Connect with us

Economy

Currency Swap Deadline Extension Shows Emefiele Misled Buhari—Doguwa

Published

on

Emefiele misled Buhari

By Dipo Olowookere

The Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, Mr Alhassan Ado Doguwa, has accused the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Godwin Emefiele, of misleading President Muhammadu Buhari on the Naira redesign policy.

On October 26, 2022, Mr Emefiele announced that the bank would change the look of the N200, N500, and N1,000 currency notes. The president unveiled the new notes a month later before hitting circulation last month.

During the announcement, the CBN chief said the old banknotes would cease to be legal tender in Nigeria from January 31, 2023, but last Sunday, Mr Buhari approved an extension of 10 additional days.

While speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, Mr Ado Doguwa said the lower chamber of the National Assembly would not accept the 10-day extension because it violates the laws of the land.

The green chamber had asked the central bank Governor to extend the deadline by six months to July 31, 2023, to allow more Nigerians to return their old notes, especially because the new currency notes were still very scarce.

At the programme monitored by Business Post, the lawmaker accused Mr Emefiele of misleading President Buhari on the policy, emphasising that this was why he approved the 10-day extension.

“You see, Mr President may have been presented with a misleading briefing [on the policy], which may have made him act in the wrong direction by approving it.

“It (the extension) goes to confirm to you that if the President were actually briefed ab initio of the implications of the Naira redesign, he would not have come now to extend the deadline by 10 days, which means there is an issue.

“If the President were initially given the correct information of the policy with a specified deadline, certainly, he would not have made a U-turn to extend it. We are even saying the 10-day extension is not the position of the law and is not acceptable to the parliament because it contradicts the law.

“The CBN Act says when there is a redesign of the Naira notes, the old and the new currency notes are allowed to operate side-by-side until the old notes naturally vanish from circulation,” the lawmaker stated.

“I am sure Mr President will be one humble leader to understand when he is misled, and he should be able to come now to look at the right thing and take the right decision like he is doing now,” Mr Doguwa, who doubles as the Chairman of the House Adhoc Committee, added.

He further said the CBN did not consult with the National Assembly before redesigning the currency banknotes.

“The constitution of Nigeria says the central bank, being an institution of the land, must, at all times when it wants to embark on a new policy, must consult relevant committees or the leadership of the National Assembly.

“They did in the case of the cashless policy. You remember we invited them, the Governor was not able to attend, he sent the deputy governor to explain everything to us.

“But I want to tell you that for the Naira redesign, we were not consulted. It was purely their business and we believe this policy will affect the economy, the security of the nation and the forthcoming general elections. In fact, why change the Naira just some days before the election,” he said.

When asked if he suspects the election is being scuttled with the policy, he responded, “Yes, for someone who wanted to partake in the (APC) presidential primary. So, I won’t be surprised that he is doing all these to scuttle the polls.

“You don’t limit the amount of cash with politicians about 30 days to an election. Even INEC, and security officials will need cash for logistics and others. Their allowances are also paid in cash. So, I wonder how you create this problem at a critical period. I believe this move is political.”

Dipo Olowookere is a journalist based in Nigeria that has passion for reporting business news stories. At his leisure time, he watches football and supports 3SC of Ibadan. Mr Olowookere can be reached via [email protected]

1 Comment

1 Comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Economy

SEC Postpones Q2 2026 Pre-registration Training, Examination for CMOs

Published

on

capital market operators

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.

Continue Reading

Economy

Fidson Lists Additional 600 million Shares on Stock Exchange

Published

on

fidson

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.”

Continue Reading

Economy

FG Approves Payments to 1,240 Contractors to Ease Liquidity Pressure

Published

on

FG contractors protest

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.

Continue Reading

Trending