CBN Revokes Operational Licences of 4,173 BDC Operators

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

The operational licences of 4,173 Bureaux De Change (BDC) operators have been revoked by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

A statement signed by the acting Director of the Corporate Communications Department of the apex bank, Mrs Hakama Sidi Ali, on Friday disclosed that the action was taken because the affected BDCs did not adhere to regulatory provisions.

The central bank said the BDCs did not pay all necessary fees, including licence renewal, within the stipulated period in line with guidelines.

It also said they failed to give account of returns in line with the guidelines, and compliance with guidelines, directives and circulars of the CBN, particularly Anti-Money Laundering (AML), Countering the Financing of Terrorism (CFT) and Counter-Proliferation Financing (CPF) regulations.

The disclosure noted that based on these infractions, it exercised its powers to revoke their licences as stipulated in the Bank and Other Financial Institutions Act (BOFIA) 2020, Act No. 5, and the Revised Operational Guidelines for Bureaux De Change 2015 (the Guidelines).

“The CBN, in exercise of the powers conferred on it under the Bank and Other Financial Institutions Act (BOFIA) 2020, Act No. 5, and the Revised Operational Guidelines for Bureaux De Change 2015 (the Guidelines), has revoked the licenses of 4,173 BDC operators.

“The list of the affected BDC operators is available on the bank’s website.

“The affected institutions failed to observe at least one of the following regulatory provisions; Payment of all necessary fees, including licence renewal, within the stipulated period in line with the guidelines; rendition of returns in line with the guidelines; compliance with guidelines, directives and circulars of the CBN, particularly Anti-Money Laundering (AML), Countering the Financing of Terrorism (CFT) and Counter-Proliferation Financing (CPF) regulations.

“The CBN is revising the regulatory and supervisory guidelines for Bureau de Change operations in Nigeria. Compliance with the new requirements will be mandatory for all stakeholders in the sector when the revised guidelines become effective.

“Members of the public are hereby advised to take note and be guided accordingly,” the statement read.