Category: Business

  • Sterling Bank stops online transfer charges, urges others to follow suit

    Sterling Bank stops online transfer charges, urges others to follow suit

    LAGOS – In a landmark move that sets a new benchmark for customer-focused banking in Nigeria, Sterling Bank has championed the cancellation of bank transfer fees by major banks, announcing it will no longer take any money for itself for any local online transactions by its customers.

    The announcement made on April 1 initially sparked widespread arguments, with many assuming it was a marketing prank tied to April Fools’ Day. However, Sterling Bank has confirmed that this is no stunt: the zero-transfer-fee policy is real and effective immediately.

    With this move, Sterling becomes the first major Nigerian bank to take a definitive stand against the long-standing practice of charging customers for everyday digital transfers, an issue that has grown increasingly contentious as digital banking adoption deepens.

    “We believe access to your own money shouldn’t come with a penalty,” said Obinna Ukachukwu, Growth Executive leading the Consumer and Business Banking Directorate. “This is more than a financial decision, it’s a values-based one. It reflects our commitment to making banking fair, inclusive and truly customer-focused.”

    “We’re not yet the biggest bank in Nigeria, but we’ve been the boldest,” Ukachukwu added. “Sterling fearlessly believes in the future of Nigeria, and this is us backing Nigerians with more than words.”

    Under the new policy, Sterling customers will enjoy free transfers for all local transactions conducted via the bank’s mobile app. This translates into significant savings, particularly for individuals and new small business owners who make frequent daily transfers.

    This customer-first orientation is not new for Sterling. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the bank stood out by providing supplementary payments to healthcare workers in public hospitals—at a time when few others were willing or able to offer additional support. From that moment to now, Sterling has continued to redefine what it means to be a responsible and responsive institution.

    The bank’s latest move has been met with widespread public approval, sparking positive reactions across social media and placing pressure on industry peers to follow suit.

    “We’re proud to lead this change,” Ukachukwu added. “We hope it inspires others to think differently about what customers truly need from their banks, not just in services, but in values.”

    Online communities were not excluded as WhatsApp Nigeria lit up with viral broadcasts as users forwarded the news across various groups, including one from a prayer circle that read: “Please my good people this is not a joke!!! Sterling Bank has just shocked Nigeria today o!! My neighbour Justina just transferred N100k and no charges!!! God bless Sterling Bank!!” The message quickly gained traction, sparking massive public interest and mounting pressure on other banks to follow suit.

    Sterling’s zero-fee policy is part of a broader strategy to transform the customer experience and deliver transparent, ethical banking solutions at scale.

  • Nigeria enhances port security, US Coast Guard confirms progress

    Nigeria enhances port security, US Coast Guard confirms progress

    The United States Coast  Guard has commended Nigeria, and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), for what the Coast Guard described as considerable progress in the implementation of the International Ships and Ports Facility Security (ISPS) Code.

    This was made public by Joe Prince Larson of the US Coast Guard who led a team from the International Port Security Programme on a Working Tour of some Terminals and Ports in Nigeria to ascertain the level of implementation of the ISPS Code across Nigerian ports facilities.

    The team had earlier conducted assessment visits to the Dangote Port and Lekki Free Trade Zones in Lekki, Lagos State, as well as private port facilities operated by Matrix Energy and Julius Berger in Warri, Delta State.

    While delivering an interim assessment report to NIMASA Management, Larson noted that Nigeria’s compliance with the ISPS Code ranks amongst the best globally.

    He added that his team would report their findings to the leadership of the US Coast Guard accordingly and expressed confidence that NIMASA had the capacity to maintain the high standards attained to date.

    He stated further: “We had the pleasure of visiting Matrix and Julius Berger in Warri, Delta State before proceeding to the Lekki Deep Seaport and Dangote Port in Lagos, with the overall assessment being very positive. We noted that there is a clear and deep understanding on the implementation of the ISPS Code in Nigeria with the level of compliance observed to be at par with some of the best maritime nations globally. We would report our findings back to US Coast Guard headquarters accordingly.”

    The Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to maintaining the improved compliance standards at Nigeria’s ports.

    He said: “I must express my happiness at the positive feedback we have received from the USCG delegation as it serves as reward for the Federal Government’s commitment to the develop of the sector, and the work of the Agency, under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, to ensure international standards are adhered to in the area of port security”.

