Business
Skye Bank, Sterling Bank Lose N18bn To Bad Loans
Skye Bank Plc and Sterling Bank Plc have recorded net loss of about N18 billion as provisions for classified loans ate deep into profitability. Audited report and accounts of the two banks for the 12 month period ended September 30, 2009, showed that the two banks altogether recorded exceptional items totaling N45 billion as provisions and write downs for bad loan assets.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has insisted that all banks must fully disclose and make adequate provisions for non-performing loans, a directive that has seen many banks account in the red.
Skye Bank’s report showed a net loss of about N13.3 billion in 2009 as against profit after tax of N15.13 billion in 2008. Pre-tax loss stood at N12.63 billon in 2008 compared with pre-tax profit of N20.45 billion in corresponding period of 2008. The bank, however, expanded the top-line by 36 per cent with gross earnings of N101.45 billion in 2009 as against N74.62 million in 2008.
In the same vein Sterling Bank recorded net loss of about N4.6 billion in 2009 as against net earnings of N6.58 billion in 2008. Pre-tax loss had stood at N4.35 billion in 2009 compared with profit before tax of N7.98 billion in 2008. Sterling Bank also reported marginal increase in gross earnings from N36.30 billion in 2008 to N37.77 billion in 2009.
Both banks indicated that provisions for bad loans adversely affected their performance during the period. Skye Bank indicated that it recorded an exceptional item of N34.18 billion while Sterling Bank reported exceptional item of N10.83 billion. Both Skye Bank and Sterling Bank have been cleared as sufficiently in stable condition for sustainable operations by the recent audits of the CBN. The apex bank had on August 14, 2009 cleared Sterling Bank Plc in the first batch of the industry-wide audit, the same day it took over and replace the management of five banks adjudged to be in grave situation.
The first batch of troubled banks include Union Bank of Nigeria (UBN) Plc, Intercontinental Bank Plc, Oceanic Bank International Plc, Afribank Nigeria Plc and Finbank Plc. The CBN on October 2 released the report of the second batch of its special examination giving nine banks including Skye Bank clean bill of health while taking over the management of three other banks. Two other banks were given deadlines to recapitalize their operations.
The nine banks that were cleared included Access Bank Plc, Citibank Nigeria Limited Ecobank Nigeria Plc, Fidelity Bank Plc, First City Monument Bank Plc, Skye Bank Plc, Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc, Standard Chartered Bank Limited and Zenith Bank Plc. All the Public Limited Liability Companies are quoted on the NSE. The apex bank stated that Unity Bank, another quoted bank, was adjudged to have insufficient capital but not in grave situation because it has a healthy liquid position. Both Unity Bank and Wema Bank have been directed to recapitalize their operations by June 30, 2010.
The apex however, took over the management of three other banks including Bank PHB Plc, Spring Bank Plc and Equitorial Trust Bank, bringing to eight total number of banks under the management of CBN appointed management.
Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, has blamed banks for huge concentration of their exposures to the stock market and oil and gas sector, poor corporate government and depleted capital.
Business
Agency Boss Seeks Improvement In Revenue Collection, Accountability

The Managing Director of National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Mr. Bola Oyebamiji, has called on the management and staff of the brown water regulatory agency to show renewed commitment to boosting revenue generation, enforcing accountability, and improving operational efficiency of the organisation.
Oyebamiji, who made the call recently while declaring open a retreat for NIWA’s top executives and stakeholders in the industry in Lokoja, Kogi State, stressed the need for improved performance across all NIWA offices, particularly in revenue generation.
He expressed concern over the under performance of some area offices, citing cases where annual revenue figures were as low as one or two million Naira.
“This situation is simply unacceptable. Despite management’s provision of resources, incentives, and training opportunities, the expected results were not achieved.
“Moving forward, stricter measures will be enforced to ensure accountability and drive performance”, Oyebamiji stated.
He further addressed the challenges in debt recovery, revealing that many Area Managers failed to cooperate with the debt recovery consultant appointed in 2024.
He said in some instances, debtors were either untraceable or provided inconsistent financial records, making recovery efforts difficult.
“This negative attitude towards financial accountability will no longer be tolerated”, he warned.
The retreat, which brought together key stakeholders including the honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, the Chairman of the House Committee on Inland Waterways, the NIWA Board, Management staff, and security personnels, aims at providing a comprehensive review of the authority’s 2024 performance and establish strategic targets for 2025.
Oyebamiji emphasized that beyond reviewing past performance, the retreat would also focus on capacity building and teamwork to ensure that every officer is well-equipped to meet the set goals.
