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Nigerian capital market, credible platform for long-term finance – Ahmed

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Minister of Finance, Mrs Zainab Ahmed
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The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Dr Zainab Ahmed, says the Nigerian capital market is a credible platform for medium to long term finance for economic development.

Ahmed said this at a webinar organised by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in collaboration with the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development on Thursday.

The minister added that the nation’s capital market was a key catalyst for the development of the critical sectors of the economy.

The theme of the webinar was: “Financing the Solid Minerals Sector through the Capital Market and the Critical Role of Commodity Exchanges.”

Ahmed said the facilitation of funding and provision of structured market platforms such as the commodities exchanges portends significant addition for the mining and solid minerals sector.

She said the event and its theme were relevant to the economy given the need to diversify and grow the economy, and to enable the nation achieve sustainable development in the post COVID-19 pandemic era.

“The mining sector is strategically based as alternative source for revenue generation in the economic diversification plan of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

“It also has the potential to create employment and develop rural settings for other benefits,” she said.

Ahmed noted that the mineral export guidelines by the Federal Government was formulated to address the need to keep accurate mineral trade data.

She said it was also to ensure effective monitoring of the evacuation of export proceeds, to optimise the collection of royalties, and facilitate the implementation of free shipment inspection policies.

She explained that the initiative of employing the commodities exchange in this regard would encourage responsibility accounting and fairness to governance.

The minister assured of the unwavering support of the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning to ensure the achievement of the overarching objective of the Federal Government to develop the mineral potential of the country.

“The reality is that the nation stands to benefit more in an organised mining and solid mineral extractive industry and the capital market is here to contribute its quota.

“This webinar is a signal that with the appropriate collaboration amongst sectors, institutions, regulators and operators, we can exceed out targets sooner rather than later and Nigeria will reap huge benefits from such forums,” she added.

In a welcome address, SEC’s Director-General, Mr Lamido Yuguda, said with over 44 minerals found across the federation, the solid minerals sector would be instrumental in the on-going quest to diversify the economy.

Yuguda said: “We believe that the Nigerian commodity trading system and indeed the capital market can be the transformational patronage to bring about this positive changes in the sector.

“With opportunities provided for better access to marketing of produce, price discovery and valuable market information, a striving commodities trading ecosystem has the potential to foster inclusive mining prosperity.

“It will also enhance financial inclusion of artisanal miners, foster mineral production, stimulate exports and ultimately engendered economic development, amongst other benefits.

“Undoubtedly, greater connectivity of the mining sector and the commodities trading ecosystem will ensure that mineral commodities could be traded on transparent, efficient and organised trading platform provided by commodity exchanges.”

In his keynote address, Minister of State, Ministry of Solid Minerals and Steel Development, Dr Uchechukwu Ogah, described the webinar as timely because it came at a time that President Muhammadu Buhari, had put all the necessary machinery in place to revamp the sector for economic stability.

Oga, however, expressed disappointment that over 90 per cent of the artisanal miners and small scale operators’ contribution to employment was still very low with a Gross Domestic Production (GDP) contribution of 0.5 per cent.

“We eagerly want to change this through implementation of the roadmap to contribute about five per cent to the GDP by 2025.

“Inadequate funding has been the bane of underdevelopment; it is on this premise that I welcome this partnership with the SEC,” he said. (NAN)

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Business & Economy

Petrol Prices Rise to N1,040/Litre in Lagos, N1,080 in Abuja

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The pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, has increased to as high as N1,040 per litre in Lagos and N1,080 per litre in Abuja, following a recent adjustment by fuel marketers.

The development comes a day after the Dangote Refinery raised its ex-gantry price of petrol to N995 per litre.

Checks on Saturday showed that several retail outlets across Lagos and Abuja had adjusted their prices upward.

At retail outlets operated by Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited in Ilasa, Apple Junction, and Ago Palace Way in Lagos, petrol was sold at N1,040 per litre, representing an increase of N47 from the previous price of N993 per litre.

Similarly, Emadeb Energy and PM Petroleum filling stations located along the Oshodi/Apapa Expressway were dispensing petrol at N1,040 per litre.

At a Techno Oil Limited retail outlet in Festac Town, the product was priced at N1,050 per litre, while stations operated by MRS Oil Nigeria Plc sold petrol at N1,057 per litre.

In Abuja, petrol was sold at N1,050 per litre at Gegu Oil Nigeria along the Kubwa Expressway, while Empire Energy filling stations dispensed the product at N1,080 per litre.

