Business
Prepare Nigerians For Subsidy Removal, Stakeholders Urge FG
Some Nigerian stakeholders have urged the Federal Government (FG) to prepare the Nigerian masses for higher fuel prices that will follow the removal of the petrol subsidy in the years ahead.
Some of the stakeholders who interacted with The Tide on the subsidy removal said it is the responsibility of the government, economic think-tanks, the media, and labour unions to prepare Nigerians for post-subsidy fuel prices coming ahead.
While some fingered the government, others said it was the responsibility of all, particularly labour unions, media and economic think-tanks.
An Economist with UT Finance Limited, Dr Dennis Chukwu, in his response to the issue, said there is need to properly communicate to Nigerians on the planning for what is going to be a major change in the system.
He said a collective effort was required from the perspective of government in terms of a policy reform.
”And, the media, as one of the most powerful tools that can communicate change, and articulate the right message to support necessary adjustments to a post-fuel subsidy Nigeria”, he said.
Also responding seperately, a developmental economist, Joseph Ameh, said Economic Think-Tanks have a role in explaining the economic implications to Nigerians, especially for those at the “bottom of the pyramid”, who constitute the masses.
According tohim, it is basically the job of the government to explain to the public why, and how the policy will be carried out, to reassure to the people.
“If government is not taking the lead in this, then it is not going to work. We do not have enough revenues to service our debts. Our revenues are down because we are paying subsidies and NNPC has remitted little to nothing to the Federation Account.
“The government is violating the Fiscal Responsibility Act. If there is no political will from the government, then we will still be talking about fuel subsidies next year.” he said.
Meanwhile, dwindling national resources has taken a huge toll on the economy with the government suggesting harsher fiscal times to come in 2023, if fuel subsidies are retained.
The Minister of Finance and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, had said the government’s budget deficit was expected to exceed N12.42 trillion if petroleum subsidies were maintained for the entire 2023 fiscal cycle.
Ahmed had disclosed this while appearing before the House of Representatives Committee on Finance to defend the 2023-2025 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP).
She said the Federal Government planned to borrow over N11 trillion and sell national assets to finance the budget deficit in 2023.
On his part, an Associate Professor of economics at the Federal University, Wukari, Taraba State, Frank Michah, while speaking to aviation correspondents at the Port Harcourt International Airport recently on the state of Nigerian economy, had said Nigeria’s revenue to GDP is nine per cent, while Ghana’s is 13 per cent, noting that Nigeria is seven times Ghana’s population of 31 million.
According to him, Kenya and Angola have revenue-to-GDP ratios of 16.6 per cent and 20.9 per cent respectively, adding that Nigeria does not also collect enough taxes as its tax to GDP is nine per cent, with the least recorded in 2016.
By: Corlins Walter
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.
-
Opinion5 days ago
Ozoro Festival: Tradition or Tyranny?
-
News2 days ago
Decentralizing Pipeline Surveillance Poses Greater Dangers To Niger Delta …. Group Warns
-
Politics3 days agoAPC Resumes Electronic Membership Registration Nationwide
-
Rivers2 days agoCourt Rules Out Interim Administration In Jumbo House, Bonny
-
Politics5 days ago
RIVERS WOMEN RALLY SUPPORT, CONTINUOUS PRAYERS FOR TINUBU
-
Politics5 days ago
AKPABIO, DIRI, OBOREVWORI, OTHERS VOW TO REELECT TINUBU …AS GIADOM RETAINS APC ZONAL CHAIR
-
Business2 days ago
33 Banks Raise N4.65tn As Recapitalisation Ends
-
Politics5 days ago
Viral 2027 Nomination Forms Price List Fake, Misleading – APC