Business
NNPC, Sole Signatory To Crude, Gas Accounts – CBN
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has insisted that the NNPC remained the sole signatory of two crude oil and gas accounts domiciled with JP Morgan Chase, a U.S.-based bank.
This is contained in a statement issued by the CBN spokesman, Mr Ugo Okoroafor, following allegations that the apex bank is signatory to an alleged secret foreign account opened by the NNPC.
The statement, issued in Abuja, said that mandates to open the accounts were duly authorised by the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF).
It said the CBN/NNPC Crude Oil & Gas Account was opened on May 16, 2002 on the “express instruction of the OAGF. ’’
Similarly, the statement credited the OAGF as having authorised the opening of another account, CBN/NNPC Gas Account, on Feb. 3, 2009.
The statement reads in part: “the two accounts, which were opened as domiciliary accounts, are backed by the appropriate mandates of the OAGF.
“ The NNPC on monthly basis issues instructions to the CBN on how much should be paid as Joint Venture Cash Call (JVC).
“It also specifies how much should be monetised and transferred to the Federation Account for distribution to the three tiers of government.
“A minimum balance of 10 million dollars is always left in the revenue account.
“On CBN/NNPC Gas Account, the NNPC issues monthly mandates to enable the CBN monetise and transfer the balance to the Federation Account, leaving a minimum balance of five million dollars.
“All movements of funds out of the accounts are duly authorised by NNPC. ’’
The statement explained that the role of the CBN was were limited to ensuring that lodgments/deposits into the accounts are consistent with their requisite mandates.
It said the CBN also provided customers with the statements of accounts.
“In the case of the accounts in question, NNPC and OAGF are provided the statements of account on a weekly basis, ensuring that accounts are reconciled regularly.
“In the case of the said accounts, this is done with both JP Morgan Chase and NNPC while the OAGF is availed with monthly reconciliation reports on the accounts. ’’
On Monday, the Senate Joint Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream) and Appropriation and Finance, accused the NNPC of operating an illegal account with JP Morgan.
The revelation came to light during a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Fuel Subsidy.
The Chairman of the committee, Sen. Magnus Abe, said the account contravened section 80 (4) of the Constitution.
The section required that all monies accruing to the country be paid into the Federation Account.
According to Abe, the Constitution provides that such funds cannot be withdrawn except in a manner prescribed by the National Assembly.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) yesterday said 33 banks have met new minimum capital requirements under its recapitalisation programme, raising a combined N4.65 trillion to strengthen the financial system.
The apex bank disclosed this in a statement marking the end of the exercise, which commenced in March 2024 and drew participation from domestic and foreign investors.
The statement was jointly signed by the Director of Banking Supervision, Olubukola Akinwunmi, and the Acting Director of Corporate Communications, Hakama Sidi-Ali.
The statement said “Over the 24-month period, Nigerian banks raised a total of N4.65tn in new capital, strengthening the resilience of the financial system and enhancing its capacity to support the economy.”
The regulator said local investors accounted for 72.55 per cent of the funds, while international investors contributed 27.45 per cent, reflecting continued confidence in the sector.
Commenting on the outcome, the CBN Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, said in the statement, “The recapitalisation programme has strengthened the capital base of Nigerian banks, reinforcing the resilience of the financial system and ensuring it is well-positioned to support economic growth and withstand domestic and external shocks.”
It added that while 33 banks have complied with the new thresholds, a few others are still undergoing regulatory and legal processes.
The statement noted, “The CBN confirms that 33 banks have met the revised minimum capital requirements established under the programme.
“A limited number of institutions remain subject to ongoing regulatory and judicial processes, which are being addressed through established supervisory and legal frameworks.
“All banks remain fully operational, ensuring continued access to banking services for customers.”
The apex bank stressed that the exercise was executed without disrupting banking operations, ensuring uninterrupted access to services nationwide.
It further stated that key prudential indicators have improved, particularly capital adequacy ratios, which remain above global Basel benchmarks.
The minimum ratios were set at 10 per cent for regional and national banks and 15 per cent for banks with international licences.
The bank also said the recapitalisation coincided with a gradual exit from regulatory forbearance, a move it said improved asset quality, strengthened balance sheet transparency, and enhanced overall stability.
