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FG Admits Revenues Crashing, Says Nigeria Faces Hard Times

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The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, on Monday, admitted that Nigeria’s economy was facing a difficult time, saying states must improve their internally generated revenues.

Ahmed, who stated this in an interview on a daily breakfast show on the Nigerian Television Authority, Good Morning Nigeria, stated that the money shared at the March Federation Account Allocation Committee meeting was short of N50bn.

The minister was speaking on a controversy generated by a claim by the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, that the Central Bank of Nigeria printed N60bn in March to augment the money shared at March FAAC.

But the minister and the CBN Governor last week dismissed Obaseki’s claim.

In the interview on the NTA on Monday, the finance minister stated the country’s economy was stabilizing from the recession, which the country exited a few months ago.

She, however, added, “These are very difficult challenging times because revenues are low and the demand for expenditures are very high understandably because we have to keep intervening to make sure the pandemic is contained as well as the economic impact it has caused.

“In our case in Nigeria, the crash of the crude oil prices really hit us very hard in terms of revenue. We have very low revenues, we have very high expenditures. What we have done so far is just to provide some stability to make sure salaries are paid, pensions are received every month; that we send funds to the judiciary and the legislature; that we meet our debt service obligations.

“That’s what we are doing. It also means we have had to borrow more than we have planned before the COVID-19 started because we need to still continue to invest in infrastructure using our national budget. We borrowed to invest in key projects such as roads, rail, airports, seaports and several other investments that are required in health and in education and upgrading the social standards and quality of life of our people and Nigeria is not unique as several countries of the world went into recession.

“Almost every other country has had to borrow more than it planned. It means we expanded our deficit very fast in 2020. 2021 is a year that we see as the year of recovery.”

According to him, the government hopes to achieve a growth of three per cent in 2021, adding that some of the multilateral institutions are putting it at 2.5 per cent.

She stated, “It is a very difficult time. I can explain to you how difficult it is, not just for the Federal Government but also for the states. We see increasing reductions in our FAAC revenues; FAAC revenues are the revenues that we put together every month, that are collected from both oil and non-oil sectors from the collection of the NNPC (Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation) the FIRS (the Federal Inland Revenue Service) and all other revenues collection agencies.

“ So, FAAC reduces and whenever FAAC reduces, it is a very difficult situation and in the past one year, we have tried to fall back on some specific accounts that are meant to be saved; savings that when you have such a situation, you fall back on the resources and augment.

“So, we take funds based on Mr President’s approval either from Excess Crude or Stabilisation Account or in some cases, President approved for us to take funds from LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) dividends. In the month of March, we had a shortfall of FAAC that was about N50bn; we didn’t have enough accrued in any of those accounts other than some N8.5bn that we took from the exchange rate differential account so we added that and we ended up with the FAAC of N605bn.

“An average FAAC that is healthy for us is N650bn, so it means we had a shortfall of about N50bn. The states to be honest wanted us to go and borrow from the central bank to augment FAAC.”

She stated that advice by states was rejected, adding that the three levels of government were asked to manage what was available.

“So, it was very surprising when we had a sitting governor saying that the CBN had printed money for FAAC. That was very unfortunate because it was not true. The FAAC information is published so you can see the revenue contributed by each of the agencies; that is what we shared.

“The states would have wanted us to borrow and augment but we didn’t do that. And we would make sure we don’t have to do that because it’s time all of us to go back and do more. A lot of states are trying to do that in terms of increasing the performance of their internally generated revenues, but it is difficult to do that at a time when growth is very, very slow.”

“Going forward, what we have been doing in the ministry of finance, budget and national planning is a plan that we have put in place to grow revenues. Our revenues have been growing but because the expenditures have been growing at a pace that is much faster than the revenue growth, the impact is not felt.

BUSINESS

UBA Opens Subscription Channel for Dangote Refinery IPO, Invites Investors to Participate

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Africa’s Global Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, has been named as an authorised financial institution through which eligible investors can subscribe to acquire shares of the highly anticipated Initial Public Offering (IPO) of Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE.

