Banking
Sterling Bank Cleans up Markets, Roads in Lagos, Kano, Imo, Others
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
To commemorate World Recycling Day, a financial institution in Nigeria, Sterling Bank Plc, recently cleaned up some markets, roads and beaches in 23 states of the federation.
This was done through the lender’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative known as Sterling Bank Environmental Makeover (STEM).
It is part of its commitment to creating a cleaner and safer environment for the citizenry and aquatic life and the exercise was carried out simultaneously in Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Kwara, Ondo, Ekiti, Kano, Jigawa, Kaduna, Abuja, Delta, Anambra, Edo, Abia, Imo, Rivers, Bayelsa, Akwa-Ibom, Gombe, Bauchi, Plateau, Katsina and Lagos.
It was gathered that more than 1,000 participated in the clean-up exercises; including staff of Sterling Bank and volunteers.
In Lagos, it was executed in partnership with the Oniru Kingdom, Rite Foods, First Exploration and Petroleum Development Company, Bonnie Bio, Sterling One Foundation, Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), African Clean-Up Initiative and Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA).
Speaking at the beach cleaning exercise at Oniru Beach, Lagos, Mr Abubakar Suleiman, Managing Director and CEO of Sterling Bank, said the bank embarked on cleaning exercises in 21 states out of the 24 states it is partnering with across the country.
The CEO who was represented by Mr Tunde Adeola, Executive Director of Commercial and Institutional Banking at Sterling Bank remarked that, “We have been on this journey for more than 10 years. Every time, this happens, we have a cleaner and healthier environment.”
He said, “Sterling Bank is well-positioned to do this,” adding that in the last two years, the bank has received recognition and awards for the initiative. According to him, Sterling Bank is also at the forefront of tourism in Lagos State.
Also speaking, Mrs Mojisola Bakare, General Manager, Corporate and Investment Banking with Sterling Bank said, “Sterling Bank is about impactful banking”, noting they believe that there is no way they will live on this earth without impacting on the environment, adding that for that reason, they have what is called the HEART of Sterling because they have strategically decided that they are going to impact specific areas of growth in the economy.
She said the HEART of Sterling stands for Health, Education, Agriculture, Renewable Energy and Transportation, adding that the head office in Marina, Lagos is being fitted with solar panels and soon it will be sustainably powered by the sun.
“It is very important that we take responsibility for our actions on the environment and preserve its beauty to boost the local economy and attract foreign tourists, and by extension, foreign exchange into the country,” Mrs Bakare said.
Commissioner for Ministry of Tourism in Lagos State, Mrs Uzamat Yussuf said, “We are aware that Lagos is a place of aquatic splendour.”
She said, “If we have water that is not well protected and sustained, it is better we don’t have any of it at all and that is why it is important for us to sensitise the citizens of Lagos on the proper way to dispose of wastes properly.
“When we do not dispose of wastes properly, it becomes an issue for ourselves and the state at large because when the rain starts and all our drainages are blocked, then we continue to experience flooding. In developed countries, they sell their beaches to tourists and make huge money as well as increase level of employment for their people.”
The commissioner stressed the need for the citizenry to clean the beaches in a bid to encourage tourists to come and see what the state can offer, adding that the purpose of tourism is to create wealth; which ultimately will increase the GDP of the country. She implored all to continue to manage and dispose wastes properly in a bid to sustain the environment.
Abia State Commissioner of Transport, Mr Godswill Uwanoruo, commended the management and staff of Sterling Bank for the cleaning exercise which started in the state since 2015.
He said, “I started this programme with them in 2015 when I introduced the bank’s team led by the incumbent CEO, Mr Suleiman, who was the then Executive Director of Finance to the governor of the state, Mr Okezie Ikpeazu.
“I am happy that they continued the programme by making sure that Abia State is clean,” Mr Uwanoruo said.
He advised other banks in the country to emulate the good gesture of Sterling Bank because it is not an easy thing for members of staff of a company to leave their offices and go out to clean markets and roads.
The commissioner also advocated that the exercise be done monthly or quarterly instead of annually.
The Commissioner of Environment in Bayelsa State, Mr Iselema Gbaranbiri, who graced the STEM event in the state noted that, “The state government is here with Sterling Bank to show the world that they are synergising and keeping Bayelsa clean.”
Also, Mr Muktar Baloni, Chairman of the Kaduna North Local Government Area Council, said he was impressed by the level of consistency in Sterling Bank’s environmental cleaning exercise and would want to emulate the bank by directing officials in the local government to replicate what the bank is doing in the local government.
World Recycling Day is celebrated across the globe every year on March 18th even as recycling is recognised as an important component of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030. It is estimated that the world generates over two billion metric tonnes of municipal solid waste and reusable items annually.
The theme of the year’s event is on the Recycling Fraternity, which refers to people who put themselves on the frontline to collect waste and engage in recycling during the multiple lockdowns as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
In a bid to strengthen the Naira and ensure transparency, traceability, and effective monitoring of all transactions, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has directed all International Money Transfer Operators (IMTOs) in the country to open Naira settlement accounts for all transactions.
In a circular dated Tuesday, March 24, 2026, the apex bank said IMTOs have till May 1, 2026, to fully adhere to this directive and others.
