Economy

FMDQ, Stakeholders Laud Nwankwo’s Achievements at DMO

Published

9 years ago

18/07/2017

By Dipo Olowookere

Former Director General of the Debt Management Office (DMO), Mr Abraham Nwankwo, was recently honoured by the FMDQ OTC Securities Exchange (FMDQ) for his success at the agency in a period spanning 10 years.

During his time at the debt office, Mr Nwankwo ensured the DMO released credible data to the public especially when some would have thought he would want to dance to the tunes of the sitting governments.

Following a decade of dedicated service, Mr Nwankwo, whose highly successful tenure as the head of DMO, spanning the period July 2007 to June 2017, was honoured by FMDQ and key financial market stakeholders at a memorable ceremony held at the FMDQ offices in Lagos.

This ceremony, which was in acknowledgement of his efforts towards the growth of the Nigerian bond market, and invariably, the economy, brought together key financial market stakeholders, friends and well-wishers, all wishing to celebrate him on his retirement from the agency.

Among those present at the Ceremony were the newly-appointed DG of DMO, Ms Patience Oniha; the DG, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), represented by Mr Stephen Falomo, Head, Lagos Zonal Office, SEC; Chairman of FMDQ, Dr Okwu Joseph Nnanna (Deputy Governor, Financial System Stability, Central Bank of Nigeria), ably represented by Mr Jibril Aku, Vice Chairman of FMDQ; Mr Bolaji Balogun, Founder/Chief Executive Officer of Chapel Hill Advisory Partners represented by Mr Ayo Fashina, Mr Ayo Gbeleyi, former Commissioner for Finance, Lagos State, Mr Frank Aigbogun, Publisher/CEO of BusinessDay, Mr Olufemi Awoyemi, the Founder/Managing Director, Proshare Nigeria, representatives of the Primary Dealer Market Makers (PDMMs) who are also Dealing Member (Banks) of FMDQ, the debt capital-focused OTC Exchange, amongst others.

The rains did not douse the guard of honour-reception the FMDQ staff had planned for Dr Nwankwo. the staff, along with some beautifully erected balloons stands, formed a path on both sides of a blue carpet, for him, his wife and daughter to walk through the entrance, to the humble OTC Exchange building, with FMDQ-branded umbrellas held high by the staff in a spectacle akin to the military pulling out parade! It was indeed a wonderful sight to experience.

From the very eloquently delivered citation to the series of well-articulated and goodwill messages, and even the level of attendance at the Ceremony, it was clear that the positive impact Dr Nwankwo had made in the bond market, and by extension, the economy, over the last decade, was indeed felt and very much appreciated by all. In reliving the decade-long and successful tenure, a one-on-one discourse, anchored by FMDQ’s MD/CEO, Mr Bola Onadele. Koko was held with the outgoing DG, DMO, following which a special symbol depicting Dr Nwankwo’s key achievements, including, the developments which the Nigerian bond market had experienced over the last decade, was presented to and unveiled by the guest of honour, among other mementos.

Described as a “pacesetter” in the goodwill messages which flocked in, Dr Nwankwo set out to redefine the public debt management landscape in Nigeria, bringing on commendable verve and innovativeness to the hitherto conservative area of public finance management. From the development of a comprehensive and accurate national debt database to deepening the domestic bond market via the introduction of regular monthly bond issuances supported with the PDMMs System and the consistent launch of innovative bond products including the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) Savings Bond, Sukuk, and the soon to be finalised FGN Dollar and Green Bonds, the DMO, under Dr Nwankwo’s leadership, progressively pursued the alignment of the Nigerian debt capital markets (DCM) to international standards. In recording landmark achievements, including the first-ever domestic listing of the Federal Government of Nigeria Eurobond, the agency is seen to have set an audacious pace towards effectively developing the domestic bond market.

Dr Nwankwo’s quest for excellence, his consistency, integrity, professionalism and humility, were a few of the words and phrases used to describe the outgoing DG and were attributed to his exceptional performance during his 10-year tenure, under four different administrations.

In consolidation of the strategic and value-adding initiatives undertaken by the DMO in developing the Nigerian DCM, FMDQ, with a deep sense of appreciation as Dr Nwankwo retires, continues to show great commitment to actualising the objectives of the agency vis-a’vis those of the OTC Exchange for the transformation of the markets within its purview. FMDQ looks forward, in excited anticipation, to maintaining this formidable collaboration with the DMO under the new leadership of Ms Oniha, towards the further development of the Nigerian DCM, and by extension, the economy.

By serving as a point of integration between the domestic and international markets, FMDQ has, in its short period of existence, become the ambassador of foreign portfolio capital for Nigeria and lent itself as an efficient and operationally excellent platform for fixed income and currency.

This is well in line with its mission to empower the financial markets to be innovative and credible, in support of the Nigerian economy. In promoting and supporting economic development therefore, the active collaboration of all stakeholders is required to erect the necessary market infrastructures, transform and position the Nigerian financial markets towards maximising its potential, and its partnership with the DMO remains a steady and right path towards actualising the shared objectives and desires of the markets.

Economy

All Set for Champion Breweries’ 50th AGM on Thursday

Published

4 hours ago

19/05/2026

Aduragbemi Omiyale

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

Barring any last-minute changes, the 50th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Champion Breweries Plc will take place on Thursday, May 21, 2026, at the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, at 11:00 am.

