Economy
Loans: Firm Unveils Credit Rating Score for Nigerians
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
A Lagos-based company known as CRC Credit Bureau (CCB) has come up with a unique three-digit number credit rating system to assist financial institution make quick and informed credit decisions.
Some weeks ago, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) mandated banks to increase their loan to deposit ratio to 60 percent by the end of September 2019. This policy is to spur the economy by making funds available to small business owners, who are the main driver of the economy.
Lenders have been very careful in giving out credit facilities to customers because issues with repayment and the absence of quality credit rating system to help them have an idea of which customer has the potential of paying by an approved loan.
But CCB is coming at the right time to take away this and other fears with its system, which has numbers from 300-850 that summarizes customer’s history of borrowing and paying back loans or post-paid services. The allocated 3-digit number represents how risky it is to do business with holder.
At the unveiling of the credit rating system in Lagos some days ago, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of CRC Credit Bureau, Mr Tunde Popoola, informed newsmen that the system was done in collaboration with an America company known as Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO).
He explained that the initiative is a “credit grading system, with 300 being the lowest grade like an ‘F’ in a report card and 850 being the highest which would be an ‘A’ or distinction in your report card.
“It is also used amongst other criteria to determine the interest rate, you will be charged if a lender decides to approve the credit line or loan.
“It is a numerical expression based on a level of analysis of an individual’s Credit Report and is used to represent how risky it is for lenders or creditors to do business with said individual.”
According to him, “In developed economies, it is normal practice for creditors to consider credit scores and reports before advancing loans, goods or services to another party with the understanding that payments are to be made in the future.
“This practice is catching up in Nigeria, as there are more credit activities taking place in the financial and non-financial sectors.
“However, a lot of Nigerians do not know, that the credit scoring system does exist in Nigeria. It is until they need credit facilities like loans or post-paid products, that they are made to know about its existence and how important it is, to their financial lives and access to finance for both personal and business needs.
“The knowledge that both financial and non-financial institutions are using a number to determine if people living in Nigeria can access loans, credit facilities or post-paid services or not, is not common knowledge.”
He stated further that, “There is still a perception that loan granting is based on ‘Man know Man’ which is no longer the case at least for the average Nigerian.
“A poor credit score could mean paying sky-high interest rates on credit facilities or loans, if even approved at all. While a high credit score means borrowing money at a much lower rate because you appear more financially responsible.
“The CRC Score is powered by the Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO), an American company with over 50 years’ experience in data and analytics.
“CRC Credit Bureau in partnership with FICO developed a unique credit rating system for the Nigerian market that helps lenders make quick and informed credit decisions and for individuals’ knowledge of what their credit status is.
“The CRC Score powered by FICO is easily accessible to everyone and can be bought via the CRC Credit Bureau website for just Four Hundred Naira (N400.00) only.
“Knowing your CRC Score, makes you better prepared before applying for a loan and is the first step in taking control of your financial reputation.
“To request for your CRC score visit the CRC website page https://www.crccreditbureau.com/product/crc-score-individual to register and pay for Credit Score and have it delivered to your email address in a matter of minutes.”
By Adedapo Adesanya
Seplat Energy Plc has completed the conversion of its operated onshore oil and gas assets to the fiscal regime of Nigeria’s Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), marking a major regulatory milestone for the company.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the dual-listed Nigerian energy firm said its subsidiaries, Seplat West Limited and Seplat East Onshore Limited, finalised the conversion from the former Petroleum Profits Tax framework to the PIA regime following the fulfilment of all technical and regulatory requirements.
The PIA, signed into law in August 2021, was introduced to modernise governance, improve transparency, attract investment, and make Nigeria’s petroleum fiscal framework more competitive globally.
The conversion covers assets previously held under Oil Mining Leases (OMLs) 4, 38, 41 and 53. During the first nine months of 2025, these assets recorded an average working interest production of 42,591 barrels of oil equivalent per day, accounting for approximately 31 per cent of Seplat’s total output.
According to the company listed on both the Nigerian Exchange Limited and the London Stock Exchange, the PIA framework is expected to support increased investment, production growth and improved operational efficiency. The anticipated impact of the conversion had already been factored into Seplat’s medium-term guidance presented at its Capital Markets Day in September 2025.
Seplat noted that it executed Conversion Contracts with its joint venture partners in February 2023 and has since worked closely with the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) to complete the process. New Petroleum Mining Lease (PML) and Petroleum Prospecting Licence (PPL) numbers have now been issued, with PIA-based operations expected to commence from January 1, 2026, subject to regulatory guidance.
Commenting on the development, Chief Executive Officer Roger Brown said the successful conversion reflects the company’s commitment to regulatory compliance and value creation.
“Conversion to the PIA fiscal regime has been an important focus for Seplat, and we are delighted to have delivered, alongside our respective joint venture partners, the conversion of our onshore operated assets within the timeline outlined at our recent Capital Markets Day,” Mr Brown said.
