Business
NITEL: FG Assures Fairness To Firms
The Federal Government has said it would ensure level playing ground to all firms interested in acquiring the Nigerian Telecommunications Limited (NITEL).
Speaking in Abuja at the commissioning of Paulo communications ultra modern office complex, the Minister of Information and Communications, Professor Dora Akunyili, said the gesture was in line with president Umaru Musa Yar’Adua’s plan to ensure that the gains in the telecommunication sector are sustained and improved upon.
She emphasized that the government objective was for the telecommunication section to serve the best interest of the people and ensure that consumers get value for their money spent on GSM services, internet access and others associated with what the sector has to offer.
Akunyili, who was represented by the Director, Information Technology Department, Mrs Ibukun Odusote, said, “we are aware that assets of that giant player (NITEL) will best be managed by the private sector. We are therefore making polices which will add value to the desire of our private sector investors to be first class players not just in the national and sub-regional West Africa level, but in the continent and the world.
“I also wish to let us all know the fact that Paulo Communication, has been striving to be a key player in the telecommunication sub-sector of our nation, it has also expressed its desire to align with our drive to ensure quality and uninterrupted service to our people by players in the sector”.
“I wish to commend this to all other companies in the sector, that the government of president Umaru Musa Yar’Adua will wish for nothing less by all participants in the telecommunication sector. I urge you in line with the spirit of our president to let us give quality service to our people sot that they would feel the impact of their government.
I also wish to disclose that the government of president Yar’ Adua and my ministry, have a lot of package to encourage players in the telecommunication sub-sector, that is why the government now is ensuring that there is a level playing field granted to all in the race to acquire NITEL. We are aware that the assets of that giant player will best be managed by the sector.
Commending the communication outfit which she said has been honest in doing business, Prof Akunyili stated, “I wish to note especially the ideology of Paulo Communication that their organisation exists to develop a dynamic and vibrant service oriented company that would deliver quality service and be a leader in the business world”.
Ichechemiche Ogheneruemu & Ike Ijeoma
Credit to Nigeria’s private sector rose to N83.26 trillion in June 2026 from N81.04 trillion in May, signifying a positive balance of N2.22 trillion month-on-month.
Year-on-year, the figure represents a nine per cent increase compared with the N76.13 trillion recorded in June 2025. The latest figures come as the CBN continues to balance efforts to control inflation with the need to support economic growth and expand credit to businesses.
The CBN data shows that credit to Nigeria’s private sector increased by approximately 2.74 per cent month-on-month between May and June 2026. Also, the CBN data noted that credit to the government fell slightly to N40.03 trillion from N40.38 trillion. Other assets, net, dropped to N10.76 trillion from N12.63 trillion.
The credit surge signifies sustained growth in lending to businesses and other private-sector borrowers during the month. The rise in private sector credit was recorded alongside an increase in net domestic credit, despite declines in credit to government and other assets.
Further analysis of the report says that compared with June 2025, private sector credit rose by about N7.13 trillion yea-on-year but net domestic credit increased by approximately N1.87 trillion during the month.
The CBN’s relatively tight monetary policy stance notwithstanding, more banks still loaded funds to the private sector within the period. The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) held its 306th meeting on July 20 and 21.
The Committee reviewed recent developments in the global and domestic economies, assessed emerging risks to the outlook and considered their implications for monetary policy and retained all rates.
The Committee decided to retain the Monetary Policy Rate at 26.5 per cent; the Standing Facilities Corridor around the MPR at +50/-450 basis points and retain the Cash Reserve Requirement (CRR) for Deposit Money Banks at 45.00 per cent, Merchant Banks at 16.00 per cent, and non-TSA public sector deposits at 75.00 per cent.
The MPC decision means that credit extension in the private sector will likely continue to rise because of rising confidence in the sector and calls by stakeholders for banks to invest in the private scetor instead of government securities.
