By Aduragbemi Omiyale

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has cautioned members of the public against making any payment for Special Control Unit Against Money Laundering (SCUML) certificate registration, stressing that it is free.

During a live radio programme on Enugu State Broadcasting Service, the Head of SCUML Department in Enugu Zonal Directorate of the EFCC, Mr Promise Oluigbo, said obtaining the certificate is now seamless.

According to him, with the introduction of electronic certification, which has improved efficiency and eliminated the risk of fake certificates, over 480,000 entities have been registered nationwide.

He warned members of the public against engaging agents who charge fees for SCUML registration, stressing that the commission does not authorise third-party registrations.

“The EFCC frowns at any individual or group collecting money from businesses under the guise of facilitating SCUML registration. The process is seamless and free of charge,” Mr Oluigbo declared.

He charged operators of Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions (DNFBPs) in the South-East to comply with mandatory SCUML registration to combat money laundering, terrorism financing, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, safeguard businesses and strengthen the integrity of Nigeria’s financial system.

“DNFBPs are categories of businesses identified under Section 30 of the Money Laundering Act and include sectors such as automobile dealerships, real estate businesses, construction firms, hospitality services, supermarkets, legal practitioners, consultants, and non-profit organisations.

“As a regulatory body responsible for overseeing the activities of these businesses to curb money laundering and financing of terrorism, it’s important I say it here that the registration process is completely free.

“Business owners do not need to engage any third party. All they need to do is visit the SCUML portal and complete the registration process,” he said.

While emphasizing on the need for businesses to register and collect the certificate, he urged them to ensue adherence to statutory requirements such as Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures, customer due diligence, record keeping and reporting of suspicious transactions, adding that failure to comply constitutes a violation of the law and may attract fines, imprisonment or other regulatory sanctions as stipulated under the Act.

“The objective of the SCUML framework is not to stifle businesses but to protect the financial system and ensure transparency in commercial activities. It is designed to safeguard businesses and strengthen the integrity of Nigeria’s financial system,” he said.

By Adedapo Adesanya

Nigeria has secured a £746 million financing agreement with the United Kingdom Export Finance (UKEF) that will deliver the most ambitious modernisation of Nigeria’s seaport infrastructure in nearly half a century, transforming the country’s principal maritime gateways and repositioning its port system for global competitiveness.

The fund was facilitated by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola, according to the minister’s Special Adviser, Mr Bolaji Akinola.

The historic financing arrangement, secured with the backing of UKEF, will fund the comprehensive modernisation and upgrade of the Lagos Port Complex Apapa, popularly known as Apapa Port, and the Tin Can Island Port Complex in Lagos.

The two ports handle more than 70 per cent of Nigeria’s imports and exports, and serve as the central arteries of the nation’s maritime trade.

He noted that the landmark financing agreement will be formally signed during the high-profile state visit of President Bola Tinubu to London on March 18 and 19, 2026, signalling a deepening of strategic economic cooperation between Nigeria and the United Kingdom while opening a new chapter in Nigeria’s maritime development.

According to Mr Akinola, the minister described the financing package as a transformative milestone for the country’s port system, noting that the scale and scope of the modernisation project mark the first comprehensive overhaul of the facilities since their establishment.

“The Lagos Port Complex Apapa, established in 1913, has for more than a century remained Nigeria’s oldest and busiest seaport, serving as the gateway for a vast proportion of the nation’s imports and exports.

“The Tin Can Island Port Complex was later developed to complement Apapa and was officially commissioned on 14 October 1977.

“Despite their strategic importance, neither facility has experienced a modernisation programme of this magnitude, making the initiative the most significant port upgrade undertaken by the Federal Government in almost fifty years.”

Mr Oyetola stressed that the project forms a central pillar of the Federal Government’s broader agenda to unlock the vast economic potential of Nigeria’s marine and blue economy while restoring efficiency and global competitiveness to the country’s maritime infrastructure.

“This financing agreement represents a defining moment for Nigeria’s maritime sector. For decades, Apapa Port and Tin Can Island Port have borne the weight of our national trade, yet their infrastructure has not kept pace with the scale and complexity of modern global shipping.

What we are set to do is not merely an upgrade, but a comprehensive transformation that will align our ports with international best practice.

“Through this historic collaboration with the United Kingdom, we are laying the groundwork for a new era in the management and operation of Nigerian ports. Modern infrastructure supported by digitalised and automated processes will significantly enhance efficiency, transparency and operational reliability. Our objective is clear: to create a port system that is modern, competitive and capable of serving as a strategic maritime hub for West and Central Africa.”

He said that the modernisation programme will introduce advanced cargo-handling infrastructure, expanded port capacity and integrated digital systems designed to eliminate many of the operational bottlenecks that have historically slowed cargo movement through Nigeria’s busiest ports.

Mr Oyetola also noted that once completed, the reforms will fundamentally reshape the operational landscape of Nigeria’s maritime gateways. Vessel turnaround times are expected to decline significantly, while cargo dwell times within the ports will be sharply reduced as automated systems replace paper-based procedures and outdated manual processes.

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

Thursday, March 19, and Friday, March 20, 2026, have been declared as public holidays by the federal government to mark Eid-ul-Fitr.

A statement on Tuesday by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Interior, Mrs Magdalene Ajani, urged Muslims to sustain the virtues of love, generosity, peace, tolerance, and sacrifice emphasised during the holy month of Ramadan.

The work-free days were declared by the Nigerian authorities to celebrate the end of the 30-day fast of Ramadan observed by Muslims in Nigeria and across the globe.

The statement issued today said the Minister of Interior, Mr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who declared the holidays on behalf of the federal government, extended warm greetings and heartfelt congratulations to the Muslim faithful on the successful completion of the holy month of Ramadan.

He called on all Nigerians to use the festive period to pray for the continued peace, unity, and prosperity of the nation.

While wishing the Muslim faithful a joyful Eid-ul-Fitr celebration, the Minister encouraged citizens to celebrate responsibly and extend acts of kindness to the less privileged in society, expressing the government’s commitment to “fostering national unity and peaceful coexistence among all Nigerians.”