Economy

Reps Move to Stop Fresh Hike in Electricity Tariff

Published

4 years ago

21/05/2021

By Adedapo Adesanya

The House of Representatives is taking a huge step to stop the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) from increasing the electricity tariff.

The lawmakers in the lower chamber of the National Assembly have, therefore, called on the federal government to stop the proposed tariff hike.

At the plenary on Thursday, the House of Reps members said President Muhammadu Buhari must direct the regulatory agency for the electricity sector in Nigeria to suspend the plan in view of the economic reality plaguing Nigerians.

Similarly, the lawmakers mandated the House Committees on Power, Poverty Alleviation, as well as Labour, Employment and Productivity to ensure compliance with the directive.

The action of the parliamentarian followed a motion raised by Mr Aniekan Umanah, saying that the nation’s electricity regulator should suspend the proposed increase in electricity tariff.

He wondered why there would be an increase in electricity tariff at a time when Nigerians were going through hard times and governments all over the world were providing means to cushion the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the motion, the Electric Power Sector Act of 2005 established the NERC with a mandate to license Distribution Companies (DisCos), determine operating codes and standards, establish customer rights and obligations, as well as set cost-reflective industry tariff.

He also accused the distribution companies of exploitation in the name of estimated billing arising from non-metering of over 50 per cent of consumers across the country.

The lawmaker informed his colleagues that poor services by the DISCOs have impacted negatively on the socio-economic growth of the country, saying the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Report of 2020 on Nigeria indicated that the manufacturing sector lost over $200 billion to inadequate power supply while $21 billion was said to have been spent by Nigerians on generators within the period under review.

The lawmaker stated that the Act prescribed its funding from 15 per cent of electricity charges paid by consumers to distribution companies.

He decried that NERC, working with the distribution companies, had increased the tariff five times since 2015, the latest being on January 1, 2021.

The lawmaker made it known that despite the increases, the state of power had not improved as Nigerians grappled with epileptic services from the DISCOs.

He noted that Nigerians have gone through many hardships in recent times arising from acts of terrorism, banditry, and kidnappings.

Mr Umanah said he was concerned that at a time governments all over the world were adopting measures to cushion the effects of the COVID–19 pandemic by providing a wide range of palliatives to losses of loved ones, jobs, businesses and general distortion in the social life, NERC was considering a further increase in electricity tariff in a country where two-thirds of its 200 million population were grappling with the effects of the pandemic.

He stressed that the current economic recession made worse by inflation has resulted in disturbing prices of foodstuffs, and increased prices of petroleum products have triggered the further increase in transport costs and rents.

The lawmaker added that the spending power of an average Nigerian has drastically reduced, warning that any further hike in electricity tariff would signify insensitivity on the part of the government.

Economy

Stanbic IBTC Ignites Investment Spark with InvestBeta Season 2

Published

5 hours ago

18/07/2025

Business Post Contributor

Following the success of its debut season, Stanbic IBTC Asset Management, a subsidiary of Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC, announces the return of the InvestBeta Game Show, with registration officially open.

The second season of the InvestBeta show builds on the first edition, aimed at equipping young Nigerians with real-world financial skills in a fun, relatable, and competitive format. The show’s first season, which aired in 2024, captured the attention of Gen-Z viewers across the country, blending entertainment with investment education in a way that had never been done before. With positive feedback, it proved that young Nigerians are ready to learn how to grow their money, and all they need is the right platform.

The new season reflects the Group’s broader youth-focused mission through Beyond Dreams, its dynamic community created for Nigerians aged 18–30. The community aims to help young people turn their aspirations into reality through secure, timely and smart investment choices. Since its inception, Beyond Dreams has grown to a network of over 90,000 young members, generated 2,100+ new investment accounts, and continues to position the Group as a trusted partner in the financial futures of Nigeria’s youth.

Busola Jejelowo, Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Asset Management noted InvestBeta reflects our deep commitment to financial education. She said, “We understand that today’s young people want more than just advice but practical, hands-on experience. This is why the InvestBeta game show is here to change how young Nigerians see money and what they can do with it.”

Entries are now open to eligible young Nigerians who want to be part of Season 2. Registration is free via the official link: https://bit.ly/StanbicIBTCInvestBeta. Successful applicants will be selected to compete in a series of challenges designed to test their knowledge, strategy, and creativity around real-life financial scenarios.

And for those who missed the first season, full episodes are available to watch on Stanbic IBTC’s official YouTube channel. From quick financial questions to investment tips, Season 1 offered real lessons with real impact, and Season 2 is gearing up to raise the bar.

To stay in the loop, follow @beyonddreamsng across all social media platforms and be part of the countdown to the second season of Nigeria’s most engaging youth-focused investment competition.

