News
CBN Sanction: A Dis-Incentive To Capital Investment
By Cheku Alkali
A fundamental objective of financial regulation is the safety and soundness of financial institutions, and the ability of regulators to mitigate systemic risk through effective policy/reforms.
This assertion represents the statutory mandate of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) under the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007; the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act (BOFIA); and the Foreign Exchange (Monitoring and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1995 and other subsidiary legislations.
Admittedly, financial systems cannot function effectively without confidence in the markets. However, due to the volatile nature of the financial market, regulatory actions or inactions may cause disruption to the financial system; thereby reducing confidence in the ability of markets to function effectively.
This in turn could impair the availability of credit and overall economic activities in the country. It is against this background and the overarching responsibility of the CBN to ensure soundness of the financial system (whilst encouraging foreign capital investment) that this writer examines the impact of CBN’s sanction on MTN Nigeria Communications Limited (MTN).
The Central Bank of Nigeria on Wednesday, August 29, 2018, directed MTN to refund the sum of $8.13 billion for alleged illegal conversion of shareholders’ loans to preference shares; and the repatriation of same out of Nigeria.
Other affected parties are four Banks namely – Citibank, Diamond Bank, Stanbic IBTC and Standard Chartered Bank (the Banks)- all directed to refund the sum of NGN2.5 billion for allegations of illegal remittances of foreign exchange with irregular certificates of capital importation (CCIs) issued on behalf of some offshore investors of MTN between 2007 – 2015.
CBN’s investigation was primarily on three key “infractions” to wit; issuance of Certificates of Capital Importation (CCI’s) for the following items; foreign currency sourced locally; falsely declared capital importation; and interest-free loans converted to preference shares without authorization.
In response, MTN described the allegation as regrettable, and reiterated its intention to vigorously defend its position before a court of competent jurisdiction.
At the time of going to print, we understand MTN has instituted an action in this regard at the Federal High Court of Nigeria.
CCI is a certificate issued by an authorized dealer (usually a licensed commercial bank) confirming an inflow of foreign capital either in form of cash (loan or equity) or goods.
CCI is usually issued in the name of the investor with 24-48 hours of the inflow of the capital into Nigeria.
Its primary purpose is to guarantee access to the foreign exchange market for the repatriation of capital/returns on investment – dividend, interest and capital on divestments, as well as repayment of principal and interest accruing on a foreign loan.
Assuming to be correct, the allegation against MTN and the Banks, the question which arises is whether the CBN has effectively discharged its responsibility of financial supervision given the length of time (8 years) it took to realise, investigate and sanction the affected parties.
As stated, foreign investors are permitted to import capital or invest in any enterprise in foreign currency, through authorized dealers – who are permitted to issue CCIs within 24 (sometimes 48) hours of receiving the capital inflow.
It may then be argued, that the inability of the CBN to effectively and promptly monitor the inflow and outflow of foreign capital, is effectively a failure to discharge its statutory obligation.
Put differently, the CBN should have sanctioned the affected entities long ago to avoid the disruption now caused because of the delay in this regard. An unintended effect of this regulatory lapse may be the resultant lack of confidence and transparency in the financial market, that tends to stifle foreign investment activities.
The CBN Manual 2006 (the operating manual at the time the actions of the above-named entities were carried out) provides that foreign investors are guaranteed unconditional transfer of their capital, profits and dividends attributable to their investments in any convertible currency through authorized dealers.
This means that a company/investor intending to repatriate its capital will be required to provide a CCI as evidence that the original investment was imported into Nigeria.
Following the CBN sanction, MTN has witnessed a drop in its share price by 23%. Even in the event the allegations are false and MTN succeeds in its claim against the CBN, the reputational damage to the nation may be irreversible.
For the savvy investor desirous of repatriating capital returns, economic headwinds would seem to warn against bringing in capital investment. Investors would find it easy to conclude that bringing in funds would be unwise because of a perceived inability to access and repatriate same when required.
