The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has granted its approval to UAC of Nigeria Plc (UACN) for the acquisition of CHI Limited, the producer of popular beverage and dairy brands Chivita and Hollandia. This marks a significant milestone in UAC’s strategic expansion into Nigeria’s fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector, signaling renewed investor confidence and a stronger drive toward market consolidation in the food and beverage industry. The approval, which was finalized after months of regulatory review, paves the way for UACN to fully integrate CHI Limited’s operations, including its beverage, juice, and dairy portfolios, into its existing structure.…
Author: Temitope Nlewemchi
Nigeria’s cash circulating outside the banking system has dropped to N4.45 trillion as of August 2025, according to the latest data released by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). The decline marks a significant improvement in liquidity management and is seen as a direct result of the apex bank’s ongoing monetary tightening measures and push toward a cash-lite economy. The report, which forms part of the CBN’s Money and Credit Statistics, indicates that currency outside banks fell by about N260 billion compared to the N4.71 trillion recorded in July 2025. Analysts attribute the reduction to a combination of factors, including…
JAC Motors International has reaffirmed its long-term commitment to Nigeria by deepening its strategic partnership with Elizade JAC Autoland Limited, the sole distributor for JAC passenger, commercial, and light-duty vehicles in the country. During a recent visit to the Elizade facility, Oscar Yu, General Manager of JAC Motors International, emphasized that Nigeria is one of the most important markets for the company in Africa, and that the visit was meant to renew collaboration, expand their footprint, and provide Nigerians with vehicles that deliver on durability, affordability, and modern technology. In his address, Yu stated that the partnership would not just…
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has imposed a fine of N50.145 million on Stanbic IBTC Capital Limited, in connection with regulatory breaches tied to Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc’s (GTCO) public share offer. The penalty was disclosed in the half-year 2025 financial report of Stanbic IBTC Holdings and underscores the need for closer regulatory compliance in capital markets. According to the details, the SEC’s sanction centers on Stanbic IBTC Capital’s use of digital subscription channels—namely internet banking platforms and mobile applications—during the GTCO equity issuance process without obtaining the required “No Objection” approval from the regulator. The SEC held…
Sunday Olorundare Thomas, former Commissioner for Insurance and a past Managing Director at NAICOM, has said that the newly enacted Nigeria Insurance Industry Reform Act 2025 will fundamentally change Nigeria’s insurance sector. He described the law as a “game-changer” that corrects long-standing weaknesses in regulation, capital structure, and public confidence, and will enable the industry to become more competitive both locally and globally. Thomas pointed out that before the Act, the insurance industry was governed mostly by the Insurance Act of 2003 and several other scattered laws that had become outdated. He said this fragmentation meant that many insurers could…
The Nigerian stock market recorded an impressive performance in the four-day trading week ended Friday, with investors gaining approximately N1.175 trillion in market capitalization. The strong upward movement came despite the shortened trading period, which excluded Tuesday, October 1, declared a public holiday to commemorate Nigeria’s Independence Day. Data from the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) showed that the All-Share Index (ASI) advanced by 1.02 percent to close the week at 143,584.04 points, compared to 142,122.23 points in the previous week. Similarly, the total market capitalization rose from N89.960 trillion to N91.135 trillion, reflecting renewed investor optimism and positive sentiment across several…
Spiro, a leading electric mobility company in Africa, has stepped forward as an official sponsor of the E1 Grand Prix in Lagos — the first time the all-electric powerboat racing series will be held in West Africa. This collaboration highlights Spiro’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of clean technology and putting sustainability at the heart of high-profile sporting events. The E1 Grand Prix, featuring zero-emission RaceBird boats that glide above the water on hydrofoils, is scheduled to take place in Lagos over the weekend. By supporting the event, Spiro aims not just to be a sponsor but to help shape…
The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, has described Nigeria’s youthful population as the country’s greatest asset and urged them to take the lead in driving economic transformation, innovation, and nation-building. He made this known during the inaugural CBN Governor’s Lecture Series held at the Lagos Business School, themed “Next Generation Leadership in Monetary Policy and Nation Building.” Cardoso emphasized that with over half of Nigeria’s population under 30 years old and a median age of 18, the nation’s future rests squarely on the shoulders of its young people. He noted that this demographic strength…
The Association of Travel and Tourism Writers of Nigeria (ATTWON) has publicly congratulated Mr. Olayiwola Nurudeen Awakan on his recent appointment as the substantive Director-General of the Nigeria Tourism Development Authority (NTDA). In its statement, the association praised the decision, saying it heralds a new chapter for Nigeria’s tourism sector under Awakan’s leadership. ATTWON also pledged its full cooperation and support for Awakan’s vision to digitally transform the tourism industry, strengthen domestic and international promotion, and leverage Nigeria’s diverse cultural and historical assets. The writers’ group expressed optimism that his tenure will usher in strategies to boost infrastructure, branding, and…
The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has announced that nearly all depositors in Nigeria’s commercial banks are now fully protected under its expanded deposit insurance scheme. The Managing Director of the Corporation, Mr. Thompson Sunday, disclosed that about 98.98 percent of depositors in commercial banks are covered, marking a significant milestone in efforts to strengthen public confidence in the country’s financial system. Speaking during the NDIC’s Special Day at the 20th Abuja International Trade Fair, Mr. Sunday explained that the expanded coverage was achieved following the recent upward review of maximum insured deposit limits across various categories of financial institutions.…
Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc has appointed Mr. Chukwuma Nwokocha as its substantive Group Chief Executive Officer, signaling a new phase of leadership for one of Nigeria’s most respected financial institutions. The appointment, which took effect on October 2, 2025, followed regulatory approval and marks a significant step in the bank’s long-term succession plan aimed at strengthening operational efficiency and maintaining leadership continuity. The board of Stanbic IBTC confirmed the appointment in a statement, expressing confidence that Nwokocha’s extensive experience and deep knowledge of the group’s operations will enable him to steer the institution successfully through Nigeria’s dynamic financial landscape. Prior…
The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has issued a strong warning to the public over the growing number of fraudulent investment schemes targeting unsuspecting Nigerians with promises of unrealistic returns. The corporation cautioned that such schemes, often operating under various deceptive names and business models, have continued to defraud individuals of their hard-earned money despite repeated public sensitization. In a recent statement by the NDIC’s Director of Communication and Public Affairs, Bashir Nuhu, the corporation urged Nigerians to be cautious and conduct thorough due diligence before committing funds to any investment platform. The NDIC emphasized that these illegal entities are…
Polaris Bank, in partnership with the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), has taken its tree-planting project to three key states: Lagos, Ogun, and Kaduna. These efforts are part of a broader campaign first launched in 2024 during World Environment Day, aimed at promoting environmental sustainability, combating climate change, reducing carbon emissions, and restoring degraded lands. In Lagos State, the tree-planting event was held at the Lekki Conservation Centre. Executives from Polaris, including Chris Ofikulu (Executive Director, Commercial & Retail) and Sharafadeen Muhammad (Executive Director, Operations), joined NCF representatives to lead the exercise. Ofikulu thanked all participants and reiterated the bank’s…
Nigeria has renewed its call for the full integration of capital markets across the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), emphasizing the need for collective financial strength to drive regional growth and development. The Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Dr. Emomotimi Agama, made this call during a stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja, stressing that no single West African country can achieve the level of investment required to address the region’s economic challenges without a unified capital market. According to Agama, the integration of ECOWAS capital markets would provide the platform needed to pool financial resources, deepen liquidity,…
Seplat Energy has disclosed that it is close to finalising commercial terms for a new gas development project centered around its Yoho field, which is currently considered “stranded” but is seen as having strong potential for LNG (liquefied natural gas) production. The revelation came from CEO Roger Brown at African Energy Week 2025, where he explained that the company’s gas strategy is sharpening to make full use of assets that have lain largely untapped. The Yoho field sits onshore and, under Seplat’s plan, is well suited for LNG-related development. Though previously under-utilised, the field is now being repositioned within a…
The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has projected that Nigeria’s inflation rate could decline to about 14 percent by the end of 2026, provided that the government maintains its current pace of economic reforms and policy consistency. The forecast was presented by Yemi Kale, the bank’s Group Chief Economist and Managing Director of Research, during a recent public forum where he assessed the country’s macroeconomic trajectory and reform outcomes. According to Kale, Nigeria’s recent economic indicators show encouraging signs of stability, especially as inflation begins to ease after months of aggressive monetary tightening and fiscal adjustments. He noted that headline inflation…
Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has reaffirmed that the Nigerian government is actively developing the marine and blue economy sector to become the country’s main source of income, surpassing crude oil in the near future. Speaking during a visit to the Institute of Maritime Studies at the University of Lagos, Oyetola emphasized that Nigeria possesses vast ocean and marine resources that remain largely untapped. He said the government’s strategic objective is to maximize these resources through investments in infrastructure, manpower training, and international collaboration. Oyetola, accompanied by the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Arsenio Domínguez,…
The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Dr. Olayemi Cardoso, has said that the steady rise in Nigeria’s foreign exchange reserves is the result of deliberate efforts by the apex bank to clear outstanding foreign exchange (FX) backlogs and entrench transparency in the management of the country’s currency market. He said these reforms have not only improved investor confidence but have also contributed to stabilising the naira and strengthening the country’s external reserves. Speaking during a recent briefing in Abuja, Cardoso stated that the CBN has made significant progress in restoring confidence in the foreign exchange market through…
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued a directive mandating food manufacturers in Nigeria to significantly reduce the use of industrially produced trans fats in their products. The agency announced that the regulation aims to safeguard public health and curb the rising cases of heart disease and other diet-related illnesses linked to the excessive consumption of unhealthy fats. According to NAFDAC, food manufacturers have been given an 18-month window to comply with the new standard by reformulating their products and phasing out existing stocks that exceed the approved limit of trans fats. The directive…
The National Pension Commission (PenCom) has disclosed that more than 844,000 retirees across Nigeria are currently receiving retirement benefits under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS). According to the Commission, the figure represents both those who receive monthly pensions and others who have collected their lump-sum entitlements. This marks a significant milestone for the nation’s pension industry, which has grown remarkably in recent years in terms of assets, coverage, and reforms aimed at ensuring retirees live more comfortably after decades of active service. The Director-General of PenCom, Omolola Oloworaran, explained that the pension sector has moved from a troubled history where…