Business
Border Closure Behind Naira Free Fall – Senate
The Senate, yesterday, said the free fall of the Naira is as a result of the border closure by the federal government.
The Senate, however, advised the executive to open the border to ease business operations within the country.
Speaking during the inaugural meeting of the Senate Committee on Industry at the National Assembly, the Committee Chairman, Senator Francis Fadahunsi, posited that without the federal government opening the borders for smooth business operations, goods and services would not circulate adequately in the country.
He also pointed out that without adequate circulation of goods and services, revenue earnings would stagnate; a situation he explained was responsible for the free fall of the naira.
“The Naira is on a free fall against major global currencies because of the closure of our border. If our borders are not opened,how would goods and services be exchanged? If Nigeria,a big market, is not dealing with exchange of goods and services how would she earn funds,” he queried.
Senator Fadahunsi, who appealed to the federal government to ease the process of doing business in Nigeria, said that such a measure would attract foreign direct investments, with its attendant job creation for the teeming Nigerian youths.
The Vice Chairman of the Committee, Senator Binos Dauda Yaroe of Adamawa South, stated that the Committee would do everything possible to provide the necessary legal backing to companies engaged in production and manufacturing of goods.
“Our mandate is clear. To oversight parastatals and agencies within the line of the ministry of the Trade and Investment. And that we will do excellently, with a view to providing the expected legal backings and framework.
“No country which doesn’t produce survives. We can’t continue to import everything we use in this country. So,we will do our best to mitigate the sufferings of companies”,he said.
In attendance were Senators Benson Agadaga of Bayelsa East and former Rivers Deputy Governor, Ipalibo Gogo Banigo; both of whom encouraged the federal government to come up with a roadmap capable of turning the dwindling fortunes of companies in the industrial sectors.
Sterling Bank has announced the removal of transfer fees on all local online transactions.
The move was confirmed by the bank on Tuesday in a press release.
The development makes it the first major Nigerian bank to eliminate the contentious charges for digital banking.
The statement noted that the bank reaffirmed its commitment to customer-centric banking, declaring that the zero-transfer-fee policy is real and effective immediately.
The initiative is expected to bring significant relief to individuals and small business owners who conduct frequent transactions.
The bank’s Growth Executive in charge of Consumer and Business Banking, Obinna Ukachukwu, described the decision as a values-driven approach aimed at ensuring fair and inclusive banking.
“We believe access to your own money shouldn’t come with a penalty.
“This is more than a financial decision—it’s about redefining banking to put customers first,” he stated.
Under the new policy, Sterling customers will not be charged for local transfers conducted via the bank’s mobile app.
Ukachukwu emphasised that the bank’s decision is about more than just competitive strategy.
He said, “We’re not yet the biggest bank in Nigeria, but we’ve been the boldest.
Sterling fearlessly believes in the future of Nigeria, and this is us backing Nigerians with more than words.
The Central Bank of Nigeria dismissed a report claiming it had introduced N5,000 and N10,000 banknotes to facilitate cash transactions as false.
In a statement posted on its official X handle on Wednesday, the apex bank described the report as fake and urged Nigerians to disregard it.
“The content is not from the Central Bank of Nigeria. Kindly note that the official website of the CBN is cbn.gov.ng,” the statement read.
A statement from the CBN’s communications department further clarified, “The only official sources for releasing statements to the media are our website or statements from our department. There is also no Deputy Governor by such name. We are investigating the source of this fake content.”
The report quoted one Deputy CBN Governor, Ibrahim Tahir Jr., the move is aimed at reducing cash-handling costs and providing Nigerians with more efficient means of conducting large transactions.
“The introduction of these new high-value denominations aligns with global best practices and will enhance economic activities while reducing the stress associated with carrying large amounts of cash,” the Governor stated. The CBN said there is no such name in its leadership.
“The new N5,000 note will feature the portrait of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, while the N10,000 note will showcase Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, both in recognition of their contributions to Nigeria’s development.
“Additionally, the new notes will incorporate enhanced security features, including color-changing ink, holograms, and anti-counterfeiting technology, making them impossible to replicate,” the fake report stated.
The fake report also said the nationwide rollout would begin on May 1, 2025, with commercial banks instructed to start issuing the new notes via ATMs and over-the-counter transactions.
Mixed reactions have trailed changes in the management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) and its board by President Bola Tinubu.
The President had on Wednesday reconstituted the board of the NNPC Ltd., removing the Chairman, Chief Pius Akinyelure and the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO), Malam Mele Kyari.
Tinubu removed all the board members appointed with Akinyelure and Kyari in November 2023.
The new 11-man board has Mr Bayo Ojulari as thevGroup Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) and Ahmadu Kida as Non-Executive Chairman.
Some experts have reacted to the development in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)non Wednesday in Abuja.
Mr Olabode Sowunmi, an Oil and Gas Expert described the development as a calculated effort to put some life and energy into the oil and gas industry.
Sowunmi, CEO, Cabtree, described it as a welcome development.
He said that the NNPC Ltd. was a limited liability company with the
Federal Government as its major shareholder.
“It is a calculated effort to put some life and energy into the industry.
“It is expected that this will mean new thinking, new focus and more results,” he said.
According to Sowunmi, even the proposed Initial Public Offer (IPO) which is targeted at listing NNPC in the stock market, will not have prevented Kyari’s removal, as he is a government appointee.
“The government can remove any government appointee at anytime,” he said.
Yushau Aliyu, an economic expert said the changes were timely, especially when the IPO was underway.
“However, the IPO must be professionally determined by relating to the development in the oil market as well as the willingness of the general public.
“Investment potential with the economic growth targets of Nigeria 2030 should also be considered,” he said.
He said that the President was empowered by the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA 2021) to dissolve both the NNPC Ltd. board and the CEO.
Another expert, Dr Sand Mba-Kalu, said that Nigeria’s oil and gas sector needed stability and predictability, along with strict adherence to legal standards, to attract sustainable investment and encourage transformation.
According to him, the move represents a bold initiative within the larger framework of aiming to meet our national production and refining targets in the energy sector by 2027 and 2030.
Mr Lawrence Nze, an Economist said that most of the policies introduced under Kyari never solved the challenges in the oil sector.
Nze said that the Naira for crude policy appeared not to be working since it had not resulted to any serious reduction in price.
According to him, Dangote Refinery was gradually achieving that with its slight reduction in ex-depot price which usually affects pump price, but suddenly, authorities in the oil sector cancelled it.
“To me, it looks like a sabotage against the people. Why can we not stop importation? It means that there is a deal that someone or group of people are benefiting from.
“It is not rocket science to get the energy sector working. Nigerians want cheaper petroleum products, is that too much to ask for?
“Only President Tinubu knows why he sacked Kyari, and whatever be the reason, Nigerians should have access to cheaper petroleum products, especially fuel.
“I will advise the president to ensure that the Naira for crude policy works in the country to enable local refineries operate on a cheaper scale,” he said.