Economy
Crude Oil Prices Drop on Weakening US Interest Rate Cut Outlook
By Adedapo Adesanya
Crude oil prices fell on Friday as comments from the US central bank officials indicated higher-for-longer interest rates, which could hinder demand from the world’s largest crude consumers.
The price of the Brent crude futures settled at $82.79 per barrel after shedding $1.09 or 1.3 per cent and the US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures closed at $78.26 a barrel after declining by $1.00 or 1.3 per cent.
For the week, Brent logged a 0.2 per cent loss, while WTI recorded a rise of 0.2 per cent.
Oil prices were pressured as the US dollar strengthened after Dallas Federal Reserve President Lorie Logan said it was unclear whether the policy was tight enough to bring down inflation to the US central bank’s 2 per cent goal.
A strong Dollar makes greenback-denominated commodities more expensive for buyers using other currencies, and higher-for-longer US interest rates could dampen demand.
Higher interest rates typically slow economic activity and weaken oil demand.
Atlanta Federal Reserve President, Mr Raphael Bostic, also told Reuters he thought inflation was likely to slow under the current monetary policy, enabling the central bank to begin reducing its policy rate in 2024 – though perhaps by only a quarter of a percentage point and not until the final months of the year.
Market analysts also noted that prices were under pressure from rising US fuel inventories approaching the typically robust summer driving season.
The market will also keep an eye on inflation data from the US which could influence the central bank’s decisions on interest rates.
Prices drew little support from the US oil rig count, which is an indicator of future supply, despite energy services firm Baker Hughes data showing the oil rigs fell by three to 496 this week, their lowest since November.
Data on Thursday showing China imported more oil in April than the same month last year also helped to keep oil prices from moving lower. China’s exports and imports returned to growth in April after contracting the previous month.
Meanwhile, the European Central Bank (ECB) looks increasingly likely to start cutting rates in June.
Conflict in the Middle East also continues after Israeli forces bombarded areas of the southern Gaza city of Rafah on Thursday, according to Palestinian residents, after a lack of progress in the latest round of negotiations to halt hostilities in Gaza.
In Europe, a Ukrainian drone attack set an oil refinery in Russia’s Kaluga region on fire in what has become a series of attacks between the countries on energy infrastructure.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The federal government has been urged to give all the necessary support to indigenous investors, as they remain Nigeria’s most important drivers of employment, foreign exchange generation and long-term economic resilience.
This advice was given by foremost businessman, Mr Aliko Dangote, when he welcomed the Minister of State for Industry, Mr John Owan Enoh, to the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals in Lagos recently.
The business mogul noted that efforts must be made to place industrialisation at the centre of the government’s economic strategy, insisting that no nation has attained prosperity without a strong manufacturing base.
“If Nigeria is to achieve sustainable growth and become a trillion-dollar economy, industrialisation must be the foundation. Indigenous investors remain the strongest catalysts for that transformation,” Mr Dangote stated.
He further stated that, “There is no way to create jobs and prosperity without industrialisation,” declaring that, “The greatest attraction for foreign investors is the success of domestic investors. When local investors thrive, they send a powerful signal that the environment is conducive for investment.”
In his remarks, the Minister promised deeper collaboration with the private sector to accelerate industrialisation, job creation and economic transformation.
He also pledged that the Ministry and its agencies would remain strong advocates of the refinery and the broader industrialisation agenda, adding that the government would continue to engage Dangote Industries Limited through the Industrial Revolution Work Group and ministerial roundtables to address challenges facing manufacturers, particularly access to affordable long-term financing.
Mr Enoh described the integrated industrial complex as one of the most significant investments in Africa and a model for the type of industrial development required to drive Nigeria’s economic growth aspirations.
“This facility matters because of what it represents for Nigerian industry, for our people and for the realisation of President Bola Tinubu’s vision of a one trillion-dollar economy,” he stated, noting that the refinery has emerged as a powerful symbol of value addition, industrial competitiveness and Nigeria’s growing manufacturing capability.
The Minister noted that the refinery has fundamentally changed global perceptions of Nigeria by helping to transform the country from a major importer of refined petroleum products into an exporter serving international markets.
