By Tambaya Julius, Abuja

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has dismissed a purported recruitment update circulating on social media, describing it as false and not originating from the Service.

The Service, in a statement, urged members of the public to disregard the misleading information and refrain from sharing unverified content capable of misleading prospective applicants and the general public.

The NCS advised Nigerians to rely solely on information published through its official communication channels for accurate updates on recruitment exercises and other activities of the Service.

It reiterated that its verified social media platforms remain the authentic sources of information and urged the public to always verify recruitment-related announcements before acting on them or sharing them with others.

The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has begun paying insured deposits to customers of the 46 recently failed microfinance banks.

The NDIC Managing Director and Chief Executive, Thompson Sunday, disclosed this in an interview in Abuja.

The interview took place on the sidelines of the International Association of Deposit Insurers Africa Regional Committee meeting.

Sunday said the corporation was using the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System and customers’ Bank Verification Numbers (BVNs) for the payments.

He said NDIC had traced depositors’ alternative bank accounts and credited them directly without requiring physical visits.

He advised depositors without BVNs to visit the nearest NDIC zonal office for verification and payment processing.

“The CBN revoked the licences of the 46 microfinance banks on July 1, 2026,” he said.

He said NDIC automatically became the provisional liquidator after the revocation, in line with the law.

Sunday said the corporation had commenced payment of the insured maximum deposit of N2 million to eligible customers.

He explained that further payments would depend on the recovery of the failed banks’ assets and outstanding debts.

He said proceeds realised from recoveries would be distributed as liquidation dividends to eligible depositors.

Sunday cited Heritage Bank, Aso Savings and Union Homes as examples of NDIC’s prompt reimbursement efforts.

He said insured depositors of Heritage Bank were paid within four days of licence revocation.

He added that customers of Aso Savings and Union Homes received payments within 72 hours.

“The law allows us 30 days, but we are working to surpass our previous records,” he said.

The Central Bank of Nigeria revoked the banks’ licences for failing to meet regulatory requirements for continued operations.

The apex bank said the action was aimed at protecting depositors, strengthening financial stability and ensuring regulatory compliance.

By Tony Obiechina, Abuja

The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) will host the International Association of Deposit Insurers (IADI) Africa Regional Committee (ARC) Annual Meeting and Workshop from 20th to 23rd July, 2026 in Abuja.

According to a statement by Head, Communication & Public Affairs Department, Hawwau Gambo on Sunday, the meeting has the theme: “Safeguarding Stability: Public Awareness and Crisis Readiness for a Stronger Future”

The 4-day high-level regional engagement will gather Chief Executives, Directors and senior officials of deposit insurance institutions, financial regulators and other stakeholders within the financial safety net across Africa and beyond.

The engagement will deliberate on strategies for strengthening public awareness and crisis preparedness in deposit insurance systems in line with the revised IADI Core Principles.

The focus will be on building and sustaining depositor confidence, enhancing effective communication, improving coordination among financial safety-net participants, and equipping deposit insurers with practical tools for crisis management and resolution.

The workshop will also provide a platform for peer learning, sharing of experiences, and addressing emerging risks including financial technology innovations and cyber threats, with a view to strengthening frameworks for effective crisis response across the region.

The programme will feature technical committee meetings, plenary sessions and interactive roundtable discussions covering public awareness in both normal and crisis periods, crisis preparedness and management, system-wide response operations, and simulation exercises designed to test institutional readiness.

The event will be declared open by Olayemi Cardoso, Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele is expected to deliver the Keynote Address. Other dignitaries expected include Ms. Eva Hüpkes, IADI Secretary General, and Ms. Julia Oyet, Chairperson of the IADI-Africa Regional Committee. The Chief Host of the Conference is Thompson Oludare Sunday, Managing Director/Chief Executive, NDIC.