    The USCG has consistently partnered with NIMASA to conduct on-the-spot assessments of the compliance level of Nigerian ports with the ISPS Code. These evaluations, which commenced last year as part of a three-year plan, are geared towards providing actionable insights and data-based decisions to lift the Condition of Entry (CoE) placed on vessels departing Nigeria for the United States of America.

  • SEC talks tough over market infractions

    SEC talks tough over market infractions

    The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has indicated that it is going hard on market operators engaging in unscrupulous activities.

    The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that only fit and proper individuals are permitted to operate in Nigeria’s capital market to enhance investor protection.

    Speaking in an interview in Abuja over the weekend, SEC Director-General Dr. Emomotimi Agama, stated: “It’s important that, as a form of self-regulation, they are aware beforehand that if you do what is not right, the SEC will bring you out to the world to say that you do not have character, because the very ethics of regulating or of registering a securities market operator is in the principle of the fit and proper person’s test. A fit and proper person’s test means that you satisfy all of the requirements that have been laid down in the Investments and Securities Act 2007 and in other regulations that the SEC has brought out to make sure that this happens.

    “Disclosures by public companies will be very, very essential making sure that the investor has enough information to make decisions. If information is not provided, then that will be against the rules and regulations of the SEC and indeed, the ISA.

    “So clearly for us, it is getting people to understand that there is no hiding place anymore for anybody that have an intention to defraud Nigerians and to defraud anybody that is investing in this market”.

    Agama also emphasized that investor protection is a fundamental principle for the Commission in line with the provisions of its enabling law, with investor protection and market development as its twin priorities.

    He added, “It is important to state clearly that every investor in Nigeria is under the cover of the SEC as long as the person operates within the Nigerian capital market. And so the year 2025 is a year where we say that there is zero tolerance for any activity that does not fall within the laws of the Investments and Securities Act 2007”.

  • What CBN did to Oceanic bank and Cecilia

    What CBN did to Oceanic bank and Cecilia

    The appointment of a new Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) under President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua marked the beginning of turbulent times for many of us in the banking industry. With his radical reforms, the Governor aggressively pursued top bankers, accusing several of financial mismanagement and misappropriation. Many of us found ourselves hunted down under the guise of cleansing the financial sector.

    Hopes that subsequent administrations would reverse some of these draconian treatments of bankers quickly faded. It soon became clear that any official appointed by a previous government would remain in office unless found wanting during their tenure.

    My husband’s illness and a distress call

    At the time of these unfolding events, I was in America with my husband, who was battling Parkinson’s disease and its complications. Our lives had already been upended by his health struggles when I received an urgent call from Dr Erastus Akingbola, the Founder and Managing Director of Intercontinental Bank PLC. His message was clear and alarming:

    “The CBN is coming for our banks. You need to return immediately.”

    I was taken aback. “On what grounds?” I asked. Akingbola explained that the CBN Governor and his allies would stop at nothing until they had taken over our institutions.

    I was torn! My husband needed me, but my career and life’s work were under siege. I had no choice but to call my eldest daughter, asking her to fly in immediately to help care for her father while I returned to Nigeria to defend my bank.

    A conversation with the Attorney General

    After my several attempts to see the president became futile as he was already in Germany for medical treatment, I sought an audience with the Vice President Goodluck Jonathan who referred me to Mohammed Adoke, the then Attorney General of Nigeria. I believed Adoke would be sympathetic since he had previously worked as Oceanic Bank’s lawyer in Kano and the North. In fact, he had even persuaded Oceanic Bank to employ his wife, whom we employed and assigned to the legal department of our headquarters.

    On my Iast visit to Adoke, he gave me an unexpected lecture. He told me that he was a Mushim but had studied both the Qur’an and the Bible. Then he asked me a chilling question: “Who killed Jesus?” I remained silent. He answered his own question: “The Government.”

    With that, he delivered his message — blunt and clear. He was warning me that the government had the power to destroy me if it wished. He further advised me never to bring my case before President Jonathan again.

    I left his office completely shaken. My cousin, who had accompanied me, was so disturbed by the conversation that she went straight to bed upon returning home, shivering for the rest of the day. The following morning, we returned to Lagos.

    Desperate attempts to reach the presidency

    Upon my arrival in Nigeria, I tried to contact Erastus Akingbola, but I was unable to reach him. I realised that I was wholly on my own.

