BUSINESS
Going Forward with CBN, Emefiele’s 5-Year Roadmap

By Tony Obiechina, Abuja
The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Mr Godwin Emefiele, on Monday 24th July, 2019 unfolded the policy direction of his new five-year tenure which will terminate in 2024.
Addressing a World Press Conference at the CBN corporate headquarters in Abuja, the governor promised to facilitate access to financial services to 95 per cent eligible Nigerians as well as “continue to work to safeguard the stability of our financial system, while supporting the development of a payment system infrastructure that will improve access to credit for all eligible Nigerians”.
“Over the next five years, this will be the task for the Central Bank of Nigeria under my leadership, and we intend to do our very best to achieve these objectives”, he had assured.
Although Emefiele acknowledged that much was still left to be achieved from a similar agenda set in July 5, 2014, when he was first appointed, he said he was confident the bank will meet the expectations of Nigerians in the next five years.
Reviewing the achievements and challenges of the CBN in his first tenure, the governor pointed out that “with increased consultation and cooperation with the fiscal authorities and other interest groups, the agenda will be realised”.
In driving this vision, Emefiele expects that the bank under his management for the next five years, will work closely with the fiscal authorities to target a double digit growth; bring down inflation to single digit; and accelerate the rate of employment”.
“Put succinctly, our priorities at the CBN over the next five years are the following; First, preserve domestic macroeconomic and financial stability; Second, foster the development of a robust payments system infrastructure that will increase access to finance for all Nigerians thereby raising the financial inclusion rate in the country; Third, continue to work with the
Deposit Money Banks to improve access to credit for not only small holder farmers and MSMEs but also consumer credit and mortgage facilities for bank customers. Our intervention support shall also be extended to our youth population who possess entrepreneurship skills in the creative industry,” he had said.
Even as the governor promised to encourage the Deposit Money Banks to direct more focus in supporting the education sector, grow the country’s external reserves, and support efforts at diversifying the economy through CBN intervention programmes in the agriculture and manufacturing sectors, the apex bank may have concluded plans to raise the banks’ minimum capital base from the present N25 billion to over N200 billion.
“In the next five years, we intend to pursue a programme of recapitalising the banking Industry to position Nigerian banks among the top 500 in the world.
“Banks will therefore be required to maintain higher levels of capital, as well as liquid assets in order to reduce the impact of an economic crisis on the financial system,” he said.
On macro-economic stability, he said over the next five years, emphasis would be on supporting improved gross domestics product (GDP) growth and greater private sector investment.
According to him, the CBN intends to leverage monetary policy tools in supporting a low inflation environment, while seeking to maintain stability in our exchange rate.
He said decisions by the Monetary Policy Committee on inflation and interest rates will be dependent on insights generated from data on key economic variables.
He also said the CBN would also strive to continue to sustain a positive interest rate regime and that monetary policy measures, will be geared towards containing inflationary pressure and supporting improved productivity in the agricultural and manufacturing sectors.
To bring down the cost of food items, which have considerable weight in the Consumer Price Index basket, Mr Emefiele said the bank will work with other interest groups towards that objective.
“Our ultimate objective is to anchor the public’s inflation expectation at single digits in the medium to long run. We believe a low and stable inflationary environment is essential to the growth of our economy because it will help support long term planning by individuals and businesses,” he assured.
On Exchange Rate Stability, Mr Emefiele said the bank will continue to operate a managed float exchange rate regime, to reduce the impact the continuous volatility in the exchange rate could have on the country’s economy.
He the CBN will support measures to increase and diversify Nigeria’s exports base and ultimately help in shoring up the country’s foreign reserves.
Nigeria, he said, remains committed to a free trade regime that is mutually beneficial; but, particularly aimed at supporting our domestic industries and creating jobs on a mass scale for Nigerians.
Consequently, he said, the CBN intends to aggressively implement its N500 billion financial support facility to boost the growth of the non-oil exports and improve non-oil export earnings.
To achieve Financial System Stability, Mr Emefiele said a resilient and stable financial system was imperative for continued growth of the country’s economy given the intermediation role of financial institutions, to support the needs of individuals and businesses.
“In the next five years, we intend to pursue a programme of recapitalising the banking Industry to position Nigerian banks among the top 500 in the world.
