E-Financial
BOI’s Disbursement to SMEs, Large Enterprises Hits Over N1trn in 6 Years
The Bank of Industry (BoI) has revealed that its disbursement to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and large enterprises has reached over N1trillion in six years.
According to the Development Finance Institution (DFI), the feat was achievable through strong strategic partnerships with various institutions in the state, federal government agencies and private sector organisations.
Oluwakayode Pitan, the Managing Director, Bank of Industry (BOI), disclosed this while speaking at the 37th Omolayole Management Lecture series themed, “African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)- Prospects for African Youth Leadership,” organised by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI).
He said the BOI is at the forefront of industrialising the Nigerian economy and would continue to take deliberate steps towards addressing issues related to financing gaps across all business segments.
According to him, in the last three years, over $3 billion has been raised through the international financial market in its objective to continuously improve its capacity to bridge the huge financing gap that exist in Nigeria’s industrial sector.
He added that there is a growing number of start-up businesses in Africa at present, as young people are embracing their entrepreneurial mind-set and technological skills, resulting in the rapid digital transformation of the continent.
He advised that to address this risk and realise the gains expected for a free trade area, there is a need for increased infrastructure investment in Nigeria, saying that one way to achieve this is through public-private partnerships (PPPs), which should be significantly leveraged towards building sustainable infrastructural facilities across the country, while the Government provides an enabling governance framework.
“The newly established Infrastructure Company (InfraCo) will play a lead role in its implementation,” he added.
He added that despite making up a significant percentage of the continent’s population, the participation of young people in cross-border trade and trade governance matters is still very limited.
He said improving transparency and ease of doing business in Nigeria has a larger implication now that the AfCFTA has taken off, saying that this would enable foreign investors make informed decisions on where to site their manufacturing hubs within African nations that will provide them with more benefits.
“Because there are no restrictions on moving goods across borders, the need to establish a business in a country where it is easier to operate will now be a more desirable factor than the existence of market prospects,” he said.
Earlier, the president, LCCI, Toki Mabogunje, expressed concerns over the high level of youth unemployment pegged at over 33 per cent as at Q4 2020
She stated the urgent need for programmes and projects that engage the nation’s innovative, dynamic, youth to unleash their latent potentials for the benefits of the country.
She added that the AfCFTA provides an opportunity for our young entrepreneurs and startups to explore a continent-wide market if well launched, structured and implemented.
She stated that the agreement became operational on January 1, 2021 and marks the biggest free trade area globally in terms of the number of participating countries since the formation of the World Trade Organisation in 1995.
She added that while the take-off of AfCFTA should be lauded, much work remains to be done as critical parts of the agreement are yet to be finalised, stressing that several key issues including schedules of tariff concessions, schedules of service commitment, rules of origin, investment, competition policy and intellectual property rights have not been concluded.
The LCCI boss said AfCFTA has the potential to accelerate socioeconomic development of the African continent, saying that if well-implemented, it would stimulate economic growth, generate job opportunities, and helps to facilitate the economic diversification of African economies while ensuring people, products and services move freely across the continent.
She said according to estimations by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), AfCFTA has the capacity to expand Africa’s manufacturing output to $930 billion by 2025, from $500 billion in 2016.
“The Brookings Institution also sees Africa’s economic size rising to $6.7 trillion by 2030 from $3.4 billion in 2019 on the back of a well-implemented AfCFTA.
A successful AfCFTA requires the active participation of Africa’s Young leaders in the implementation process, which is the rationale for selecting this edition’s topic which seeks to prepare, equip and put in place machinery that will help young leaders improve their management dexterity and hone their administrative expertise,” she added.
She stated that there is still a lack of clarity about the type of value addition that must occur within an AfCFTA State party for a product to benefit from tariff reduction, adding that there are pending negotiations at continental level delaying the implementation of the trade agreement.
“A great deal of sensitisation and enlightenment still need to be done on the implementation modalities,” she advised.
She also noted that there are concerns about the adherence of participating countries to the protocols within the AfCFTA framework, saying that Africa’s trade narrative, has been challenged by trade malpractices such as smuggling, unilaterism and violation of trade protocols,” she added.