    Desperate to halt the looming disaster, I attempted to reach First Lady Hajia Turai Yar’Adua, hoping she would facilitate a meeting with the President. However, she refused to take my calls. With no other option, I went directly to Aso Rock, where I had always been welcomed before. But this time, the reception was different.

    The staff who would normally rush to usher me in ignored me completely. When I insisted, they coldly responded that my name was not on the President’s visitor list. I pleaded with them to take my name to the First Lady, but they refused.

    I then sought to meet with the Vice President, only to be told he had travelled out of Abuja. Frustrated and out of options, I decided to go directly to CBN headquarters to confront the CBN Governor himself. But once again, was blocked at every turn.

    His staff refused to relay my message, insisting that I needed an appointment. Even the deputy governor, whom I knew personally, declined to meet with me.

    In my desperation, I reached out to a woman who knew the CBN Governor well. I pleaded with her to speak to him on my behalf. She was sympathetic but blunt, telling me: “The Governor learnt that you and Akingbola wanted the governorship of the CBN. And I told the Governor that he was now the governor and not you. So, leave her alone.”

    She suggested that I approach Alhaji Umaru Abdul Mutallab, the Chairman of First Bank, who had played a role in the governor’s initial appointment as Managing Director of First Bank. Before that time, he had asked me to assign one of my staff, Archimogu, to work as his personal assistant which I complied.

    When I met him, he looked deeply troubled, as though he carried a burden even heavier than mine. Despite his struggles, he offered me a helping hand.

    Before I left, he simply said: “Pray to God to take absolute control of your situation.”

    The banking tsunami

    I was among the casualties of governor’s banking tsunami. At the time, as Managing Director, I had presented our 2008 audited account to the governor which he did sign and would be presented to shareholders at Tinapa in Calabar. I personally visited the CBN to pay a courtesy call to the Governor and to collect our signed audited report and to inform him of our upcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM) where we planned to conclude our 2008 financial year and start a new financial year. One of the highpoints of the AGM was that we were going to announce the Custodial arrangement. This arrangement involved 25 banks that were able to meet the N25billion capitalisation. The Yar’Adua government gave each of these banks $1billion to be deposited with their foreign banks. Oceanic Bank was a partner with the Commerzbank of Germany where we were able to raise an import facility of $6billion using the $1billion as collateral which was to be used for PMS (petroleum product) importation. This $6billion was to be shared among the 25 newly recapitalised banks. It took almost a year before the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) gave approval.

    Everything was set for progress. Then came the Monday, August 5th bombshell.

    The Governor’s press conference

    All bank managing directors and chairmen received an invitation to a critical meeting with CBN Governor, scheduled for Friday at 10 a.m. at the old CBN office in Lagos. As expected, we arrived on time, unaware of what would happen.

    We sat there, waiting for over an hour. Then, rumours began to spread in the hall that Governor was holding a world press conference about Nigerian banks.

    We were shocked and confused.

    When the press conference was aired, the message was devastating: The CBN Governor declared Nigerian banks as toxic, effectively blacklisting them from international financial transactions.

    The fallout was immediate and catastrophic.

    Foreign banks, including those with Trading Lines, Letter of Credit, and other financial dealings with Nigerian banks, immediately cut ties, suspending all transactions. The panic spread fast, sending shockwaves through the financial sector.

    A suspicious purge

    Traditionally, when a bank faced financial difficulties, the CBN Governor would summon its Managing Director to discuss necessary remedial processes. Affected banks were tvpically given a six-month window to resolve the issues, after which CBN examiners would verify their progress. If the problem persisted, the Managing Director might be replaced, but in consultation with the bank’s board.

    The CBN Governor bypassed all these procedures. He made no effort to engage the banks privately, preferring instead to humiliate the industry on a global stage.

    This was not banking reform — it was a calculated takedown.

    The whispers grew louder. The Governor had a hidden agenda. But by the time the truth became clear, it was already too late, the damage had been done.

    The whole approach was like a military coup

    The Board of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) was assembled at the Lagos CBN Conference Hall. After his World Press Conference, the Governor arrived to address the Managing Directors and their Chairmen. Some banks were instructed to return to their offices, others were to undergo re-examination, while the remaining banks were asked to stay back for a meeting with  the  CBN  Board.

