Economy
BDC Operators Kick Against Freezing of Accounts by Banks Over Tax
By Dipo Olowookere
The Nation is reporting that banks are shutting down Bureau De Change (BDC) accounts over the demand that the operators pay taxes on their transactions turnover.
However, the umbrella body of the forex dealers, Association of Bureau De Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON), has described this move as unlawful.
It was reported that the financial institutions are writing to BDCs and implementing a ‘Post No Debit’ order on the operators’ accounts even where there is no evidence of tax default.
President of ABCON, Mr Aminu Gwadabe, claimed the banks were acting on the directive of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) by demanding that BDCs pay taxes on bidding funds used for dollar collections. The funds are sent through the commercial banks to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) weekly.
Recall that recently, Executive Chairman of FIRS, Mr Babatunde Fowler, said government would freeze accounts of tax defaulters.
“The BDCs are a high turnover sector and their funding cash for Dollar collections cannot be subjected to taxes.
“An average BDC does over N30 million weekly turnover and paying taxes on such funds will affect their cash flow and ability to meet their statutory role of foreign exchange supply to the retail-end of the market,” Mr Gwadabe said.
He said many of the affected BDC operators are facing funding challenges that need to be addressed immediately by concerned stakeholders.
“In fact, we will be writing to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to complain about the illegal policy of the ‘Post No Debit’.
“Presently, most of our members funds with the deposit money banks for their bidding obligations are being trapped in the banks.
“This scenario, if not checked, will affect our members funding capacity, derail the sustainability of their businesses with the resultant liquidity spikes,” he said further.
A letter from one of the commercial banks sited by The Nation said, “The bank has pursuant to section 49 of the Companies Income Tax Act LFN 2004 and Section 28, 29 and 31 of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (Establishment) Act No. 13 of 2007 been appointed by the Executive Chairman of the FIRS as collection Agent over your accounts.”
“Please be informed that consequent on this directive, we are compelled by law to place ‘Post No Debit’ on your account pending the receipt of further instructions from the Executive Chairman of FIRS. This is for your information and necessary action as you are best advised to contact the FIRS officials,” the letter added.
According to Mr Gwadabe, the new trend in collecting taxes from BDCs is unacceptable and must be stopped. He said that ABCON will be writing CBN to call the banks and other parties implementing the directive to order.
“The banks did not ask the BDCs to bring evidence of tax payment before they act. Value Added Tax- VAT- Exempt for BDCs is applicable in other climes and should also be practiced in Nigeria.
“The non-implementation of tax exempt in Nigeria is affecting the capacity of BDCs to effectively meet the foreign exchange demands at the retail-end of the market,” he said.
He said ABCON will continue to implement zero tolerance for non-compliance with regulatory requirement and unethical conduct amongst its members but will not sit idly and watch the businesses built by its members destroyed by illegal policy like the ‘Post No Debit’ order.
The ABCON, he added, has also created the office of Compliance Officer at its National Secretariat and in all its Zonal Offices to discipline operators that fail to comply with set regulations.
Mr Gwadabe said the BDC sector is critical for continued stability in the foreign exchange market adding that the working of many developed economies is highly dependent on the activities of BDCs and Nigeria should not be an exception.
He said the BDCs have so far stamped their role as key players in the foreign exchange market, where they remain major economic drivers creating employment and wealth for Nigerians. These contributions, he added, require that the operations of BDCs be supported to sustain ongoing market rally and stability.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The 7th Africa Emerging Markets Forum has commenced in Abuja, Nigeria, with critical stakeholders in the financial services and other industries in attendance.
The programme commenced today, Wednesday, July 29, 2026, and will end tomorrow, Thursday, July 30, 2026.
It is taking place at the headquarters of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in Abuja.
The hybrid forum is themed Building Resilience Amidst Geoeconomic Uncertainties. It brings together distinguished policymakers, economists and development leaders to explore practical solutions for strengthening Africa’s resilience in an increasingly complex global economy.
Speaking at the conference are the CBN Governor, Mr Olayemi Cardoso; the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Mrs Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; Nigeria’s Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Taiwo Oyedele; and the chief executive of Emerging Markets Forum, Mr Harinder S. Kohli.
The organisers have provided an avenue for those unable to attend the programme physically to catch up with it via their social media platforms, including on the YouTube channel of the central bank.
By Adedapo Adesanya
President Bola Tinubu says ongoing reforms by his administration have led to the stability of the country and delivered the economy from bankruptcy.
He spoke on Tuesday in Abuja while receiving the leadership of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), led by its President, Most Rev. Matthew Ndagoso, at the State House.
The president said that the government will sustain interventions that directly improve the livelihoods of families and citizens, such as the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).
