News
CBN, NIgComSat Ink Nationwide Internet Hotspots Deal

Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN) announced at the weekend that in a matter of days, it will sign a multibillion naira contract with Nigerian Communication Satellite (NigComSat ) Limited to power the platform to boost the apex bank’s nationwide cashless initiative and empower primary, secondary schools and the entire banking industry with real time internet connectivity, the
Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, CBN governor, announced this at the weekend when he launched Bank Verification Number Biometric Solution in Lagos.
The digital initiative contract with NIGCOMSAT which is expected to be ratified early next week will create hotspots in all the 774 Local Government Areas in Nigeria for seamless Internet connectivity via satellite.
“All financial access points in the country will have dedicated hotspots through dedicated access points for the benefit of the banks and their customers”.
The apex bank,s helmsman also said this same service will be available in many primary and secondary schools across the 774 council areas in the country will be fitted with Internet hotspots for digital empowerment of this section of youths and future leaders.
Although the connection to schools shall be part of the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) of the apex bank, Sanusi added that “ every Nigerian bank will be connected to this platform whether the banks are located here in Nigeria or elsewhere in the global community.
This will enable customers access to online real time banking services whether they live in the villages of Bayelsa or desert environment in Yobe States”
On the biometric solution platform, the CBN Governor said when ever you enter a bank henceforth irrespective of the location, transactions will be done with finger prints.
Apart from being almost fool proof, it is expected to minimize the incidents of fraud and “in a few years, we will have a banking industry that is not only efficient but an industry to be proud of”
Mobile money will also be available on customers finger tips, the Governor said, adding that the CBN has initiated all of these in collaboration with the Ministry of Communications Technology; the Bankers Committee; Chams Plc; and Mr Tunde Lemo, immediate past deputy governor in charge of Operations; and the German Company Dorman Long.
The CBN, Sanusi explained, will fund the Internet connectivity in the first four years and all those who would receive Internet services through the designated nationwide hotspots will do so free of charge, adding that “this legacy is more than the banking reforms which we have started”
Sanusi added that “innovative banks can now think in a limitless manner that is opened to them by a combination of the biometric, Internet availability via NIGCOMSAT and in a few years, you will have an industry that is the most efficient in the world by simply leveraging on the potentials of the solutions”
All Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) and Point Of Sales (POS) in every village will be linked seamlessly to satellite, he added.
Indeed, these solutions will efficiently take a lot of burden off the banks to enable them concentrate on how to woo customers and offer them services that will bring comfort to them, he further explained.
News
Guinness Rolls Out Nationwide Consumer Rewards Promotion

Guinness Nigeria has launched a nationwide National Consumer Promotion (NCP) tagged ‘Open For More’. This is a consumer rewards initiative that will see more than ₦400 million in cash and prizes won by consumers across the country.

The promotion, which runs nationwide, offers consumers the opportunity to win ₦1 million every day, ₦100,000 cash rewards for 1,000 winners, and a brand-new Toyota Land Cruiser Prado as the grand prize. The campaign is designed to reward loyal consumers while creating more opportunities for everyday Nigerians to celebrate life’s meaningful moments.
To participate, consumers are required to purchase specially marked bottles of Guinness Foreign Extra Stout or Guinness Smooth, check for the unique code beneath the crown cork, and enter the code at www.guinnessng.com/1759 for a chance to win.
Speaking on the launch, Ramanathan Solayappan, Marketing and Innovations Director, Guinness Nigeria, said the promotion reflects the brand’s longstanding relationship with consumers and its commitment to creating memorable experiences beyond the product itself.
“Nigerians have made Guinness part of their celebrations, milestones, and everyday moments for over seven decades. The ‘Open For More’ promotion is our way of rewarding that loyalty by giving consumers genuine opportunities to win prizes that can make a meaningful difference in their lives.”
Solayappan added that the promotion was deliberately designed to make participation simple and accessible to consumers across the country.
“We believe, at Guinness, that there is always room for more possibilities, more progress, and more reasons to celebrate. Through this campaign, we are inviting consumers and beloved Nigerians over the age of 18 years to take part in an experience that goes beyond enjoying a Guinness. Every eligible purchase could open the door to something more.”
Beyond rewarding consumers, the promotion comes at a time when many Nigerians are placing greater value on opportunities that offer tangible returns. By putting more than ₦400 million in cash and prizes directly into the hands of consumers, Guinness Nigeria is creating a campaign that celebrates loyalty and delivers meaningful rewards that can support personal aspirations, family needs, and everyday goals.
As part of the campaign, winners will emerge weekly throughout the promotion period, with regular winner announcements and prize presentations aimed at ensuring transparency and public confidence in the process.
The Open For More National Consumer Promotion strengthens Guinness Nigeria’s commitment to rewarding consumers while creating excitement around the brand through meaningful and impactful experiences. Consumers are encouraged to look out for specially marked promotional packs and follow Guinness Nigeria’s official communication channels for updates, winner announcements, and further information on participation mechanics.
News
Nigeria Lost N34 Trillion to Import Waivers in 2025, Customs Tells Senate