  • FG to clear 500 hectares of land for ranching in Benue – Minister

    FG to clear 500 hectares of land for ranching in Benue – Minister

    The Minister of Livestock Development, Alh. Idi Maiha said the Federal Government would clear 500 hectares of land in Benue to promote ranching and dairy production.

    Maiha disclosed this on Saturday during his visit to the Benue Livestock Investigation and Breeding Centre, Raav, Gwer East Local Government Area of the state.

    He said the 2,400 hectares allocated to the centre was sufficient for ranching and dairy, adding that the FG would begin with clearing 500 hectares.

    He regretted that the centre, with over 2,400 hectares, currently has only 37 animals, and all its facilities are dilapidated and need full rehabilitation.

    “We will form a small committee to suggest ways of moving this place forward.

    “We aim to establish two enterprises here: one for dairy, the other for ranching.

    “2,400 hectares is sufficient, so we will initially clear 500 hectares to receive pasture before the rains this year,” he assured.

    The Minister said the committee would propose facilities such as pens, isolation centres, maternity pens, dips and other support structures including housing and chalets.

    He explained the centre would collaborate with Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi, for research purposes.

    Speaking during the visit, Dr Aondoakaa Asambe, Director-General, Benue Bureau for Livestock Development, said this aligns with the state government’s vision for the bureau’s creation.

    Asambe noted the state government believes ranches will address security challenges and allow farmers to return to their ancestral lands.

    He said the state government took a pragmatic step to build a reliable livestock industry that brings economic benefits to the people.

    He commended Gov. Hyacinth Alia for supporting the bureau in achieving its livestock development mandate.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Minister earlier visited the Benue Swine and Crop Improvement Project, Yadev, Gboko LGA, and the International Cattle Market, Makurdi.

  • UK house prices jump £10,431 as buyers seek larger homes

    UK house prices jump £10,431 as buyers seek larger homes

    UK house prices have surged by an average of £10,431 over the past year, bringing the typical property value to £294,818, with demand for larger homes playing a key role in this growth.

    Easing interest rates have improved mortgage affordability, pushing annual property price growth to 3.7% in January 2025, a significant rise from just 1% at the start of 2024, according to data from Halifax.

    This latest increase has seen house prices surpass their previous peak in August 2022, which was set during the pandemic-driven property boom.

    Read also: How Nigerians can secure 10-year UK visitor visa

     

    Terraced houses have been the standout performers, recording a 4.5% price increase to reach an average of £235,296.

    Detached properties have also seen substantial growth, rising 4.1% to £471,748.

    Meanwhile, flats experienced the slowest growth rate at 3.2%, bringing their average price to £168,569. Semi-detached homes saw a 3.8% rise, now averaging £307,685.

    Amanda Bryden, head of Halifax Mortgages, noted as quoted by UK Yahoo Finance: “The fortunes of different property types tend to ebb and flow depending on broader market conditions. This time last year, the average price of a flat had risen more quickly than a detached house, as buyers adjusted to higher borrowing costs and sought to compensate by targeting smaller properties.

    “Now, as interest rates have started to ease, it’s once again those homes offering more space which are fuelling demand. And that’s not just a short-term trend; over the last decade, bigger properties have tended to outperform smaller homes when it comes to price growth.”

    Terraced homes have led property price increases throughout much of the past year, peaking at a 5.7% rise in October 2024 before moderating to 4.5% at the start of 2025.

    Over the past 12 months, prices for these homes have increased by £10,025.

    Toby Leek, president of NAEA Propertymark, commented: “Not only are buyers looking to take advantage of easing interest rates to secure a bigger home, but other trends, such as a continued increase in people looking for parking spaces and electric vehicle charging, as well as the surge in desire for outside space post-pandemic, are pushing more buyers to pursue larger properties with driveways and gardens, moving away from apartments and flats.

    “Terraced homes are likely proving popular among buyers as they often offer a home with a larger garden and parking at a more affordable price allowing many to maintain a sustainable financial balance.

    “As different areas across the country offer more value for money, it’s likely we will continue to see buyers adjusting their criteria and broadening their search areas.”

  • Top 5 industries with the most billionaires

    Top 5 industries with the most billionaires

    Wealth and affluence are notable source of global power and influence and for the billionaires who command huge respect in the global economy, their fortune and luxury is often characterized by a variety of dominant industries.

    Leading the way is the finance and investments sector, with nearly one in six billionaires, or just over 15%, amassing their wealth in the sector.

