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Defunct Heritage Bank: NDIC to Compensate Depositors Exceeding N5m Limit

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The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has announced that it is actively working to ensure prompt compensation for depositors of the defunct Heritage Bank, specifically those whose account balances surpass the N5 million insurance cap.

Following the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) revocation of Heritage Bank’s operating license on June 3, 2024, the NDIC was designated as the liquidator in accordance with the provisions of Section 12(2) of the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act (BOFIA) 2020, alongside Sections 55(1 & 2) of the NDIC Act 2023.

In a recent update regarding the payment of uninsured amounts to Heritage Bank depositors (currently in liquidation), the corporation indicated that it has commenced the liquidation process, which includes verifying and reimbursing insured deposits to all depositors.

The NDIC reported significant advancements in the reimbursement of insured deposits up to the N5 million maximum per depositor. This clarification addresses concerns raised by depositors regarding the payment process.

According to the NDIC management, the depositors who have yet to receive their insured amounts mostly lack a Bank Verification Number (BVN) or do not have alternative accounts in other banks, which would enable the corporation to retrieve their information from the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) database for payment processing. Additionally, some accounts are subject to post no debit (PND) restrictions, while others face Know Your Customer (KYC) limitations, including Tier 1 accounts that restrict the maximum deposit amount, and issues with name discrepancies that need resolution.

Furthermore, some depositors who have received payments may not be aware due to the absence of mobile transaction alerts on their alternate accounts where the insured funds were deposited by the NDIC. The corporation advises these depositors to review their other bank accounts, as some payments may have been processed without their immediate knowledge.

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Regarding the initiation of payments for uninsured depositors, the NDIC confirmed that while depositors with balances exceeding N5 million have received the initial insured amounts, the remaining balance above the N5 million insurance limit will be disbursed as liquidation dividends in line with the corporation’s statutory obligations.

The statement highlighted that the corporation has made significant progress in liquidating physical assets and recovering debts from the failed bank to expedite payments to depositors with balances above the insured threshold.

The NDIC emphasized, “To showcase our commitment, the corporation has initiated the liquidation of physical assets and investments while concurrently pursuing aggressive debt recovery, alongside the verification and payment of insured sums.”

“To ensure transparency and adherence to legal standards, the NDIC has extensively publicized the asset disposal process on its official website, social media channels, major national newspapers, and through radio and television broadcasts.”

The corporation’s strategy of simultaneously compensating insured depositors while aggressively pursuing asset liquidation and debt recovery aims to hasten the liquidation process, ensuring all depositors receive their funds without unnecessary delays.

The NDIC further stated, “With significant progress in asset realization, we plan to announce the first tranche of liquidation dividends in April 2025, which will be allocated to uninsured depositors on a pro-rata basis, in accordance with Section 72 of the NDIC Act 2023 addressing the priority of claims.”

For clarity, this section specifies: “In the event that an insured institution is unable to fulfill its obligations or suspends payments, or if its management is taken over by the Central Bank of Nigeria following the revocation of its license, the assets of the insured institution shall be utilized to meet its deposit liabilities, which take precedence over all other liabilities.”

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Therefore, other claimants of the defunct Heritage Bank, including creditors and shareholders, will only be considered for liquidation dividends after all depositors have been fully reimbursed.

The NDIC reiterated its commitment to safeguarding depositors’ funds in all licensed banks, urging the public to engage in banking activities without apprehension, as all other banks remain stable and secure.

Affected depositors with further inquiries are encouraged to reach out to the Claims Resolution Department of the NDIC for additional clarification.

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Japa Syndrome: Invest On The Youths Before It’s Too Late – Adesina

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In recent years, a significant trend has emerged in Nigeria and across the African continent the mass emigration of young professionals, commonly referred to as the ‘Japa’ phenomenon.

This surge in migration, largely driven by the pursuit of better opportunities abroad, has been described as a “huge loss” for both Nigeria and Africa at large.

Speaking in a televised interview, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank (AfDB) highlighted the critical need for meaningful investment in Africa’s youth to transform what should be a demographic advantage into economic growth.