“Banks will therefore be required to maintain higher levels of capital, as well as liquid assets in order to reduce the impact of an economic crisis on the financial system,” he said.
Reacting to the development. the Chairman, Charteted Institute of Bankers (CIBN), Abuja Chapter, Prof Uche Uwsleke said Ememefie’s five year policy thrust “is a good development with a lot of positive impact on the economy”.
In an interview with Daily Asset on Tuesday, Uwaleke, professor of Capital Market said, “The recapitalization of banks will strengthen financial system stability and put our banks in a stronger position to finance big projects needed for development as well as play in the global scene”.
“The planned introduction of a Trade monitoring system that reduces the length of time it takes to process export documents from one week to one day will surely boost exports.
“Also commendable is the plan to scale up the Anchor Borrower Programme and target for massive funding support 10 commodities that consume a lot of foreign exchange to import.
“This will help conserve Forex, grow external reserves, reduce food prices and possibly create job opportunities. The plan to build a robust payment infrastructure including through promoting payment service banks, shared agent networks, mobile money will go a long way in helping to achieve the target of 95 percent financial inclusion by the year 2024.
“Similarly, the boost in the Collateral Registry where over N400 billion worth of assets have been registered as well as the NISRAL microfinance bank will no doubt improve access to finance by micro and small businesses.
“The major risk I see in the pursuit of price and monetary stability which is the core function of the CBN is the volatility in crude oil price given our dependence on the sector. The CBN is therefore advised to have a plan B in its five year plan.
“It is also vital to get the cooperation of the fiscal authorities especially when it comes to the task of achieving double digit growth because on this very score, the CBN cannot clap with one hand”, he argued.
On capitalization, the university don’t however advised the CBN to raise the banks’ capital base to N100 billion, up from N25 billion.
“The N25 billion is already eroded when you look at our exchange rate. It is better to have 10 healthy banks than 20 that will be giving CBN headache. The tier two banks are also the most exposed banks to NPLs. The big five, are not giving CBN much problem like the others”, he argued.
“Bigger banks can easily bankroll larger businesses. So, if we are one of the 500 banks in the world, we can play comfortably in the international league. Bigger banks have better corporate governance and monitoring by CBN is much easier. Fewer stronger banks will invest in the right technology to deliver better services”, Uwaleke further pointed out.
In his reaction, CIBN President, Dr Uche Olowu, said there was no need for panic among bankers as the Nigeria financial system remains stable stressing that the whole idea of recapitalisation was to continue to sustain that stability in order to expand the scope of banks to do bigger businesses.
Olowu however advised the boards of the banks to go back to the drawing board and restrategise ahead of the CBN’s impending reapitalisation, assuring that the system will take care of itself with adequate planning.
Agriculture
Relief for Kaduna Ginger Farmers as FG Intervenes

From Nicholas Dekera, Kaduna
Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, has assured the Ginger farmers, whose farmlands and produce were affected by the strange fungal disease in Kaduna recently of the Federal Government’s intervention.
The Federal Government assurance for succour came after few weeks that over two hundred Ginger farmlands and produce worth N10billion were destroyed in Southern part of Kaduna state.
The Minister, who was represented by the Assistant Chief Agric Officer; Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Mrs.
Rita Agbogo made the assurance of the Minister’s quick intervention during a visit to the affected farmlands in Southern Kaduna on Friday.The representative of the Minister, who was the leader of a five-man delegation to Southern Kaduna reiterated the commitment of the Ministry towards finding a lasting solution to prevent further re-occurrence of the disaster, and to ensuring that the affected farmers were provided with adequate support.
” We are already feeling the pains of our dear Ginger farmers, and that is why we are here on the mission damage assessment. With our visit to some of these farmlands, we have seen to what extent the damage was. We are going to recommend to the Ministry on what is the best way to help the affected farmers out of the present situation,” Mrs. Agbogo explained.
When asked, what could be the cause of the fungal disease, she said “we are yet to know the cause of the damage, and that is why we are here with other relevant organisations. We will make research and continue to liaise with these organisations in order to know the cause and prevent future re-occurrence.
” The cause could be the type of seeds, soil, source of the seeds, and it could be any other factor but, for now, we can not say what really happened,” she stated.
While fielding questions from journalists, the National President of the National Ginger Association of Nigeria, Nuhu Daudu commended the Minister for his quick response towards finding long-term measures to prevent further damage to the crop .