    Here are the top 5 biggest industries for billionaires in 2024 as of November, compiled by Forbes.

    1. Finance & Investments

    The finance and investment sector is regarded as the powerhouse for wealth creation, with 427 billionaires, representing 15% of the list. The list includes a stellar cast of individuals who made their wealth by managing investments, operating financial institutions, and leveraging capital markets. Leading this sector is the chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, Warren Buffett, with a net worth of $147.6 billion. The billionaire added $27 billion to his wealth thanks to a surge in Berkshire Hathaway’s stock prices as well as his expertise in value investing and his long-standing leadership in the financial world.

    The list also includes newcomers like Ben Navarro of Sherman Financial Group and Cristina Junqueira of Nubank. Collectively, these billionaires are worth $2.17 trillion, with Warren Buffett leading the charge.

    2. Technology

    The technology industry is regarded as the second industry with the most billionaires, with 342 billionaires, making up 12% of the list. Tech billionaires are the wealthiest of all sectors, with a combined net worth of $2.6 trillion. Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon and owner of the Washington Post and rocket company Blue Origin, remains the richest in this group. Bezoz is followed by Mark Zuckerberg, whose wealth saw a massive $116.2 billion jump in just one year.

    The fast-growing sector features billionaires rising from their involvement in software development, internet services, and technology hardware. Larry Ellison, co-founder of Oracle, is the richest individual in this industry, valued at $231.3 billion.

    3. Manufacturing

    The manufacturing industry ranks third, producing 328 billionaires, also at 12% of the list. The sector produced the most newcomers this year which include the Chao family of Westlake Corporation and Don Levin of D.R.L. Enterprises. As a major source of wealth, many of these billionaires have made their fortunes through industrial products, machinery, and the production of consumer goods.

    Top on the list of billionaires in the manufacturing sector is Reinhold Wuerth, chairman of screw and fastener maker Wuerth Group, leading the category with a net worth of $35.9 billion.

    4. Fashion & Retail

    Fashion and retail is the fourth largest industry, with 285 billionaires, accounting for 10% of the list. The billionaires who make up this list include Christian Louboutin, the creator of the iconic red-sole shoes.

    Bernard Arnault, the chairman and CEO of LVMH, is the wealthiest individual in this sector, valued at $157.6 billion. LVMH is a global powerhouse in luxury goods, managing iconic brands such as Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior, and Moët & Chandon.

    5. Food & Beverage

    The fifth on the list is the food and beverage sector which accounts for 210 billionaires, representing 8% of the list. The billionaire investors are involved in everything from bottled water to food production.

    The richest person in this industry is Zhong Shanshan, the chairman of Nongfu Spring, with a net worth of $51.2 billion. His company’s dominance in the bottled water market, along with its expansion into pharmaceuticals, has placed him as a leading figure in the sector. He also controls the publicly-listed Beijing Wantai Biological Pharmacy.

    The food and beverage industry billionaires features new faces like Todd Graves, founder of Raising Cane’s and we can also note the world’s richest black man, Aliko Dangote, who also invested in sugar and flour along his business journey.

  • Crude for Naira Deal: Dangote suspends sale of petrol in Naira

    Crude for Naira Deal: Dangote suspends sale of petrol in Naira

    Dangote Refinery has suspended the sale of petroleum products to domestic market in Naira following the failure of the Federal Government to renew the crude-for-Naira deal the company had with Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL)

    The refinery, in a statement yesterday, said: “Dangote Petroleum Refinery has temporarily halted the sale of petroleum products in Naira. This decision is necessary to avoid a mismatch between our sales proceeds and our crude oil purchase obligations, which are currently denominated in U.S. dollars.

    “To date, our sales of petroleum products in Naira have exceeded the value of Naira-denominated crude we have received. As a result, we must temporarily adjust our sales currency to align with our crude procurement currency.

    “Our attention has also been drawn to reports on the internet claiming that we are stopping loading due to an incident of ticketing fraud. This is malicious falsehood. Our systems are robust and we have had no fraud issues.

    “We remain committed to serving the Nigerian market efficiently and sustainably. As soon as we receive an allocation of Naira-denominated crude cargoes from NNPC, we will promptly resume petroleum product sales in Naira.

    “We appreciate your understanding and cooperation during this period”.

