Business
Govt to cut vehicle parts imports by 40%

The Federal Government is set to begin the manufacturing and supplying of tyres, batteries, brake pads and other automobile components as part of efforts to boost the Nigerian automotive industry.
It said the policy aims to boost the supply of local components to auto part markets by 40 per cent.
The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Doris Aniete, disclosed this initiative at the ministerial sectoral briefing to mark President Bola Tinubu’s one year in office on Tuesday in Abuja.
She said the programme would be in collaboration with manufacturers, dealers regulatory bodies and other players in the automobile ecosystem.
The Nigerian automobile industry for a long time has been dependent on imports to meet local demands for vehicles and spare parts.
At a recent event, the Chairman, of West Africa Automative Show, Luqman Mamudu, said Nigeria accounts for about 78.8 per cent of automotive components imported to West Africa.
According to him, about $6.2bn is spent on importing automotive components and parts to the region yearly with Nigeria alone accounting for $4.2bn.
But speaking during the briefing, the minister underscored that the newly developed framework will prioritise collaboration among manufacturers, dealers, regulatory bodies, and other stakeholders in the automobile ecosystem.
This collaborative approach is believed to be essential for tackling challenges and unlocking investment potential.
The minister also emphasised the significance of local automotive components, highlighting the potential for significant foreign exchange savings through domestic production of parts.
She said, “Steps are also being taken to unlock the potential opportunities inherent in the nation’s automotive sector. In collaboration with the National Automotive Design and Development Council – the anchor institution for the National Automotive Industry Development Plan and regulatory body for the automotive industry in Nigeria, the strategy and goal of the Ministry is to return the Nigerian Automotive industry to supply 40 per cent of its components locally comprising of glasses, tyres, batteries, brake pads, foam and seats, exhaust, electric cables etc.
“Towards this end, we have developed frameworks that emphasize the need for collaboration among manufacturers, dealers, regulatory bodies, and other players in the automobile ecosystem; because we believe that by working together, they can address challenges, streamline processes, and drive innovation. The automotive industry is set to sign off-take agreements amongst themselves and this is the beginning of history in Nigeria.”
She added, “With the MOUs and agreements, suppliers will be rest assured that car assemblers and manufacturers will buy their products. Assemblers will be guaranteed of their supply chain, quality and standards and consumers will be able to buy affordable brand new cars. This is how import substitution is done. We don’t have to use our FX to buy things we can produce. We don’t have to import if we can make it.”
Similarly, Aniete stated that the government had attracted the sum of $3.5bn to develop a resurgence plan for optimised performance of the Nigerian Cotton, Textile and Apparel Industry in partnership with development partners and private sector players to unlock the sector.
“The ministry is developing a Resurgence Plan for Optimized Performance of the Nigerian Cotton, Textile and Apparel Industry in partnership with development partners and private sector players. We have attracted $3.5bn investment capital to unlock this sector.”
According to the minister, Nigeria’s textile and apparel industry covers the entire clothing value chain and has a strong potential for growth due to the availability of cotton and the country’s large market- size represented by over 200 million inhabitants.
She said that the industry is one of the top contributors to the manufacturing sector of the economy, with the sector’s huge potential for employment creation, for both skilled and unskilled labour attracting foreign direct investment, and reducing poverty.
On revenue, the trade minister disclosed that the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex recorded significantly increased revenue to the federal government in the first quarter of 2024 amounting to 430 million naira against the revenue of 2023 was just 17 million naira.
The minister also disclosed that the ministry will host the Lagos International Trade Fair which was last hosted 14 years ago in 2010.
“With this massive increase and with the increasing facelift the ministry will be hosting the Lagos International Trade Fair, we are now set to host a popular Lagos International trade fair. This trade fair was last hosted 14 years ago in 2010 and this trade fair will reestablish our country as a market hub of West Africa.” she said
According to her, the revival of this trade fair symbolizes the government’s unwavering commitment to reclaiming its position as a regional market powerhouse in West Africa.
Anite added that the resurgence of the Lagos International Trade Fair will not only reestablish Nigeria as a regional market hub but also amplify market linkages for manufacturers, suppliers, farmers, and traders nationwide.
She said the revitalisation is poised to catalyze economic activities across various sectors, from tourism to manufacturing, while creating much-needed job opportunities and fortifying food security.
Concurrently, she said transformative reforms at the Nigerian Commodity Exchange aim to unlock equitable opportunities for farmers and miners in national and international markets as fruitful bilateral engagements with countries such as Qatar, the UK, India, and the UAE have further bolstered Nigeria’s market access and trade prospects.
To expedite export processes and mitigate rejections, Anite said the government is set to establish the one-stop export processing centres across geo-political zones to streamline operations with stringent regulations mandating exports against inward letters of credit aim to safeguard Nigeria’s natural resources while bolstering its currency and economy.
Source: The Punch
Business
Dangote Refinery Sets Date For Direct PMS Supply To 11 States

