and distribution of the issuance in compliance with regulatory guidelines.

The successful participation signals the firm’s readiness to compete within Nigeria’s increasingly dynamic debt capital market following the grant of its operating licence.

Industry observers note that the deal highlights the growing depth of Nigeria’s Commercial Paper market, which has become an increasingly important funding avenue for corporates seeking short-term financing to manage working capital, refinance obligations, and maintain operational flexibility.

Johnvents Industries Limited, an integrated agribusiness and manufacturing company, operates across cocoa processing, commodity trading and other value-added agricultural activities.

The company occupies a strategic position within Nigeria’s agricultural value chain, leveraging scale, export capacity and operational efficiency to drive sustainable growth.

The successful issuance not only strengthens Johnvents’ short-term liquidity position but also reinforces investor confidence in agribusiness-linked corporates as viable capital market participants.

Regius Capital Limited provides advisory, structuring and distribution services across debt and equity capital markets.

As a Securities and Exchange Commission-licensed issuing house, the firm partners with corporates to design tailored financing solutions aimed at improving capital efficiency, optimising funding structures and supporting long-term business expansion.