    The President of the Dangote Group, Alh. Aliko Dangote, met the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr.Wale Edun, in Abuja on Tuesday, in what was seen as the last minute attempt to sustain the Naira for Crude deal to no avail.

    When the media last week reported that the Federal Government, through the NNPCL, had stopped the Naira for Crude deal, the government denied.

    But going by the current position of Dangote Refinery, it is obvious that the arrangement has been shot down.

    Its implication would be far reaching in escalating products prices and exacerbating the challenges of obtaining the US Dollars at the foreign exchange market.

    It would worsen the dollarisation of the Nigerian economy, an aberration which the federal government said it was fighting, at a point.

  • Over 90% of Nigerian lands unregistered, says Minister

    Over 90% of Nigerian lands unregistered, says Minister

    The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, says over 90 per cent of land in Nigeria remains unregistered.

    He said this has resulted in over 300 billion dollars in loss due to longstanding land registration challenges.

    Dangiwa disclosed this on Tuesday at the National Land Registration and Documentation Programme (NLRDP), a National Workshop, organised by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development in Abuja.

    He said that since the inception of formal land registration in Nigeria in 1883, the processes have been conducted under a non-compulsory sporadic system.

    “This process was slow, cumbersome, opaque and expensive for the average landowner.

    “It is not surprising that less than 10 per cent of the entire land in the country was registered in 140 years,’’ he said.

    According to him, this has made it impossible for landowners to leverage their assets for economic purposes.

    “Nigeria has faced longstanding challenges in land governance including: lack of a systematic, credible, and uncontested framework to identify property ownership, interests, and locations.

    “The cumbersome and inefficient property registration process has resulted in less than 10 per cent of land in Nigeria been registered under the current sporadic system.

    “Other challenges include the absence of authoritative data to support effective land administration, limited access to available land records, the existence of the Land Use Act of 1978 (now Cap 2004).

    “This was without the necessary regulations to facilitate its implementation,’’ he said.

    Dangiwa added that the absence of a national institution to advise the Council of State, which was empowered to make regulations for the Act.

    He said inadequate data and information for effective land valuation in both urban and rural areas was also a major challenge.

    Dangiwa said addressing this issue was not just about administrative efficiency but a critical step towards economic transformation.

    According to him, this workshop marks a significant step in the current administration’s efforts to implement long-overdue reforms.

    He said that these reforms were essential to unlocking the immense potential of Nigeria’s landed assets for economic growth, wealth creation, poverty reduction, capital accumulation, and national development.

    This, he said, could be through the National Land Registration, Documentation, and Titling Programme.

    He said the ministry planned to develop and inaugurate a National Digital Land Information System (NDLIS) to modernise land administration.

    According to him, this will centralise and digitise land records, reducing bureaucracy and corruption in land transactions.

    Dangiwa added that the ministry sought to increase the formalisation of land transactions from less than 10 per cent to over 50 per cent in the next 10 years

    He said the ministry remained committed to expanding the formal economy, enhancing the capacity to track and regulate land markets, and improving access to credit for citizens and businesses.

    Sen. Aminu Tambuwal, Chairman, Senate Committee on Lands, Housing and Urban Development, said land was one of the most critical assets of any nation.

    According toTambuwal, Nigeria continues to face persistent hurdles in land administration and accreditation, including bureaucratic inefficiencies, lack of transparency, and recurring disputes.

    He reiterated the Senate Committee’s commitment to providing robust legislative support to ensure the success of the programme.

    ”These include: strengthening land administration frameworks, conducting oversight to ensure accountability, providing sustainable funding for critical initiatives, and collaborating with state assemblies to harmonise land-related centres,” he said.

    Also speaking, Ademorin Kuye, Chairman, House Committee on Public Assets, said Nigeria’s land assets were unaccounted for and the economic implication was that undocumented land could not serve as collateral for loans and investment.

    ”Poorly governed land leads to illegal encroachment, deforestation, unsustainable agricultural practices.

    “The legal challenges are the ambiguities in land titles which force endless litigation, draining resources, and undermining trust in our judicial system.

    “It is against this background that this land registration and documentation programme emerges as a beacon of hope, a bold step towards addressing these systemic challenges through innovation, collaboration, and digitisation.”

    Also speaking, Dr Ndiamé Diop, the World Bank’s Country Director, who was represented by Dr Michael Ilesanmi, said the National Land Registration and Documentation Programme aligned with the vision of the World Bank to eradicate poverty.

