E-Financial
Manufacturers Accuse Banks of Forex Racketeering

Nigerian manufacturers have accused commercial banks in the country of engaging in foreign exchange racketeering, which has been fuelled by acute shortage of hard currency in the economy, according to Punch.
The manufacturers also called for the immediate review of the forex policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) which they described as a failure so far.
The CBN has been rationing forex to manufacturers and other prospective importers through commercial banks following the fall in the global price of crude oil, Nigeria’s biggest forex earner.
Dr. Frank Jacobs, president, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) said members of the association had on several occasions, complained about being on the wrong end of the racketeering involved in the allocation of forex, adding that affected persons are afraid to identify those responsible for the corrupt practice.
He said, “Our members have been reporting that there are some shady deals going on in foreign exchange market, so we have received a number of those reports but the unfortunate thing is that nobody wants to come out to say they are ready to identify the persons behind it.”
Jacobs, however, noted that the people behind the racketeering would continue to exploit the CBN’s forex policy that leaves a lot of difference between official forex rate and that of the parallel market, if the apex bank fails to immediately review its forex policy.
He said, “I like the recent call made by the National Executive Council on the CBN to look at the forex policy. The policy has not stabilised the naira as the naira has continued to fluctuate. So, we need to move away from that policy and try something else because it is not working.”
Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN), Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, had on Wednesday, said he had received petitions supported by documents, alleging corruption in the CBN’s forex allocation and transactions.
But the CBN had debunked the allegations in a publication posted on its website, saying it neither allocated foreign exchange nor did it deal directly with bank customers.
It insisted that its forex policy was transparent, adding that it was not responsible for fixing forex rates for transactions by individuals or companies.
Meanwhile, the alleged foreign exchange racketeering has been identified as one of the factors frustrating importers from having access to CBN’s intervention forex funds.
For instance, in November 2016, the CBN announced that it had given manufacturing industries access to foreign exchange valued at over $660m in the interbank market to source raw materials and spare parts for their industries courtesy of the interbank forex market.
But according to manufacturers, even though the CBN has been making forex available from time to time, it has largely been inadequate to cater for their needs.
Jacobs said, “I know about $400m and $500m (made available). What is on now is $2.8bn that the CBN is saying it gave to the real sector, including manufacturers and I’ve just received some documents related to it and still awaiting the rest of them.
“If the CBN gives manufacturers N1bn every month, I believe it will take care of most of their problems. In January, what the manufacturers got from the document they sent to me was about $500m and if that is brought up to N1bn, I am sure it will go a long way in addressing the forex challenges for manufacturers.”
Jacobs said what the forex manufacturers had been getting had only aided them to keep their businesses afloat.
Also, Charles Beke, chairman, MAN, Rivers State chapter, said, “If you asked me if I was aware of the CBN policy to assist manufacturers to access forex, I would say yes. But it is one thing to have a policy and another thing to implement it.
“Manufacturers across the nation, not just in Rivers State, face forex crisis and it is having negative implications for our operations.”
In Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Iniobong Jackson, chairman, MAN, said many factories had closed down in the state because of lack of access to forex to import raw materials.
He noted that inconsistency in government policies made it difficult for manufacturers to plan properly, describing the current period as bad for manufacturers.
“Many people have closed down their factories because access to forex has been almost impossible,” he added.
Chief Kola Akosile, president, Ekiti State Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, also said the state manufacturers had not benefited from any forex intervention from the CBN.
The immediate past President, Kwara State Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Chief Hezekiah Adediji, said to the best of his knowledge, no member of the association had accessed forex from CBN’s intervention, including the $660m window in the interbank market as promised in November 2016.
He stated that the problem was because many of its members were not aware of the intervention funds.
Adediji said, “No manufacturer in the state has accessed the forex as far as I know. CBN does not make much publicity about some of its intervention funds. Many manufacturers are not aware of such development. They do not know where and how to access the money.”
“It is affecting us because we are not making progress, when you are handicapped; there is not much a business owner can do.”
The Chairman, MAN, Edo/Delta Branch, Dr. Unuigboje Alofoje, lamented that its members had had a difficult time accessing forex from banks in the region, stressing that Nigeria had been a country of buying and selling with the manufacturing sector almost totally neglected by the government.
E-Financial
MoneyMaster Enhances App, Rewards Users with Data and Airtime Bonuses

MoneyMaster Payment Service Bank has introduced a refreshed mobile banking experience designed to make purchasing airtime and data more convenient and straightforward for customers.

As part of the rollout, customers will enjoy added value on their transactions. Airtime purchases on the Glo network come with a 100 percent bonus, while data purchases attract a 10 percent bonus, giving users amazing rewards on each purchase.
With this revamp, the app is now much easier to use, especially for airtime purchases. From selecting accounts to choosing amounts, the process is more seamless, with clearer options and fewer steps. Data plans are now neatly organized into categories such as daily, weekly, and monthly, making it easier for users to find what they need without endless scrolling.
Beyond the improved layout, customers now have more flexibility in how they recharge. Lower airtime denominations have been introduced, giving users the freedom to choose amounts that better suit their needs, while navigation has been adjusted to be quicker and more intuitive.
Speaking on the update, the bank’s Head of Business, Tajudeen Omokhide, explained that the goal is to make payments as simple and seamless as possible. According to him, customers expect speed, clarity, and affordability, and these improvements are part of the bank’s ongoing effort to meet those expectations. He also encouraged both existing and new users to get the latest version of the app.
These updates are a testament to MoneyMaster’s broader mission of developing practical, relevant products for everyday life. Promoted by Globacom and licensed by the Central Bank of Nigeria, the bank offers mobile wallets, savings accounts, individual current accounts, and business banking services.
MoneyMaster continues to position itself as a flexible, customer-centric platform, enabling over 4,000 individual and business billers to manage payments, access financial services, and stay connected with ease.
E-Financial
CBN Directs IMTOs to Open Naira Settlement Accounts

Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has directed all International Money Transfer Operators (IMTOs) operating in the country to open and maintain naira settlement accounts with authorised dealer banks, as part of efforts to tighten oversight of diaspora remittances and improve transparency in the foreign exchange market.