In his lecture, Dr. Michael Omolayole said the provisions of the treaty setting up AFCFTA are, if sincerely implemented by African countries, likely to propel them from the third world to the first world.
“Believe me, | am not exaggerating. On our part as Nigerians, | think we were over cautious in being reluctant to ratify the treaty until the last moment. We could have avoided the hesitation, if we had set up a think-tank of brilliant and knowledgeable Nigerians in the matter of economics and free trade, right from the beginning of the African Union (AU) deliberating on the matter,” he said.
In his words: “Although | have not seen the treaty, | believe as an international instrument, provisions would have been made for countries especially the large ones like Nigeria, to protect themselves against breach of the treaty and against acts of sabotage.
It is better late than never, but thinktanks can still be set up and our brilliant young people with requisite knowledge should be encouraged to dissect and digest the treaty and to set up study groups to master the treaty inside out.”
The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has clarified that the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) recently signed with France’s Direction Générale des Finances Publiques (DGFiP) is a strictly technical assistance and capacity-building framework.
The clarification comes after talks of concerns that the MOU is a means for foreign interests to gain control over Nigeria’s sovereign tax data.
On Thursday, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) signed an MoU with France’s Direction Générale des Finances Publiques (DGFiP).
“At no point does it grant France access to Nigerian tax data, digital infrastructure, or operational control of our systems. All Nigerian laws regarding data protection, sovereignty, and cybersecurity remain fully in force, and the MoU includes robust confidentiality and data protection provisions,” Umar Ahmed, director, Intergovernmental Affairs, Federal Inland Revenue Service, said in a recent release.
The DGFiP is one of the world’s most sophisticated tax administrations, with over 100 years of institutional experience, a workforce exceeding 90,000 professionals, and globally recognised expertise in digital tax systems, institutional governance, taxpayer services, and public finance management.
Ahmed said that the partnership is advisory, non-intrusive, and mutually beneficial, designed to strengthen FIRS’ institutional capacity as it transitions into the Nigerian Revenue Service (NRS).
“The collaboration provides Nigeria with a unique opportunity to learn from international best practices in workforce management, digital transformation, tax policy development, and regional cooperation, while ensuring that Nigeria retains full control over its tax administration and data,” he said.
Ahmed said that local technology providers are not being sidelined; FIRS continues to engage and collaborate with Nigerian innovators, including NIBSS, Interswitch, PayStack, and Flutterwave.
“The MoU is not intended to deliver technical services, but rather to provide capacity-building, advisory support, and knowledge sharing based on DGFiP’s extensive institutional experience. The collaboration focuses on institutional strengthening, workforce development, digital transformation guidance, taxpayer education, policy modernisation, and regional integration—all fully aligned with Nigeria’s sovereignty and national interests,” he said.
The director said that the service is far from compromising national control. This agreement represents a strategic initiative to modernise Nigeria’s tax administration, enhance institutional capacity, and strengthen the country’s long-term economic resilience.
“Nigeria remains fully in command of its tax systems, data, and policy direction. FIRS remains steadfast in its commitment to transparency, professionalism, and collaboration in the pursuit of national development,” Ahmed said.
House of Representatives yesterday passed second reading a bill seeking to introduce a single, non-renewable six-year tenure for the Governor and Deputy Governors of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), challenging the current CBN Act 2007 that allows an initial five-year term with reappointment option.
CBN
The legislation, jointly sponsored by Jesse Okey Joe Onuakalusi (Oshodi/Isolo Federal Constituency) and Majority Leader Julius Ihonvbere, proposes sweeping reforms to modernise the apex bank’s governance, unify the exchange rate system, ban foreign currencies for domestic transactions except via authorised channels, and align operations with international best practices.
Key provisions include separating the roles of CBN Governor and Board Chairman to curb power concentration, capping Ways and Means advances at 10 per cent of the previous year’s actual revenue to check inflationary financing, mandating 90 days’ notice with impact assessment and National Assembly briefing for currency redesign, and enhancing the Monetary Policy Committee with independent external experts plus macro-prudential tools and stress testing.
