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Naira Weakens Despite Dollar Selloff

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By Lukman Otunuga, Senior Research Analyst at FXTM

As the worldwide race for a coronavirus vaccine gathers pace and fiscal stimulus uplifts global sentiment, investors seem to be favouring riskier currencies at the expense of the Dollar.

The Nigerian Naira has struggled to exploit the improving market mood, with the local currency weakening to N472 to a Dollar at the parallel market in Lagos.

Africa’s largest economy remains entangled in a fierce battle against the coronavirus menace. Even before the health crises infected Nigeria, the economy was dealing with uncertainty triggered by domestic and external risks. 2020 will be a critical year for Nigeria, at the country juggles with volatile Oil prices, rising inflationary pressures and wounds inflicted from strict lockdowns.

The Central Bank of Nigeria has cut interest rates only once since the start of 2020 to stimulate consumption and support growth. Despite this, the economy is still projected to contract as much as 5.4% this year. With inflation jumping to its highest level since March 2018 at 12.56%, the CBN is unlikely to cut interest rates anytime soon.

Looking at the technical picture, the Naira is likely to remain depressed despite the Dollar weakening across the board. In the face of Dollar shortages and shaky oil prices, the Naira could find itself exposed to downside shocks. Will the Naira depreciate towards N500 on the parallel markets? Time will tell.


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E-Financial

Kuda Bank Teams Up with Lovers & Frnds for Inclusive Valentine’s R&B Bash

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Kuda Microfinance Bank partnered with Lovers & Frnds for a Valentine’s edition event on Sunday, February 15, at Space Hub Lekki, Lagos, redefining celebrations around love, friendship, and social connections beyond romance.

Kuda Bank Teams Up with Lovers & Frnds for Inclusive Valentine’s R&B Bash

Kuda Bank

The R&B-themed gathering drew couples, friend groups, and solo attendees with music sets from DJs like TGarbs, games, gift exchanges, and colour-coded tags—red for relationships, yellow for mingling singles, orange for non-minglers—to spark easy interactions.

Kuda activated a branded photo booth, merchandise giveaways, prize activities, and complimentary drinks for Premium loyalty tier customers, while vendors used Kuda Business POS terminals for seamless cashless payments.

Senior Brand Manager Emmanuel Femi-Adejobi said: “We partner with experiences matching our customers’ lifestyles in music and entertainment, creating spaces they genuinely connect with—we’ll keep supporting how they live and celebrate.”


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E-Financial

CBN Cuts MPR by 50bps to 26.50% as Inflation Eases for 11th Month

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Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has lowered its Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) by 50 basis points to 26.50 percent from 27 percent, a unanimous decision announced by Governor Olayemi Cardoso at the end of the 304th Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting in Abuja on Tuesday.

CBN Cuts MPR by 50bps to 26.50% as Inflation Eases for 11th Month

CBN

Cardoso cited 11 straight months of decelerating headline inflation—reaching 15.10 percent in January 2026 per National Bureau of Statistics—as key, driven by prior tightening lags, naira stability, food supply gains, steady petroleum prices, export earnings, remittances, and balance of payments strength.

Liquidity ratio stays at 30 percent, CRR unchanged at 45 percent for commercial banks (16 percent merchant banks) and 75 percent non-TSA public deposits; standing facilities corridor now +50/-450 basis points around MPR.

The MPC retained other parameters, welcoming Executive Order 09 redirecting oil/gas revenues to the federation account for fiscal boost, last cutting rates in September 2025 after November’s hold.


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Retiree Slams N50m Suit against over Alleged Privacy Breach, Unauthorized Accounts

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Abiodun Olokunjuwon, a retired civil servant based in Ibadan has instituted a N50 million lawsuit against Moniepoint Microfinance Bank at the Oyo State High Court, alleging that the fintech company opened unauthorized bank accounts in her name without her knowledge or consent.

Retiree Slams N50m Suit against over Alleged Privacy Breach, Unauthorized Accounts

Filed in February 2026, the suit is among the first significant cases testing the enforcement of the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023 against a Nigerian fintech institution.

According to the statement of claim, the plaintiff became aware of the alleged unauthorized accounts only after her legitimate bank account was restricted pursuant to a garnishee order linked to a debt she denies incurring.

The restriction reportedly prevented her from accessing funds needed for essential transactions.

The claimant alleges that Moniepoint opened two separate accounts in her name using her National Identification Number (NIN) and Bank Verification Number (BVN) without proper authorization or verification.

Following the discovery, she submitted a Data Subject Access Request (DSAR) under the NDPA 2023. Documents allegedly provided by the bank, according to the suit, revealed significant verification lapses.

The plaintiff claims the accounts were opened using falsified documents, including what she describes as a fake NIN slip and contact information unrelated to her.

She further alleges that the accounts listed a Lagos residential address where she has never lived.

The suit contends that Moniepoint failed to implement adequate identity verification and address confirmation procedures before creating and operating the accounts. It further alleges breaches of statutory obligations under the NDPA 2023, including:

  • Failure to ensure personal data processed was accurate and lawfully obtained
  • Failure to implement appropriate technical and organizational security measures
  • Failure to prevent unauthorized or fraudulent processing of personal data

The claimant maintains that these alleged lapses resulted in serious personal and financial harm.

The plaintiff is seeking N50 million in damages for emotional distress, health complications, and disruption to her financial life.

She is also asking the court to order the permanent closure of the allegedly unauthorized accounts.

No date has been fixed for hearing on the matter.


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