Three commercial banks in Nigeria have revealed the recommencement of international transactions on their naira cards. In separate messages to customers, the United Bank of Africa (UBA), Wema Bank, and Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) confirmed that the service is back on their naira cards. This change comes about three years after several banks halted international transactions on naira debit cards.

In a recent notice to customers, UBA stated the resumption is part of its ongoing commitment to delivering seamless and improved banking experiences. “In line with our continued commitment to providing you with seamless and enhanced banking experiences, we are pleased to inform you that all UBA Premium Naira Cards, including Gold, Platinum, and World variants are now enabled for international transactions,” the message read. “This means you can now use your Premium Naira Card for everyday payments, online shopping, POS, and ATM transactions across the world, with more ease and flexibility. If you haven’t used your card recently, now’s a great time to rediscover the convenience and prestige that comes with being a UBA premium cardholder.”

In its own statement, Wema Bank informed customers they could now “pay in dollars” using their naira cards. “Your Wema Naira Mastercard just went global! Now you can pay in dollars on all your favourite international platforms; Amazon, eBay, AliExpress? Netflix, Spotify, YouTube,” the bank noted.

In an email to customers, GTB explained that users can spend up to one thousand dollars every quarter with its naira card worldwide. “We are pleased to inform you that you now have a quarterly limit of $1,000 on your GTBank Naira Card to pay for all your favourite things anywhere in the world,” it said. “Withdrawals at ATMs Abroad: $500 quarterly. Online and POS Transactions: $1,000 quarterly. Kindly note that the quarterly limit of $1,000 covers all transactions including ATM cash withdrawals abroad, purchases on international websites, POS payments outside Nigeria, and more.”

WHY BANKS ARE MAKING THE SHIFT

Ayokunle Olubunmi, head of financial institutions ratings at Agusto & Co, explained that the improved liquidity in the foreign exchange (FX) market encouraged banks to restart global transactions with their naira cards. “The moderating premium on the parallel market transactions and the reduced arbitrage opportunities is also responsible for the decision,” he said.

Charles Sanni, chief executive officer of Cowry Treasurers, told TheCable that the smaller spread between the official and parallel market rates likely influenced the move. He added that interest rates are very high in Nigeria, which discourages borrowing to speculate on foreign exchange. “The naira has also continued to appreciate against the other major currencies of the world. More so, there has been increased diaspora remittances based on the new policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on opening of accounts for non-residents, particularly Nigerians in diaspora,” he explained.

Sanni also pointed to renewed confidence in FX management by the federal government and the CBN, noting improvements in fund transfers and capital repatriation. He mentioned that factors such as an improved credit rating for Nigeria, the clearance of FX backlogs, a “new trading platform, increase in oil prices from geopolitical conflicts, and banks capitalisation” also played a role.

Between July 2022 and January 2023, several other banks had also temporarily stopped international transactions on ATMs and POS channels. The pause was due to severe FX scarcity, which posed a risk to vital sectors of the economy.

In July, Standard Chartered Bank halted international transactions on its naira visa debit card. First Bank of Nigeria (FBN), on September 21, 2022, announced it would stop international transactions on its naira Mastercard. Three months later, Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) suspended global payments on its naira Mastercard, and Zenith Bank followed suit on January 9, 2023.

Flutterwave, Eversend, and other fintech platforms also suspended their virtual card services for international transactions.

The Asset Management Company of Nigeria has confirmed the sale of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company.

Gbenga Alake, managing director and chief executive officer of AMCON, revealed the details of the transaction during a media briefing with journalists on Thursday.

In April 2024, the federal government announced plans to sell five electricity distribution companies managed by banks and AMCON.

Ibadan DisCo, which was under AMCON’s management, is among the five companies listed for sale. Others include the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, Benin Electricity Distribution Company, Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company, and Kano Electricity Distribution Company.

During the briefing, Alake stated that the company was sold for N100 billion.

He mentioned that AMCON would soon transfer the company to the preferred bidder.

“Today, I announce to you that Ibadan DisCo has been sold. When we came in, it has already been sold. It was sold for how much?” Alake said.

“We got in and said no, it cannot be. We said they should go and submit a new offer that we were not going to sell for that.

“At the end of the day, we got almost double of what Ibadan DisCos was going to be sold for.”

He explained that the sale has sparked legal disputes, with “so many interests now fighting and writing”.

Alake maintained that despite the matter being in court, AMCON remains confident that the process was properly handled.

“We have sold it… and whatever is still happening in court, we will face it,” he said.

On May 15, reports emerged that the African Initiative Against Abuse of Public Trust, a civil society group, had filed a suit at the federal high court in Abuja against AMCON, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, the Bureau of Public Enterprises, and Ibadan DisCo over an alleged planned sale of a 60 percent stake in the company for $62 million.

The civil society group, in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/866/2025, described the sale as “secretive and illegal,” claiming the price was “corruptly undervalued”.

The group also argued that the transaction would result in a $107 million loss compared to the $169 million paid for the same stake during the 2013 privatisation of Ibadan DisCo.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has raised the petrol pump price to N925 per litre in Lagos.

This adjustment comes just two days after the company had increased the price to N915.

It was gathered that the new price of N925 per litre was reflected at NNPC retail outlets located at Fin Niger, LASU Iba, and Igando, Lagos State.

Major industry players have recently revised their pricing as global crude market instability—driven by the conflict in the Middle East—continues to escalate.

On June 21, Dangote refinery raised its ex-depot petrol price to N880 per litre.

Before this change, the refinery had announced intentions to begin nationwide distribution of petroleum products.

It also revealed the acquisition of 4,000 new compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered tankers to strengthen its nationwide distribution network.

In reaction, the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) expressed concern that the refinery’s forward integration strategy could result in a hidden monopoly and potentially lead to significant job losses within the downstream sector.

Earlier, on June 19, the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN) had called for clarification regarding Dangote refinery’s logistics plan for nationwide petrol and diesel distribution.

Experts believe the refinery’s approach could significantly benefit end users, although it may present certain challenges for operators in the downstream sector.