Economy
Tinubu Will Use FTZs to Drive Economic Growth—Uwajumogu
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Special Adviser to the President on Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr John Uwajumogu, has said that the administration of Mr Bola Tinubu would be utilising the potential of Free Trade Zones (FTZs) to drive the country’s industrial aspirations.
Mr Uwajumogu made this known at a stakeholders’ meeting organised by the Nigeria Economic Zones Association in collaboration with the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) and Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority (OGFZA) to proffer solutions to challenges confronting the smooth operations of the sub-sector.
He said, ”The smooth operations of the scheme will accelerate the growth of the country’s economy.
”Also, initiating the right policies and proper implementation of the existing laws are critical in addressing the challenges affecting the free trade zones.”
Mr Uwajumogu further emphasised the importance of the Special Economic zones (SEZs) in driving the federal government’s development agenda.
“SEZs provide that tangible expression that will provide the needed policy to drive the industrial, trade and investments aspirations,’’ he said.
The aide also said that there was a need to promote local production capacity critical in enhancing export and attracting more investments.
Also speaking, the Managing Director of OGFZA, Mr Tijani Kaura, described the roundtable as apt, saying that smooth operations of the SEZs were crucial in propelling Nigeria’s economy.
Presenting an overview of Free Trade Zones in Nigeria, the Managing Director of the Lagos Free Trade Zone, Mr Dinesh Rathi, highlighted the status, impacts and challenges for improved operations of the free trade zones.
Mr Rathi said that free trade zones had major roles to play in repositioning Nigeria as an economic hub.
He emphasised the need to review the NEPZA and OGFTZA acts with a view to meeting emerging trends.
On his part, the Managing Director of NEPZA, Mr Adesoji Adesugba, said there was a need to address aspects of the challenges impeding the growth of the free trade zones scheme.
He identified them to include incoherent policies, improper implementation of existing laws and overlapping mandates, as well as physical challenges such as roads and access to location.
Mr Adesugba assured investors of adequate security of their investments and the federal government’s determination to ensure that operators do business with ease.
”We have an agreement in place to provide the free trade zones, so investors should come because if we don’t live up to that agreement, investors will not come.
“And in today’s age, we need to make Nigeria competitive as a matter of urgency; we need to accelerate development, and this scheme can do it,’’ Mr Adesugba said.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The pre-registration training and examination for capital market operators (CMOs) for the second quarter of 2026 has been postponed.
Business Post gathered that the new date for the exercise is now Monday, June 15, 2026.
This information was disclosed by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) through a circular on Monday, June 8, 2026.
The Nigerian capital market regulator stated that this postponement has also resulted in the extension of the deadline for registration to Friday, June 12, 2026.
In the notice today, the SEC expressed its regret for the inconvenience this action may cause operators, who had prepared for the initial date of the training and examination.
“Further to the recent circular on Q2 2026 Pre-registration Training and Examination, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) hereby informs all eligible applicants for the Q2 2026 Pre-registration Training and Examination that the commencement date has been postponed to Monday, June 15, 2026.
“Registration on the designated portal has also been extended to Friday, June 12, 2026. All other conditions contained in the circular remain unchanged.
“The commission regrets any inconvenience this postponement may cause and appreciates the understanding of all applicants,” the disclosure noted.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
One of the leading healthcare firms in Nigeria, Fidson Healthcare Plc, has listed additional shares on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited.
The new stocks absorbed into the stock market were 600 million units, raising the total issued and fully paid-up shares of Fidson to 3,000,000,000 ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each from 2,400,000,000 ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each.
The fresh equities came from the company’s rights issue of 600,000,000 ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each at N35.00 per share.
They were issued to existing investors on the basis of one new ordinary share for every existing four ordinary shares held as of the close of business on Wednesday, November 12, 2025.
Confirming the development, the regulator in a notice said, “Trading licence holders are hereby notified that an additional 600,000,000 ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each of Fidson Healthcare Plc were on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, listed on the daily official list of Nigerian Exchange Limited.
“The additional shares arose from the company’s rights issue of 600,000,000 ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each at N35.00 per share on the basis of one new ordinary share for every existing four ordinary shares held as at the close of business on Wednesday, November 12, 2025.
“With the listing of the additional 600,000,000 ordinary shares, the total issued and fully paid-up shares of Fidson Healthcare Plc have now increased from 2,400,000,000 to 3,000,000,000 ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each.”
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
This news will surely excite local contractors with verified claims of N100 million or less, as the federal government has approved their payments.
This approval for the disbursement was given by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Taiwo Oyedele.
This followed a verification and reconciliation exercise designed to ensure only validated claims qualify for payment.
The beneficiaries cover contractors across multiple ministries, departments and agencies. The release of the funds is expected to enable contractors to return to project sites, pay workers, settle suppliers and meet outstanding financial commitments.
In an announcement on Monday, the Federal Ministry of Finance also said this latest batch of payments would ease liquidity pressure on small businesses and accelerate economic activity nationwide.
It was noted that the payments for verified claims of N100 million below were strategically done to spread economic impact broadly rather than concentrate disbursements among a handful of large firms.
The payments form part of a broader push to clear inherited contractor obligations, with over N700 billion verified in recent months.
“For many beneficiaries, the release of funds represents more than a financial transaction. It provides the certainty needed to sustain operations, preserve jobs, complete ongoing projects, and contribute to economic recovery and growth,” the ministry said in a statement.
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