Business
NNPC Moves To Stop $1.6bn Seplat, ExxonMobil Deal With Major Counter-offer
Following reports on the failed assets acquisition deal between Seplat Energy and ExxonMobil, investigation has shown that the state oil company, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, has made a mouth-watering offer to acquire the assets, sources close to the deal disclosed to The PUNCH.
ExxonMobil and Seplat Energy had recently announced a $1.6bn sales agreement deal that would see Seplat purchase ExxonMobil’s complete shares in the state-owned oil firm.
However, just when all hopes were high for the completion of the deal, a letter dated May 16, 2022, by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission to ExxonMobil, stated that the deal could no longer hold because the NNPC had exercised its right of pre-emption first refusal on the assets as part of a new era to focus solely on building the long-term profitability of the NNPC Ltd.
Right of pre-emption is a legal right to parties in a joint venture to be the first to be considered for any planned sale or takeover of assets in the JVs if either party chooses to trade them off.
READ ALSO: Airline Operators Accuse NNPC Of Withholding 25,000MT Of Aviation Fuel Approved By FG
According to findings, the NNPC objected to the sale of ExxonMobil’s equity to Seplat, and insisted on exercising its first right of refusal, after which the Corporation made an offer above $1.6bn to ExxonMobil.
The state-owned oil firm is the major shareholder in the Joint Ventures (JV) with ExxonMobil.
The NNPC will officially debut in July, and The PUNCH gathered that its bid to acquire ExxonMobil’s assets is part of the Corporation’s expansion plan.
Seplat Energy had made the winning bid, having staked $1.583bn for the deals to acquire the entire share capital of Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited plus contingent consideration, with the asset transfer waiting for the minister’s assent.
In a letter sighted by The PUNCH in March, signed by Group Managing Director, Mele Kyari, and addressed to ExxonMobil, the NNPC reiterated its resolve to take over ExxonMobil’s share of the assets.
“We are aware that you reached an agreement to divest from onshore and shallow waters JVs,” the NNPC said in the letter, stating “clearly we are interested.”
The NNPC also reiterated, in the letter, that it had already transformed from being a corporation to being a profit-driven company and that it now had the capacity to buy over the share of ExxonMobil in the Joint Ventures.
This means that the state-owned oil firm must have, based on its exercise of right of first refusal, paid above the $1.583bn mark offered by Seplat.
Sources disclosed that the Corporation must have parted with as much as $2 billion for the assets.
Recall that the NNPC recently announced a funding agreement with AFREXIM for up to $5 billion to grow its investment in new and existing upstream assets.
Both Seplat and ExxonMobil declined to comment on the development.
READ ALSO: Petroleum Minister, Sylva, NNPC Boss, Kyari Sabotaging Refineries Investigation, Reps Alleges
The PUNCH had contacted an official of the External Relations Department of Seplat, Mr. Stanley Opara, who asked that an official email should be sent to him and the company’s Director, External Affairs & Sustainability Officer, Chioma Nwachuku.
The PUNCH correspondent did send the email. However, no response was received as of press time. Also, the spokesperson for ExxonMobil, Oge Udeagha, who requested an official email, did not also respond as of the time of filing this report.
The spokesperson for NNPC, Garba Deen Muhammed’s, phone was switched off when our correspondent called his line to get a response.
PUNCH.
Business
CBN Revokes Licences Of Aso Savings, Union Homes As NDIC Begins Deposit Payments
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has revoked the operating licences of Aso Savings and Loans Plc and Union Homes Savings and Loans Plc, citing persistent regulatory infractions and deepening financial distress in the two primary mortgage banks.
The revocation, which took effect on December 15, 2025, was carried out under Section 12 of the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act (BOFIA) 2020 and Section 7.3 of the Revised Guidelines for Mortgage Banks in Nigeria, the CBN said in a statement issued on Tuesday.
According to the apex bank, the affected institutions failed to meet minimum paid-up share capital requirements, had insufficient assets to cover their liabilities, recorded capital adequacy ratios below prudential thresholds, and consistently breached regulatory directives.
“The CBN remains committed to its core mandate of ensuring financial system stability,” a statement, signed by the apex bank’s Acting Director, Corporate Communications, Mrs Hakama Sidi Ali said.
READ ALSO:CBN Directs Nigerian Banks To Withdraw Misleading Advertisement
Following the licence revocation, the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) was appointed liquidator of the defunct banks in line with the law.
The Corporation said it has commenced the liquidation process and begun verification and payment of insured deposits to customers.
Under the deposit insurance framework, depositors are entitled to receive up to two million naira per depositor, with payments made through BVN-linked alternate bank accounts.
