The Debt Management Office has allotted a total of N4.074 billion in its May 2026 Federal Government of Nigeria Savings Bond issuance as investors showed stronger preference for the three-year tenor instrument.

This is according to the auction result released by the DMO on Friday.

The subscription window for the savings bonds opened between May 4 and May 8, 2026. Settlement was completed on May 13, 2026.

The latest issuance highlights sustained retail investor appetite for government-backed fixed-income securities despite changing market conditions and expectations around interest rates and inflation.

The DMO disclosed that the three-year bond accounted for more than 78 percent of total subscriptions recorded during the issuance period.

The 13.525 percent FGN Savings Bond due May 13, 2028, recorded a total allotment of N884.857 million from 1,459 successful subscriptions.

The 14.525 percent FGN Savings Bond due May 13, 2029, attracted N3.189 billion from 2,085 subscriptions.

Combined allotments for both instruments stood at N4.074 billion.

Both bonds were issued at N1,000 per unit. The minimum subscription requirement was N5,000 and the maximum investment limit was N50 million.

The DMO also stated that coupon payments on the bonds will be made quarterly on August 13, November 13, February 13, and May 13 throughout the life of the instruments.

The May 2026 issuance offered returns of up to 14.525 percent per annum. This makes it one of the highest-yielding offers under the FGN Savings Bond programme this year.

Analysts note that expectations of easing inflationary pressures and eventual monetary policy adjustments by the Central Bank of Nigeria may have encouraged investors to secure longer-duration yields while current rates remain elevated.

Kwik Capital’s analyst Segun Olajengbesi said the pattern of subscriptions suggests investors are increasingly positioning for a declining yield environment.

“When investors move aggressively into longer-tenor fixed-income instruments, it usually signals expectations that current yields may not remain at these levels for too long.”

According to him, the current macroeconomic environment, particularly improving inflation expectations and monetary tightening over the last year, is encouraging investors to secure higher yields while they remain available.

Abuja-based investment analyst Collin Adje said the subscription trend could reflect growing sophistication among retail investors.

“Retail investors are becoming more yield-conscious. The preference for the three-year bond shows many participants are now making duration decisions based on rate expectations rather than just short-term liquidity needs.”

The FGN Savings Bond programme was introduced to deepen retail participation in Nigeria’s domestic debt market and promote financial inclusion by providing accessible investment opportunities for individual investors and small institutions.

The instruments are backed by the full faith and credit of the Federal Government. This makes them attractive to investors seeking relatively secure and predictable returns.

The latest allotment results suggest that retail investors remain confident in sovereign fixed-income instruments despite broader macroeconomic uncertainties.

The FGN Savings Bond comes with several regulatory, tax, and investment benefits. This makes it attractive to both individual and institutional investors in the current economic environment.

The bonds qualify for tax exemptions under relevant provisions of the Company Income Tax Act and Personal Income Tax Act.