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Subsidy Removal: Marketers Galvanise For CNG Rollout At N100/litre

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Nigeria’s transportation industry will soon begin to see relief after the federal government’s petrol subsidy removal spiked exponential rise in the price of the product across the country.

The national president of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Elder Chinedu Okoronkwo, said the Association is 90 per cent ready to roll out Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) as alternative automotive fuel, which it is going to sell between N100 to N110 per litre before the end of June.

Okoronkwo, who confirmed said this on Channels Television’s Business Morning programme on Monday, stressed that CNG has come to serve as an alternative to petrol.

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Okoronkwo, explained that CNG would help bring down the cost of energy in the country, adding, “Very soon, we will roll out. We are 90 per cent close to that, and that will also unveil many possibilities.”

He noted that fuel subsidy removal had reduced the speed with which Nigeria could have gotten another energy mix.

READ ALSO: BREAKING: CBN Directs Banks To Trade Forex At Any Rate

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IPMAN has brought relief to a lot of families. We have got the usage of our natural energy, CNG, to power vehicles, generators, and even cooking,” the IPMAN president said.

The CNG is expected to reduce, to a large extent, the country’s exposure to fuel importation as natural gas would not be imported.

Okoronkwo noted that CNG-powered cars had started gaining momentum in the country because of increased awareness about its efficiency and affordability, compared to traditional fuels like diesel and petrol.

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“If the government buys into what we are saying, it will act as an assistance, bring relief, and create job opportunities.

READ ALSO: 10th House: How Abbas, Kalu Emerged As Reps’ Speaker, Deputy

“What we need the government to do is create the market. The demand is there,” the IPMAN president said.

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He added that IPMAN had gotten a lot of buy-in from companies overseas.

On what the CNG brings to the value-chain, he said, “I don’t know if you have seen what is trending this week where people with their I-pass-my- neighbour generators are beginning to use liquified petroleum gas. LPG is close to N700 per kilogramme, but this natural gas we are talking about is under N100 to N110.

“When you check what the impact will be, it will reduce the cost of food because people coming from the hinterlands bring food to the cities. From Kano, it takes them about N1.2 million to fuel trucks with diesel, but with this CNG, it will cost them about N150,000 to N200,000. About a million naira is saved that will translate to cheaper food and open up a lot of other businesses.

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“It will provide cheaper energy to drive the processing zones like the agro-based industries, where the gas will also create a lot of impact.

“CNG does not replace PMS, but it is a choice. We are talking of something that will help your purse and not deepen it.”

READ ALSO: Emefiele Ran CBN Like Cabal’s ATM, Canteen — Shehu Sani

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The director of Gas Analytics and Solutions Limited, Shuaibu Bello, who also spoke at the Channels Television programme, said the CNG would be a game-changer for Nigerians.

“This is the best palliative you can give the nation. If you talk of palliative, it is not just sharing money with people, it is creating a system that will reach the rich and the poor.

“If you compare CNG price at N110 per litre with petrol now at N540 or its former price of N185, still you will have a reduction,” he said.

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IPMAN had in April 2023 wrote to the Finance ministry to request that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) be mandated to release N250 billion intervention fund for the implementation of the National Gas Expansion Programme (NGEP).

IPMAN explained it asked for the fund to provide access to the Gas Expansion Fund for vehicle, commercial tricycle and truck owners to access loans to finance the acquisition of natural gas conversion kits.

READ ALSO: JUST IN: Tinubu Signs Data Protection Bill Into Law

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At the time, IPMAN said that it had partnered with Gas Analytics & Solutions Limited to co-locate natural gas dispensers on their network of over 30,000 filling stations in Nigeria.

According to IPMAN, it controls over 80 per cent of the downstream oil sector, and as such, the collocation model would help to reduce the exposure in building new filling stations.

Similarly, the manager corporate Communications of NipCo, Biodun Lawal, speaking on the company’s desire to depeen investment in the gas sector, said the savings that will accrue from subsidy removal offers more vista of opportunities to fund the enormous gas infrastructure deficit in the nation .

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“We are still investing more infrastructure with a proviso that clientele will improve sporadically

“Some of the challenges in harnessing the abundant gas resources in the country includes – paucity of pipelines to transport gas across the country ,cost of conversion to use gas as auto fuel , access to gas through stations.”

“With all modesty NIPCO gas Limited is the only company with over 12 CNG get to get gas for motorist” he said.

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Continuing, Lawal, said motorist can now see the innate benefits in running their vehicles on gas rather than fossil fuels which government has in the past graciously subsidised even at the expense of the overall economic growth and other socio -economic development of the nation.

READ ALSO: Naira Depreciates By 0.64% Amid CBN Gov’s Suspension

According to him, CNG as a preferred alternative to petrol is good for gas companies as the nation at large as or offered veritable opportunity of creating more employment opportunities ,better value creation in the Industry ,better utilisation of the endowed gas resources of the country .