This means that UBA can provide investors with access to the landmark public offer, which presents Nigerians and eligible international investors with an opportunity to become shareholders in one of Africa’s most significant industrial investments.

The Dangote Refinery IPO offers 4.1 billion ordinary shares at ₦525 per share, with a minimum subscription of 10 shares valued at ₦5,250, and investors can apply for additional shares in accordance with the terms of the offer.

The offer, scheduled to open on Monday, September 14, 2026 will close on October 13, 2026, subject to the terms contained in the offer documents.

UBA is encouraging interested investors, including its customers and members of the investing public, to take advantage of its approved channels to participate in the offer.

Commenting on the development, Executive Director Designate, UBA Group, Tosin Adewuyi said:, said: “We are pleased to be named as one of the approved financial institutions providing access to the Dangote Refinery public offer. At UBA, we remain committed to deepening financial inclusion and expanding opportunities for individuals and businesses to participate meaningfully in Nigeria’s capital market.»

“This public offer provides eligible investors with an opportunity to participate in the ownership of a major Nigerian industrial enterprise. We encourage interested investors to obtain and carefully review the offer documents, understand the terms and risks involved, and make informed investment decisions,” Adewuyi said.

He explained that eligible investors can subscribe for the Dangote Refinery shares through UBA’s approved subscription channels.

Investors are advised to ensure that their personal and banking details, including their BVN information, are accurate and up to date before submitting their applications.

UBA customers can access the offer through the Bank’s designated channels, subject to the applicable subscription process and terms via https://www.ubagroup.com/nigeria/self-service/

The Dangote Refinery IPO is expected to be a landmark transaction for Nigeria’s capital market, with the public offer designed to broaden participation in the ownership of the refinery and provide retail investors with an opportunity to invest in the business.

The bank therefore invites individuals, professionals, entrepreneurs, business owners, institutional investors and other eligible investors interested in participating in the offer to subscribe through UBA.

Investors are, however, advised to read the Prospectus and other offer documents carefully and seek appropriate professional advice where necessary before investing. An investment in shares carries risks, and the value of an investment may rise or fall.

UBA also advises investors to subscribe only through approved channels and to remain vigilant against fraudulent investment schemes. The official Dangote Refinery IPO website specifically warns investors never to disclose their PIN, password or OTP or pay money into a personal account.

The Bank advises subscribers to read the Prospectus and relevant offer documents before subscribing.

United Bank for Africa is one of Africa’s largest financial institutions, serving over 45 million customers globally. Operating in 20 African countries, as well as the United Kingdom, the United States, France and the United Arab Emirates, UBA provides retail, commercial and institutional banking services while championing financial inclusion, innovation and sustainable development across its markets.

 

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Wema Bank Wins Euromoney’s Nigeria’s Best Digital Bank for Consumers 2026 Award

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Wema Bank, Nigeria’s oldest indigenous bank and pioneer of Africa’s first fully digital bank, ALAT, has been named Nigeria’s Best Digital Bank for Consumers 2026 by Euromoney, one of the world’s most respected authorities on financial services and banking excellence.

The prestigious recognition affirms the Bank’s sustained leadership in digital innovation, customer experience and financial inclusion, reinforcing its position as one of Nigeria’s leading technology-driven financial institutions.

Presented annually, the Euromoney Awards for Excellence celebrate banks that are redefining financial services through innovation, measurable impact and outstanding customer value. In selecting Wema Bank for the award, Euromoney recognised the Bank’s successful digital transformation journey, its continuous innovation through ALAT, Africa’s first fully digital bank, and its unwavering commitment to delivering simpler, smarter and more accessible banking experiences for customers.

Commenting on the recognition, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Wema Bank, Moruf Oseni, said: “This award is a strong validation of the deliberate investments we have made over the years to build a truly digital bank that puts customers at the centre of everything we do. Innovation for us has never been about technology for its own sake. It has always been about creating solutions that make banking easier, faster, safer, and more rewarding for every customer.