Daudu further explained that the damage will impact negatively on the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Business News
Fuel Subsidy Reportedly Back As FG Pays N169.4 Billion in August

A payment of N169.4 billion has been reportedly paid by the Federal Government as subsidy in August.
It is alleged the payment was to keep the pump price at N620 per litre.
According to a report by DailyTrust, a document by the Federal Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), reviewed on Wednesday, September 20, showed that in August 2023, the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) paid $275m as dividends to Nigeria via NNPC Limited.
NNPC Limited used $220m (N169. 4 billion at N770/$) out of the $275m to pay for the PMS subsidy. Then NNPC held back $55m.The revelation by FAAC effectively indicates that the subsidy is back and NNPC is now taking NLNG dividends to pay the subsidy, the report added.
Also, the current price stagnation despite the worsening exchange rate and international crude price crossing $95 a barrel suggests a return of subsidy despite the numerous assurances by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that the subsidy is gone.
The revelation by FAAC indicates that the subsidy is back and NNPC is now taking NLNG dividends to pay the subsidy.
Reports by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC), showed that petrol subsidy cost N1.57 trillion in 2021 alone and another N1.27 trillion from January to May 2022.
Another N3 trillion was used to cover petrol subsidy costs from June 2022 to June 2023.
The report comes barely four months after President Bola Tinubu on May 29, declared that there would no longer be a petroleum subsidy as the current 2023 budget did not contain it.
He revealed that the current 2023 budget has provision for the fuel subsidy till June.
Tinubu stated that funds for subsidies would be diverted to other things like public infrastructure, education, health care, and jobs but the removal of subsidy led to a massive increase in the cost of fuel which had a ripple effect on the economy skyrocketing prices of everything.
Aviation
NCAA inaugurates joint audit committee on aviation fuel activities

The Nigeria Civil Authority of Nigeria (NCAA) has set up a joint committee to conduct holistic review and audit all fuelers, fueling facilities and equipment from initial source of fuel to point of fueling into aircraft.
Inaugurating the committee on Thursday in Abuna, Capt. Musa Nuhu, the NCAA Director-General, said that the committee would identify all the causes of fuel contamination and proffer solutions.
Nuhu, who was represented by Capt.
Ibrahim Danbazau, the NCAA Director of Operations, License and Training, stated that the committee has 60 days to do the audit across the nation.According to him, there have been serious incidents relating to fuel contamination, particularly Max Air fuel contamination in Yola.
Nuhu said that the issue created a negative publicity in the industry and a level of fear among the public which is justified.
He charged the committee to proffer recommendations that would improve level of safety in the aviation industry in Nigeria.
According to him, the committee has membership drawn from the NCAA, Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and Department of State Services (DSS).
Other agencies are Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and the Association of Fuel Marketers in Nigeria.
“”The Terms of Reference (TOR) has been clearly spelt out that would see the committee members tour all over the country to ensure compliance with all regulatory and safety requirements.
“”At this junction, I want to sincerely appreciate the Presidency, the National Assembly and Development Partners for the unwavering support and keen interest shown.
“”The Presidency and the Minister have directed that this investigation must be brought to a logical conclusion in the interest of the Nigerian population,” he said.
He also enjoined the committee to take the national assignment with all seriousness making by recommendations that would help prevent future occurrence and also improve level of safety in the industry.
The NCAA boss said the authority and inspectors were working studiously to ensure that safety of air travel in Nigeria was not compromised.
He promised Nigerians that the recommendations from the committee would be fully implemented in the interest of the public and safe air travel in Nigeria.
He listed sisters agencies collaborating with NCAA to include Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) that issue licences, and Department of State Security (DSS).
According to him, the collaboration with NMPDRA has helped to identify all non-licenced fuelers and those with expired licences in Nigeria that has led to suspension of all their activities in the airports in Nigeria.
He asserted that the Nigerian aviation industry skies were safe.
“”The authority has not been sleeping and has taken steps in the aftermath of the incidents which included the investigation of all the incidents that have been reported.
“NCAA is also collaboration with sister agencies in the aviation industry to realise its plan.
““Furthermore, an All Operators Letter (AOL) has been issued mandating all Operators to comply with all requirements for fueling as approved.
“The Authority has also heightened its surveillance to ensure complete and full compliance,” he stressed.