Thus, by failing to proactively supervise the instant issue, the CBN; despite acting within its statutory powers, may occasion a ripple effect on investor’s confidence in Nigeria’s financial system.
Looking forward, instead of taking similar (delayed) reactionary measures, this writer suggests that the CBN should look to strengthen its monitoring, and processing of CCIs of foreign investment flows in and out of the country.
To achieve this, it can adopt a twin approach to its supervisory role to ensure transparency, market integrity, and consumer protection. This approach of coupling the power of sanction with proactive regulation, will also ensure that the CBN acts as a catalyst for foreign direct/portfolio investment as opposed to becoming an inadvertent market disruptor. It will better reinforce the CBN’s commitment towards ensuring a transparent and stable financial system.
A regulator such as the CBN must always weigh the outcome of its actions or inactions on the market before taking any step. Although it is difficult to have near perfect supervision, it is possible to implement stronger financial supervision measures to reduce the chances of putting foreign capital investment to flight.
Financial regulation in this regard can serve as not just a means of maintaining stability, but as an instrument for growth and development of the financial system.
Cheku Alkali is an Associate of Perchstone and Graeys
INTERPOL’s African Cyberthreat Assessment Report 2026 revealed that Artificial intelligence accounts for 55 per cent of reported cybercrimes across Africa and making attacks faster, more sophisticated and increasingly difficult to detect.
The report warns that the continent’s rapid digital transformation, marked by more than 1.1 billion mobile subscribers in 2025, is being matched by an equally rapid evolution in cybercrime, while fragmented legislation and limited AI readiness among law enforcement agencies continue to weaken responses.
The 40-page assessment, based on survey data from 36 African member countries, said cybercrime has shifted from isolated criminal activity to an industrialised, borderless ecosystem powered by AI.
According to the report, East Africa has become a hotspot for mobile money fraud and ransomware attacks targeting critical infrastructure, while business email compromise (BEC) and romance scams are widespread across Central and West Africa.
Southern Africa, it noted, has become an attractive target for international cybercriminals due to its high level of internet connectivity.
The report also highlighted the growing financial impact of cybercrime across the continent, revealing that losses have more than doubled since 2024, rising from 192 million dollars to 484 million dollars.
It attributed the increase largely to AI-enabled scams, credential harvesting and automated social engineering attacks.
INTERPOL said online scams remained the most commonly reported form of cybercrime in 2025, with criminals exploiting mobile money platforms, social media and AI-generated content to deceive victims.
It added that 72 per cent of surveyed countries reported the existence of scam centres, with the highest concentration recorded in Southern and West Africa.
The report further identified digital sextortion and online harassment as persistent threats, driven increasingly by AI-generated deepfakes and synthetic media.
According to data from TrendAI, one of INTERPOL’s partners, about 600,000 sextortion incidents were detected during the reporting period.
Business email compromise schemes have also become more sophisticated, with AI being used to generate highly convincing email communications.
The report said Africa-based threat actors are increasingly targeting victims in Europe and North America using cyber infrastructure spread across multiple jurisdictions.
INTERPOL warned that the absence of real-time information sharing between banks, telecommunications companies and law enforcement agencies has created significant vulnerabilities in tackling financial cybercrime.
It said cybercriminals are no longer relying solely on stolen credentials but are now creating AI-generated synthetic identities by combining genuine personal information with fabricated details.
These synthetic identities, the report noted, have been used to bypass biometric verification systems, open bank accounts, obtain mobile loans and register SIM cards under false identities.
Neal Jetton, Director of INTERPOL’s Cybercrime Directorate, described cybercrime as one of the most significant criminal threats facing Africa.
“Cybercrime has emerged as one of the most significant criminal threats to the region. AI is automating every stage of a cyberattack from reconnaissance and phishing to extortion and evasion.
“However, we see that when countries work together, cybercriminal infrastructure can be identified, disrupted and dismantled,” he said.
Despite the growing threat, the report highlighted progress in strengthening cybersecurity across the continent.
