Consumers to Get Faster Refunds Under NCC–CBN Failed Transaction Policy THE NCC and the CBN have developed a new consumer protection framework designed to ensure faster refunds for failed airtime and data transactions across Nigeria’s telecom and banking systems. The policy follows extensive engagements with industry players, including telecom operators, banks, and VAS providers, amid […]
By OBIOMA TORI Liquidity Surge Meets Regulatory Pressure An Economy Awash with Capital NIGERIA’S financial system is not suffering from a lack of liquidity. If anything, it has too much. Institutional investors, pension administrators, private equity players, and foreign portfolio funds are holding capital reserves seeking entry points into regulated, high-yield sectors. Recapitalisation has opened […]
By FIDELUS ZWANSON The Refining Factor: From Inflow Dependency to FX Savings NIGERIA’S path to the projected $51.04 billion reserves in 2026 introduces a strategic shift: reserve growth by lowering FX demand, rather than relying solely on inflows. The CBN ties this to domestic refining expansion, especially the Dangote Refinery, expected to scale to 700,000 […]
Rising Debt Amid Recovery EffortsTHE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) projects that the nation’s public debt will reach 34.68% of GDP by the end of 2026, according to its Macroeconomic Outlook for Nigeria, 2026. While only a slight uptick from the 33.98% recorded in mid-2025, the forecast highlights persistent fiscal deficits and continued reliance on […]
By FIDELUS ZWANSON NEW CBN data shows Nigeria’s revenue is growing, but still nowhere near the levels required to fund the 2025 budget—forcing the Federal Government into deeper reliance on borrowing. In Q2 2025, federally collected revenue rose to ₦8.3 trillion, up 15% from the previous quarter and 30% year-on-year. Yet this represents only 43% […]
By FIDELUS ZWANSON IN a major policy shift, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has lifted all cash deposit limits and increased weekly withdrawal thresholds for individuals and businesses, effective 1st January 2026. The move aims to ease liquidity constraints, reduce transaction delays, and restore confidence among cash-dependent consumers and businesses. Under the new rules, […]
By FIDELUS ZWANSON CENTRAL Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Olayemi Cardoso is expected to outline key monetary and regulatory priorities when he addresses financial sector leaders at the 2025 Annual Bankers’ Dinner of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) on 28 November. The event, now in its 60th edition, is regarded as a […]
By FIDELUS ZWANSON AGGRESSIVE interest rate hikes by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) drove strong investor demand for fixed-income instruments in 2024, according to the President of the Association of Issuing Houses of Nigeria (AIHN), Kemi Awodein. Speaking at the association’s annual general meeting in Lagos, Awodein said the apex bank’s rapid tightening—eight rate […]
By OBIOMA TORI NIGERIAN banks significantly increased their deposits with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) last week, with balances rising from ₦2.28 trillion on Wednesday to ₦2.62 trillion by Friday — a ₦340 billion surge within three days. Data from FMDQ showed that deposit money banks (DMBs) preferred placing excess funds at the CBN’s […]
NIGERIA is on track to achieve a historic milestone in foreign inflows, with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) projecting that diaspora remittances will hit $1 billion monthly by 2026. CBN Governor Olayemi Cardoso made the announcement during the 18th Annual Banking and Finance Conference of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) held […]