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Economy

Policies to Increase National Disposable Income

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By FSDH Research

If an individual, business, government or, by extension, a country wants to increase its spending and savings power, there must be a plan to increase the ability to generate income.

Any entity that desires to increase its spending and savings without a plan to increase its ability to generate income will surely have to borrow to fill the gap, all things being equal. And you know that a borrower can easily become a slave to a lender if he is not able to meet his obligations to the lender.

FSDH Research looks at the total income that was available for use by residents and firms in Nigeria (usually referred to as National Disposable Income or NDI) between Q1 2016 and Q2 2018 and concludes that it was weak and cannot take the country to the ‘Promised Land’.

Therefore, something urgent must be done so that the country will not continue to rely on excessive borrowing or avoid a situation where savings will continue to drop.

The total income available for use by residents in Nigeria comes from four major sources. The total remuneration of employees in the formal sector, operating surplus (profit of businesses), total taxes payable on products, minus any subsidies received for the product, and the net income, transfer and profit from abroad.

Our analysis shows that operating surplus dominated the total national disposable income, which represented an average of 69% during the period.

However, the growth in the inflation rate during the same period, at 37.14%, was higher than the growth in the operating surplus at 32.85%. Therefore, in reality, the operating profit contracted.

Again, household compensation was low. This is made up of salaries of employees in the formal sector including benefits in kind (such as pensions).

Our analysis shows that household compensation contributed on average 27% to the total NDI between Q1 2016 and Q2 2018. A combination of profit of firms and household compensation contributed 96% of total NDI.

Nevertheless, it grew by 38.33% marginally higher than the inflation rate during the period.

The high costs of running businesses in Nigeria caused by ineffective institutions to enforce law and order, insecurity, defective infrastructure, and inadequate support systems for new businesses are the major factors responsible for the weak growth in profit.

The high unemployment level in the country, insufficient new job opportunities and the large informal sector are all responsible for weak growth in household compensation.

FSDH Research offered suggestions into the high unemployment situation in Nigeria in our report entitled ‘High Unemployment Rate in Nigeria – FSDH Research Suggests Solutions’.

The weak NDI limits consumption of households, government and investments by firms. We note that little income is channelled into savings and investments. This is also one of the reasons the interest rate on loans is high, and a single digit interest rate may not be achievable in the short-run. As noted earlier, one can also link the weak income generation to the weak household consumption. Low level of household consumption also reduces government tax, particularly Value Added Tax (VAT). In addition, it reduces the amount that is available to purchase goods and services produced by firms. Ultimately sales drop, profit drops, tax income drops and a firm will not be able to sell as much as it should sell to enable it to expand production; the firm will not be enabled to employ more people.

It is cheaper to stimulate the economy through appropriate policies to grow the NDI, than relying on borrowing. There must be removal of all administrative delays in obtaining licences and approvals.

This includes titles to landed properties for building and agricultural purposes. Government should also invest in data generation in the solid mineral sector. It can sell the data to potential investors interested in the sector. This will reduce the risk inherent in this untapped sector of the economy.

There is the need for human capacity building in business management and leadership. This must not be left to business schools, which are only affordable to a few people.

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]

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Economy

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

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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.

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Economy

Fidson Lists Additional 600 million Shares on Stock Exchange

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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.”

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Economy

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

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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.

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