It disclosed that 17 African countries enacted or amended cybercrime legislation in 2025, while Senegal launched an online reporting platform to improve responses to online offences affecting children.
The report also noted that regional capacity-building initiatives are helping to improve long-term cyber resilience.
INTERPOL said four major cybercrime operations conducted in 2025, Operation Serengeti 2.0, Operation Contender 3.0, Operation Sentinel and Operation Red Card 2.0, resulted in more than 1,500 arrests, the seizure of hundreds of electronic devices and the recovery of over 100 million dollars.
To address the growing threat, the report recommended the adoption of standardised digital forensic capabilities, stronger cross-border collaboration, greater investment in AI literacy for law enforcement personnel and formal public-private partnerships to improve cybercrime prevention, detection and response.
The African Cyberthreat Assessment 2026 forms part of INTERPOL’s African Joint Operation against Cybercrime initiative, funded by the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, with data contributions from Fortinet, Mastercard, the Shadowserver Foundation, S2W and TrendAI.
Nigerian students will soon design, assemble, test and fly drones as part of their university education, following a partnership between Miva Open University and Abuja-based defence technology company Terra Industries.
The collaboration comes as Nigeria intensifies efforts to develop indigenous capabilities in advanced manufacturing and defence technology, with both organisations seeking to strengthen Africa’s pipeline of deep-tech talent.
The partnership will see students gain hands-on experience in drone engineering and related technologies through dedicated labs and industry collaboration.
The partners will establish robotics, drone and virtual reality laboratories across Miva’s study centres, beginning with a pilot facility in Abuja.
Students will also gain access to industry-led workshops, research opportunities, internships and mentorship in artificial intelligence, robotics, cybersecurity and autonomous systems.
According to the partners, Terra’s engineering teams will work alongside Miva faculty to integrate hands-on hardware training into academic programmes, exposing students to real-world engineering challenges and building industry experience before graduation.
Nathan Nwachuku, co-founder and CEO of Terra Industries, said Africa’s technological future depends on developing engineers capable of building solutions for local challenges.
“The engineers who will build Africa’s future must learn by building. This partnership creates opportunities for students to work with the technologies shaping modern security, infrastructure and autonomous systems,” said Nwachuku.
Miva Open University said the initiative forms part of its commitment to experiential learning, adding that students will have the opportunity to “design, test and fly drones as part of their academic experience”.
The partnership builds on Terra’s expanding role in Nigeria’s defence technology sector. Earlier this year, the company signed a joint venture with the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria to localise the production of drones, robotics systems and cybersecurity infrastructure, supporting efforts to strengthen domestic manufacturing and reduce reliance on imports.
Atte Ayodeji, a Nigerian computer scientist,has developed an artificial intelligence algorithm capable of detecting, counting, grouping and generating healthy hair follicles during hair transplant procedures, an innovation that earned him the Best Innovative Technology award.
Atte Ayodeji
Ayodeji also graduated with a Distinction in his Master of Science (MSc) in Computer Science from Birmingham City University on Friday, adding another milestone to an impressive academic year.
Beyond his award-winning hair transplant innovation, the Nigerian researcher developed a system and framework on Explainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI) as a professional responsibility in the diagnosis of lung cancer.
His dissertation received a silver award at the PGXPO2026 Winter, further highlighting the impact of his research in applying artificial intelligence to healthcare.
Sunday Dare, special adviser on Media and Public Communication to President Tinubu, celebrated Ayodeji’s achievements in a post on X, recalling how he first met him in 2019 during his National Youth Service.
“In 2019 when I became a Minister of the Republic, I met a young man of medium height, genteel with penetrating eyes: Atte Ayodeji. His words rarely come out and he could easily be passed by unnoticed. But I noticed him especially when my SA Kemi Areola brought him to me asking my approval for him to do his Youth Service in my office. I approved. From then on he was unstoppable. His brilliance shown and he developed skills beyond his frame.”
Highlighting Ayodeji’s recent accomplishments, Dare congratulated him saying, “Congratulations Atte. I am proud of you!”
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