How to Buy Meristem Value ETF (MERVALUE) in Nigeria: A Complete Guide

Investing in the Nigerian stock market does not always require picking individual companies. The Meristem Value ETF — listed on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) under the ticker MERVALUE — lets you own exposure to a basket of undervalued, fundamentally strong companies through a single purchase. This guide explains what MERVALUE is, why value investors use it, and the exact steps to buy it.

What Is the Meristem Value ETF (MERVALUE)?

MERVALUE is an open-ended, passively managed exchange-traded fund (ETF) managed by Meristem Asset Management Limited. It was listed on the Nigerian Exchange in 2020 and is designed to track the performance of the NGX Meristem Value Index.

What Does the NGX Meristem Value Index Track?

The NGX Meristem Value Index is a rules-based index of NGX-listed companies that screen as "value stocks" — meaning they trade at a discount to their estimated intrinsic value based on metrics such as price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio, price-to-book (P/B) ratio, and dividend yield. The index selects for liquidity and applies weighting rules to avoid concentration. By buying MERVALUE, you are effectively buying the performance of this index.

Key Features at a Glance

• Ticker: MERVALUE | Exchange: Nigerian Exchange (NGX)
• Fund type: Open-ended passive ETF | Inception: 2020
• Fund manager: Meristem Asset Management Limited
• Benchmark: NGX Meristem Value Index
• Asset class: Nigerian equities (value-oriented)

Why Invest in the Meristem Value ETF?

MERVALUE offers a low-effort way to apply a value investing strategy on the NGX. Instead of researching and selecting undervalued companies yourself, the index methodology does the screening for you and rebalances periodically.

• Diversification — exposure to multiple value-oriented NGX companies through one purchase
• Low cost — ETFs typically carry lower annual charges than actively managed funds
• Dividend income — distributions from the underlying holdings may be passed to unitholders
• Capital appreciation potential — if the market re-rates the underlying companies toward fair value, the ETF price rises
• Accessibility — you can buy as little as one unit, making it suitable for investors starting with limited capital

What You Need Before You Buy

• A brokerage or investment platform account with NGX access
• A Bank Verification Number (BVN)
• A valid Nigerian identity document (national ID, international passport, or driver's licence)
• Funds in your account to place the order

How to Buy MERVALUE: Step-by-Step

Step 1: Open a Brokerage or Investment Platform Account

To buy MERVALUE, you need an account with a platform that can execute trades on the NGX. Because MERVALUE is a listed ETF, it is bought and sold exactly like a regular NGX-listed stock. Any SEC-licensed Nigerian stockbroker or investment platform with NGX trading access can execute the order.

Step 2: Complete Identity Verification (KYC)

Nigerian financial regulations require all investment accounts to complete Know Your Customer (KYC) verification. You will need to upload a government-issued identity document and confirm your BVN. This typically takes between 24 hours and 3 business days to process.

Step 3: Fund Your Account

Once your account is active and verified, transfer funds from your Nigerian bank account via bank transfer or the platform's payment gateway. Check whether the platform uses a savings-plan model (where you contribute regularly until a threshold is reached) or a direct purchase model (where you fund and buy immediately).

Step 4: Search for the Ticker "MERVALUE"

Log in to your trading app or platform and search for the ticker symbol MERVALUE. Confirm you are viewing the correct instrument — the full name should read "Meristem Value ETF".

Step 5: Place a Buy Order

• Choose the number of units you want to buy.
• Select your order type — a Market Order (buys at the best available current price) or a Limit Order (sets a maximum price you are willing to pay).
• Review the order details including the estimated cost and any applicable fees.
• Confirm the transaction.

NGX trading hours are 09:30 AM to 02:30 PM on business days (Monday to Friday). Orders placed outside trading hours are typically queued for the next session.

Step 6: Receive Confirmation

After your order executes, your units will be settled into your Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) account. This is the central registry for all Nigerian equities. Depending on the settlement cycle and your broker, you will receive a confirmation of your holding.

Can I Sell My MERVALUE Units Later?

Yes. Because MERVALUE is listed on the NGX, you can sell your units at any point during trading hours (09:30 AM – 02:30 PM, Monday to Friday) exactly like you would sell a stock. The price you receive will be the prevailing market price at the time your sell order executes. There is no lock-in period.

MERVALUE vs MERGROWTH: Which Should You Buy?

Meristem also manages a second ETF — the Meristem Growth ETF (MERGROWTH) — which tracks the NGX Meristem Growth Index and focuses on companies with high revenue and earnings growth potential rather than undervaluation. The two ETFs represent different investment styles:

• MERVALUE: Targets undervalued companies with strong fundamentals, lower volatility profile, often higher dividend yield
• MERGROWTH: Targets high-growth companies, typically higher volatility, lower current dividend yield but higher growth potential

Value-focused investors who prioritise stability and dividend income tend to prefer MERVALUE. Growth-focused investors who are comfortable with higher short-term volatility in exchange for potential capital appreciation tend to prefer MERGROWTH. Some investors hold both for balance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is MERVALUE risky?

Like all equity investments, MERVALUE carries market risk. The value of your units can fall as well as rise. However, because the fund is diversified across multiple companies, the risk is spread. Value ETFs also tend to have a lower volatility profile than growth-oriented funds over long periods, though this is not guaranteed.

What is the minimum investment in MERVALUE?

The minimum is one unit of MERVALUE at the current market price. There is no platform-imposed minimum above the single unit price. Check your broker or investment platform for any minimum order size requirements they apply.

Does MERVALUE pay dividends?

MERVALUE may distribute income earned from the underlying holdings to unitholders. The frequency and amount of distributions depend on the dividends paid by the companies in the index during the period. Not all periods result in distributions.

Is this article financial advice?

No. This article is for general educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy MERVALUE or any other investment product. Always assess your own financial situation, goals, and risk tolerance before investing, and consider speaking with a licensed financial adviser.