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Best Performing Mutual Funds in Nigeria October 2025 | Expert Investor Guide

Written by Eyitemi Efole | Nov 14, 2025 11:17:24 PM

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