“This retreat is not just about evaluating past performance, it is about strategizing for the future. I encourage all participants to engage actively, exchange ideas, and work collectively towards making NIWA a leading agency in the marine and blue economy sector”, he concluded.
The two-day retreat featured panel discussions, training sessions, and interactive engagements aimed at strengthening NIWA’s operational framework and fostering a culture of efficiency, accountability, and innovation.
Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos
Business
NCDMB Scribe Sues For African Collaboration Strategy On Local Content …… Decries Fragmented Implementation
The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, has charged sub-Saharan African nations to keep pace with unfolding trends in the global oil and gas industry.
He also charged them to adopt a unified approach in strengthening local content development, advancing industrialisation and fostering sustainable continent-wide economic growth.
Ogbe stated this in a keynote address he gave at the 9th Sub-Saharan African International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (SAIPEC), in Lagos, last Tuesday.
According to him, nations such as Nigeria, Angola, and Ghana have made notable strides in local content development by boosting indigenous participation in the oil and gas sector.
He, however, expressed regret that fragmented implementation continues to hinder collective progress.
The NCDMB scribe called for a collaborative strategy among petroleum-producing nations in sub-Saharan Africa that would foster the sharing of best practices and enhance cross-border partnerships that could drive the competitiveness of indigenous players.
In his paper entitled “Sub-Saharan Africa Local Content Collaboration Strategy”, Engr. Ogbe identified harmonisation of local content policies, human capital development, investment in infrastructure, funding for local companies and technology transfer, as key pillars to Africa’s collaboration strategy.
He noted that “there is a need to develop a robust local content framework that positions the region for long-term economic prosperity”, and that this could be fostered “through the collaborative efforts of the African Petroleum Producers Organisation (APPO), and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa and the African Union”.
The NCDMB boss also highlighted the importance of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) as a critical legal framework that could be leveraged to achieve collaborative local content strategy in Africa, given the free trade area it has created by integrating 1.3 billion people across 54 African countries with a combined gross domestic product of over $3 trillion.
On human capital development, which he described as “pivotal to the successful implementation of local content”, he observed that approximately 60% of Africa’s population is currently under the age of 25, and that this teeming population provides a unique opportunity to fast-track development.
Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
Business
ICTN Not Threat To Trade Efficiency – SEREC … Blames Unregulated Charges, Others
The Sea Empowerment and Research Centre (SEREC) has in strong terms countered claims that the proposed International Cargo Tracking Note (ICTN) is detrimental to Nigeria’s economy.
Contrarily, SEREC said rather, it’s unregulated charges, informal levies, and multiple taxation that pose a far greater threat to trade efficiency and port competitiveness.
In a recent publication, SEREC expressed concern over the misrepresentation of ICTN’s role, particularly in media reports suggesting it would “kill the economy”.
The research center emphasised that ICTN, if properly implemented, would add real value to the port system by enhancing trade transparency, streamlining import statistics, and improving regulatory oversight.
“If we are sincerely concerned about charges that are ‘killing the economy,’ then our focus should be on the various hidden and unregulated costs currently imposed on shippers”, SEREC’s Head of Research, Eugene Nweke, siad.
SEREC provided a detailed breakdown of excessive charges affecting shippers.
These charges, according to the Centre, significantly contribute to inefficiencies in Nigeria’s port system, increasing the cost of trade and making logistics unpredictable.
One of the major concerns raised in the publication is the “Seven per cent Port Development Levy”, which continues to be collected despite the port concession regime.
In addition, “various unregulated terminal handling charges, positioning fees, scanning fees, and labour costs” have further added to the financial strain on shippers.
The “ETO Trucking Fee”, set at N100,000 per truck for entry and exit at terminals, is another significant burden, the Centre noted. Meanwhile, “arbitrary trucking costs” which are unilaterally determined by service providers create further unpredictability in the logistics chain.
SEREC also highlighted the issue of “informal payments and settlements”, which it said involved “unreceipted fees” at different cargo clearance points.
These hidden costs, coupled with “security agency tolls” allegedly imposed by government security operatives along cargo routes make cargo movement more expensive. Additionally, the Centre criticised the “state-favourably on the global stage.”
Given these arguments, SEREC is calling for the “immediate implementation of ICTN” to restore order and efficiency in Nigeria’s port system.
The research Centre argues that ICTN should not be grouped with arbitrary charges but should be seen as a “structured, value-adding fee with a clear function”.
Nweke assured that “by the time the implementation fully runs through a period, the effects and contributions to the port system and its impact is felt by all, then, those who are initially in doubt of the effectiveness of the ICTN would have no option but to embrace and appreciate the enabling device (ICTN)”.
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