Africa boasts over 465 million young people between the ages of 15 and 35 a figure that should be a source of strength. According to Adesina, this youthful population represents a potential powerhouse for development if harnessed correctly. “Our youth bulge should be our greatest asset,” he stressed.

But without adequate investment in human capital development, education, and job creation, this population could become a burden rather than a benefit.

Instead of creating an environment that fosters innovation and entrepreneurship, many governments have defaulted to short-term empowerment schemes that lack substance. “Young people don’t need token gestures. They need real capital to bring their ideas to life,” Adesina emphasised.

The former Nigerian Minister of Agriculture was firm in his stance that African youth are not looking for handouts. What they truly need is access to funding, support structures, and confidence in their abilities. Many of these young individuals already possess the skills, ideas, and entrepreneurial spirit necessary to build thriving businesses. But without financial backing, these ideas remain dormant.

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“What is required is not a monthly stipend or a one-off grant,” he argued. “What they need is venture capital, support to scale, and a system willing to take risks on them.”

Traditional banking systems across Africa, Adesina noted, are simply not designed with young entrepreneurs in mind.

“The current financial model fails our youth,” said Adesina candidly. With limited access to credit, high interest rates, and a lack of tailored financial products, African youth often find themselves locked out of the very systems that should be supporting them. “We should not be surprised they’re leaving,” he continued. “We’ve not created the conditions for them to thrive here.”

The mass migration of talent the so-called ‘Japa’ trend represents a transfer of potential economic value from Africa to the developed world. “You’re turning your demographic dividend into someone else’s advantage,” Adesina warned.

The African Development Bank has taken strategic steps to address these challenges by launching the Youth Entrepreneurship Investment Bank, a bold initiative designed to bridge the financial gap for young innovators.

The bank recently approved $100 million to establish the Nigerian Youth Entrepreneurship Investment Bank, aiming to mobilise $2 billion in investment for more than 38,000 youth-led businesses across the continent. The goal is simple but ambitious: to transform Africa’s youth from job seekers into job creators.

This initiative underscores the AfDB’s commitment to long-term economic development through sustainable, youth-focused strategies. “If we don’t invest in them now,” Adesina cautioned, “who will pay the taxes in the future? Who will fuel economic growth?”

Africa cannot afford to neglect its youth. The continent must stop exporting its potential and start nurturing it. The loss of talent through migration not only weakens local economies but also undermines Africa’s ability to shape its future.

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“We must believe in our youth,” he insisted. “Their future doesn’t lie in Europe, America, or Asia. It lies here in Africa – but only if we create the right conditions.”

Adesina drew parallels with countries like China and India, whose massive populations have been harnessed for economic transformation. Africa, he believes, can follow suit, but only if it focuses on skills development, job creation, and social protection.

With rising global trade barriers and a shift toward inward consumption, Africa must start treating its own population as a key driver of GDP. “Young people with jobs and income will spend. That consumption fuels local businesses and strengthens the economy.”

While the ‘Japa’ trend continues to grow, there remains a window of opportunity. By reversing the brain drain and channelling resources into Africa’s burgeoning youth population, the continent can turn this exodus into a comeback story. It’s time to turn Africa’s youth bulge into a beacon of prosperity, not a missed opportunity

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Abdulaziz Who Joins SDP Not Minister Of Environment’s Aide – Source Clarifies

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By Israel Bulus, Kaduna

A source from the Ministry of Environment, has distanced the Minister’s office from Abdulaziz Musa Alhassan’s recent political move, saying Abdulaziz is not currently an aide to the Honorable Minister.

The source in an exclusive interview with Elanza News on Thursday, clarified that Abdulaziz was officially released to the office of the Kaduna State Accountant General, Alh. Bashir Suleiman Zuntu and has no working relationship with the Ministry of Environment.

“For the record, Abdulaziz Musa Alhassan is no longer with the office of the Minister,” source stated.

“He was released months ago, and any attempt to tie his recent political defection to the Minister or the Ministry is entirely misleading.”

