Business
Heavy Criticism For FG As 24 States Lose Foreign Investments
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Abubakar Sa’ad lll- led Jamaatul Nasril Islam, some state governments and the Manufacturers’ Association of Nigeria have taken a swipe at the Federal Government over its failure to address the rising insecurity in the country.
The groups stated this on Monday as killings and other forms of insecurity took a toll on investments in the country with foreign investors shunning 24 states in 2021.
Earlier on Monday, the National Bureau of Statistics released data, which indicated that Nigeria generated a total of $698.7m from Foreign Direct Investments in 2021.
According to data from the NBS, the FDI generated in 2021 was the lowest the country recorded in 10 years.
FDI is one of the three major types of investments and a critical source of capital inflow into the country.
Other sources include foreign portfolio investment, foreign loans, and trade credits, among other investments.
NBS defines FDI as an investment whereby the investor has some control or a significant degree of influence on the management of a domestic enterprise.
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It notes that the FDI occurs when the investor has enough equity in the enterprise to entitle them to 10 per cent or more of the voting rights in that company.
A breakdown of FDI in Nigeria over the last 10 years shows that in 2012, FDI stood at $2.60bn, it declined to $1.27bn in 2013 but rose to $2.27bn in 2014.
FDI fell again in 2015 to $1.41bn; it fell further to $1.04bn in 2016 and to $981.75m in 2017.
Further analysis of data from the NBS revealed that the FDI rose again to $1.19bn in 2018 but dropped by $256m to $934.34m in 2019.
The latest capital importation report from the bureau stated that the FDI fell by $332m to $698.78m in 2021 from $1.028bn in 2020.
24 states attracted $0 foreign investments
The report also revealed that 24 states in the country failed to attract any foreign investment last year.
These states are Adamawa, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Ebonyi, Edo, Enugu, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger, Ondo, Plateau, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe and Zamfara.
Also, 10 out of the 24 states failed to attract foreign investments in the last three years.
The states are Bayelsa, Ebonyi, Gombe, Jigawa, Kebbi, Kogi, Plateau, Taraba, Yobe and Zamfara.
Manufacturers blame insecurity
The Chairman, Infrastructure Committee of MAN, Ibrahim Usman, said that aside from the COVID-19 pandemic that affected a number of companies abroad, there was the issue of insecurity plaguing the country.
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He said, “Since the COVID-19 pandemic, a lot of the companies that invest abroad have been affected by the pandemic. That is a major cause. Secondly, the insecurity in the nation has continued to go unabated. Nobody wants to invest in a country where there is so much insecurity. Investments thrive only where there is peace and security.”
Issue of foreign exchange, policy somersault make investment in Nigeria risky – MAN
Usman also said that the lack of stable power supply is affecting the productive sector, which is meant to attract foreign investments.
“Also, the availability of electricity is directly related to the advancement in terms of investments. People normally invest in the productive sector. The productive sector cannot operate without adequate reliable, affordable electricity. That’s another major cause. We haven’t made the stride we are supposed to have in terms of electricity supply. The Nigerian electricity supply industry is still at the lowest point,” Usman said.
He added that there was also the issue of foreign exchange and lack of consistent policies, which had made investing in the country highly risky.
Usman added, “Also, there is the issue of foreign exchange. A lot of times we do policy somersault. The government can suddenly come up with a new policy that discourages investors. There must be consistency in policymaking because investors plan 10-20 years ahead, and sudden changing policies can affect their investments.”
Exchange rate affecting business – LCCI
Also, the Deputy President of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Gabriel Idahosa, identified three factors responsible for the steady decline in Nigeria’s FDI.
According to him, the major factor is the unpredictability of Nigeria’s foreign exchange market and the devaluation of the naira.
He explained that foreign investors were sceptical of investing in Nigeria because the value of their returns would have declined in the future due to the naira devaluation.
“Since 1990, the value of the naira has been on the decline and projection in the near future is not showing any significant difference,” he said.
Idahosa, who is a chartered accountant, noted that investors were also reluctant to invest in a country where the cost of doing business is high. He explained that the high cost of electricity in Nigeria, inefficient port and rail systems were undoing Nigeria and its quest for FDI.
“Also, our Company Income Tax is among the highest in the world. Most countries have 15-16 per cent of thereabout, but ours is 32.5 per cent. Most investors are going to places where taxes are low and moving to countries where governments are looking at the number of jobs created rather than high taxes,” Idahosa noted.
He urged the Nigerian government to address these challenges urgently to drive FDI into Nigeria.
Also speaking to The PUNCH, the Managing Director of Cowry Asset Management Limited, Johnson Chukwu, said that investors were looking for countries with economic and political stability, and good economic growth.