However, an outlet operated by Ardova Plc sold petrol at N959 per litre.

The latest increase comes amid rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, which have contributed to volatility in global crude oil prices.

On Friday, crude oil prices surged to $91 per barrel as the conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran continued to escalate across the region.

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FG Bans Roadside Tax Collections, Orders Dismantling of Checkpoints

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The Federal Government has banned the collection of road taxes through roadside checkpoints and the use of tax stickers nationwide as part of sweeping tax reforms introduced in 2026.

The Joint Revenue Board (JRB) announced that all forms of roadside levies are now illegal, effectively ending a long-standing practice that required motorists to stop at checkpoints to make payments.

In a statement, the Board said the move is aimed at modernising tax administration, eliminating harassment of motorists, and improving transparency in revenue collection.

“This is a major win for motorists and a step toward transparent taxation,” the JRB stated, adding that security agencies have been directed to dismantle illegal checkpoints and ensure full compliance with the new law.

For years, motorists across the country were subjected to multiple levies under different designations, a situation that often created confusion and opened the door to alleged abuse and irregular collections.

Under the new framework, road tax stickers previously issued at state checkpoints are no longer valid, and motorists are not expected to make any payments related to road taxes on highways.

The government said the reform is designed to protect drivers from illegal collections, streamline tax administration under a centralised system, and promote voluntary compliance through a clearer and more accountable structure.

Security and enforcement agencies have been tasked with monitoring implementation to ensure that all roadside collections cease immediately.

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Ogun to Establish 5,000-Herd Dairy, Cattle Ranches in Ipokia, Yewa South — Abiodun

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Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has announced plans to establish what he described as the largest dairy and cattle ranches in Nigeria in Ipokia and Yewa South Local Government Areas of the state, with an initial capacity of 5,000 herds of cattle.

Abiodun made the disclosure on Thursday at the All Progressives Congress (APC) strategic stakeholders’ meeting held in Abeokuta.

He said the projects would be sited in Ogun State at the instance of President Bola Tinubu, adding that construction work would commence soon.

According to the governor, the initiative is part of efforts to strengthen food security, boost local agricultural production, and deepen value chains across the state.

“The biggest dairy and cattle ranches will soon be established in Yewa South and Ipokia Local Government Areas. This is at the instance of Mr. President. These farms will start with 5,000 herds of cattle, and work will begin very soon,” Abiodun said.

The governor commended Tinubu for what he described as bold economic reforms, noting that the policies had stabilised the foreign exchange market, eliminated multiple exchange-rate regimes, and increased Nigeria’s foreign reserves to about $45 billion.

Abiodun also acknowledged what he called the President’s goodwill towards Ogun State, citing federal interventions such as the reconstruction of the Sagamu–Ijebu Ode Road, funding support for the Eba oil discovery, and the resuscitation of the OKLNG project.

“There is nothing I have asked Mr. President for Ogun State that he has not approved,” he said, adding that the President consistently directs investors to the state when they express interest in Nigeria.

The governor said the administration’s performance at the federal level had rekindled hope among Nigerians and strengthened public confidence in the ruling APC.

Highlighting achievements of his administration over the past six years and eight months, Abiodun said the state had recorded progress in education, infrastructure, job creation, youth and women empowerment, healthcare, agriculture, housing, technological innovation, industrial growth, and economic expansion.

He disclosed that over 1,700 kilometres of roads, including major highways, had been constructed across the state, more than 7,000 housing units delivered, and over 400 Primary Healthcare Centres upgraded and equipped.

Abiodun also stated that Ogun State was on the verge of becoming an oil-producing state.

He said the stakeholders’ meeting was convened to review progress and strategise ahead of emerging political challenges, urging party members to remain united as the state approaches another electioneering season.

“As we approach the upcoming congresses, they must unite us, not divide us. A united APC is an unbeatable APC,” he said.

Dignitaries at the meeting included former Governor Olusegun Osoba; Deputy Governor Noimot Salako-Oyedele; Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Oludaisi Elemide; Senators Solomon Adeola and Shuaib Salisu; and House of Representatives Chief Whip, Ibrahim Isiaka.

Also present were Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani; Minister of State for Health, Dr. Isiaka Salako; State APC Chairman, Yemi Sanusi; former deputy governors; lawmakers; local government chairmen; and other party stakeholders.

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