Depositors with balances above the insured limit will receive the initial two million naira while the remaining sums will be paid as liquidation dividends after the realisation of the banks’ assets and recovery of outstanding loans.
READ ALSO:CBN Issues Directive Clarifying Holding Companies’ Minimum Capital
The NDIC said depositors may submit claims either online or physically at designated branches of the closed banks, while creditors will be paid after all depositors have been fully settled, in accordance with statutory provisions.
The two mortgage banks have faced prolonged operational challenges, including depositor complaints, governance concerns, and delisting from the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) in 2024 for failure to submit audited financial statements for more than six years.
The CBN assured the public that the action was taken to strengthen the mortgage banking sub-sector and protect depositors, adding that banks whose licences have not been revoked remain safe and sound.
This means the two financial institutions can no longer operate as licensed financial institutions.
Business
9th FirstBank Digital Xperience Centre Launched In UNIBEN
First Bank Nigeria Plc on Tuesday launched its Digital Xperience Centre (DXC) at the University of Benin Branch, Benin City.
In his remarks at the launching, Chief Executive Officer, First Bank Plc, Olusegun Alebiosu, described the digital xperience centre as “an exceptional feat in our shared commitment toward innovation,” adding that
“this is our 9th Centre, and it operates round-the-clock.”
Alebiosu, while stating that the “FirstBank’s DXC is more than a banking facility,” added that “it is a step toward redefining how banking connects with education, technology, and the whole community.”
He said: “In partnership with the University, we’ve created a hub where students, faculty and community members can access FirstBank’s digital world.
READ ALSO:Full List: FG Releases Names Of 68 ambassadorial Nominees Sent To Senate For Confirmation
“Our DXCs are more than just banking hubs – they are gateways to a smarter, faster, and more personalised financial journey. Equipped with cutting-edge technology, customers have access to state-of-the-art self-service terminals designed to simplify transactions while ensuring top-tier security and efficiency.
“Whether you need to deposit cash, request for debit card, or update your account details, the DXC’s provides an elevated banking experience with speed and ease, designed to put you in control.
“Our DXCs operate round-the-clock, including weekends, providing the convenience you need to bank anytime in just a few minutes.
READ ALSO: First Bank Releases Statement On Foiled Abuja Robbery Attack
“The DXC embodies our commitment to Environmental Social and Governance (ESG) principles as it promotes financial inclusion, fosters digital literacy, and uses sustainable technology to empower underserved communities.”
The CEO, while thanking the leadership of UNIBEN for “partnering with us to bring this vision to life, aligning academic excellence with cutting-edge technology,” urged the public to “embrace this DXC as a catalyst for learning, innovation, and development.”
In his remarks at the launching, the Vice-Chancellor, UNIBEN, Prof. Edoba Omoregie said: “We are very happy that First Bank is doing this in our institution,” describing UNIBEN as a “first generation university.”
Earlier, while playing host to the First Bank CEO and his team in his office, Prof. Edoba had sought support from the company in the revamp of the university Information Technology Centre (ICT).
Business
Full List: 82 Newly Approved, Fully Licensed BDC Operators
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has granted final operating licences to 82 Bureaux De Change (BDC) operators under its revised regulatory framework, reinforcing warnings against transactions with unlicensed foreign exchange dealers.
In a statement on Monday, the Acting Director of Corporate Communications, Hakama Sidi-Ali, confirmed that the licences took effect on November 27, 2025, in accordance with the 2024 Regulatory and Supervisory Guidelines for BDC Operations. The guidelines require all operators to meet specified capital thresholds and regulatory conditions to qualify for licensing.
“The Central Bank of Nigeria, in exercise of its powers under the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act (BOFIA) 2020 and the 2024 Guidelines, has granted final licences to 82 Bureaux De Change to operate with effect from November 27, 2025,” the statement read.
The apex bank emphasised that only BDCs listed on its official website are considered fully licensed, urging the public to verify the status of any operator before engaging in foreign exchange transactions.
“While the CBN will continue to update the list of Bureaux De Change with valid operating licences for public verification on our website, the Bank advises the general public to avoid dealing with unlicensed Foreign Exchange Operators,” the statement warned.
READ ALSO:CBN Issues 82 New BDC Licences, Moves To Curb Unregistered FX Operators
The CBN noted that operating a BDC without a valid licence constitutes an offence under Section 57(1) of the BOFIA 2020, and confirmed that legal action would be taken against non-compliant operators.