“From pioneering Africa’s first fully digital bank with ALAT to continuously evolving our digital capabilities, we have remained focused on anticipating customer needs and building experiences that create real value. We are honoured by this recognition from Euromoney and inspired to continue pushing the boundaries of innovation as we shape the future of banking in Nigeria.” He concluded.

A key milestone in Wema Bank’s digital transformation has been the evolution and upgraded version of ALAT, which introduced next-generation capabilities including voice banking, tap-to-pay functionality, personalised financial services and integrated investment opportunities through strategic partnerships. Together with faster digital onboarding, AI-powered fraud monitoring, intelligent customer personalisation and an expanding agency banking network, these innovations continue to enhance customer experience while extending financial services to more Nigerians.

Euromoney also recognised Wema Bank’s ability to leverage technology to build deeper customer relationships through data-driven personalisation, enabling customers to receive tailored recommendations across savings, investments and credit products based on their financial needs and behaviour.

For over eight decades, Wema Bank has remained at the forefront of innovation in Nigeria’s financial services industry. As the pioneer of Africa’s first fully digital bank, the Bank continues to redefine banking by combining technology, customer insight, and innovation to deliver seamless, secure, and inclusive financial solutions for individuals, businesses, and communities.

The Euromoney recognition further reinforces Wema Bank’s commitment to building the future of banking through continuous innovation, operational excellence and customer-centric solutions that create lasting value.

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GTBank Wins Nigeria’s Best Digital Bank Award at the Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2026

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Guaranty Trust Bank Ltd (“GTBank”), the flagship banking subsidiary of Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (“GTCO”), has been named Nigeria’s Best Digital Bank at the Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2026, one of the most prestigious and globally recognised awards programmes in the financial services industry.

Organised annually by Euromoney, the Awards for Excellence recognise financial institutions that demonstrate outstanding performance, innovation, customer service, and leadership across markets worldwide.

The recognition was announced at the Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2026 ceremony, held on July 17, 2026, at The Peninsula London. The prestigious event convened leading financial institutions, industry executives, and policymakers from across the globe to celebrate excellence, innovation, and leadership in the financial services sector.

GTBank’s recognition as Nigeria’s Best Digital Bank reflects its continued leadership in digital innovation and its commitment to delivering seamless, secure, and customer-centric financial solutions. As the banking franchise of GTCO, GTBank has consistently set industry benchmarks in digital transformation, pioneering solutions that have redefined how individuals and businesses access, manage, and experience financial services. This latest recognition underscores the Bank’s position as a market leader and reflects its sustained investment in technology, operational excellence, and innovation.

Commenting on the recognition, Mrs Miriam Olusanya, Managing Director of Guaranty Trust Bank Ltd, said: “This recognition is a testament to the legacy upon which GTBank was built and the vision that continues to guide us today. From inception, our goal has been to deliver on the Group’s vision to make end-to-end financial services accessible to everyone by leveraging technology to remove barriers, simplify experiences, and create meaningful value for our customers.”

She further added: “While we are honoured by this recognition, we see it as an acknowledgement of what we have achieved and a motivation to do even more. We remain focused on raising the bar for digital banking, investing in innovative solutions, and delivering exceptional experiences that create lasting value for our customers. As the financial services landscape continues to evolve, we will continue to innovate, adapt, and lead with the same commitment to excellence that has defined our franchise for decades.”

Over the years, GTBank has transformed the banking experience through a suite of innovative digital platforms, including the GTWORLD mobile app and solutions that provide millions of customers with seamless, secure, and convenient access to financial services. The Bank continues to strengthen its digital capabilities by introducing products and services that meet evolving customer needs while maintaining the highest standards of security, reliability, and service excellence.

This latest recognition reflects GTBank’s sustained investment in technology, innovation, and service excellence, further cementing its reputation as a trusted banking partner for millions of customers across Nigeria.

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