According to him, the country experienced contracted growth due to the pandemic and is also battling insecurity, which has been discouraging foreign investments.
Chukwu said, “Foreign Direct Investments go into countries with very good investment climate. Among those things that foreign investors are looking for are economic and political stability. They are also looking at the growth of the economy. Prior to last year, the economy contracted in 2020. Although it grew by 3.4 per cent last year, investors were looking at a contraction in 2020.
“Secondly, we see a situation where the level of insecurity is high in the country. This discourages foreign investors.”
The Chief Executive Officer, Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise, Dr Muda Yusuf, stressed the need for better reforms to strengthen investors’ interest.
He also emphasised the need to address the issue of insecurity plaguing the country.
PUNCH
Business
Why We Sited Our Multi-Billion Naira Automobile Firm Branch in Benin – Skyewise Group CEO
Dr. Elvis Abuyere, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Skyewise Group, an automobile firm, has explained the reason for establishing a branch of the company in Benin City, the Edo State capital, describing the ancient city as “a growing economy full of enormous potential for vibrant youth.”
He added that the company considers Edo State one of the most interesting states, noting that the decision aligns with its long-term vision.
Abuyere, who spoke in Benin on Monday while taking journalists on a tour of the new automobile facility, said:
“We started very small — from Abuja to Lagos and now Benin. It is a joy and privilege for us to have completed this amazing regional office with Skyewise Group.”
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According to him, beyond the automobile business, Skyewise Group is in Benin to invest in real estate, logistics, youth empowerment, and credit management. “Aand also to lend our support to what the Edo State Government is doing, knowing the fact that there is an agenda,” he added.
The young CEO urged youths in Nigeria, particularly those in Edo State, to embrace entrepreneurship, stressing that “we believe it is the future of Africa,” especially Nigeria.
He said Nigeria stands as the giant of Africa and that its youth must take bold steps in the entrepreneurship landscape.
According to Abuyere, to ensure Edo youths actualise their entrepreneurial potential, the company has prepared soft loans to help them start businesses, adding that Skyewise Group is not limited to automobile operations.
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He said: “More importantly to us is youth empowerment. We want our youth to be empowered, and this is where the Skyewise Foundation comes in.
“We believe the future of Africa is entrepreneurship, and that future lies in the hands of the young people of Nigeria. We want to empower them to stand the test of time, build something meaningful, and reduce unemployment and insecurity in our land.
“I believe we need to begin taking bold steps by refining the mindset of our young people. We need to give them a sense of belonging and direction.
“We have been addressing the liquidity gap in society by providing microloans to support businesses in our environment and in Benin City.”
When asked why he chose Benin City for the multi-billion naira automobile firm, Abuyere noted: “I think this is the first automobile showroom in Edo State where you can see a car lifted from the ground floor to the first floor and beyond.”
Business
JUST IN: Nigerian Filling Stations Reduce Fuel Price After Hike
Nigerian filling stations reduced their Premium Motor Spirit price on Saturday, barely 24 hours after the hike.
Checks by DAILY POST showed that Ranoil, Empire Energy, and other filling stations in Abuja adjusted their petrol pumps to N1,365 and N1,375 per litre respectively, down from N1,440 per litre on Friday.
This means that petroleum marketers dropped their fuel price by N65 and N75 per litre. DAILY POST reports that the move was to attract patronage from customers.
Recall that three days ago, Nigerian filling stations had raised their petrol pump price to between N1,365 and N1,440 nationwide after Dangote Refinery and depot owners increased ex-depot prices to around N1,275 and N1,290 per litre.
According to DAILY POST, while the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and MRS Bovas filling stations raised their petrol price to around N1,365 per litre, others adjusted theirs above N1,440 per litre.
READ ALSO:Drivers Protest Fuel Increase, Raise Fares in Benin
However, with the latest fuel price reduction by Ranoil and Empire Energy, the majority of filling station outlets now dispense petrol between N1,365 and N1,375 per litre.
This development comes as the ripple effect of crude oil prices continues to impact Nigeria’s domestic fuel price.
Brent and West Texas Intermediate crude rose to $114 and $105 per barrel before dropping to $108 and $101 after the filing of this report.
Business
Dangote Refinery Hikes Petrol Price
Dangote Refinery has increased the ex-depot price of petrol by N75.
The refinery announced the increase on Wednesday, hiking the the price from N1,200 to N1,275 per litre.
In the same way, coastal prices have gone up to N1,215 per litre.
READ ALSO:Dangote Sugar Announces South New CEO
This adjustment amid Brent crude trading at $114.80 per barrel marks a 3.15% increase.
DAILY POST reports that Brent crude has increased to $115 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate rose to $103 per barrel on Wednesday.
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