Connect with us

Business

Banks’ Borrowing From CBN Increases By 52% In December

Published

8 years ago

on

Liquidity challenges in the economy made the amount of money that commercial banks borrowed from the Central Bank of Nigeria to increase by 52 per cent in the first three weeks of December, data obtained from the CBN website showed last Monday.
The CBN Standing Lending Facility (SLF) window data revealed that the Deposit Money Banks in the country borrowed N2.305tn from the regulator to cover their cash shortfall positions between December 1 and 22, 2017.
This represents a 52 per cent increase over the N1.515tn the nation’s lenders borrowed from the apex bank to cover their positions between November 1 and 22, 2017.
Commercial banks use the CBN’s SLF to support their liquidity shortfalls and meet trading obligations on short-term basis.
The DMBs borrowed N1.019the, N671bn and N614bn through the CBN’s SLF window during the first, second and third week of December respectively, the Central Bank data showed.
While the N614bn borrowed last week was eight per cent lower than the N671bn loan obtained the penultimate week, the latter was 34 per cent lower than the N1.019tn the banks borrowed from the CBN three weeks ago.
The CBN SLF data showed that banks borrowed N231.92bn, N217.08bn, N228.26bn, N178.28bn, and N164bn, respectively from the Central Bank between December 4 and 8, 2017.
Between December 11 and 15, the amounts borrowed were N178.02bn, N135.3bn, N123.77bn, N116.73bn and N117.64bn, respectively.
Between December 18 and 22, the banks borrowed N119.836bn, N132.651bn, N163.135bn, N110739bn, and N87.892bn, respectively.
During the last week of October and November, the CBN data showed that the banks’ borrowing from the apex bank rose significantly.
Some analysts attributed the trend to liquidity squeeze and banks’ demand for funds to participate in the special foreign exchange auctions conducted by the regulator.
In November, the commercial banks borrowed N2.77tn with an average amount of N154bn.
The highest and lowest amounts the lenders borrowed from the Central Bank last month were N260bn and N108bn, respectively.
Economic and financial experts said that the CBN’s lending to banks had increased in recent times on the back of liquidity issues in the economy.
Banks with liquidity challenges are often seen more on the CBN SLF window than others.
For example, Skye Bank Plc was said to be more frequent on the CBN SLF window months before the CBN sacked its board and appointed a new one.
The apex bank, which is described as a lender of last resort, has been accused of lending more to the Federal Government in recent months.
A member of the CBN Monetary Policy Committee, Dr. Doyin Salami, had recently accused the Central Bank of acting like a “piggy bank” with its funding of the government.
Salami said he was struggling to understand the apex bank’s economic rationale for such action.
Monetary data showed a sharp rise in the CBN’s financing of the government deficit this year, Salami said after the MPC meeting some months ago.
He stated that the CBN’s claims on the government had risen 20-fold to N814bn from the end of 2016, while its purchases of government treasury bills increased by 30 per cent to N454bn.
“It is clear that the CBN has provided piggy-bank services to the Federal government. While I still wonder what the underlying economics is, I sincerely hope it works,” Salami added.
The Federal Government is struggling to raise enough revenue amid economic challenges.

Related Topics:
Continue Reading

Business

NCDMB Signs Mgt Deal With Radisson, Edison…As Board’s 204 Rooms Hotel Open December 2026