According to him, a letter obtained by the Minister’s office in March 2025 showed that Abdulaziz had sought to return as a Personal Assistant to the Minister, but the request was denied.

“In his letter, Abdulaziz appealed to be reinstated in his former capacity,” source added.

“However, the Honorable Minister did not approve the request, as the office had moved on and reassigned responsibilities.”

The source emphasized that linking Abdulaziz’s resignation from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and his defection to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) with the Minister’s office is “unfounded and should be disregarded.”

He concluded by urging the public and media outlets to verify such claims before publication.

“Let it be clear that Abdulaziz acted in his personal capacity, and his political decisions do not reflect the position of the Honorable Minister or his office,” the source said.

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Nigeria to exit financial action task force grey list soon – SEC

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The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has expressed optimism that Nigeria is on the verge of being removed from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list.

This confidence stems from the recent signing of the Investments and Securities Act (ISA 2025) by President Bola Tinubu.

Director-General, SEC, Dr. Emomotimi Agama, confirmed this in a statement on Wednesday.

A key component of this new legislation is the inclusion of comprehensive regulations for digital assets, a factor that the FATF has emphasised in its assessment of countries on the grey list.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Nigeria was placed on the FATF “grey list” on Feb. 24, 2023, alongside other jurisdictions.

This was due to deficiencies in its anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism financing (CFT) regime.

Agama said the inclusion of digital assets in the ISA 2025 provided the country with an avenue to exit the grey list.

He noted that the new law aimed to curb fraudulent activities in the digital space, fostering trust and innovation in blockchain technologies.

He said, “The AML CFT issue is what brought about our inclusion in the grey list; the inclusion of this law today provides us an avenue to exit that grey list, and that is very critical to the international community.

“We are telling the international community that we are ready for business, and we are ready to protect every business that operates within Nigeria and all those involved in such activities within Nigeria.”

Agama emphasised that trading in cryptocurrencies does not translate into a weaker Naira.

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He explained that the commission was going to provide guidance for all the actors to ensure that their acts do not go against the national interest.

He said, “SEC now has the power to clamp down on such entities. So, we encourage everyone who is in this space to come under regulation to seek clearance.

“To seek guidance for whatever reason, and we are ready and able to provide solid guidance so that at least the national economic interest is truly protected.

“So we believe that the regulation, the law itself, will bring succor to them, because once clarity is provided, they are safer in dealing in this kind of businesses.

“The essence of regulating is to provide fences around the institutions, the products, the persons involved in it, and to make sure that they do not involve in things that are illegal.

“We are working with the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit, and the Office of the National Security Adviser on the regulation of this space, in order that it should not be inimical to the existence of Nigeria as a country.

“We want to make sure that everyone that is involved in this space is properly guided, because for every investment, even when it is a traditional investment, there’s usually the risk aspect of it. That risk aspect of it is what we are managing.”

Agama disclosed that the commission is currently carrying out moderated regulation as it is not possible to grant licenses to all those that have applied to operate in the space at the same time.

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“SEC currently has two programmes: the regulatory incubation programme and the accelerated incubation programme, which are tools that will aid in the evaluation of the risks that the institutions pose to the Nigerian economy and its citizens.

“It is a process, and in the next quarter, we are going to release the next cohort, and after the evaluation of what has happened in the last two quarters, we are going to do that release in this next quarter.

“We are happy to note that the processes around that are almost concluding, and we will inform the public of the outcome very soon,” he said.

He noted that in a bid to deal with challenges that may arise in the process of regulation, the Commission was introducing risk management as a legal instrument to guide the operations of capital market operators and the issuances of securities.

He said this was also to be able to mitigate any risk that will arise in the nearest future.

“Now, once this happens, the tendency is that investors will be more confident, because they know that we have their back.

“That certainly will improve investor protection.

“Therefore, KYC is also beefed up through the risk management process today.

“That also helps us to be able to seek out genuine investors from people who do not mean well for the market, and that also will improve investors’ protection,” he said. (NAN)

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