Economy
natnuPreneur Farmers Enjoy 37.5% Profit Yearly on Investment—Adewole
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Coordinator of natnudO Foods’ broiler out-grower scheme tagged ‘natnuPreneur,’ Mr Gbolade Adewole, has disclosed that farmers registered under the six- seven week broiler production scheme have consistently enjoyed between 7.5% and 15% profit on investment per cycle.
He noted that with a potential to conclude 5 cycles per year, efficient farmers stand to make between 37.5% and 75% profit per annum, making natnuPreneur “broiler out-grower” the most profitable poultry scheme in the country.
Mr Adewole made the revelation while addressing journalists at a press briefing on Tuesday, August 15, 2017 in Lagos.
He also disclosed that between October 2014 and July 2017, poultry farmers registered under the three year ‘pilot phase’ have reared over 4 million birds and the firm has off-taken birds to the value of over N4 billion.
Mr Adewole stated that the natnuPreneur initiative is not only in the business of providing a ready market for broiler farmers, but also in ensuring that they are consistently in business and that they make profits that can be sustained consistently over time.
“We treat our farmers’ farms as our own and invest a lot of time in ensuring their poultry businesses are run with global best practices as we run and manage ours, because we believe that our success is closely tied to the success of our farmers.
“Our vision is to create passionate, knowledgeable, and wealthy poultry farmers nationwide through sustained profitability.
“It is not enough to help farmers achieve profitability after just one cycle. We have heard of many out-grower schemes in the past where farmers make millions but couldn’t retain it afterwards. What we are most concerned about is that the profit our farmers make increases and is sustained. In other words, we make and retain broiler millionaires through frequent training on poultry management processes and continuous monitoring/supervision of farm activities,” he said.
He further emphasized, “We help our farmers understand the dynamics of poultry business through effective and regular training, monitoring and mentorship.
“We also help them increase efficiency of production by taking them through good management practices on how to manage their resources, using our Net profit calculator to understand the details of the economics of broiler production, and how to reduce mortality of birds.”
He further said that in their three years of operation, they have been able to increase the capacity of their farmers in terms of number of birds stocked, thereby making them grow profitably.
“natnuPreneur has a standard operating manual used in monitoring optimal farm management, such that, lapses in standard processes are quickly noticed and brought to the attention of the farmer.
“Aside from this, we pay weekly visits to farms to monitor their progress and offer business and technical advice when needed. These activities have helped to achieve the success level recorded by our farmers so far,” he added.
According to him, “these processes are what distinguish natnuPreneur from other broiler out-grower schemes the country has witnessed in the past.”
In terms of societal impact, Mr Adewole pointed out that natnuPreneur has created thousands of direct and indirect employment across the country.
“natnuPreneur has directly employed 150 graduates, working as extension officers (Farmer Satisfaction Representatives, in the Feed mill, hatchery and abattoir) and there are plans to recruit 60 more to manage the increase in capacity.
“Presently, the initiative indirectly influences the employment of over 5,000 people, who work at various levels with farmers and farmer cooperatives.
“There is a potential to have additional 1 Million people, directly working with natnuPreneur in different capacities, within the entire value chain (Feed Mill, Hatchery, Logistics and transportation, Chicken processing, Chicken distribution/sub distribution and our Retailers, called natnuPreneur Seller,” he said.
He further revealed that the scheme, which has engaged several small and medium scale broiler poultry farmers, is intended to help boost supply of high quality locally bred chicken for consumption across the country, making quality chicken available as well as affordable to all Nigerians.
Mr Adewole revealed that the credibility of the scheme, has over the years, earned them partnership with many commercial banks like Sterling bank, Heritage bank and Jaiz bank, as well as many microfinance banks in the country, while adding that the scheme has also attracted the Anchor Borrower programme of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) where we have partnered with Bank of Agriculture (BOA), Nigeria Incentive Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL) and Bank of Industry (BOI).
“We have collaborated with these institutions and shared resources in the process. The learning, data gathered and analysed over this period has been used constantly to optimize our processes and improve our systems. This is then feedback into our systems and in house application developed specifically to monitor our performance,” he disclosed.
He concluded that the natnuPreneur scheme is set to reposition poultry out-grower service in Nigeria by supporting the establishment of new broiler farms and expanding existing ones in the nooks and crannies of the country.
While also addressing newsmen, Deacon Toromade Francis, General Manager, Policy and Strategy, Amo Group and Mr Oloruntoba Emmanuel, General Manager, Amo Byng, a member company of Amo Group called on governments at all levels to be more proactive in curbing the menace of smuggling chicken products into the country and also support the local production of maize and soya, adding that if this is done, the initiative will be able to create more employment opportunities, absorb over 10 million people and add significantly to the overall GDP of the nation.
Sharing their experiences, two long term natnuPreneur farmers, Dr Robinson of Kadapo farms in Kwara State and Mrs Tomori of Honey Dew farms, Oyo State, made highly complementary comments and confirmed the claim made by the AMO FARM’s team.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) Plc has declared the first interim dividend in its history after posting its financial results for the first half of 2026, reflecting robust earnings growth, improved operating efficiency and stronger capital market activity.
The board approved an interim dividend of N1.00 per ordinary share for the six months ended June 30, 2026, citing the company’s strong cash generation, resilient balance sheet and confidence in the sustainability of its earnings.
The interim payout represents about 56 per cent of the total dividend of N1.78 per share paid for the 2025 financial year, underscoring its strong earnings momentum while preserving financial flexibility to invest in technology, innovation and future growth.