To preserve these gains, the CBN said it has reinforced its risk-based supervision framework, mandating periodic stress tests and adequate capital buffers for banks.
It added that supervisory and prudential guidelines would be reviewed regularly to strengthen governance, risk management, and resilience across the sector.
“The successful completion of the programme establishes a stronger and more resilient banking system, better positioned to support lending, mobilise savings, and withstand domestic and global shocks,” the statement said.
The Tide learnt that foreign capital inflows into Nigeria’s banking sector rose by 93.25 per cent year-on-year to $13.53bn in 2025, up from $7.00bn recorded in 2024, amid the ongoing recapitalisation drive by the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Data from the National Bureau of Statistics capital importation report showed that the banking sector remained the dominant destination for foreign capital, accounting for $13.53bn of the total $23.22bn recorded in 2025, representing 58.26 per cent of total inflows, up from 56.81 per cent in 2024.
The surge reflects heightened investor interest in Nigerian banks as they raised fresh capital to meet new regulatory thresholds introduced by the apex bank, with industry-wide recapitalisation activities driving large-scale inflows across all quarters of the year.
However, the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE) recently raised concerns over weak credit flows to small businesses despite recent banking sector reforms.
The CPPE, led by a renowned economist, Dr Muda Yusuf, acknowledged that the ongoing bank recapitalisation exercise by the CBN has strengthened the financial system, but warned that the benefits have yet to translate into meaningful support for the real economy.
The facility will be disbursed through participating Microfinance Institutions (MFIs), which will in turn extend the loans to their customers, particularly SMEs, as they directly interface with businesses at the grassroots level.
The Executive Director of COMCIN, Mr. Micheal Ogbaa who represented the Chairman, Dr. Iredele Oyedele (FCA, FCCA), said the initiative is designed to strengthen micro-lending institutions and expand access to finance for grassroots entrepreneurs, particularly women and youths in the informal sector.
Ogbaa explained that COMCIN does not lend directly to individuals but works through its network of microfinance and cooperative institutions, which in turn provide loans to end users.
“We came together to advocate for the microfinance ecosystem. Commercial banks often exclude people at the grassroots, but our members are positioned to reach them. This facility will empower them to do more,” he said.
He noted that the loan scheme offers low interest rates and flexible repayment plans, making it more accessible to small business owners.
According to him, about 90 percent of beneficiaries are expected to be women, who play a key role in sustaining families and driving economic activities at the local level.
“Our focus is on traders, service providers, and players in the informal sector. These are the real movers of the economy. By supporting them, we are strengthening families and contributing to national development,” he added.
Ogbaa disclosed that eligible SMEs with proven integrity and business track records could access up to N5 million each through participating micro-lending institutions. The rollout has commenced in Lagos and will extend to Abuja, Enugu, and other regions, including the South-West, South-East, and North-East.
He said 12 micro-lending institutions have already benefited from the scheme, while 85 applications are currently being processed under the pilot phase.
“Our target is to reach at least 100,000 SMEs nationwide. We are building a platform that connects funding partners with credible micro-lending institutions, creating a reliable channel for financial inclusion,” Ogbaa said.
He added that COMCIN is also working to attract larger funding pools from development finance institutions and private investors, noting that successful implementation of the pilot phase would boost confidence and unlock more capital for SMEs.
“We have seen encouraging testimonies from early beneficiaries. As we demonstrate transparency and efficiency, more institutions will be willing to channel funds through us,” he said.
-
Opinion3 days ago
Ozoro Festival: Tradition or Tyranny?
-
News3 days agoRSG Reiterates Commitment To Youth Dev
-
Rivers9 hours agoCourt Rules Out Interim Administration In Jumbo House, Bonny
-
Politics10 hours agoAPC Resumes Electronic Membership Registration Nationwide
-
Oil & Energy3 days agoTranscorp Energy, Renewvia Partner On Renewable Energy Gap
-
Politics3 days ago
RIVERS WOMEN RALLY SUPPORT, CONTINUOUS PRAYERS FOR TINUBU
-
Politics3 days ago
AKPABIO, DIRI, OBOREVWORI, OTHERS VOW TO REELECT TINUBU …AS GIADOM RETAINS APC ZONAL CHAIR
-
Business3 days agoNSCDC Discloses Illegal Dump Site In Ikwerre Community