Author Eyitemi Efole
For professional investors in Nigeria, identifying high-performing mutual funds is crucial for wealth growth and protection against inflation. As of October 24, 2025, several funds have delivered exceptional year-to-date (YTD) returns, offering opportunities across various risk profiles, from conservative money market options to high-yield equity and balanced funds.
In this guide, we’ll break down the top-performing mutual funds in Nigeria and provide insights for expert investors seeking strategic portfolio allocation.
Top Performing Mutual Funds Overall
Based on the latest SEC Nigeria data, these funds lead in performance for 2025:
|
Rank |
Fund Name |
Category |
YTD Yield |
|
1 |
Halo Equity Fund |
Equity Based |
161.00% |
|
2 |
VCG ETF |
Balanced |
112.50% |
|
3 |
Lotus Halal ETF |
Balanced |
95.42% |
|
4 |
Stanbic IBTC Imaan Fund |
Balanced |
92.56% |
|
5 |
Guaranty Trust Equity Income Fund |
Equity Based |
88.46% |
|
6 |
Zrosk Magna Equity Fund |
Equity Based |
78.51% |
|
7 |
Paramount Equity Fund |
Equity Based |
69.19% |
|
8 |
Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund |
Equity Based |
67.36% |
|
9 |
Coral Balanced Fund |
Balanced |
62.93% |
|
10 |
Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund |
Balanced |
62.41% |
Expert Insight: Triple-digit returns from equity and balanced funds like Halo Equity Fund and VCG ETF indicate strong market momentum and professional fund management strategies.
Best Performers by Fund Category
1. Money Market Funds (Conservative, High Liquidity)
Ideal for capital preservation and short-term parking of funds, these funds deliver consistent returns:
| Fund | YTD Yield | NAV | Unitholders |
|---|---|---|---|
| RT Briscoe Savings & Investment Fund | 22.72% | ₦69,250,677 | 23 |
| Page Money Market Fund | 22.68% | ₦1,053,129,681 | 150 |
| Emerging Africa Money Market Fund | 21.80% | ₦7,168,233,564 | 1,040 |
| STL Money Market Fund | 20.44% | ₦6,558,968,448 | 835 |
| Zedcrest Money Market Fund | 20.21% | ₦8,609,778,682 | 4,894 |
Pro Tip: Money market funds are excellent for investors looking for stable yields above inflation with near-immediate liquidity.
2. Dollar & Foreign Currency Funds (Inflation Hedge)
For investors seeking protection against Naira depreciation, dollar-denominated funds offer both returns and currency stability:
| Fund | YTD Yield | NAV | Unitholders |
|---|---|---|---|
| UPDC Real Estate Investment Trust | 47.00% | ₦32,978,615,211 | 210,195 |
| Futureview Dollar Fund | 17.29% | ₦217,748,167 | 9 |
| Cowry Eurobond Fund | 15.05% | ₦1,149,047,730 | 66 |
| Zedcrest Dollar Fund | 14.40% | ₦1,695,535,277 | 117 |
| Housing Solution Fund | 14.28% | ₦2,556,941,197 | 8 |
Expert Insight: Diversifying with dollar funds can protect portfolios from local currency volatility while offering exposure to global financial instruments.
3. Equity-Based Funds (High Growth Potential)
Equity funds remain the most rewarding category in 2025, delivering substantial capital appreciation:
| Fund | YTD Yield | NAV | Unitholders |
|---|---|---|---|
| Halo Equity Fund | 161.00% | ₦92,570,860 | 72 |
| Guaranty Trust Equity Income Fund | 88.46% | ₦2,497,211,125 | 2,090 |
| Zrosk Magna Equity Fund | 78.51% | ₦9,898,920,593 | 77 |
| Paramount Equity Fund | 69.19% | ₦8,481,583,485 | 8,944 |
| Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund | 67.36% | ₦24,917,905,959 | 19,449 |
4. Balanced Funds (Diversified Risk & Return)
Balanced funds combine equity and fixed income to deliver strong returns with moderated volatility:
| Fund | YTD Yield | NAV | Unitholders |
|---|---|---|---|
| VCG ETF | 112.50% | ₦130,674,467 | 155 |
| Lotus Halal ETF | 95.42% | ₦2,106,285,808 | 359 |
| Stanbic IBTC Imaan Fund | 92.56% | ₦4,056,179,028 | 2,147 |
| Coral Balanced Fund | 62.93% | ₦6,348,161,837 | 1,298 |
| Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund | 62.41% | ₦7,265,792,803 | 11,355 |
Pro Tip: Balanced funds suit investors aiming to capture market upside while mitigating downside risk through diversification.
5. Fixed Income / Bond Funds (Stable Income)
For conservative investors seeking predictable income, fixed income funds remain attractive:
| Fund | YTD Yield | NAV | Unitholders |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stanbic IBTC Conservative Fund | 36.61% | ₦561,950,474 | 15 |
| Trustbanc Fixed Income Fund | 30.87% | ₦91,241,813 | 22 |
| Anchoria Fixed Income Fund | 29.73% | ₦639,373,370 | 516 |
| Comercio Partners Fixed Income Fund | 29.66% | ₦230,345,262 | 42 |
| Zedcrest Fixed Income Fund | 27.41% | ₦343,699,543 | 651 |
Pro Tip: Use these funds to balance higher-risk equity allocations, ensuring portfolio stability.
How Expert Investors Select Mutual Funds
When evaluating mutual funds, professional investors consider:
-
Investment Horizon: Short, medium, or long-term alignment
-
Risk Tolerance: Higher returns usually correlate with higher volatility
-
Fund Size & Liquidity: Large funds provide stability; small funds can capture nimble market opportunities
-
Fund Manager Track Record: Past performance indicates management quality and strategy execution
-
Fees & Expenses: Lower expense ratios maximize net returns
Market Outlook for Nigerian Mutual Funds
Equity and balanced funds have consistently outperformed other asset classes in 2025, reflecting strong stock market momentum. While money market funds remain the safer choice, top-performing equity funds have delivered triple-digit YTD returns, demonstrating the wealth-creation potential of professionally managed portfolios.
Expert Tip: Even with impressive past returns, always diversify across asset classes and consider hedging currency exposure to protect real returns against inflation.
Final Thoughts
For sophisticated Nigerian investors, October 2025 demonstrates that mutual funds remain a powerful tool for wealth creation, inflation protection, and portfolio diversification.
To stay ahead:
-
Compare current fund performance using nairaCompare
-
Align your allocations with risk appetite and investment horizon
-
Monitor fund NAV trends and adjust exposure proactively
CTA: Compare the Best Mutual Funds in Nigeria on nairaCompare
Data source: Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Nigeria, as of October 24, 2025
Eyitemi Efole
Eyitemi Efole is exploring the marketing field, with a particular interest in brand management, strategy, and operations. She is keen on understanding how brands build trust and connect meaningfully with their audience.
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