Economy
Finally, CBN Lifts FX Embargo on 43 Items to Boost Liquidity, Stabilise Rates
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has lifted restrictions placed on the 43 items not permitted to access foreign exchange (FX) at the Investors and Exporters (I&E) window in a move that could allow the rates to stabilise.
In a notice on Thursday, the apex bank said importers can now purchase forex in the official market to import goods like tomato paste and chicken, among other items banned by the bank under the leadership of Mr Godwin Emefiele.
The 43 banned items are a list of goods that cannot be funded from the official window, meaning importers will have to source the funds from the parallel market. These items include cement, margarine, palm oil products/vegetable oils, tomato paste, meat and processed meat products, vegetables and processed vegetable products, and poultry among others.
The apex bank first announced this restriction in June 2015, noting that it would help conserve foreign exchange and encourage local production, but in the last eight years, two items have been added, culminating in 43 items.
However, with the announcement on Thursday, those seeking to bring these goods into the country will be allowed to get FX at the official market, rather than going to other unregulated markets to acquire the currency, which makes the prices of these items higher.
When the CBN announced the unification of the FX market in June 2023, there were expectations that the collapse of the multiple exchange rate would mean a lifting in the forex embargo but this was not the case.
Instead, the lender noted that the 43 non-eligible items remained banned and the market failed to stabilise beyond the first few weeks.
The CBN also announced that it would boost liquidity in the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market by interventions from time to time adding that as market liquidity improves, these CBN interventions will gradually decrease so as to assure price stability.
The apex bank said it was also committed to accelerating efforts to clear the FX backlog with existing participants and will continue dialogue with stakeholders to address the issue.
“The CBN has set as one of its goals the attainment of a single FX market. Consultation is ongoing with market participants to achieve this goal,” the notice said.
It also promised to promote orderliness and professional conduct by all participants in the FX market to ensure market forces determine exchange rates on a Willing Buyer – Willing Seller principle.
The CBN reiterated that the prevailing FX rates should be referenced from platforms such as the CBN website, FMDQ, and other recognised or appointed trading systems to promote price discovery, transparency, and credibility in the FX rates.
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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