    “We are proud to partner with the Government of Nigeria on a number of development initiatives; this particular programme will help unlock the potential of the nation at national and sub-national level for investors.”

  • Marketers predict petrol price hike as Dangote Refinery halts sales in Naira

    Marketers predict petrol price hike as Dangote Refinery halts sales in Naira

    Oil marketers have warned that petrol pump prices may rise in the coming days following Dangote Refinery’s decision to suspend the sale of petroleum products in Naira to the domestic market.

    The refinery had been in discussions with the Federal Government over renewing its six-month crude-for-Naira agreement with NNPC Limited.

    The deal, which was set to expire this month, was reportedly terminated by the national oil company two weeks ago. Negotiations between the government and the involved parties ended without an agreement in Abuja on Tuesday.

    Dangote Refinery in a statement on Wednesday said: “We wish to inform you that Dangote Petroleum Refinery has temporarily halted the sale of petroleum products in Naira. This decision is necessary to avoid a mismatch between our sales proceeds and our crude oil purchase obligations, which are currently denominated in U.S. dollars.

    “To date, our sales of petroleum products in Naira have exceeded the value of Naira-denominated crude we have received. As a result, we must temporarily adjust our sales currency to align with our crude procurement currency.

    “Our attention has also been drawn to reports on the internet claiming that we are stopping loading due to an incident of ticketing fraud. This is malicious falsehood. Our systems are robust and we have had no fraud issues.

    “We remain committed to serving the Nigerian market efficiently and sustainably. As soon as we receive an allocation of Naira-denominated crude cargoes from NNPC, we will promptly resume petroleum product sales in Naira.

    “We appreciate your understanding and cooperation during this period”.

    Speaking to Vanguard on the impact of Dangote’s decision, the Public Relations Officer, Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN, Chief Chinedu Ukadike said pump price would likely go up due to the cost of sourcing foreign exchange to pay for the product.

    He pointed out that marketers may also resort to selling their petroleum products in dollars as the currency has now become the means of exchange in Nigeria.

    “The pressure on dollar will increase because it has become the means of exchange. Marketers will begin to sell petrol at filling stations in dollars. And this will have negative impact on the prices of petroleum products across the country.

    “We don’t want to cause panic in the energy industry but what we are seeing now is not encouraging. Any increase in cost will be passed on to consumers eventually”, he added.

    He said the marketers were informed that the crude for Naira deal ended March 1, 2025, contrary to claims made by government officials.

    The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, had told journalists last weeek that the Naira-for-Crude deal between NNPC Limited and Dangote Refinery remained intact and has not been canceled.

    He pointed out that the agreement as was approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC), was still in effect.

    Lokpobiri stated that while NNPC operates a private sector model, the government still has limited control over major decisions, adding that operators in the oil and gas industry were free to transact business in any currency.

    According to him, “Government is not canceling it. What was taken to council was a pilot scheme where they said NNPC should be selling crude in Naira to Dangote Refinery. We’ve always encouraged people to buy crude in whatever currency. Even if you buy in Naira, it’s going to be at a prevailing exchange rate.

    And I do know that people have been buying crude to refine in their respective local refineries in Naira.

    “The dispute has always been, what is the exchange rate? Which the government is not involved. It is purely private sector issue. If you are in the upstream and you have a modular refinery next to you and the man wants to buy crude, it’s between two of you that would negotiate and agree on what price. And the person may decide to pay you either in dollars or in Naira.

    “We’ve always done that. So it is not true that the scheme is canceled. Not at all. That one that was taken to FEC was a scheme specifically for Dangote Refinery and they said orders will also follow. And that was why that one didn’t include the crude for Naira from IOCs and other operators. It was basically only NNPC”.

    On his part, NNPC Limited also clarified that the contract for the sale of crude oil in Naira was structured as a six-month agreement, subject to availability, and expires at the end of March 2025.

    It added that “discussions are currently ongoing towards emplacing a new contract.

    Under this arrangement, NNPC has made over 48 million barrels of crude oil available to Dangote Refinery since October 2024. In aggregate, NNPC has made over 84 million barrels of crude oil available to the Refinery since its commencement of operations in 2023.

    “NNPC Limited remains committed to supplying crude oil for local refining based on mutually agreed terms and conditions.”