“When global supply disruptions occurred, Nigeria was able to export petroleum products to markets in the Middle East and beyond. That is an extraordinary achievement and one that deserves recognition,” he added.
By Bon Peters
The Port Harcourt Area I Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, handed over a consignment of intercepted expired medicaments to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in Rivers State.
The command’s spokesperson, Barilule Aanee, an Assistant Superintendent of Customs I, said in a statement that the transfer of the items underscored the strong inter-agency collaboration in safeguarding public health.
The handover was witnessed by representatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the Department of State Services (DSS), other security agencies, freight forwarding associations, stakeholders and members of the media.
The Customs Area Controller for the command, Comptroller Salamatu Atuluku, stated that the seizure was a clear demonstration of the agency’s commitment to preventing harmful and prohibited pharmaceutical products from finding their way into Nigerian markets, disclosing that the expired medicaments were intercepted during a joint examination conducted by officers of the command in collaboration with NAFDAC and other relevant agencies.
She added that the consignment contained several cartons of expired pharmaceutical products with a Combined Insurance and Freight (CIF) value of over N50 million.
Ms Atuluku emphasised that the interception prevented what could have resulted in serious public health consequences, as expired medicines posed significant health risks, including treatment failure, drug toxicity and antimicrobial resistance.
She reaffirmed that her organisation “would remain resolute in protecting the nation’s borders against the importation of expired, substandard, falsified and prohibited goods.”
Receiving the items, the Deputy Director of NAFDAC for Port Inspection Directorate, Mr Adepoju Bayo Raufu, commended the customs for its vigilance and sustained partnership in protecting Nigerians from harmful pharmaceutical products.
He assured that the agency would immediately commence the necessary regulatory procedures to ensure the safe disposal of the expired medicaments in accordance with established laws and guidelines.
By Adedapo Adesanya
United Capital Plc has unveiled an ambitious roadmap to surpass N2 trillion in total assets by the end of 2026, following a strong first-half performance that saw gross earnings rise by 58 per cent to N37.9 billion and profit before tax increase by 80 per cent.
The company disclosed this during its H1 investor relations call on Wednesday, where executives outlined plans to drive growth through digital transformation, Pan-African expansion, and disciplined capital management.
Speaking during the call, Group Managing Director of United Capital Plc, Mr Peter Ashade, said the company is undergoing a major “retooling” process to position itself for long-term growth beyond Nigeria.
“We are equipping from people, technology, governance, and our structure as we retool because what we see ahead is bigger than where we are today,” Mr Ashade said.
He noted that the firm’s long-term vision is to build a platform that allows clients to trade seamlessly across its African footprint, including Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Senegal and Burkina Faso.
Mr Ashade added that the company has deliberately reduced its borrowing in favour of expanding its managed funds business, which it considers its biggest growth opportunity.
“We have decided deliberately to reduce our borrowing so that we can focus on growing managed funds to about 71 per cent of our funding size, which is where we see the greatest opportunities for the group,” he said.
He disclosed that managed funds have recorded significant growth, while total assets have already exceeded the N1 trillion mark.
“Our target for this year is to do over N2 trillion in terms of total assets,” he added.
Providing a breakdown of the financial performance, Group Chief Financial Officer, Mr Shedrack Onakpoma, said profit before tax rose to N24.78 billion, significantly outpacing revenue growth as a result of improved operational efficiency.
“We are building a resilient and thriving institution of great repute that focuses on sustainable value creation and delivery across multiple markets,” Mr Onakpoma said.
“The numbers tell a story of innovation and how we are building a lasting legacy that goes beyond mere revenue growth or short-term profitability.”
Addressing shareholders’ concerns over the company’s 30 kobo interim dividend, the firm’s Chief Economist, Ayodele Akunwunmi, said the decision reflects a long-term capital allocation strategy anchored on the residual dividend theory.
“Residual dividend theory says that a company must finance all profitable investments available from internally generated cash flows before paying the residual to shareholders,” Mr Akunwunmi explained.
“By financing our expansion this way rather than borrowing money that would dilute earnings, we have the opportunity to grow the bottom line and potentially double profitability in the future.”
He urged shareholders to focus on the company’s broader value creation strategy, arguing that prioritising investment today would generate stronger returns over the long term.
