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Smart Cash Boosts Digital Banking Access with Zero-transaction-charge Service

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Smart Cash Payment Service Bank says it is removing transaction charges and paying competitive interest on savings to address the cost barriers that keep some Nigerians outside the formal financial system.

At the media launch of its zero-transaction-charge and daily interest payments on savings service in Lagos on Tuesday, the bank said the move is a practical step toward easing the financial pressure on low-income earners, traders and small business owners.

According to the bank, the service, tagged “No Be Cho Cho Cho”, signals a shift from promises to practical action under the regulatory framework of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Its Managing Director, Ayotunde Kuponiyi, explained that millions of small traders and micro businesses still operate outside the banking system, often because of cost and trust concerns.

He said removing transaction fees was one way to lower the entry barrier and encourage wider participation in the digital economy.

Kuponiyi said, “For many small traders, those small charges matter. They may look insignificant, but over a month they reduce income. By removing them, we are saying your money should work for you, not against you.

“Financial inclusion is about real people; the woman selling in the market, the artisan, the small business owner. When they can save securely and move money freely, they grow their businesses and create jobs.

“This is not a short-term campaign. It is part of our long-term commitment to make digital banking accessible and affordable.”

He added that the bank’s savings product pays interest daily and does not penalise customers for frequent withdrawals, a feature he said was designed with informal earners in mind.

Ada Uba, Head of Legal and Company Secretary of Smart Cash, said the bank, a subsidiary of Airtel Nigeria, received its payment service banking licence in 2022 and had since focused on expanding access to simple and affordable financial services.

She said the new campaign was designed to help more Nigerians connect to formal banking without feeling burdened by routine charges.

Also, Head of Product and Partnerships, Oti Omaghomi, said the zero-charge policy applies to peer-to-peer transfers, transfers to other banks and bill payments.

He explained that customers could open accounts digitally using their National Identity Number or Bank Verification Number, in line with CBN regulations.

According to him, the bank leverages the nationwide network of its parent company to reach customers even in rural communities.

“We understand that access is not just about having an app. It is about coverage, reliability and simplicity. That is why we built the onboarding process to be straightforward and inclusive,” he said.

On trust and security, Omaghomi assured customers that transactions are monitored round the clock, with automatic reversals for failed transfers.

“Banking runs on trust. We have a 24-hour monitoring system and clear processes to resolve failed transactions quickly. Customers should feel confident that their funds are protected,” he said.

Also speaking, another official, Obianuju Onwidi, said users who buy Airtel airtime or data through the platform receive instant cashback, in addition to free transfers and savings interest.

“The goal is simple; remove the fear, remove the hidden charges, and give customers value. When people feel respected by their bank, they stay,” she said.

BUSINESS

Coy Tax for Q4 2025 Stands at N1.49trn – NBS

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The nation’s aggregate Company Income Tax (CIT) for Q4 2025 is reported to be 1.49 trillion, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said.

The figure is contained in the NBS Company Income Tax (CIT) Q4 2025 Report released in Abuja on Wednesday.

According to the report, the figure shows a decrease of 49.

81 per cent on a quarter-on-quarter basis from N2.
96 trillion recorded in Q3 2025.

The report said domestic CIT received was N819.83 billion, while foreign CIT payment was N668.21 billion in Q4 2025.

It said on a quarter-on-quarter basis, activities of extraterritorial organisations and bodies recorded the highest growth rate with 75.15 per cent,

The report said this was followed by Education and real estate activities at 54.

20 per cent and 27.25 per cent respectively.

“On the other hand, accommodation and food services activities recorded the lowest growth rate at -67.11 per cent, followed by activities of households as employers, undifferentiated goods and services  producing activities of households for own use at -63.49 per cent .

“It said mining quarrying was recorded at -49.63 per cent.”

In terms of sectoral contributions, the report showed that the top three activities with the highest contribution in Q4 2025 were financial and insurance activities at 18.17 per cent, manufacturing at 17.30 per cent and mining and quarrying at 15.04 per cent.

It said on the other hand, the activities of households as employers, undifferentiated goods and 0.002 per cent.

“This was followed by water supply, sewage, waste management and remediation activities with 0.04 per cent.

The report, however, said, on a year-on-year basis, CIT collections in Q4 2025 increased by 13.38 per cent from Q4 2024.