CSCS recorded one of the strongest financial performances in its history during the review period, with total operating income rising by 92 per cent to N18.51 billion from the corresponding period of 2025.
The growth was driven by higher transaction fee income as capital market activity strengthened, continued expansion in depository services, increased collateral management revenues and stronger contributions from data and technology-enabled services. Investment income also improved as the company optimised its investment portfolio.
Despite the sharp rise in revenue, operating expenses increased by only 38 per cent, reflecting disciplined cost management and the scalability of the company’s business model.
As a result, operating profit surged by 186 per cent to N10.11 billion, while profit before tax climbed by 115 per cent to N13.21 billion. Earnings per share also rose significantly to 190.1 kobo from 109.1 kobo in the corresponding period of 2025.
The organisation also recorded improvements in operating efficiency. Its cost-to-income ratio declined to 45.4 per cent from 63.2 per cent a year earlier, while operating profit margin improved to 54.6 per cent from 36.8 per cent.
According to the company, the results demonstrate not only the benefits of stronger market activity but also the resilience of its operating model and its ability to convert revenue growth into higher profitability, improved shareholder returns and sustainable long-term value creation.
Commenting on the interim dividend, the Chairman of CSCS Plc, Mr Temi Popoola, said the board’s decision reflected confidence in the firm’s financial strength, earnings quality and long-term strategic direction.
He said the strong performance was driven not only by increased market activity but also by sustained improvements in operational efficiency, disciplined cost management and the continued diversification of revenue streams.
Mr Popoola noted that the Board remained committed to balancing shareholder returns with investments in technology, innovation, resilience and new growth opportunities that would strengthen CSCS’ position as Nigeria’s leading financial market infrastructure and one of Africa’s foremost post-trade institutions.
The chief executive of CSCS Plc, Mr Shehu Yahaya Shantali, attributed the strong performance to the resilience of the entity’s business model, the dedication of its workforce and the confidence of market participants.
He said the first-ever interim dividend demonstrated the company’s ability to translate strong earnings growth and improved operating efficiency into enhanced shareholder value.
Mr Shantali added that CSCS would continue to strengthen its core market infrastructure, invest in technology and innovation, diversify its revenue base and enhance value creation for stakeholders while supporting the development of Nigeria’s capital market.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The national scale long-term issuer rating of Axxela Limited has been upgraded by GCR Rating to A+(NG), just as its short-term issuer rating was affirmed with a stable outlook.
The rating firm upgraded the long-term issue rating for Axxela Funding 1 Plc’s N16.4 billion series 1 senior unsecured bond to A+(NG), while the N11.5 billion series 1 senior secured bond was lifted to A+(NG)(EL).
GCR noted in a note that the actions reflect the leading gas and power portfolio company’s robust business model, strong earnings performance, and sustained financial profile, reinforcing its ability to deliver long-term value while maintaining financial discipline.
Axxela’s recent achievements have been driven by its continued focus on responsible growth, customer satisfaction, and creating lasting value for national development.
“The ratings upgrade by GCR is a strong endorsement of Axxela’s disciplined approach to business. Beyond recognising our financial strength, it reflects the resilience of our business model and the confidence in our strategic direction.
“Over the past few years, we have continued to make significant strides across the business by expanding our natural gas infrastructure, strengthening our operational footprint, advancing our sustainability agenda, and maintaining an unwavering commitment to operational excellence and safety,” the chief executive of Axxela, Mr Moshood Olajide, commented on the development.
As the company continues to advance its long-term growth strategy, the upgraded ratings reinforce confidence in Axxela’s credit profile, financial resilience, and ability to create enduring value for investors, customers and other stakeholders.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Ministry of Solid Minerals Development and the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) have strengthened their partnership to deploy digital identity technology, aiming to combat illegal mining and enhance security in Nigeria’s mining sector.
Speaking while receiving the Director-General and management of NIMC on a courtesy visit to his office in Abuja, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Mr Dele Alake, described the commission as a critical institution in Nigeria’s development architecture, stressing that effective governance could not be achieved without a credible identity management system.
“NIMC occupies a critical position in translating policy into reality. It is pivotal to the development of any nation because governance today is driven by data, technology and credible identity systems,” he added.
He noted that inadequate identification systems had weakened enforcement efforts over the years, allowing illegal mining activities to flourish in mineral-rich communities.
“Without identification, we cannot trace or track, and insecurity will flourish. In the solid minerals sector, we need effective monitoring of both legal and illegal operations.
“A credible identity ecosystem will strengthen regulation, improve enforcement and support our efforts to sanitise the sector,” Mr Alake said.
The minister identified technology, statistics, data gathering and digital identity as critical enablers for evidence-based policymaking, improved regulatory oversight, efficient licensing, investment promotion and national development.
On her part, the DG of NIMC, Mrs Abisoye Coker-Odusote, highlighted several opportunities for collaboration between both institutions, noting that the newly enacted NIMC Act has positioned Nigeria to fully embrace a digital governance ecosystem.
She explained that deeper integration of identity management into the solid minerals sector would facilitate database integration across government institutions, enhance regulatory compliance, strengthen security and law enforcement, improve monitoring of operators, and provide stronger support for the implementation of Community Development Agreements (CDAs) in mining host communities.
Mrs Coker-Odusote added that NIMC’s upgraded digital infrastructure is capable of supporting government institutions in building reliable databases, improving transparency and delivering more efficient public services.
Both institutions said they would immediately begin implementing technology-driven initiatives under the partnership, expressing confidence that expanding access to trusted digital identities for miners and other eligible residents would enhance accountability and strengthen governance in the solid minerals sector.