Published

5 days ago

on

March 9, 2026

By

The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), on Monday signed an international management agreement (IMA), with Radisson Hospitality, Belgium and Edison Hotel and Property Development Company with respect to the Board’s 204 rooms hotel and conference center, developed adjacent to the Content Tower, headquarters of the NCDMB in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State.
A statement by the Board’s Directorate of Corporate Communications says the management agreement was signed in Durban, South Africa by the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, Executive Chairman of Edison Corporation, Mr. Vivian Reedy and Director of Radisson, Mr. Garnier Erwan.
Giving assent to the agreement, Ogbe affirmed that discussions, reviews, and compliance requirements have lasted for over two years, and that the Board secured the approval of all key stakeholders, including the Attorney?General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi, SAN.
“The support of stakeholders ensured that the Agreement meets Nigeria’s legal and regulatory standards.The aspiration of the NCDMB is to deliver a world?class hotel in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State with a fully equipped conference centre—designed to serve the oil and gas industry stakeholders and the Nigerian public”, he said.
He pledged the NCDMB’S commitment to completing the hotel on schedule time and achieving the opening in December, 2026.
“We appreciate our responsibilities—construction quality, pre?opening readiness, funding, safety and security compliance, and maintaining Radisson’s global standard. We will do our best to meet our obligations”, Ogbe added.
The Board’s Scribe charged the  Hospitality firm to bring its expertise, systems, and brand strength to deliver a hotel that offers excellent service and guest experience, expressing hope that the partnership with Edison Hotels will create a facility that reflects global quality and supports Bayelsa’s position as an oil and gas hub.
“This project reflects NCDMB’S commitment to using strategic investments to boost productivity, attract investment, build local content, and expand opportunities for business and tourism in Nigeria when completed.
“Radisson Hotel and Conference Center Yenagoa will stand not only as a hotel, but also as a symbol of what strong partnerships can achieve”, Ogbe noted.
In his remarks, Executive Chairman of Edison Corporation, Vivian Reedy described the organisation’s  role as a bridge between the owner and the operator, highlighting the group’s intensive experience in the hotel industry, and determination to ensure alignment, transparency, accountability and performance.
“We understand that a successful hotel is not just about buildings. It is about disciplined management, strong oversight, brand integrity, and a shared commitment to excellence.
“Part of our firm’s responsibility is to ensure that the hotel is delivered, operated, and managed in a manner that protects and announces the owner’s investment, while fully supporting Radisson in achieving operational excellence”, he said.
The Edison boss assured that working closely with Radisson and NCDMB’s team, the Radisson Hotel and Conference Center, Yenagoa will become the leading hospitality and conference destination in Bayelsa State, saying it is catalyst for business and investment, and a symbol of quality professionalism and international standards.
He emphasized that the firm has had wonderful successes with Radisson in other locations, even achieving 95% occupancies, noting that the company’s approach is to strengthen governance, support performance, and ensure the interests of the owners are always safeguarded.
“This project represents more than a hotel. It represents a partnership, a trust, and a long-term vision for sustainable value creation. We thank Radisson for its global expertise and operational excellence.
“Edison is fully committed to ensuring that the asset performs strongly, operates efficiently, and delivers lasting value to its owner”, the firm said.
In his speech, the Attorney-General of the Federation Chief Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, representative by Mr. Wada Ahmed Wada described the signing ceremony as historic and wished the parties success in their business relationship.
By Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
Continue Reading

Business

FG engages foreign investors at PEBEC Roundtable on business environment reforms

Published

5 days ago

on

March 9, 2026

By

Senior government officials and foreign investors operating in Nigeria met in Abuja on Thursday as the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) convened the Third Existing Foreign Direct Investors (FDI) Roundtable to address challenges affecting the country’s investment climate.
The high-level engagement, held at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, brought together top policymakers and representatives of foreign companies for discussions aimed at improving Nigeria’s business environment and strengthening investor confidence.
The roundtable forms part of PEBEC’s efforts to deepen collaboration between government institutions and the private sector while ensuring that ongoing reforms translate into tangible improvements for investors already operating in the country.
Opening the session, Senator Ibrahim Hadejia, Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, welcomed participants on behalf of the Vice President and Chairman of PEBEC, reiterating the Federal Government’s commitment to maintaining a stable and transparent business environment that supports investment and economic growth.
In her remarks, the Director-General of PEBEC, Princess Zahrah Mustapha Audu, said the council remains committed to sustained engagement with investors and coordinated implementation of reforms across government agencies.
She noted that existing foreign investors play a critical role in Nigeria’s economic development through job creation, capital investment, technology transfer, and supply chain development.
According to her, PEBEC’s engagement strategy prioritises listening to investors already operating in the country in order to identify and address operational challenges affecting their businesses.
The roundtable featured presentations and interactive discussions with senior government officials responsible for regulatory and policy frameworks affecting investors.
Among them were the Executive Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service, Dr. Zacch Adedeji; the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi; and the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olutunji Rilwan Disu.
Also participating virtually was Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms and Minister of State for Finance-designate, who spoke on ongoing fiscal and tax reform initiatives aimed at improving tax certainty and strengthening revenue administration.
During the discussions, investors raised technical questions and shared insights on issues relating to security, tax administration, customs procedures and fiscal policy reforms.
Continue Reading