If you are 18 to 26, curious about how money works, and ready to build your future, this is your sign.

Economy

OTC Exchange Jumps 0.43%

Published

5 hours ago

18/07/2025

Adedapo Adesanya

By Adedapo Adesanya

Trading activities at the NASD Over-the-Counter (OTC) Securities Exchange ended on a positive note with a 0.43 per cent growth on Thursday, July 17.

The expansion recorded yesterday raised the market capitalisation by N8.68 billion at the close of business to N2.042 trillion from the N2.033 trillion quoted at the preceding session, and the NASD Unlisted Security Index (NSI) gained 14.83 points to settle at 3,487.67 points compared with the 3,472.84 points it finished on Wednesday.

According to data, there were two price gainers during the trading session, with Okitipupa Plc growing by N4.50 to close at N239.50 per share versus the N235.00 per share it ended at midweek, as Food Concepts Plc chalked up 29 Kobo to close at N3.20 per unit, in contrast to the previous day’s N2.91 per unit.

On the flip side, the bourse recorded a price loser and it was UBN Property Plc, which lost 22 Kobo to end at N2.02 per share compared with the preceding day’s N2.24 per share.

At the close of business, the volume of trades surged by 280,246.7 per cent to 252,312 units from the 90 units traded during the midweek session, the value of transactions increased by 365,667.5 per cent to N21.4 million from N5,850, and the number of deals went up by 525 per cent to 25 deals from four deals.

Okitipupa Plc remained the most traded stock by value on a year-to-date basis with 153.9 million units valued at N4.9 billion, followed by Air Liquide Plc with 507.2 million units sold for N4.2 billion, and FrieslandCampina Wamco Nigeria Plc with 42.3 million units worth N1.8 billion.

Impresit Bakolori Plc remained the most active stock by volume on a year-to-date basis with the sale of 536.9 million units for N524.8 million, trailed by Air Liquide Plc with 507.2 million units valued at N4.2 billion, and Geo-Fluids Plc with a turnover of 272.3 million units worth N493.4 million.

Economy

Naira Crumbles Further to N1,533/$1 at Official FX Market

Published

5 hours ago

18/07/2025

Adedapo Adesanya

By Adedapo Adesanya

The value of the Naira further depreciated against the US Dollar by N3.26 or 0.21 per cent in the Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market (NAFEM) segment of the forex market on Thursday, July 17 to N1,533.22/$1 from the previous closing price of N1,529.96/$1.

Equally, the domestic currency weakened against the Pound Sterling in the official FX market during the trading session by N2.76 to close at N2,056.52/£1 compared with the previous day’s rate of N2,053.76/£1 but appreciated against the Euro by N2.81 to finish at N1,776.42/€1, in contrast to the N1,779.23/€1 it was traded at midweek.

In the black market, the exchange rate of the Nigerian Naira and the US Dollar remained unchanged yesterday at N1,535/$1, according to data obtained by Business Post.

The poor performance of the Naira in the spot market on Thursday came amid increased demand despite positives that indicate that the country’s reserves will strengthened on improved crude output as well as enhanced foreign portfolio investment (FPI) inflows amid slowdown in import trade-related outflows.

In the first six months of 2025, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) injected a total of $4.1 billion into the FX market to stabilise the Naira and ease liquidity pressures in the currency market, 215 per cent higher than the $1.3 billion recorded during the same period in 2024, according to the latest CSL Stockbrokers’ H2 2025 Outlook report.

The analysts at CSL, however, expressed concerns over the sustainability of the currency defence strategy, citing weak oil earnings, subdued foreign portfolio investment inflows, and uncertainties around external financing.

As for the cryptocurrency market, it was bullish as the US made the historical milestone towards stablecoin-regulating legislation.

The first major crypto regulatory initiative in the US is about to become law after the House of Representatives passed the stablecoin bill known as the GENIUS Act.

The approval came directly on the heels of another major legislative accomplishment for the industry, when the House also passed the Clarity Act that would govern the oversight of the digital assets markets in the US

During the trading session, Dogecoin (DOGE) jumped by 14.7 per cent to $0.2423, Ripple (XRP) appreciated by 13.1 per cent to $3.56, Cardano (ADA) added 12.4 per cent to trade at $0.8664, Litecoin (LTC) rose by 10.9 per cent to $108.52, Ethereum (ETH) expanded by 7.4 per cent to $3,645.41, Solana (SOL) improved by 6.4 per cent to $182.76, Binance Coin (BNB) soared by 5.1 per cent to $748.01, and Bitcoin (BTC) advanced by 1.6 per cent to $120,390.40, while the US Dollar Tether (USDT) and the US Dollar Coin (USDC) remained unchanged at $1.00 apiece.