At the yearly shareholders’ gathering, some of the key statutory and governance matters to be considered will include the Audited Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2025, alongside the Reports of the Directors, Auditors, and the Audit Committee.

Other agenda items are the declaration of dividends, election and re-election of Directors, authorisation for Directors to determine the remuneration of the Auditors, and election/re-election of shareholders’ representatives to the Audit Committee.

In line with its commitment to transparency, accountability, and shareholder engagement, the AGM will be held physically while also being accessible to stakeholders via the company’s official website: www.championbreweries.com.

This year’s AGM comes at a defining moment in the organisation’s corporate journey, following a transformative year marked by strategic expansion initiatives, including the acquisition of Bullet Energy Drink and its successful engagement with the capital market to raise growth capital.

These developments reinforce Champion Breweries Plc’s commitment to strengthening its competitive positioning, expanding its portfolio, and delivering long-term shareholder value.

The brewer has strengthened its transition into a group structure with the acquisition of an 80 per cent stake in enJOYbev B.V., a strategic move already delivering early earnings contribution and validating its international expansion drive.

The subsidiary’s results are now being consolidated into the Group accounts for the first time, with enJOYbev B.V. already contributing positively to earnings through operating profitability within the reporting period, an early validation of the group’s expansion strategy.

“This AGM reflects a defining chapter in our journey as a Company. The acquisition of Bullet, our successful capital market engagement, and the integration of enJOYbev B.V. into our group structure all signal a deliberate strategy for sustainable growth and diversification.

“These milestones position Champion Breweries Plc for stronger performance, broader market reach, and enhanced shareholder value. We remain committed to disciplined execution, operational excellence, and the highest standards of corporate governance,” the chairman of Champion Breweries, Mr Imo Abasi Jacob, said.

Economy

NRS Launches Unified Tax ID System

Published

9 hours ago

19/05/2026

Adedapo Adesanya

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) has unveiled a unified Taxpayer Identification (Tax ID) system for all taxable persons across the country as part of efforts to strengthen tax administration and improve transparency.

The agency announced the development in a public notice issued jointly with the Joint Revenue Board (JRB) on Monday.

According to the notice, the initiative is backed by Sections 6, 7, and 8 of the Nigeria Tax Administration Act, 2025, which mandate every taxable person in Nigeria to obtain a Tax ID, in a wider move to expand the country’s tax base.

The NRS said the new framework is designed to create a centralised and harmonised taxpayer database that would enhance interactions between taxpayers and revenue authorities at both federal and sub-national levels.

“The Tax ID will serve as a single, unified identity for all taxpayers, enabling seamless interaction with tax authorities at both federal and sub-national levels. It is designed to consolidate taxpayer records, eliminate duplication, and ensure more efficient management of tax-related information,” the agency stated.

The revenue agency explained that the new system would simplify tax compliance procedures, including taxpayer registration, filing of returns, and payment processes.

According to the NRS, the framework is also expected to improve accountability and reduce leakages in tax collection by creating better visibility and tracking of taxpayer information nationwide.

“The initiative will simplify tax compliance processes, including registration, tax filing, and payment procedures. The system will improve transparency by enabling better visibility and tracking of taxpayer records while reducing leakages and improving accountability in tax collection. The framework will also harmonise taxpayer information across all levels of government,” the notice added.

The agency further disclosed that the new Tax ID system would replace the existing Tax Identification Number (TIN) Validation API currently used by Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), financial institutions, and other organisations for taxpayer verification.

Economy

OTC Securities Exchange Falls 1.31% as Key Stocks Decline

Published

11 hours ago

19/05/2026

Adedapo Adesanya

By Adedapo Adesanya

Three bellwether stocks weakened the NASD Over-the-Counter (OTC) Securities Exchange by 1.31 per cent on Monday, May 18.

This brought the NASD Unlisted Security Index (NSI) by 54.71 points to 4,133.70 points from 4,188.41 points, and shrank the market capitalisation by N32.73 billion to N2.473 trillion from N2.506 trillion.

Yesterday, FrieslandCampina Wamco Plc contracted by N12.45 to sell at N146.55 per share compared with last Friday’s closing price of N159.00 per share, Central Securities and Clearing System (CSCS) Plc declined by N2.34 to N70.00 per unit from N72.34 per unit, and NASD Plc lost 50 Kobo to trade at N34.50 per share versus N35.00 per share.

The trio overpowered the N5.56 gained Newrest Asl Plc. This stock ended the trading session at N61.15 per unit, in contrast to the previous session’s N55.59 per unit.

During the trading day, the volume of securities traded by investors slid by 56.1 per cent to 514,142 units from 1.2 million units, and the value of securities dropped 29.8 per cent to close at N17.4 million versus N29.8 million, while the number of deals jumped 12.5 per cent to 27 deals from 24 deals.

Great Nigeria Insurance (GNI) Plc remained the most traded stock by value on a year-to-date basis, with 3.4 billion units sold for N8.4 billion, followed by CSCS Plc with 60.8 million units exchanged for N4.1 billion, and Okitipupa Plc with 27.9 million units traded for N1.9 billion.

GNI Plc also ended the day as the most traded stock by volume on a year-to-date basis with 3.4 billion units worth N8.4 billion, trailed by Resourcery Plc with 1.1 billion units valued at N415.7 million, and Infrastructure Guarantee Credit Plc with 400 million units transacted for N1.2 billion.