Economy
Economic Advisory Squad to Focus on Data Collection
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday inaugurated the newly appointed members of the Presidential Economic Advisory Council (PEAC) with a task to “focus on primary data collection.”
Mr Buhari, while administering oaths on his economic squad today in Abuja, said the 8-man council chaired by Prof. Doyin Salami must develop reliable data that will properly reflect what is happening in the country.
According to the President, “Today, most of the statistics quoted about Nigeria are developed abroad by the World Bank, IMF and other foreign bodies.
“Some of the statistics we get relating to Nigeria are wild estimates and bear little relation to the facts on the ground.
“This is disturbing as it implies we are not fully aware of what is happening in our own country,” he told the team.
He further said, “We can only plan realistically when we have reliable data. As you are aware, as a government, we prioritised agriculture as a critical sector to create jobs and bring prosperity to our rural communities.
“Our programs covered the entire agricultural value chain from seed to fertiliser to grains and ultimately, our dishes.
“As you travel in some rural communities, you can clearly see the impact. However, the absence of reliable data is hindering our ability to upgrade these programmes and assure their sustainability.”
The President also used the occasion to set agenda and expectations from the Council, constituted on September 16, 2019, to replace the Economic Management Team (EMT).
Charges Team on Social Welfare
On the Social Investment Programmes (SIPs), the President told members that his administration was working to measure the impact of the programme targeted at improving the well-being of millions of poor and vulnerable citizens.
As such, the President said he had directed the new Minister for Humanitarian Affairs to commence a comprehensive data-gathering exercise in all Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps in the North East.
“Today, we hear international organisations claiming to spend hundreds of millions of dollars on IDPs in the North East. But when you visit the camps, you rarely see the impact.
“In 2017, when the National Emergency Management Agency took over the feeding of some IDPs in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa, the amount we spent was significantly lower than the claims made by these international organisations.
“Therefore, actionable data is critical to implement effective strategies to address pressing problems such as these humanitarian issues.
“I, therefore, look forward to receiving your baseline study as this will help us shape ideas for a sustainable and prosperous future,” the President said.
Buhari’s Expectations
On his expectations from the council, the President urged them to proffer solutions on how to move the country and economy forward.
The President directed the Council to coordinate and synthesize ideas and efforts on how to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in 10 years, working in collaboration with various employment generating agencies of government.
“I am told you worked throughout last weekend in preparation for this meeting.
“I have listened attentively to findings and ideas on how to move the country and the economy forward.
“Yes, Nigeria has exited the recession. But our reported growth rate is still not fast enough to create the jobs we need to meet our national ambition of collective prosperity.
“Reason being we had to tread carefully in view of the mess we inherited.
“Many of the ideas we developed in the last four years were targeted at returning Nigeria back to the path of growth.
“I am sure you will also appreciate that during that time, our country was also facing serious challenges especially in the areas of insecurity and massive corruption.
“Therefore, I will be the first to admit that our plans were conservative. We had to avoid reckless and not well thought out policies.
“However, it was very clear to me after we exited the recession that we needed to re-energise our economic growth plans. This is what I expect from you, ” he said.
Buhari Promises Cooperation
President Buhari also assured the Council that the Federal Government will ensure that all their needs and requests were met before the next technical sessions in November.
He said all key ministries, departments and agencies will be available to meet and discuss with them on how to collectively build a new Nigeria that caters for all.
“Now, no one person or a group of persons has a monopoly of knowledge or wisdom or patriotism.
“In the circumstances, you may feel free to co-opt, consult and defer to any knowledgeable person if in your opinion such a move enriches your deliberations and add to the quality of your decisions, ” he said.
Chairman of Council, Professor Salami, said the mandate was about “Nigeria first, Nigeria second, and Nigeria always,” adding that it was about Nigerians, not as numbers, but as people.
He added: “Our goal is that the economy grows in a manner that is rapid, inclusive, sustained and sustainable, so that Nigerians will feel the impact.”
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) has appealed to the federal government to grant operators within Nigeria’s Special Economic Zones (SEZs) a 10-year exemption from the newly introduced tax laws, which is due to commence in January 2026.
According to Mr Olufemi Ogunyemi, Managing Director of NEPZA, represented by Mrs Haleema Kamba, Director, Corporate Service, during a virtual stakeholder dialogue organised by the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, said that it would enable them to adjust their operations to the evolving regulatory environment.
He said that the request had become necessary in view of the persistent concerns raised by operators across local and international platforms, adding that the uncertainty was negatively affecting efforts to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into the country.
According to him, tax incentives remain central to the Special Economic Zone scheme
“A 10-year (sunset period) will offer stability, predictability and stronger linkages with the domestic economy. I am making this special appeal to the chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service for a sunset period of approximately 10 years for all our investors.
“We hope the Chairman will consider this for the benefit of the scheme,” he said.
Mr Ogunyemi said that aligning the incentives with global best practice would help Nigeria strike a balance between revenue collection and the commitments made to investors.
He said that the country’s 63 Free Trade Zones and more than 700 enterprises operating within them remained crucial to Nigeria’s industrialisation and export strategy.
