Business
FG Slashes Budget To N5.08trn, Sends To NASS For Review
The Federal Government has revised downward the revenue projection for the 2020 budget by N 3.3 trillionfrom the initial approved amount of N8.41 trillion to N 5. 08 trillion .
The revised revenue projection is contained in a proposal sent to the National Assembly by the executive.
The reduction became imperative in view of of the negative impact of the coronavirus pandemic, which had led to disruptions to global supply chains, sharp drop in global crude oil prices, turmoil in global stock and financial markets.
These outcomes have had severe consequences on households ’ livelihoods and business activities, resulting from drop in global demand, declined consumer confidence and slowdown in production
Based on the revenue parameters underlying the revised proposal , the Federal Government revised downwards the oil price benchmark from $ 57 per barrel to $ 30 per barrel.
Similarly, the oil production volume was reduced from 2.18 million barrels per day to 1.7 million barrels per day.
The exchange rate was, however, raised from N305 to a dollar to N360 to a dollar based on the devaluation of the naira by the Central Bank of Nigeria.
An analysis of the revenue items showed that oil revenue suffered the highest reduction of N2.38 trillon from the initial approved amount of N2.63 trillion to N254.25 bn.
Based on the proposal, dividend from the NLNG was reduced from N124.26 bn to N80.37 bn while non – oil revenue would witness a decline of N269 bn from N1.8 trillion to N1.53 trillion.
In the same vein , revenue projection from signature bonus was revised downward from N 939.3 bn to N568.68 bn , while revenue from stamp duty was reduced from N463.94 bn to N 200 bn.
However, independent revenue from agencies of government was increased by N66.88 bn from N 849.96 bn to N916.84 bn.
On the expenditure side , the executive is proposing a reduction of about N321 bn in spending from the initial estimate of N10.59 trillion to N10.27 trillion.
Business
Agency Gives Insight Into Its Inspection, Monitoring Operations
Business
BVN Enrolments Rise 6% To 67.8m In 2025 — NIBSS
The Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) has said that Bank Verification Number (BVN) enrolments rose by 6.8 per cent year-on-year to 67.8 million as at December 2025, up from 63.5 million recorded in the corresponding period of 2024.
In a statement published on its website, NIBSS attributed the growth to stronger policy enforcement by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the expansion of diaspora enrolment initiatives.
NIBSS noted that the expansion reinforces the BVN system’s central role in Nigeria’s financial inclusion drive and digital identity framework.
Another major driver, the statement said, was the rollout of the Non-Resident Bank Verification Number (NRBVN) initiative, which allows Nigerians in the diaspora to obtain a BVN remotely without physical presence in the country.
A five-year analysis by NIBSS showed consistent growth in BVN enrolments, rising from 51.9 million in 2021 to 56.0 million in 2022, 60.1 million in 2023, 63.5 million in 2024 and 67.8 million by December 2025. The steady increase reflects stronger compliance with biometric identity requirements and improved coverage of the national banking identity system.
However, NIBSS noted that BVN enrolments still lag the total number of active bank accounts, which exceeded 320 million as of March 2025.
The gap, it explained, is largely due to multiple bank accounts linked to single BVNs, as well as customers yet to complete enrolment, despite the progress recorded.
