Lower Oil Prices Ease Inflationary Pressure NIGERIA’S inflation outlook improved in June as falling international crude oil prices helped reduce domestic fuel costs, providing temporary relief for households and businesses struggling with high living expenses. According to data released by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), global crude oil prices declined for the second consecutive […]
S&P Watchlist Inclusion Signals Renewed International Confidence in Nigeria’s Capital Market Nigeria Moves Closer to Global Market Recognition NIGERIA has received a major boost in its quest to restore international investor confidence after S&P Dow Jones Indices included the country’s capital market on its 2027 Country Classification Watchlist for possible promotion to Frontier Market status. […]
Beyond the ‘High-Risk’ Label: AI & Alternative Data Could Transform Lending in Nigeria Rethinking Nigeria’s Credit Risk Narrative FOR decades, Nigeria’s financial system has largely operated on one enduring assumption: that the average borrower represents a high lending risk. That perception has shaped how banks assess loan applications, determine interest rates and decide who deserves […]
Banking, Telecom & Energy Stocks Propel Market Higher THE Nigerian stock market extended its bullish momentum on Friday, delivering a cumulative gain of approximately ₦3.156 trillion to investors over the trading week as renewed buying interest in banking, telecommunications and oil and gas equities lifted market performance. The rally strengthened investor confidence, pushing both the […]
A New Vision for Nigeria’s Financial Future THE Central Bank of Nigeria has unveiled one of its most ambitious financial reform agendas in recent years, targeting a near-complete transformation of how Nigerians conduct financial transactions. Through the Nigeria Payments System Vision 2028, the apex bank is seeking to create a digital-first economy where financial services […]
Civil Society Groups Challenge CBN Policy on BVN Phone Number Changes Advocates Raise Concerns Over Data Rights CIVIL society organisations and digital rights advocates have called on the Central Bank of Nigeria to review its restrictions on changing phone numbers linked to Bank Verification Numbers (BVN), warning that the policy could undermine financial inclusion and […]
Sanctions and the Currency Shock THE geopolitical fallout from the Russia–Ukraine War has triggered one of the most significant shifts in global financial architecture in decades. Following sweeping sanctions imposed by the European Union and the United States, Russia moved aggressively to reduce its dependence on the US dollar in international trade—particularly in energy transactions. […]
A Banker Beyond Borders THE late Herbert Wigwe was, by many considerations, one of the most consequential bankers in Nigeria. As the chief executive of Access Holdings, he helped transform a mid-tier lender into West Africa’s largest banking institution. But when he died in a helicopter crash in the California desert in February 2024, alongside […]
Funding initiative aims to improve access to affordable credit and strengthen women-led enterprises across Nigeria. THE African Development Bank Group has approved a $61 million financing package aimed at expanding access to affordable credit for women-owned businesses in Nigeria, in a move expected to strengthen female entrepreneurship and support economic inclusion. The intervention is part […]
Regulatory push for stronger capital quality and risk discipline reshapes payout expectations for shareholders. A subtle but significant shift is unfolding in Nigeria’s banking sector, as several lenders delay dividend payments despite reporting strong profits for the 2025 financial year. At the centre of the development is the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), which has […]