He said that the Zones’ revenue potential would only be fully realised if the scheme continued to operate under a competitive incentive structure capable of attracting and retaining investors for sustainable operations.
“Nigeria is open for business, and NEPZA will continue to stand with FIRS and other relevant stakeholders through this transition, ensuring stability, competitiveness and sustained investor confidence,” he said.
The managing director also emphasised the need for clarity and certainty in the tax environment, as investors prepare their 2026 business plans.
The NEPZA boss described the dialogue as a demonstration of the government’s commitment to transparency and collaboration.
In her remarks, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mrs Jumoke Oduwole, reiterated the importance of ongoing reforms.
Mrs Oduwole said that the national revenue framework, Special Economic Zone incentives and updated Financial Reporting Council compliance requirements would create a competitive environment for trade, investment and economic growth.
By Dipo Olowookere
Last week, investors bought and sold 6.617 billion shares worth N113.224 billion in 109,590 deals compared with the preceding week’s 4.140 billion shares valued at N115.889 billion traded in 102,351 deals.
It was observed that ICT stocks led the activity chart with 3.500 billion units worth N17.759 billion traded in 11,184 deals, contributing 52.89 per cent and 15.68 per cent to the total trading volume and value, respectively.
Financial equities transacted 2.625 billion units for N50.188 billion in 42,574 deals, and services shares recorded 104.524 million units valued at N1.166 billion in 7,255 deals.
eTranzact, Cornerstone Insurance, and Access Holdings accounted for 4.871 billion shares worth N27.422 billion in 6,438 deals, contributing 73.60 per cent and 24.22 per cent to the total trading volume and value, respectively.
In the week, 55 equities appreciated versus 38 equities in the previous week, 29 equities depreciated versus 36 equities a week earlier, and 63 equities closed flat versus 73 equities in the preceding week.
NCR Nigeria was the best-performing stock after it gained 33.03 per cent to sell for N72.70, UAC Nigeria appreciated by 22.69 per cent to N96.80, Guinness Nigeria expanded by 18.56 per cent to N198.00, Dangote Cement rose by 15.02 per cent to N614.90, and Nigerian Breweries grew by 12.36 per cent to N75.00.
On the flip side, RT Briscoe was the worst-performing stock after it lost 12.79 per cent to N3.00, Legend Internet slipped by 10.71 per cent to N5.00, Union Dicon shed 10.00 per cent to N6.30, ABC Transport declined by 9.88 per cent to N3.10, and Cornerstone Insurance went down by 9.33 per cent to N5.50.
According to data from the bourse, the All-Share Index (ASI) increased by 2.45 per cent to 147,040.08 points and the market capitalisation added 2.67 per cent to settle at N93.722 trillion.
In the same vein, all other indices finished higher apart from the energy and commodity indices, which depreciated by 0.57 per cent and 0.30 per cent, respectively.
By Dipo Olowookere
A 1.08 per cent growth was further printed by the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited on Friday on improved appetite for Nigerian stocks.
Data showed that the insurance sector lost 0.61 per cent yesterday due to profit-taking as the energy space gave up 0.08 per cent, while the commodity counter closed flat.
However, the industrial goods landscape appreciated by 2.06 per cent, the banking index improved by 1.31 per cent, and the consumer goods sector expanded by 0.83 per cent.
At the close of business on Customs Street, the All-Share Index (ASI) increased by 1,563.92 points to 147,040.07 points from 145,476.15 points and the market capitalisation went up by N996 billion to N93.722 trillion from N92.726 trillion.
UAC Nigeria led the advancers’ log yesterday after it grew by 10.00 per cent to N96.80, Transcorp Hotels jumped by 9.71 per cent to N172.80, Royal Exchange appreciated by 8.89 per cent to N1.96, Ikeja Hotel soared by 8.74 per cent to N31.10, and Veritas Kapital leapt by 8.07 per cent to N1.74.
On the flip side, Union Dicon declined by 10.00 per cent to N6.30, ABC Transport slipped by 9.88 per cent to N3.10, AXA Mansard depreciated by 7.19 per cent to N12.90, FTN Cocoa lost 4.62 per cent to trade at N4.75, and Guinea Insurance dropped 3.36 per cent to finish at N1.15.
A total of 38 stocks ended on the gainers’ table and 17 stocks finished on the losers’ table, representing a positive market breadth index and strong investor sentiment.
Traders transacted 361.6 million equities for N14.8 billion in 21,051 deals yesterday versus the 1.9 billion equities worth N19.2 billion traded in 23,369 deals a day earlier, showing a decline in the trading volume, value, and number of deals by 80.97 per cent, 22.92 per cent, and 14.20 per cent, respectively.
The busiest stock for the session was Zenith Bank with 59.5 million units worth N3.6 billion, Access Holdings traded 46.1 million units valued at N973.0 million, Fidelity Bank exchanged 29.4 million units for N560.4 million, FCMB transacted 27.9 million units worth N293.9 million, and Tantalizers sold 13.0 million units valued at N29.8 million.
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