Onuakalusi, opening the debate, described the changes as “structural and forward-looking reforms” to protect the economy, restore monetary policy confidence, and bar the CBN Governor and deputies from partisan politics, stressing that the current Act no longer suits today’s realities amid past controversies like Godwin Emefiele’s tenure and the disruptive naira redesign.
He said: “The Central Bank of Nigeria is too critical an institution to operate under a framework that no longer reflects Nigeria’s economic realities or international best practices.
“This bill is not targeted at any individual or administration. It is a structural reform for economic stability, transparency, accountability, and sustainable governance.”
Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu put the bill to a voice vote, with lawmakers unanimously endorsing its passage at second reading. A similar Senate bill for a single six-year tenure had passed second reading in February 2024.
E-Financial
Sterling Bank, Pan-Atlantic University Partner to Certify Non-Oil Export Academy Graduates
Sterling Bank Limited has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Enterprise Development Centre (EDC) of Pan-Atlantic University (PAU) to certify graduates of its Non-Oil Export Academy.
L-R: Kola Oluyemi, Group Head, Sterling Academy; Dr. Nneka Okekearu, Director, Enterprise Development Centre (EDC), Pan Atlantic University (PAU); Abubakar Suleiman, MD/CEO, Sterling Bank; Dr. Nnenna Ugwu, Head, Alumni Engagement and Support Services, EDC at PAU; and Akporee Idenedo, Divisional Head, Commercial Banking, Sterling Bank at the recent MoU signing to certify graduates of Sterling Bank’s Non-Oil Export Academy.
This strategic partnership underscores the Bank’s commitment to diversifying Nigeria’s economy by supporting non-oil export growth.
This landmark agreement follows the recent launch of the Sterling Bank Non-Oil Export Academy, designed to position Nigerian exporters for global competitiveness.
The launch was preceded by a series of nationwide training programs in Lagos, Ondo, and Kano states, culminating in a grand finale themed “Excel in Non-Oil Export.”
The initiative aims to equip exporters with practical tools to thrive in international markets, thereby reducing Nigeria’s reliance on oil revenues.
Speaking at the signing ceremony in Lagos, Sterling Bank’s Managing Director and CEO, Mr. Abubakar Suleiman, affirmed that the Bank is intentional about creating an ecosystem where non-oil exporters are well-informed and equipped to advance national interests.
“We are not just training people to understand how to export; we want to train them to be competitive exporters of non-oil products,” Suleiman said.
“Our goal is to build a community of knowledgeable, certified, and confident exporters who can collaborate to solve challenges beyond their immediate capacity. Our North Star is to reach a point where hundreds of people have completed this programme and are ready to compete on a global scale.”
Dr. Nneka Okekearu, Director of the Enterprise Development Centre (EDC), expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration. “Having spent the last twenty-three years deepening the competencies of entrepreneurs, we thoroughly understand what is needed and are excited to be part of this initiative,” she noted.
Dr. Okekearu emphasized that the export market has been neglected for too long. “With the right structure, standards, and mindset in place, entrepreneurs passing through this programme will help create not only a better Nigeria but more sustainable communities,” she added, noting that she looks forward to the case studies that will emerge from the programme’s participants.
Beyond sectoral outcomes, the initiative reinforces Sterling Bank’s commitment to support the development of human capital that positively shapes and impacts the wider economy. The Academy will run four cohorts within the year, commencing in 2026.
With this partnership, Sterling Bank and the Enterprise Development Centre are laying the foundation for a new generation of globally competitive Nigerian exporters, professionals equipped not only with knowledge, but with the certification, confidence, and networks needed to scale.
As both institutions align their expertise to strengthen non-oil export capacity, this collaboration signals a bold step toward a more resilient, inclusive, and diversified economy.
The Non-Oil Export Academy therefore serves as a catalyst for national transformation, empowering businesses and communities to unlock Nigeria’s full potential on the world stage.
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