Business

MAN warns against illegal recycling of File photo

Published

5 days ago

on

March 9, 2026

By

The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria has warned against the illegal destruction and recycling of returnable packaging materials belonging to beverage companies, following a recent police crackdown on illegal factories in Anambra State.
Earlier in February, the Nigeria Police Force, working with beverage manufacturers, reportedly raided several illegal facilities in Onitsha and surrounding areas, where individuals allegedly destroyed returnable glass bottles and plastic crates belonging to beverage companies.
In a statement on Friday, the Director-General of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Segun Ajayi-Kadir, condemned the destruction of these packaging materials as unauthorised and economic sabotage against businesses, and hailed the efforts of the police and regulatory agencies.
“The recent raid is the outcome of sustained engagements and intelligence-led investigations and represents a decisive step by authorities to protect legitimate business operations, uphold environmental standards, and deter further illegal activity,” Ajayi-Kadir said.
The MAN DG described the practice “as criminal and a serious economic sabotage… as assets remain the property of beverage companies that have invested heavily in these sustainable packaging materials to protect the environment”.
According to a Vanguard News report, the Executive Secretary of the Beer Sectoral Group of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Abiola Laseinde, commenting on the February crackdown on alleged factories in Anambra, stated that, “The recent raid is the outcome of sustained engagements and intelligence-led investigations… a decisive step by authorities to protect legitimate business operations, uphold environmental standards and deter further illegal activity.”
Ajayi-Kadir confirmed the earlier news reports, affirming that the police acted on credible intelligence to dismantle illegal operations involving the theft, destruction, and unauthorised recycling of companies’ returnable packaging materials.
He stated that the association received reports from member companies that some factories were destroying company-owned bottles and crates for resale as raw materials, resulting in businesses losing millions of naira in investments.
“The police, working with member companies, acted on credible intelligence and stormed the factories to crack down on illegal disposal, theft, and unauthorised recycling of the returnable packaging materials of the affected companies, notably returnable glass bottles and plastic crates,” Ajayi-Kadir said.
Ajayi-Kadir added that investigations revealed that large quantities of bottles and crates were diverted from legitimate channels into informal recycling networks across the South-East.
“Member companies identified multiple illegal locations in the South-East where they crush our bottles and crates for resale as raw materials, while police investigations showed that significant quantities were being diverted from legitimate channels into informal recycling networks,” MAN’s DG said.
He noted that in several cases, reusable bottles were deliberately broken and plastic crates shredded and sold as raw materials, thereby undermining beverage companies’ circular packaging model.
He remarked, “These Returnable Packaging Materials are company-owned assets designed for multiple reuse cycles and form a critical part of their sustainability, cost-efficiency, and product quality systems. It’s a criminal activity to destroy them.”
Meanwhile, Ajayi-Kadir warned those involved in the illegal practice to desist, stressing that the association would continue to collaborate with law enforcement agencies to ensure offenders face the full weight of the law.
He added that beyond the direct loss of assets, the activities disrupt supply chains, raise operational costs and pose environmental and safety risks due to unsafe recycling practices.
MAN urged relevant government agencies to intensify efforts against the illegal diversion and destruction of returnable packaging materials outside the beverage industry’s value chain.
MAN’s DG also called on members of the public to report suspicious activities to the police or to the consumer care lines of beverage companies.
Continue Reading

Trending