It noted that transactions must be “routed strictly through their designated settlement accounts, maintained with Authorised Dealer Banks (ADBs) in Nigeria.”
With this development, diaspora remittances must be paid to beneficiaries in the local currency.
“All transactions arising from international money transfer operations, including disbursements to beneficiaries and any related settlements, must be processed exclusively through the IMTO’s settlement account(s) held with any ADB of their choice.
“IMTOs may use their discretion to designate their existing accounts or open new settlement accounts and may operate accounts with multiple ADBs in line with their business strategy,” the central bank emphasised.
“Settlement accounts shall only be credited with remittance flows and proceeds of foreign exchange conversions by licensed IMTOs (or their agents) with authorised market participants in the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM),” the notice also declared.
It stressed further that, “IMTOs shall ensure that their settlement accounts are properly designated for this purpose and operated in accordance with existing regulatory guidelines. A list of designated settlement accounts shall be advised by each licensed 1MTO to the Director, Trade and Exchange Department, and updated regularly as necessary.”
The CBN said to “support market efficiency and enhance pricing outcomes for 1MTO transactions, ADBs may process foreign currency transfers from 1MTO settlement accounts to other ADBs and approved market participants, including licensed BDCs.”
“IMTOs shall observe real-time market prices from the Bloomberg BMATCH and utilise this as guidance for pricing transactions with their customers and Authorised Dealers.
“This will improve price discovery, reduce information asymmetry between 1MTOs and banks, and encourage increased participation in the official FX market,” the disclosure stated.
Concluding, the apex bank said, “All IMTOs are required to ensure full compliance with this directive and maintain adequate records of related transactions for regulatory review and audit purposes,” reminding them to “maintain acceptable standards and comply with AML/CFT/CPF requirements.”
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The dissolution of the board of Union Bank of Nigeria (CBN) by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in January 2024 has been nullified by a Federal High Court in Lagos.
In a judgment on Wednesday, Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke ordered the immediate reinstatement of the affected board members.
This ruling has now invalidated all actions taken by the central bank regarding the lender’s leadership change.
Justice Aneke held that the apex bank had no authority to remove the board members, declaring the CBN’s action as “ultra vires.”
Over two years ago, the central bank changed the boards of Union Bank, Polaris Bank, and Keystone Bank, accusing them of violating “sections of the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act (BOFIA) 2020.”
The sacking of the Union Bank board happened after it was speculated that its acquisition by Titan Trust Bank was suspicious, with some alleging that the embattled former Governor of the CBN, Mr Godwin Emefiele, sold the lender to a proxy.
“This action became necessary due to the non-compliance of these banks and their respective boards with the provisions of Section 12(c), (f), (g), (h) of the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act, 2020. The Bank’s infractions vary from regulatory non-compliance, corporate governance failure, disregarding the conditions under which their licenses were granted, and involvement in activities that pose a threat to financial stability, among others,” a part of the statement issued by the Acting Director for Corporate Communications at the CBN, Mrs Sidi Ali Hakama, said.
Later, the apex bank appointed Ms Yetunde Oni as the chief executive of Union Bank, with Mannir Ubali Ringim appointed as an executive director.
After the CBN’s action, Titan Trust Bank, Luxis International, and Magna International, which are the core shareholders of Union Bank, challenged the legality of the action in court.
They asked the court to restrain the CBN, Union Bank and the appointed directors from taking further steps pending the determination of the suit.
At today’s judgment, Justice Aneke granted this prayer, restraining the central bank, its agents and appointees from taking any further steps concerning the financial institution, including actions relating to its proposed recapitalisation or any associated measures.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
A partnership to expand opportunity, entrepreneurship, and sustainable livelihoods for young people across Africa has been signed by Access Bank and King’s Trust International (KTI).
The cooperation marks a significant milestone in advancing cross‑sector collaboration to address youth unemployment, foster entrepreneurship, and drive inclusive growth across Africa.
Under the agreement, Access Bank will support the delivery of KTI’s programmes that empower young people across several African countries, supporting them to gain skills and find pathways into meaningful employment and self-employment across Africa.
It was learned that the collaboration brings together KTI’s expertise in youth development with Access Bank’s pan‑African reach and long‑standing commitment to inclusive and sustainable growth.
Through this alliance, the two organisations will work to equip young people with the skills, confidence and support needed to build successful futures through employment and entrepreneurship.
“At Access Bank, we believe that empowering young people is fundamental to Africa’s sustainable growth. Our partnership with King’s Trust International reinforces our commitment to entrepreneurship, job creation and inclusive development, while enabling us to play a purposeful role in shaping the continent’s future,” the chief executive of Access Bank, Mr Roosevelt Ogbonna, stated.
The chief executive of KTI, Mr Will Straw, while also commenting, said, “This partnership with Access Bank reflects a shared commitment to unlocking the potential of young people across Africa. By combining our experience in youth development with Access Bank’s scale and leadership across the continent, we can create meaningful pathways to opportunity and long‑term impact.”
The signing ceremony was witnessed by senior leaders and representatives from both organisations, alongside distinguished guests, including Mr Aigboje Aig‑Imoukhuede, who is the co-Chair of KTI Africa Advisory Board and Chairman of Access Holdings Plc.
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