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Naira-Yuan Currency Swap Deal Renewal to Ease FX Market Pressure—Envoy

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Naira-Yuan Currency Swap Deal

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership (NCSP) has said that the renewal of the currency swap arrangement between Nigeria and China valued at 15 billion Yuan (about $2.2 billion) will help the country, particularly in easing pressure on the foreign exchange market .

The Director-General and global liaison for NCSP, Mr Joseph Tegbe, disclosed this on Sunday, noting that the administration of President Bola Tinubu had secured a significant milestone in Nigeria’s economic development.

Mr Tegbe said the landmark deal strengthened economic ties between the two nations, facilitated bilateral trade and investment, reduced reliance on the US Dollar, and mitigated financial risks.

He stated the swap arrangement with China, worth N3.28 trillion, was a testament to the growing relationship between Nigeria and China, with trade value hitting N7.38 trillion as of June 2024.

The deal makes China Nigeria’s number one trading partner, and the partnership is expected to boost bilateral trade and investment and create new opportunities for economic growth and development.

Originally signed in 2018 under the Muhammadu Buhari administration, the currency swap agreement allows for the direct exchange of the Chinese Yuan and Nigerian Naira.

It reduces reliance on the US Dollar and lowers transaction costs in trade between the two nations.

The renewal comes as Nigeria seeks to stabilize its currency, the Naira, which has faced significant depreciation following reforms by the Tinubu administration in 2024.

By increasing access to the Yuan, the currency swap is expected to reduce pressure on Nigeria’s Dollar reserves and bolster its trade position with China.

Mr Tegbe said the currency swap agreement was a crucial step towards achieving the goals, and it signified a deeper financial collaboration between the central banks of the two countries, enhanced financial market stability, and provided businesses with more financing options and convenience.

He added that by enabling direct settlement of transactions in CNY and NGN, Nigerian businesses will benefit from lower transaction costs and reduced exchange rate risks.

He said the establishment of NCSP had been instrumental in fostering bilateral relations and promoting partnerships between the two nations. He said it underscored the premium the president placed on a comprehensive strategic partnership with the People’s Republic of China.

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.

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Young Professionals for Tinubu Group Attracts Over 3,000 Nigerians

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Young Professionals for Tinubu

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

No fewer than 3,000 Nigerians have joined a dynamic and fast-growing youth-driven group known as the Young Professionals for Tinubu (YP4T).

The organisation is dedicated to leadership, policy engagement, and economic empowerment. It was established to support President Bola Tinubu’s vision for economic transformation.

Since its inception, YP4T has quickly established itself as a mobilising force for young professionals who see themselves not just as beneficiaries of development but as key drivers of it.

Across multiple states, its members are actively working to strengthen Nigeria’s economic, technological, and entrepreneurial landscape, ensuring that young people are not left behind in the country’s evolving growth story.

With an economy valued at over $440 billion and a youth population that makes up more than 60 per cent of Nigeria’s 200 million citizens, the impact of an organized and engaged professional youth network cannot be overstated.

“We are building a generation that is ready to lead, innovate, and contribute meaningfully to national growth. The rapid expansion of our network is proof that young Nigerians want to be involved in shaping the country’s future.

“The best way to honour the administration’s vision for national development is not just to support it but to become part of the execution—ensuring that policies translate into opportunities for people across the country,” the Regional Director of YP4T, Mr Alex Oware.

Another member of the movement, Mr Raphael Utoku, said, “I joined YP4T because I wanted to be part of something bigger than myself. Beyond the leadership discussions and the networking, I gained practical mentorship that has completely transformed my career path. It’s the kind of community that young professionals in Nigeria have needed for a long time.”

It was learned that through direct interventions in education, career development, and entrepreneurship, YP4T has already begun making a tangible impact.

In the past six months, the movement has facilitated over N50 million in small business support, connected more than 1,200 young Nigerians to industry mentors across finance, technology, and governance, and provided professional development training to over 800 early-career professionals.

Its education-focused initiatives have also led to the launch of the YP4T Scholarship and Skills Fund, which has supported university students and technical training beneficiaries in multiple states, ensuring that economic hardship does not derail potential.

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Customs Suspends 4% FOB Levy on Imports for Wider Deliberations

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Nigeria customs wale adeniyi

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Nigeria Customs Service has suspended the implementation of the 4 per cent Free-on-Board (FOB) value on imports following a series of blowbacks from key stakeholders.

According to a statement signed by the Customs’ spokesman, Mr Abdullahi Maiwada, the suspension will enable comprehensive engagement and consultations between the Minister of Finance, Mr Wale Edun and other stakeholders.

The FOB, which is a 4 per cent charge on imported goods, was meant to replace an older system where companies like Webb Fontaine handled import inspections for a 1 per cent fee. The move sparked heavy criticism from stakeholders like the Nigeria Employers’  Consultative Association (NECA).

According to NECA, the Nigerian business environment already struggles with multiple taxes, unpredictable policies, and economic challenges coupled with unsold inventories and growing unemployment, pleading that policies should “support businesses, not further suffocate them.”

“The timing of this suspension aligns with the exit of the contract agreement with the Service providers, including Webb Fontaine, which were previously funded through the 1% Comprehensive Import Supervision Scheme (CISS). This presents an opportunity to review our revenue framework holistically,” Mr Maiwada said.

“Under the previous funding arrangement repealed by the Nigeria Customs Service Act (NCSA) 2023, separating the 1% CISS and 7% cost of collection created operational inefficiencies and funding gaps in customs modernisation efforts.

“The new Act addresses these challenges by consolidating “not less than 4% of the Free-on-Board value of imports,” designed to ensure sustainable funding for critical customs operations and modernisation initiatives. This transition period will allow the Service to optimise the management of these frameworks to serve our stakeholders and the nation’s interests better,” he added.

“The suspension period will allow the Service to further engage with stakeholders while ensuring proper alignment with the Act’s provisions for sustainable funding of these modernisation initiatives.

“We will communicate the revised implementation timeline following the conclusion of stakeholder consultations,” he said.

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National Grid Collapse Leaves Abuja, Lagos Residents in Darkness

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Mini Grids Programme

By Dipo Olowookere

Residents of Abuja and Lagos are currently experiencing blackouts after the national grid collapsed on Wednesday morning.

Electricity in two of the biggest cities in Nigeria went off a few minutes before noon on Wednesday, information gathered by Business Post showed.

This was confirmed by one of the energy distribution companies in the country in a message to customers within its franchise areas.

“Please be informed that we experienced a system outage today, February 12, 2025, at 11:34 am affecting all our feeders.

“Restoration of supply is ongoing in collaboration with our critical stakeholders. Kindly bear with us,” the message from Ikeja Electric said.

As of the time of filing this report, power had yet to be restored by the Disco, as electricity consumers switched to alternative power sources amid the scorching heat.

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