The Dangote Group has announced that its Dangote Petroleum Refinery will begin supplying petrol (PMS) directly to 11 states starting Monday, September 15, 2025. This information was shared in a press release on the Group’s official X account on Thursday.
The retail pump prices for petrol in the initial states will be set at N841 per litre for Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Ondo, Osun, and Ekiti. For Abuja, Delta, Rivers, Edo, and Kwara, the price will be N851 per litre.
Additionally, the gantry price for petrol is established at N820 per litre.
“Dangote Petroleum Refinery begins direct supply of PMS with free delivery effective Monday September 15, 2025
“New Gantry Price is set at N820,” the statement read in part.
To support petrol station operators, the refinery will provide free delivery of PMS to registered stations in the 12 states, with plans to gradually expand distribution nationwide. All station owners are invited to register to access these benefits. The move is expected to improve petrol distribution and supply consistency across the covered states.
Dangote Petroleum Refinery, Africa’s largest with a 650,000 barrels-per-day capacity, opened in 2024 to reduce Nigeria’s reliance on imported petrol and strengthen energy security.
In July 2025, it received 4,000 CNG trucks under a N720 billion investment programme, aimed at distributing 65 million litres of refined petroleum products daily, creating over 15,000 jobs, and saving Nigerians more than N1.7 trillion annually in energy costs. The initiative also seeks to improve efficiency in the downstream sector and revive dormant petrol stations.
The refinery’s planned expansion into nationwide petrol distribution was initially scheduled for August 15, 2025, but is now set to begin on Monday, September 15, 2025. Preparatory challenges in early September included a three-day notice from the Petroleum Products Retail Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), starting Tuesday, September 9, to suspend lifting and dispensing of petrol over concerns about fair competition.
Simultaneously, the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) went on a two-day strike, which was later suspended following a DSS-convened meeting attended by the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, and representatives of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed to resolve the dispute, mandating unionisation of willing employees from 9th to 22nd September 2025, prohibiting the creation of any other union, and ensuring no worker would be victimised due to the strike.
Signatories included Sayyu Dantata (Dangote Group), O.K. Ukoha (NMDPRA), Ojimba Jibrin (Dangote Group), Benson Upah (NLC), N.A. Toro (TUC), NUPENG President Akporeha Williams, General Secretary Afolabi Olawale, and Amos Falonipe representing the Federal Ministry of Labour.
Business
Wema Bank Surpasses CBN Capital Requirement With Successful N150 billion Rights Issue