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NISO Cuts Transmission Losses to 7 from 10 Per Cent in One Year

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The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Independent System Operator, Abdu Bello, has disclosed that Nigeria’s power sector was losing between N5bn and N8bn monthly to transmission inefficiencies, even as he revealed that targeted interventions by the operator have begun to cut losses and improve grid stability.

Bello made this known on Wednesday during the organisation’s first anniversary celebration held at its headquarters in Utako, Abuja, where he presented a detailed scorecard of reforms and operational milestones recorded since its establishment.

Recall that NISO was officially created on April 30, 2024, by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission following the unbundling of the Transmission Company of Nigeria under the Electricity Act, 2023.

Speaking on one of the most pressing challenges inherited by the operator, Bello said the transmission loss factor at inception was alarmingly high, with severe financial implications for the power sector.

“One of the greatest problems we encountered at the inception of NISO was that we recorded a very high transmission loss factor. At some point, it was close to 10 per cent, costing about N5bn to N8bn monthly,” he said.

He, however, noted that deliberate operational measures have started yielding results.

Adopting a broader tone, the NISO boss said the past year had been defined by institution-building, system stabilisation, and market reforms aimed at repositioning Nigeria’s electricity sector.

He explained that NISO was established to function as an independent system operator with responsibility for system operations, market administration, planning, and enforcement of grid codes and market rules.

On institutional development, he said the organisation had prioritised governance and coordination across the electricity value chain.

A major highlight of the address was NISO’s push to digitise grid operations through advanced monitoring systems.

Bello disclosed that the operator is accelerating the deployment of Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition/Energy Management Systems to enable real-time grid visibility.

He added that the organisation was also deploying telemetry systems and Internet-of-Things-based metering infrastructure across generation units, transmission lines, and substations.

According to him, the initiative would enable near-real-time electricity market settlements and significantly improve operational efficiency.

Bello also revealed that NISO has intensified efforts to tackle grid instability and recurring system collapses through technical reforms and stricter compliance enforcement.

He noted that compliance with this directive has already improved grid frequency stability.

He further disclosed plans to introduce grid “islanding”, a strategy that segments the national grid to prevent widespread outages.

On market operations, Bello said NISO has taken steps to improve transparency, enforce compliance with market rules, and strengthen coordination among industry players.

He added that NISO is playing a central role in coordinating emerging state electricity markets following recent sector reforms.

The NISO boss also linked recent fluctuations in power generation to gas supply challenges, stressing the need for stronger coordination between the power and gas sectors.

He assured that regulators and stakeholders are working to address the issue and prevent future disruptions.

In a significant development, Bello disclosed that Nigeria has achieved trial synchronisation of its national grid with the West African power system, opening new opportunities for cross-border electricity trade.

He explained that the integration would allow Nigeria to export excess power and earn foreign exchange.

These interventions are contributing to improving system discipline and reliability together. On electricity market development and strengthening, we have made deliberate efforts to strengthen market credibility and transparency.

NISO was carved out of the Transmission Company of Nigeria as part of sweeping reforms introduced by the Electricity Act, 2023, to liberalise and decentralise Nigeria’s power sector.

The reform seeks to separate system operations from transmission ownership, improve transparency, and create a more competitive electricity market.

Despite these reforms, Nigeria’s power sector continues to face structural challenges, including transmission constraints, gas supply shortages, liquidity issues, and weak infrastructure.

NISO’s first-year performance signals a shift towards data-driven grid management and coordinated planning, although sustained investment and policy consistency will be required to deliver long-term stability.

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BUSINESS

NPA Expects 41 Ships at Lagos Ports

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The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) said 41 ships carrying petroleum products, food items and other goods are expected at Lagos ports on Wednesday.

The NPA disclosed this in its Daily Shipping Position obtained on Wednesday in Lagos.

According to the bulletin, the vessels are expected between April 8 and April 14.

The authority said 24 of the ships would carry containers loaded with various goods.

“Seventeen ships will berth with bulk sugar, fresh fish, salt, general cargo, gypsum, aviation fuel, diesel, naphtha, gasoline, gas oil and wheat,” it added.

The NPA said 16 ships and tankers had already arrived and were awaiting berthing at the three ports.

According to the authority, the vessels carry general cargo, wheat, diesel, aviation fuel, petrol, gasoline, blend stock, containers, crude oil, fertiliser and fresh fish.

It added that 21 ships were discharging urea, containers, base oil, fresh fish, soya beans, gas and fertiliser at Lekki Deep Sea Port, Apapa and Tincan Island Port.

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