Business

CBN Plans To Raise Fines On Erring Banks

Published

9 months ago

October 28, 2024

The Central Bank of Nigeria is preparing to impose stricter fines on banks that fail to comply with regulatory standards.

This move, according to the Deputy Director of CBN’s Consumer Protection Department, Jamiu Rabiu, is in response to banks’ lacklustre compliance with consumer protection standards.

Speaking on Monday at a high-level policy roundtable on financial inclusion for Persons with Disabilities, organised by the Consumer Advocacy and Empowerment Foundation, Rabiu highlighted the ineffectiveness of the current N2 to N3 fines in deterring recurring issues in the banking sector.

His remarks were in response to concerns raised by Persons with Disabilities who criticised the CBN for insufficient efforts to promote inclusivity in the financial sector.

They argued that the current penalties are not strong enough to deter banks from repeatedly violating their rights.

Rabiu said efforts were ongoing to increase the fine imposed on erring banks.

He said, “We’ve made several efforts, even reaching out to the Bankers’ Committee, because they work closely with the banks to address issues at the level of senior government. They’ve created groups aimed at preventing fraud.

“We’ve held discussions and gone over everything, but when things go back to the status quo, the same issues arise. I believe we need to strengthen our regulations and even increase the fines imposed.

“For instance, Madam mentioned that when we imposed fines of around N2m to N3m, it wasn’t yielding significant results. Whenever there’s an issue, the banks don’t always act.

“Recently, our Deputy Governor questioned why we were imposing only 2 million in fines. We are now considering increasing these fines. If payments are not made within a specified period, there will be an additional 2 million charge per day.”

He added, “Or if payment takes 6 months, we would calculate the total days to determine the accumulated fine. I believe increasing these fines is essential. This is a work in progress.”

He noted that the CBN would have to get the buy-in of the banking authorities to increase the fines to ensure better compliance from banks.

Rabiu said, “We need to coordinate with the banking authorities so that the Deputy Governor can approve higher fine amounts, not just 5 or 10 million. We are aiming to raise it to around 100 million, which we believe would drive better compliance from the banks.”

The Executive Director of CADEF, Professor Chiso Ndukwe-Okafor, stressed the importance of these changes, particularly for PWDs, who often struggle to access digital financial services due to inadequate infrastructure.

She said, “The meeting with stakeholders was organised because of the challenges PWDs encounter accessing digital financial services. We realise that their needs are not being met. by the financial institutions whether online or offline.

“We are collaborating with CBN, FCCPC and a technical committee that would come up with a person with Disabilities bill of rights so that enforcement and sanction can be given. “

Business

Naira Records Three Straight Depreciations Against Dollar As Foreign Reserves Drop

Published

4 days ago

July 24, 2025

Editor

Nigeria’s naira continued its depreciation streak against the dollar at the official foreign exchange market on Wednesday for the third straight time this week.

The Central Bank of Nigeria’s exchange data disclosed that the naira dropped again to N1,535.61 per dollar on Wednesday from N1,535.24 traded on Tuesday.

This means that the marginal weakening to 0.37 against the dollar on a day-to-day basis.

From Monday to Wednesday this week, the naira has shed N3.07 against the dollar at the official exchange market.

Meanwhile, at the black market, the naira remained stable at N1,540 per dollar on Wednesday, the same rate as the previous day for the majority of Bureau De Change Operators in Wuse Zone 4, Abuja.

This comes as the Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, in his communique after the 301st Monetary Policy Committee held this week, said the country’s external reserves stood at $40.1 billion as of July 18, 2025.

However, checks on CBN’s website on Thursday showed that Nigeria’s external reserves had dropped to $38.37 billion as of July 22, 2025.

Business

French Media Giant Acquires MultiChoice In $3bn Deal, Gains Full Control Of DStv, GOtv

Published

4 days ago

July 23, 2025

Editor

French media conglomerate Canal+ has officially acquired full ownership of MultiChoice Group, the parent company of DStv and GOtv, in a landmark $3 billion (approx. 55 billion rand) deal. The acquisition, which gives Canal+ the remaining 55% stake it did not previously own, was approved by South Africa’s Competition Tribunal on Wednesday, July 23.

The approval comes after months of intense negotiations and regulatory reviews, and paves the way for the deal to be finalized by October 8, 2025. While the Tribunal gave the green light, it imposed several public interest conditions to protect local content and maintain South Africa’s media sovereignty.

For Canal+, the deal represents a major strategic expansion into Africa’s booming media and entertainment market. Already operating in 25 African countries with over eight million subscribers, Canal+ is now positioned to significantly scale up its presence, targeting 50 to 100 million subscribers across the continent in the coming years.

MultiChoice, Africa’s largest pay-TV broadcaster, brings more than 14.5 million subscribers in 50 sub-Saharan African countries, as well as flagship platforms like DStv and GOtv. The company is also home to premium content brands such as SuperSport, making it an attractive acquisition for the French media powerhouse.

Describing the deal as transformative, Canal+ CEO Maxime Saada said: “The combined group will benefit from enhanced scale, greater exposure to high-growth markets and the ability to deliver meaningful synergies.”

One of the key benefits of the merger is the integration of Canal+’s French-language content with MultiChoice’s dominant English and Portuguese offerings—creating a multilingual media powerhouse capable of serving diverse African audiences.

Beyond strategic value, the acquisition is also a timely boost for MultiChoice. The deal is expected to inject fresh capital into the South African broadcaster, enabling deeper investment in local content production, technology upgrades, and digital innovation.

As part of the Competition Tribunal’s conditional approval, Canal+ has committed to spend approximately 26 billion rand over the next three years on initiatives aligned with South Africa’s public interest objectives. These include retaining MultiChoice’s headquarters in South Africa, maintaining investment in local content and sports broadcasting, and supporting local content creators.

In a joint statement, both companies reaffirmed their commitment to the South African media ecosystem: “We will maintain funding for South African general entertainment and sports content, providing local content creators with a strong foundation for future success.”

Canal+ began its takeover bid in 2023 with a mandatory buyout offer of 125 rand per share, valuing MultiChoice at around $3 billion. With full ownership now secured, the French media giant is poised to redefine Africa’s pay-TV industry, tapping into its vast potential and shifting the competitive

Business

JUST IN: Again, NNPCL Reduces Fuel Price

Published

5 days ago

July 23, 2025

Editor

Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has reduced its premium motor spirit price for the second time in one week.

It was observed on Wednesday, that the state-owned oil firm has adjusted its petrol price to N890 per litre from N895.

This represents an N5 per litre downward price review when compared to its earlier N895 pump price.

NNPCL retail outlets along Kubwa Expressway, Gwarimpa, Wuse Zone 4, and others in Abuja have adjusted their pumps to the new price.

The latest adjustment comes barely a week after the company implemented a retail price slash.

While NNPCL retail outlets dispense fuel at N890 per litre, Dangote Refinery’s retail partners, such as AP Ardova, Optima, MRS, and Bovas filling stations, sell at N885 per litre.

The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria’s National President Abubakar Maigandi told DAILY POST earlier that fuel prices will continue to fluctuate because of the deregulation of the oil and gas downstream sector.