Wema Bank has successfully surpassed the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) capital requirement for commercial banks with national authorization, a significant milestone achieved through the completion of a substantial N150 billion rights issue.
This important financial strategy positions the bank firmly ahead of the upcoming deadline of March 2026, as outlined in the CBN’s latest recapitalization framework.
In an official statement released on Thursday, Wema Bank proudly announced that its total qualifying capital has now reached an impressive N214.7 billion, comfortably exceeding the regulatory threshold of N200 billion.
The rights issue, which opened its doors on April 14, 2025, and closed on May 21, 2025, was a strategic response to the CBN’s directive aimed at fortifying the Nigerian banking sector.
By embracing this initiative, Wema Bank has not only positioned itself as a leader in compliance but also as a robust player in the quest for sustainable development within the financial landscape of Nigeria.
“This rights issue was undertaken in response to the CBN’s directive on the recapitalisation of banks in Nigeria. With the successful completion and regulatory approval, Wema Bank has now met the N200 billion minimum capital requirement applicable to commercial banks with national authorisation,” the bank’s statement stated.
In addition to the rights issue, Wema Bank has concluded a N50 billion special placement, which is currently awaiting regulatory approval. This additional capital injection further reinforces the bank’s commitment to maintaining a strong capital base and supporting its strategic expansion initiatives.
CEO Expresses Confidence
Commenting on the milestone, Wema Bank’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Moruf Oseni, expressed confidence in the bank’s trajectory and the trust it enjoys from stakeholders.
“As a growth-driven bank, the industry recapitalisation requirement came as a welcome mission, and we undertook it with full confidence. Our success in surpassing the N200 billion benchmark ahead of the 2026 deadline not only reinforces our strong financial standing as a bank, but also attests to the mutual trust and confidence that exists between Wema Bank and its shareholders,” Oseni said.
Earlier in May, Wema Bank had announced its intention to raise an additional N50 billion through a private placement as part of its broader strategy to meet and exceed the CBN’s capital requirements.
At its Annual General Meeting (AGM), held electronically on May 22, 2025, shareholders formally adopted a resolution to secure this additional capital, signaling strong support for the bank’s growth agenda.
Under the CBN’s recapitalization framework, commercial banks with international authorization are required to maintain a minimum capital base of N500 billion, while those with national authorization, such as Wema Bank, must meet a N200 billion threshold.
Wema Bank’s swift and strategic response to these requirements highlights its resilience and forward-thinking leadership in Nigeria’s evolving financial landscape.
Business
FCCPC Recovers N10 Billion For Angry Customers From Banks, Fintech

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has announced an impressive total of N10 billion in recoveries for consumers who were wronged, following a series of complaints directed at banks, fintech companies, and other entities.
This information was revealed in a statement issued on Thursday, which was signed by Ondaje Ijagwu, the Director of Corporate Affairs at the FCCPC.
The announcement comes in light of recent data that highlights the volume of consumer complaints received and subsequently resolved across major sectors of the Nigerian economy.
The data encompasses cases that were registered with the Commission between March and August 2025 and has been meticulously compiled from various complaint resolution platforms managed by the FCCPC.
“The top ten sectors by number of complaints received between March and August 2025 were led by banking (3,173 complaints), followed by Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FCMG) (1,543), fintech (1,442), and electricity (458).
“Other notable sectors included e-commerce (412), telecommunications (409), retail/wholesale/shopping (329), aviation (243), information technology (131), and road transport and logistics (114),” the Commission stated.
The Commission stressed that the data covers consumer grievances ranging from unfair charges, service failure, unauthorised deductions, deceptive marketing, poor disclosure of terms, product defects, and failure to provide redress within acceptable timelines.
“The total number of complaints resolved during the reporting period was 9091, while total recoveries for consumers exceeded N10 billion (Ten Billion Naira), reflecting both the scale of harm experienced and the significant financial burden borne by consumers in the absence of effective redress,” the FCCPC added.
Reacting to the findings, the Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Commission, Mr. Tunji Bello, said: “These numbers are not just statistics; they tell the story of consumer frustration, and the daily challenges Nigerians face in essential services. However, the FCCPC is determined to hold businesses accountable, ensure compliance with the FCCPA, and promote fair market practices that protect the welfare of all consumers.”
The publication of sector-specific complaint data is said to align with the Commission’s mandate under Sections 17(a), 17(j) of the FCCPA 2018, which empower it to enforce consumer protection laws and make information on its functions available to the public.
According to the report, Banking is the dominant source of consumer complaints, both in volume and financial exposure, highlighting recurring issues in loan deductions, account charges, and transaction disputes, and reflecting public reliance on the FCCPC to intervene in systemic financial service challenges.
“Banking and fintech dominate by financial impact, showing consumer vulnerability where services are both essential and high value, signalling an urgent need for stronger joint regulation with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
“With 458 reported complaints, the electricity sector ranks 4th overall, behind banking, financial services, and FCMG, highlighting persistent billing disputes, service delivery failures, and the need for stronger coordination between the FCCPC, NERC, state electricity regulatory agencies and electricity distribution companies (DisCos).
“E-commerce disputes are relatively low-value but high-frequency, signalling broad consumer exposure at the retail level. While average monetary losses per complaint are low, the volume and recurrence of disputes (deliveries, refunds, counterfeit goods) reveal e-commerce as a growing consumer pain point,” the statement added.
The Commission stated it is intensifying monitoring, enforcement, and collaboration with sector regulators to address these concerns.
The Commission encouraged regulated entities to study its data trends and strengthen internal mechanisms for handling consumer complaints, ensuring that issues are addressed promptly and equitably.
Consumers were encouraged to continue reporting violations through the FCCPC complaint portal: complaints.fccpc.gov.ng, or FCCPC zonal and state offices.
Business
FirstBank Wins Appeal in Landmark Case Against General Hydrocarbons Ltd