“I have listened to you carefully, and most importantly, your key areas are security and education. I can tell you categorically with sincerity that the country has been placed on a sound footing. The economy has recovered. The alarm for bankruptcy and dark tunnel of uncertainty that we had when I came in has been changed,” he said.
“The spirit of the people is lifting, and the economic turmoil that we feared is cleared. The economy has been delivered from bankruptcy.
Mr Tinubu said restructuring of security operations and institutions will deliver victory over terrorism, banditry and kidnappings across the country.
He stated that the security challenges are being confronted through enhanced intelligence gathering, restructuring and repositioning of security institutions, improved logistical support, and prioritisation of frontline personnel welfare.
“We don’t have another country but here – this Nigeria. And I will refer to the national anthem that in our complexity and diversity, we shall thrive, live, rejoice and be good to all, and humanity,” he said, according to a statement from presidential spokesman, Mr Bayo Onanuga.
“I have just approved the expansion of the armed forces. We are getting more equipment and building new barracks. We will defeat terrorism. It should be part of your sermons. I won’t deviate from our national anthem,’’ the President added.
He urged citizens to explore available opportunities for engagement provided by the government and private institutions and embrace education, entrepreneurship and skills acquisition.
“We have no control over the population growth and trajectory. That is why you have membership in your various faiths and churches, to give hope to people and give commitment to humanity in the true sense of it. Our founding fathers did their best. They left us a nation, and we owe it to generations yet unborn to sustain it,’’ Mr Tinubu added.
The president said the unity, stability and prosperity of the country must be held sacrosanct by all stakeholders, noting that the outlook on the country must remain positive. His comment comes months before the general elections, where he is seeking a second term. Opposition parties have alleged that the government is intimidating opponents.
He told the CBCN leaders that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is neutral and that his government will give equal opportunities to every party.
President Tinubu further informed his guests that state governors, based on the constitution, have the authority to decide the return of mission schools, but affirmed that more universities had been approved to meet the growing demand for higher education, and the statistics by the NUC will help in the budgeting of NELFUND.
“I believe in what you believe; we should embrace education to get out of poverty,’’ he said.
In his remarks, the President of the CBCN appreciated the President for the warm reception extended to the Holy See’s Secretary for Relations with States and International Organisations, Archbishop Paul Gallagher, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of relations between Nigeria and the Vatican.
The cleric outlined areas of concern in the country, which include security, quality tertiary education and limited spaces, sustaining gains of democracy, credible elections and poverty, urging his host to consider the return of mission schools and fair treatment for all worshippers, including the provision of worship places in all parts of the country, without bias.
The Archbishop of Kaduna called for free and fair elections in 2027, saying, “As a man who risked so much in the struggle for the return of democratic rule in the dark days of the military dictatorship, your greatest legacy would be the strengthening of our democratic institutions.”
By Adedapo Adesanya
Dimension Data Limited, a Nigerian technology infrastructure provider, has raised N4.05 billion in its Series 1 bond, the first tranche of a wider N20 billion bond programme aimed at expanding its fibre-optic network across Nigeria.
Pathway Advisors Limited, a returning investor, acted as lead issuing house and bookrunner on the deal. The transaction closed after clearance from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
More issuances are expected as the project continues.
The bond proceeds will fund fibre network expansion, capacity upgrades and service quality improvements, the company said.
It comes as a technology boom continues across the country, with infrastructure needs helping to drive investment and local businesses and reduce dependence on foreign firms.
Recently, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) mandated financial institutions to rely more on Nigerian data centres and local fibre providers rather than offshore cloud infrastructure, adding to demand for the kind of capacity Dimension Data is building.
Incorporated in 2003, Dimension Data runs a data centre with 47-rack capacity and serves about 8,000 customers in 47 countries. Its clientele includes 70 per cent of the Fortune 100 and sports organisations like the Amaury Sport Organisation (Tour de France).
In June, the firm opened subscriptions for the Series 1 Corporate Bond issuance of up to N5 billion under a N20 billion bond programme, with proceeds earmarked for expanding Nigeria’s digital infrastructure.
The offer, led by Pathway Advisors Limited as the Lead Issuing House and Bookrunner, was executed through a book-building process and closed on June 29, 2026.
According to transaction details, the three-year bond is being offered at a book-build price range of 18.50 per cent to 20.00 per cent per annum, with coupon payments to be made semi-annually. The final coupon rate will be determined at the conclusion of the book-building exercise. The minimum subscription has been set at N10 million.
Dimension Data SPV Funding Plc said the funds raised from the issuance would be deployed towards strategic investments in fibre network expansion, capacity enhancement and service quality improvements.
