Connect with us

Economy

Tinubu to Tax Nigerian Banks’ FX Gains for N6.2trn Supplementary Budget

Published

on

N6.2trn Supplementary Budget

By Adedapo Adesanya

President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday wrote to the Senate, seeking to increase the 2024 Appropriation Act by N6.2 trillion.

He is targeting billions from foreign exchange (FX) gains of Nigerian banks for this, effectively increasing the 2024 budget from N28.7 trillion to N34.9 trillion.

The Senate President, Mr Godswill Akpabio, confirmed this development when he read Mr Tinubu’s letter on the floor of the upper legislative chamber today.

In the letter, President Tinubu urged the National Assembly to amend the Finance Act of 2023, specifically targeting windfalls generated by banks from “foreign exchange gains.”

He said his request was aimed at ensuring a fair taxation policy and addressing the profits banks accrue due to fluctuations in foreign exchange rates.

The President noted that the tax would be used to fund capital infrastructure development, education, healthcare access and public welfare initiatives.

“Furthermore, the proposed amendments to the Finance Acts 2023 are required to a one-time windfall tax on the foreign exchange gains realised by banks in their 2023 financial statements to fund capital infrastructure development, education, and healthcare as well as welfare initiatives all of which are components of the Renewed Hope Agenda,” Mr Tinubu’s letter read in part.

Reports showed that top Nigerian Banks raked in a profit of N3.3 trillion in 2023, mostly arising from forex revaluation gains, after floating the Naira and unifying the country’s FX segments in June 2023.

In September 2023, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) barred commercial banks from using the FX gains to pay dividends or for operating expenses.

Now, it appears the federal government, with the proposed amended law, will go after these gains.

In the letter to the lawmakers, Mr Tinubu also proposed allocating N3.2 trillion for infrastructure projects and N3 trillion for recurrent expenditure.

“Pursuant to section 58 (2) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, I forward herewith the above-named bills for consideration and passage by the senate.

“The appropriation act amendment bill seeks to amend the principal act to provide the sum of N3,200,000,000,000 for Renewed Hope Infrastructure Projects and other critical infrastructure projects to be undertaken across the country and the sum of N3,000,000,000,000 to meet further recurrent expenditure requirements necessary for the proper operation of the federal government.

“They shall be funded by accruing to the federal government of Nigeria,” Mr Tinubu noted.

In January 2024, the National Assembly approved the 2024 appropriation bill, which increased its amount from President Tinubu’s planned N27.5 trillion to N28.7 trillion, growing the budget by N1.2 trillion.

Adedapo Adesanya is a journalist, polymath, and connoisseur of everything art. When he is not writing, he has his nose buried in one of the many books or articles he has bookmarked or simply listening to good music with a bottle of beer or wine. He supports the greatest club in the world, Manchester United F.C.

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Economy

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

Published

on

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.

Continue Reading

Economy

Fidson Lists Additional 600 million Shares on Stock Exchange

Published

on

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.”

Continue Reading

Economy

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

Published

on

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.

Continue Reading

Trending