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He said, “the benefits are enormous for motorist in terms of savings and life span of such automobiles and that the conversion cost should not be a drawback with support from government especially with fiscal policies to encourage investors to go into kits manufacturing and ancillary items like cylinders etc .

In the interim policies can be put in place for exemption from levies of imported accessories pending when the environment will be made more conducive for it’s manufacturing in Nigeria CNG business has a good horizon in the country with the challenges tacked headlong.”

Lawal, said as pioneers NipCo gas, is looking forward to more inroads in the sector.

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SOURCE: LEADERSHIP

Business

CBN Revokes Licences Of Aso Savings, Union Homes As NDIC Begins Deposit Payments

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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9th FirstBank Digital Xperience Centre Launched In UNIBEN

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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.”

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He said: “In partnership with the University, we’ve created a hub where students, faculty and community members can access FirstBank’s digital world.

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“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.

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“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

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“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.”

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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).

 

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Full List: 82 Newly Approved, Fully Licensed BDC Operators

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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.

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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

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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

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2 TRURATE GLOBAL BDC LTD

TIER 2

1 ABBUFX BDC LTD

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2 ACHA GLOBAL BDC LTD

3 ARCTANGENT SWIFT BDC LTD

4 ASCENDANT BDC LTD

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5 BARACAI BDC LTD

6 BERGPOINT BDC LTD

7 BRAVO MODEL BDC LTD

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8 BRIMESTONE BDC LTD

9 BROWNSTON BDC LTD

10 BUZZWALLET BDC LTD

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11 CASHCODE BDC LTD

12 CHATTERED BDC LTD

13 CHRONICLES BDC LTD

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14 COOL FOREX BDC LTD

15 CORPORATE EXCHANGE BDC LTD

16 COURTESY CURRENCY BDC LTD

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17 DANYARO BDC LTD

18 DASHAD BDC LTD

READ ALSO:JUST IN: CBN Removes Cash Deposit Limits, Raises Weekly Withdrawal To N500,000

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19 DEVAL BDC LTD

20 DFS BDC LTD

21 EASY CASH BDC LTD

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22 ELELEM BDC LTD

23 E-LIOYDS BDC LTD

24 ELOGOZ BDC LTD

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25 ENOUF BDC LTD

26 EVER JOJ GOLD BDC LTD

27 EXCEL RIJIYA FOREX BDC LTD

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28 FABFOREX BDC LTD

29 FELLOM BDC LTD

30 FINE BDC LTD

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31 FOMAT BDC LTD

32 GENELO BDC LTD

33 GENTLE BREEZE BDC LTD

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34 GRACEFUL GLORY AND HUMILITY BDC LTD

35 GREENGATE BDC LTD

36 GREENVAULT BDC LTD

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37 HAZON CAPITAL BDC LTD

38 HIGH-POINT BDC LTD

39 I & I EXCHANGE BDC LTD

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40 IBN MARYAM BDC LTD

41 JOURNEY WELL BDC LTD

42 KEEPERS BDC LTD

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43 KHADHOUSE SOLUTIONS BDC LTD

READ ALSO:CBN Directs Nigerian Banks To Withdraw Misleading Advertisement

44 KIMMELFX BDC LTD

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45 KINGSOFT ATLANTIC BDC LTD

46 M.S. ALHERI BDC LTD

47 MASTERS BDC LTD

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48 MCMENA BDC LTD

49 MKOO BDC LTD

50 MKS BDC LTD

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51 MR J GOLF BDC LTD

52 MUSDIQ BDC LTD

53 MZ FOREX BDC LTD

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54 NEJJ BDC LTD LTD

55 NETVALUE BDC LTD

56 NEW WAVE BDC LTD

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57 NOTABLE AND KINGSTON BDC LTD

58 PILCROW BDC LTD

59 RAPID BDC LTD

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60 RIGHTWAY BDC LTD

61 RWANDA BDC LTD

62 SABLES BDC LTD

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63 SAFETRANZ BDC LTD

64 SAMFIK BDC LTD

65 SEVENLOCKS BDC LTD

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66 SHAPEARL BDC LTD

67 SIMTEX BDC LTD

68 SOLID WHITE BDC LTD

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69 ST. NICHOLAS GLOBAL BDC LTD

70 TOPFIRST UNIQUE MULTICHOICE BDC LTD

71 TOPGATE BDC LTD

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72 TRAVELLER’S CHOICE BDC LTD

73 TUCA GLOBAL BDC LTD

74 TURBOVA BDC LTD

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75 TURN-UP BDC LTD

76 UNIGO BDC LTD

77 VICTORY AHEAD BDC LTD

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78 WHITEWAY WWW BDC LTD

79 YUND GLOBAL LINK BDC LTD

80 ZAMAD FOREX BDC LTD

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