The directive was contained in a circular dated March 24, 2026, signed by Dr Musa Nakorji, director of the Trade and Exchange Department, and addressed to IMTOs, authorised dealer banks and the general public.
The circular was published on the apex bank’s website on Tuesday.
The CBN said the measure is aimed at “enhancing diaspora remittances, strengthening transparency, traceability, and effective monitoring of all transactions.”
It stated that “all IMTOs are hereby directed to open naira settlement accounts and ensure that all transactions are routed strictly through their designated settlement accounts, maintained with Authorised Dealer Banks in Nigeria.”
Under the new rule, all inflows, beneficiary payments and related settlements linked to international money transfers are to be processed solely through these accounts.
IMTOs may, however, operate multiple settlement accounts across different banks in line with their operational needs.
The circular also introduced tighter controls on how the accounts can be funded, stating that they “shall only be credited with remittance flows and proceeds of foreign exchange conversions by licensed IMTOs (or their agents)” within the Nigerian foreign exchange market.
Operators are required to clearly designate the accounts and submit the details to the CBN, with updates provided periodically where necessary.
To improve market operations, authorised dealer banks are permitted to process foreign currency transfers from IMTO settlement accounts to other banks and approved participants, including licensed Bureau De Change operators.
The apex bank further directed IMTOs to adopt market-reflective pricing by referencing the Bloomberg BMatch system. It said IMTOs “shall observe real-time market prices from the Bloomberg BMATCH and utilise this as guidance for pricing transactions with their customers and Authorised Dealers.”
According to the CBN, this approach is expected to “improve price discovery, reduce information asymmetry between IMTOs and banks, and encourage increased participation in the official FX market.”
The bank added that all operators must maintain proper transaction records for regulatory checks and comply fully with anti-money laundering, counter-terrorism financing and counter-proliferation financing rules.
“This directive takes effect from May 1, 2026. Please note and ensure compliance,” the circular stated.
The move shows the CBN’s push to channel remittance inflows through formal banking channels, boost liquidity in the official foreign exchange market and strengthen regulatory oversight of cross-border transactions.
E-Financial
DLM Capital Group’s AAA-Rated Sovereign Bond-Backed Composite Notes (“SBCNS”) Strengthens Investor Confidence with Successful First Principal & Interest Payment

Foremost Development Investment Bank, DLM Capital Group has reinforced its position as a leader in innovative fixed income solutions with the successful payment of the first principal and interest (coupon) to investors under its Sovereign Bond-Backed Composite Notes (“SBCNs”) issuance.

This milestone, alongside the consistent delivery of quarterly performance reports, underscores the Group’s commitment to transparency, capital preservation, and investor confidence.
DLM SPV PLC’s 40.62% Hold-to-Maturity return ₦7.30 billion (Tranche A) and 19.07% ₦1.70 billion (Tranche B) Plain Vanilla Series 1 Notes, issued under its ₦30.00 billion Medium-Term Notes Programme and developed by Sonnie Babatunde Ayere, Group CEO of DLM Capital, was recently listed on the FMDQ Exchange with the Tranche A bond becoming the most valuable AAA-rated corporate bond on the market.
This represents a new class of structured debt instruments designed to meet both issuer funding needs and investor expectations. As a platform widely recognised for supporting innovative debt structures, FMDQ provides an enabling environment for instruments like DLM’s SBCNs to thrive.
At launch in July 2025, DLM SBCNs, which achieved a 9-notch upgrade from BBB- (GCR Sponsor ratings at issuance) without securitisation, entered the market with a healthy degree of skepticism, as is typical with pioneering financial instruments. However, after six months of post-issuance, DLM Funding SPV Plc has delivered on its promise by comfortably and successfully meeting its first principal and coupon obligations to its investors.
This performance milestone has significantly strengthened market confidence and validated the robustness of the structure. The notes are rated AAA by Global Credit Rating and AAA by DataPro Limited, reflecting their strong credit fundamentals and low-risk profile. Designed to prioritise capital preservation, liquidity, and above competitive market returns, the instrument stands out as one of the most compelling corporate fixed income offerings for institutional investors currently available in the market.
Investor response has been notably strong and institutional investors who are beginning to recognize the value of a well-structured de-risked, high-return and, high-quality fixed income investment backed by a credible issuer with a proven track record. The combination of timely coupon payments, high credit ratings, and ongoing transparency has positioned SBCNs as a preferred option for investors seeking stability and performance in today’s evolving financial landscape.
As investor interest continues to build towards Series 2, DLM SBCNs are not only demonstrating resilience but also setting a benchmark for innovation in Nigeria’s debt capital markets. In its role as a Development Investment Bank (“DIB”), DLM Capital Group remains committed to delivering structured solutions that align with investor needs whilst maintaining the highest standards of governance and execution.
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