Business

External Reserves Fall By $427m In One Month – CBN

Published

3 years ago

February 21, 2023

The country’s external reserves fell by $427.14m in one month, figures obtained from the Central Bank of Nigeria revealed on Monday.

This is as the crisis in the country’s currency worsened over the scarcity of the new naira notes.

Figures obtained from the CBN on the movement of foreign reserves showed that the reserves, which stood at $37.21bn as of January 18, fell to $36.79bn as of the end of February 16, 2023.

Last year, the CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, after announcing the plan to redesign the naira notes, said one of the objectives of the policy was to mop up currency outside the bank vaults.

He urged Nigerians to make use of alternative payment channels that would drive the digital payment systems in the country.

But due to the scarcity of the new naira notes after the deadline, the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), directed that the old N200 note should be re-circulated, adding that it would remain legal tender until April 10, 2023.

The Deposit Money Banks also commenced the collection of old N500 and N1,000 on Friday, this was even without giving the depositors new naira notes in return.

Due to the hardship ocassioned by the scarcity, pockets of protests triggered in the country which had led to the loss of lives and property.

The Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association had said in a statement that, “In the last few weeks, with the cash squeeze and the purchasing ability of Nigerians greatly impaired by the shameless implementation of the policy, the economy has witnessed a significant bashing with a report stating that the real sector witnessed about 40 per cent drop in productive activities. As the cash crush continues, thousands of productive hours are lost daily on queues by employees and many cannot even get to work.”

The Governor, CBN, Godwin Emefiele, in 2022, launched the ‘RT200 FX Programme’ to boost forex supply in the country through the non-oil sector in the next three to five years.

“The RT200 FX Programme is a set of policies, plans and programmes for non-oil exports that will enable us to attain our lofty yet attainable goal of $200bn in FX repatriation, exclusively from non-oil exports, over the next three to five years,” he said.

Business

Dangote Refinery Reduces Fuel Price Nationwide, Provides Update On Petrol Distribution

Published

18 hours ago

September 12, 2025

Editor

Dangote Refinery has reduced its premium motor spirit retail price nationwide.

This is as it announced Monday, September 15, 2025, as the new date to begin the direct petrol distribution initiative.

The initiative, which Dangote Group had earlier announced would kick off on August 15, 2025, would see the $20 billion plant distribute petrol and diesel to consumers with its 4,000 compressed natural gas trucks at zero logistics cost.

The 650,000-barrel-per-day refinery said its new gantry price is N820 per litre, the same price announced last month.

Business

FG Gives Criteria For Opening Bank Accounts

Published

19 hours ago

September 12, 2025

Editor

From January 1, 2026, all Nigerians and non-residents will be required to obtain a Tax Identification Number, Tax ID, to open or operate bank accounts.

The development followed the enactment of the Nigeria Tax Administration Act, 2025, recently signed into law by President Bola Tinubu.

Section 8(2) of the Act makes the Tax ID compulsory for banking, insurance, stock broking, and other financial services. It also extends the requirement to contracts with federal and state governments.

For non-residents, Section 6(1) mandates registration for tax purposes, requiring them to obtain a Tax ID if they supply taxable goods and services or derive income from Nigeria.

To enforce compliance, Section 7(3) empowers tax authorities to assign a Tax ID to individuals or entities who fail to register. The Act also allows for suspension or deregistration of a Tax ID if a business ceases operations temporarily or permanently, provided tax authorities are notified within 30 days.

The legislation is aimed at expanding Nigeria’s tax net and boosting revenue collection. Analysts say the policy could significantly improve tax compliance rates nationwide.

Financial institutions are expected to adjust their systems and processes ahead of the January 2026 rollout.

Business

NUPENG Accuses Dangote Of Breaching Agreement, Says Nationwide Strike Inevitable

Published

1 day ago

September 12, 2025

Editor

The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, has accused the management of Dangote Group of violating a peace pact brokered at the Department of State Services, DSS, headquarters on September 9, warning that a nationwide strike appears inevitable.

A statement by NUPENG President, Prince Williams Akporeha, and General Secretary, Afolabi Olawale, placed members nationwide on red alert, urging them to prepare for a possible resumption of the suspended industrial action.

The statement reads: “This is to alert the general public and the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that, notwithstanding the resolution reached and signed at the office of the Department of State Services (DSS) — with three Ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Deputy Director-General of the DSS in attendance — on the right of workers to unionise, Mr. Sayyu Aliu Dantata, on Wednesday, 10th September 2025, instructed all his truck drivers, who have been members of NUPENG-PTD for several years, to remove the union stickers from their trucks.

“Today, Thursday, 11th September 2025, he further instructed them to forcefully drive into the Dangote Refinery to load products. Officials stopped them from entering the refinery because their trucks violated the loading rules and regulations.

“We strongly condemn this attitude towards the official institutions of this great country and blatant lack of respect for the laws of the land.

“We call on the Federal Government not to allow the security agents — who are being paid with the resources of this country — to be used with impunity against the laws and people of Nigeria.

“Security agents should not allow any individual to breach the law, particularly while disregarding agreements reached in meetings facilitated by them and attended by Ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“By this statement, we are placing all our members on red alert for the possible resumption of the suspended nationwide industrial action. We also call on the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), all regional and global working people, and civil society organizations to rise in support and solidarity against this threat from the capitalist elite.

“His wealth cannot place him above the law.

“We assure the people and government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that NUPENG will continue to remain a patriotic, responsible, and responsive organization committed to the progress of this great country.”