Economy
Nigeria Launches Energy Efficiency Label
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The Energy Guide Label, a seal to guide Nigerians on the amount of energy consumed by air conditioners, lamps and refrigerators, has been launched by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) in collaboration with the Nigerian Energy Support Programme (NESP).
The project is funded by the European Union and the German Government.
Speaking at the launch of the label in Lagos, Minister of State, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Hajia Aisha Abubakar, declared that the label will guide future manufacture and importation of lamps, refrigerators and air conditioners as well as other electrical appliances/equipment in Nigeria.
According to her, the energy guide label was designed for the Nigerian market to be attached on electrical appliances to provide information on the accurate energy consumption of a product. The event was an expose, into teaching consumers to make informed purchasing decisions on electrical products and appliances.
Represented by Mr Barnabas Jatau, a Deputy Director in the Ministry, she stated that the label would provide information on energy performance on air conditioners, refrigerators and lamps and show the conformity of the appliances to the Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) in Nigeria.
The label is important to help consumers purchase appliances that will reduce the amount of money spent on electrical bills, she said.
“The Nigeria energy label is a consumer guide on how to identify efficiency rating of appliances indicated by 1 star for less efficient to 5 stars for more efficient appliances.
“With this label, any air conditioner that is less than 1-star rating will no longer be allowed into the Nigerian market. The label will be attached to all appliances with approved minimum energy performance standards and label,” she said.
The Minister of State disclosed that the development of the Minimum Energy Performance Standards and launching of the label are some of the steps taken by Nigeria as one of the signatories to the climate change treaty to ensure that measures are in place to comply with policies that would reduce energy consumption, thereby reducing emission of greenhouse gasses.
Presenting a paper at the occasion, Director General, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Mr Osita Aboloma noted that the current power available to Nigeria is far below what is required, stressing the need to manage available power efficiently.
Dr Justin Nickaf, Director, Planning, Research and Statistics, who represented the SON helmsman disclosed that his organisation has been working with the UNDP and other members of the energy efficiency review committee, to develop the minimum energy performance standards for lamps and refrigerators, which specify maximum energy consumption of such appliances allowed in the Nigerian market.
This according to him, was followed up with series of enlightenment and sensitization campaigns to importers, marketers and consumers, alike.
Mr Aboloma stated that SON has designed a road map in conjunction with manufacturers for implementation of the MEPS and label. He stressed that enforcement of the label is scheduled to commence after 18 months of the launching.
This he said, is to allow old stocks to be exhausted while importers of completely built units are to fully comply with the standard and label, six months after the launch.
The Head, Nigeria Energy Support Program, Ina Hommers said the label would help Nigerian Consumers make informed decisions as well as Manufacturers and Importers with choice of products.
Hommers said non environment friendly refrigerants and sources of greenhouse gas will no longer be used in both air conditioners and refrigerators in Nigeria which is joining over 100 nations already implementing MEPS and the label. She posited that air conditioners and refrigerators manufactured in Nigeria will gain more market within ECOWAS as a result of the standard and label.
Among other stakeholders present at the launch were, the EU Project officer on Energy, Mr Godfrey Ogbemudia, President of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), represented by Mr Mba Sam Qweh and President of NACCIMA, represented by Ms Rebecca Ajibade, Director of Research, Statistics and Development.
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.