Bashir Adeniyi, Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has disclosed that the value of Import Duty Exemption Certificate (IDEC) approvals granted by the Federal Government rose to about N34 trillion in 2025.

Adeniyi made the disclosure on Monday during an investigative hearing of the Senate Committee on Finance in Abuja.
He said the import duty exemptions had significantly affected the service’s revenue generation, although many of the waivers were introduced to support critical national priorities.
According to him, about 60 per cent of the approved waivers were granted for the importation of military hardware in response to the country’s security challenges.
He said other beneficiaries included importers of compressed natural gas (CNG), electric and hybrid vehicles, healthcare equipment and medical supplies, industrial machinery, manufacturing inputs and food intervention programmes.
“IDEC approvals reached about N34 trillion in 2025, about 60 per cent of which was rightly granted for military hardware procurements due to Nigeria’s prevailing security challenges,” Adeniyi said.
The Comptroller-General noted that the introduction of the IDEC scheme in March 2020 had remained one of the major fiscal policies affecting Customs revenue.
He said the service would have generated significantly higher revenue over the years if not for government fiscal measures and other external factors that reduced its revenue base.
Adeniyi, however, maintained that fiscal policy should not be evaluated solely on the basis of revenue generation.
He said government interventions through duty waivers were intended to stimulate economic growth, improve healthcare delivery, encourage industrial production and address national security concerns.
He urged the Federal Government to strengthen monitoring mechanisms to ensure that beneficiaries of import duty waivers achieved the intended objectives, including reducing prices, increasing production and improving access to essential goods and services.
The Customs boss also disclosed that the service generated N7.28 trillion in revenue in 2025.
He added that out of the N11.04 trillion revenue target for 2026, the service had realised N4.5 trillion as of June 30.
Adeniyi expressed optimism that the service would continue implementing measures aimed at improving revenue collection while supporting government fiscal policies.
News
DataPro Upgrades Dangote Cement’s Credit Rating to AA+

DataPro Rating Agency has upgraded the long-term credit rating of Dangote Cement Plc to AA+ from AA, citing the company’s strong financial performance, market leadership and ability to meet its financial obligations despite Nigeria’s challenging economic environment.

In its latest rating report, the technology-driven credit rating agency also affirmed Dangote Cement’s short-term rating at A1, with a Stable Outlook. The ratings are valid until June 16, 2027.
DataPro said the upgrade reflects the cement maker’s sustained financial strength, resilient operating performance and dominant position in Nigeria and across Africa.
According to the agency, the assessment followed a comprehensive review of the company’s capital base, earnings, liquidity, corporate governance, regulatory compliance and the sustainability of its financial performance over the medium to long term.
It noted that Dangote Cement’s strong brand, leading market share, solid earnings, robust asset base and experienced management continue to strengthen its ability to meet financial commitments on time.
The agency also highlighted the company’s outstanding financial performance in 2025.
According to the report, Dangote Cement posted N4.31 trillion in revenue during the year, representing a 20 per cent increase from the previous year. Profit before tax more than doubled, rising 109 per cent to N1.53 trillion, driven by higher sales, improved operating efficiency, lower finance costs and a stronger capital structure.
DataPro said the AA+ long-term rating indicates low credit risk and reflects excellent financial strength, business profile and operating performance relative to its rating benchmarks.
It added that the A1 short-term rating signifies good credit quality and shows that the company has a strong capacity to meet its short-term financial obligations as they fall due.
The rating agency, however, noted that the credit rating has a maximum shelf life of 12 calendar months in line with international best practice and should be used only as a reference, not as an offer to trade in securities or as a substitute for investors’ independent judgement.
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