First Bank of Nigeria Limited (FirstBank) has secured a significant victory at the Court of Appeal in its case against General Hydrocarbons Limited (GHL) filed by their lawyers Babajide Koku SAN and Victor Ogude SAN, as reported by Nairametrics.
In its ruling on Thursday, 11 September 2025, the Court of Appeal set aside the earlier decision of the Federal High Court, Port. Harcourt, Obile J, which had dismissed FirstBank’s claims regarding the fraudulent diversion of proceeds from the sale of crude oil cargo pledged as collateral for loan facilities.
The dispute arose from crude oil aboard the FPSO Tamara Tokoni, which GHL had pledged to FirstBank as security for substantial loan facilities. Contrary to the terms of the pledge, GHL diverted the proceeds from the sale of the cargo, prompting the Bank to seek legal redress.
FirstBank filed an appeal challenging the trial court’s decision that had treated the matter as a simple debt recovery. The Court of Appeal, in its ruling, affirmed the maritime nature of the claim and emphasised the importance of preserving the Res, the crude oil cargo, as the central issue in dispute. The Court set aside the earlier order of the trial court vacating the order of arrest of the 2nd respondent.
The appellate court allowed FirstBank’s appeal and set aside the Federal High Court’s ruling. It authorised the sale of the crude oil cargo aboard FPSO Tamara Tokoni, with the proceeds to be deposited into an interest-yielding escrow account under the custody of the Chief Registrar of the Court of Appeal, pending the hearing and determination of the case at the trial court and the court of arbitration. The Chief Registrar was also appointed to take possession of the cargo and ensure its protection against dissipation or unauthorised disposition by any party.
This ruling marks a significant milestone for FirstBank and reinforces the Bank’s commitment to upholding the integrity of financial transactions and protecting the interests of its stakeholders.
FirstBank remains steadfast in its dedication to sound corporate governance, legal compliance, and the protection of its assets. The judgment of the Court of Appeal sets a strong precedent for the enforcement of collateral agreements and accountability in high-value commercial transactions.
Business
Naira Reduces Dollar Again As New Rate Emerges, See Price Today

There has been a surge of enthusiasm among many Nigerians as President Tinubu’s economic policies begin to yield promising outcomes.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has enacted more stringent controls while sustaining a lower exchange rate at the official windows. Click link to continue reading.
Business
DOLLAR FALLS AGAIN: New exchange rate emerges

The black market exchange rate for the dollar to naira continues to highlight Nigeria’s forex supply challenges, with many individuals and businesses relying on the parallel market for transactions.
CBN maintains tighter controls and a lower rate at official windows, limited access and allocation restrictions force most importers, businesses, and students abroad to turn to the parallel market, where prices reflect actual demand and supply pressures. Click link to continue reading.
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