He added that the transition positions the company for improved profitability and stronger cash flow margins in its onshore business.
Seplat also disclosed that it is continuing efforts to convert its offshore assets to the PIA regime, with a target completion date of 2027.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The NASD Over-the-Counter (OTC) Securities Exchange rose by 0.16 per cent on Monday, December 22 as investors showed hunger for unlisted stocks.
Trading data showed that the volume of securities traded at the session surged by 532.9 per cent to 12.6 million units from the previous 1.9 million units, as the value of transactions jumped by 64.3 per cent to N713.6 million from N80.3 million, though the number of deals moderated by 13.5 per cent to 32 deals from the 37 deals recorded in the previous trading session.
Infrastructure Credit Guarantee Company (InfraCredit) Plc ended the day as the most traded stock by value on a year-to-date basis with 5.8 billion units sold for N16.4 billion, followed by Okitipupa Plc with 178.9 million units worth N9.5 billion, and MRS Oil Plc with 36.1 million units transacted for N4.9 billion.
InfraCredit Plc also finished the trading day as the most traded stock by volume on a year-to-date basis with 5.8 billion units traded for N16.4 billion, trailed by Industrial and General Insurance (IGI) Plc with the sale of 1.2 billion units for N420.7 million, and Impresit Bakolori Plc with a turnover of 537.0 million units valued at N524.9 million.
The unlisted securities market printed a price loser, FrieslandCampina Wamco Nigeria Plc, which dropped 20 Kobo to sell at N53.80 per share versus last Friday’s closing price of N54.00 per share.
However, the loss was offset by the trio of NASD Plc, Golden Capital Plc, and UBN Property Plc.
NASD Plc gained N5.00 to close at N60.00 per unit versus N55.00 per unit, Golden Capital Plc appreciated by 77 Kobo to N8.45 per share from N7.68 per share, and UBN Property Plc improved by 22 Kobo to N2.43 per unit from N2.21 per unit.
As a result, the market capitalisation increased by N3.38 billion to N2.125 billion from N2.121 trillion, and the NASD Unlisted Security Index (NSI) grew by 5.65 per cent to 3,552.06 points from 3,546.41 points.
By Dipo Olowookere
The bulls remained on the floor of the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited on Monday, rallying by 0.26 per cent at the close of transactions.
This was buoyed by the gains recorded by 34 equities on Nigeria’s stock exchange, which outweighed the losses posted by 20 equities, indicating a positive market breadth index and strong investor sentiment.
Aluminium Extrusion gained 9.72 per cent to quote at N13.55, International Energy Insurance improved by 9.69 per cent to N2.49, Mecure Industries rose by 9.64 per cent to N60.30, Royal Exchange expanded by 9.60 per cent to N1.94, and Austin Laz grew by 9.50 per cent to N2.65.
On the flip side, Custodian Investment depleted by 10.00 per cent to N35.10, ABC Transport crashed by 10.00 per cent to N3.15, Prestige Assurance weakened by 7.41 per cent to N1.50, and Guinea Insurance slipped by 7.38 per cent to N1.13.
During the session, investors traded 451.5 million shares worth N13.0 billion in 33,327 deals compared with the 1.5 billion shares valued at N21.8 billion transacted in 25,667 deals in the preceding session, showing spike in the number of deals by 29.84 per cent, and a decline in the trading volume and value by 69.90 per cent and 40.37 per cent apiece.
The first trading session of the Christmas week had Tantalizers as the most active with 50.2 million units sold for N127.5 million, First Holdco transacted 32.6 million units worth N1.5 billion, Access Holdings exchanged 27.3 million units valued at N562.3 million, Custodian Investment traded 22.1 million units for N857.8 million, and Chams transacted 21.3 million units valued at N71.1 million.
When the closing gong was struck at 2:30 pm to end trading activities, the All-Share Index (ASI) was up by 401.69 points to 152,459.07 points from 152,057.38 points and the market capitalisation went up by N256 billion to N97.193 trillion from N96.937 trillion.
-
Feature/OPED6 years agoDavos was Different this year
-
Travel/Tourism9 years ago
Lagos Seals Western Lodge Hotel In Ikorodu
-
Showbiz3 years agoEstranged Lover Releases Videos of Empress Njamah Bathing
-
Banking7 years agoSort Codes of GTBank Branches in Nigeria
-
Economy3 years agoSubsidy Removal: CNG at N130 Per Litre Cheaper Than Petrol—IPMAN
-
Banking3 years agoFirst Bank Announces Planned Downtime
-
Banking3 years agoSort Codes of UBA Branches in Nigeria
-
Sports3 years agoHighest Paid Nigerian Footballer – How Much Do Nigerian Footballers Earn