TIER 1
1 DULA GLOBAL BDC LTD
2 TRURATE GLOBAL BDC LTD
TIER 2
1 ABBUFX BDC LTD
2 ACHA GLOBAL BDC LTD
3 ARCTANGENT SWIFT BDC LTD
4 ASCENDANT BDC LTD
5 BARACAI BDC LTD
6 BERGPOINT BDC LTD
7 BRAVO MODEL BDC LTD
8 BRIMESTONE BDC LTD
9 BROWNSTON BDC LTD
10 BUZZWALLET BDC LTD
11 CASHCODE BDC LTD
12 CHATTERED BDC LTD
13 CHRONICLES BDC LTD
14 COOL FOREX BDC LTD
15 CORPORATE EXCHANGE BDC LTD
16 COURTESY CURRENCY BDC LTD
17 DANYARO BDC LTD
18 DASHAD BDC LTD
READ ALSO:JUST IN: CBN Removes Cash Deposit Limits, Raises Weekly Withdrawal To N500,000
19 DEVAL BDC LTD
20 DFS BDC LTD
21 EASY CASH BDC LTD
22 ELELEM BDC LTD
23 E-LIOYDS BDC LTD
24 ELOGOZ BDC LTD
25 ENOUF BDC LTD
26 EVER JOJ GOLD BDC LTD
27 EXCEL RIJIYA FOREX BDC LTD
28 FABFOREX BDC LTD
29 FELLOM BDC LTD
30 FINE BDC LTD
31 FOMAT BDC LTD
32 GENELO BDC LTD
33 GENTLE BREEZE BDC LTD
34 GRACEFUL GLORY AND HUMILITY BDC LTD
35 GREENGATE BDC LTD
36 GREENVAULT BDC LTD
37 HAZON CAPITAL BDC LTD
38 HIGH-POINT BDC LTD
39 I & I EXCHANGE BDC LTD
40 IBN MARYAM BDC LTD
41 JOURNEY WELL BDC LTD
42 KEEPERS BDC LTD
43 KHADHOUSE SOLUTIONS BDC LTD
READ ALSO:CBN Directs Nigerian Banks To Withdraw Misleading Advertisement
44 KIMMELFX BDC LTD
45 KINGSOFT ATLANTIC BDC LTD
46 M.S. ALHERI BDC LTD
47 MASTERS BDC LTD
48 MCMENA BDC LTD
49 MKOO BDC LTD
50 MKS BDC LTD
51 MR J GOLF BDC LTD
52 MUSDIQ BDC LTD
53 MZ FOREX BDC LTD
54 NEJJ BDC LTD LTD
55 NETVALUE BDC LTD
56 NEW WAVE BDC LTD
57 NOTABLE AND KINGSTON BDC LTD
58 PILCROW BDC LTD
59 RAPID BDC LTD
60 RIGHTWAY BDC LTD
61 RWANDA BDC LTD
62 SABLES BDC LTD
63 SAFETRANZ BDC LTD
64 SAMFIK BDC LTD
65 SEVENLOCKS BDC LTD
66 SHAPEARL BDC LTD
67 SIMTEX BDC LTD
68 SOLID WHITE BDC LTD
69 ST. NICHOLAS GLOBAL BDC LTD
70 TOPFIRST UNIQUE MULTICHOICE BDC LTD
71 TOPGATE BDC LTD
72 TRAVELLER’S CHOICE BDC LTD
73 TUCA GLOBAL BDC LTD
74 TURBOVA BDC LTD
75 TURN-UP BDC LTD
76 UNIGO BDC LTD
77 VICTORY AHEAD BDC LTD
78 WHITEWAY WWW BDC LTD
79 YUND GLOBAL LINK BDC LTD
80 ZAMAD FOREX BDC LTD
Metro2 days agoSuspected Kidnappers Abduct 18 Passengers On Benin-Akure Road
- News2 days ago
Edo Assembly Charges Contractor Handling Ekekhuan Road To Accelerate Work
- Sports17 hours ago
JUST IN: Dembélé Named FIFA Best Men’s Player, Bonmatí Wins Women’s Award
- News2 days ago
I’m Not Distracted By Anti-Niger Delta Elements, Says PAP Boss, Otuaro
- News2 days ago
OPINION: Time For The Abachas To Rejoice
- Metro2 days ago
NDLEA Seizes 457kg of Cannabis, Arrests Suspected Trafficker In Edo
- News17 hours ago
Wage Dispute: Court Orders PSG To Pay Mbappe €61 Million
- Business15 hours ago
CBN Revokes Licences Of Aso Savings, Union Homes As NDIC Begins Deposit Payments
- News2 days ago
Okpebholo Pledges To Clear Inherited Salary Arrears, Gratuities At AAU
- News2 days ago
Ex-Nigerian Amb., Igali, To Deliver Keynote Address As IPF Holds Ijaw Media Conference
