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CBN Moves to Limit Lending to MDAs, Others

Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has directed banks in the country to increase the risk weight of loans to local governments, state governments and ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) in a move to minimize some of the weaknesses in the banking system.
This in essence makes it difficult for any of them seeking bank loans or when they insist to pay very high interest rates for the money borrowed.
Mrs. Tokunbo Martins, CBN director of banking supervision, in a circular issued to all banks and discount houses in the country said that with this review, banks would now be required to make 200 per cent provisioning for loans to these borrowers since it has classified them as having 200 per cent risk of defaulting
The CBN stated that it had identified that recent crises in the banking industry had highlighted several weaknesses in the banking system.
According to the apex bank, a major contributor to these weaknesses was the excessive concentration of credit in the asset portfolios of banks, which cut across products, business lines and legal entities, among others.
It, therefore, urged banks to properly manage the concentration through the establishment of sound risk management processes.
However, the CBN said that investments in federal government bonds should continue to attract zero per cent risk weight, while state government bonds would remain at 20 per cent.
It said that where the exposure to any industry was in excess of 20 per cent of the total credit facilities of a bank, the risk weight of the entire portfolio shall be 150 per cent.
The apex bank said that total exposure to a particular industry would include off-balance sheet engagements in which the bank takes the credit risk.
The apex bank also emphasised that all the breaches of single obligor limits without the prior approval of the CBN would be regarded as impairment to capital.
The CBN also reviews how banks should henceforth treat credit transactions with related parties within a holding company structure, which should include the financial holding company (FHC) and other subsidiaries within the group.
To this end, in dealing with credit transactions by the bank within the group, FHC lending to a bank within its group should be treated as a liability, credit by a bank to its FHC should be regarded as a return of capital and deducted from the capital of the bank in computing its capital adequacy, while bank lending to subsidiaries within the group would be assigned a risk weight of 100 per cent where the credit is fully secured; otherwise it would be deducted from the capital when computing capital adequacy.
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PalmPay Launches CSR Initiatives to Empower Women, Foster Financial Literacy in Northern Nigeria

In a strategic move to expand financial inclusion in Nigeria, leading mobile banking platform, PalmPay has launched a series of CSR programs across Kano and Kaduna. The CSR initiative named “Passing the Baton” represents the brand’s commitment to passing on knowledge and providing the resources individuals and businesses need to achieve financial independence and drive economic empowerment.
This initiative is a bold move by PalmPay to bridge the opportunity gap in the North by providing financial literacy training and micro-business branding support to 5,000 women-owned businesses in Kano and Kaduna. This strategic initiative reaffirms PalmPay’s commitment to inclusive development and economic empowerment, particularly in underserved regions.
“At PalmPay, we believe that real financial inclusion must be far reaching and cover the grassroots,” said Chika Nwosu, Managing Director of PalmPay. “Our new CSR program is focused on supporting gender equity by equipping women with the knowledge, tools, and visibility they need to thrive as entrepreneurs in their communities.”
Through this initiative, beneficiaries will receive free health insurance, hands-on training workshops, enhanced store branding to boost visibility, and branded merchandise to strengthen their business presence.
The initiative is part of PalmPay’s broader strategy to extend its innovative solutions, expand its footprint in Northern Nigeria, while building sustainable partnerships with local stakeholders for long-term impact.
In a show of support, His Royal Highness, the Emir of Kano, Dr. Muhammadu Sanusi II, has endorsed the initiative, calling on other stakeholders to join forces with PalmPay in ensuring the North benefits fully from the growing digital economy. PalmPay has received commendation from community stakeholders, as the initiative aims to serve as a model for similar projects across other northern states.
As PalmPay continues to scale across Nigeria, the company remains committed to bridging the financial inclusion gap and empowering underserved groups, particularly women and youth, through its innovative solutions and impact initiatives.
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EFCC Witness Admits Writing Off Arik Air’s $2.3M Debt Amid N76Bn Fraud Trial


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Anambra Shines in 2025 E-Governance Rankings, Setting National Standards

Anambra State has once again demonstrated its leadership in digital transformation, emerging as one of Nigeria’s top three states in the 2025 e-Governance Report published by the Panorama CIAPS Governance Performance Index (CGPI).
According to the report — a collaborative effort between Nigerian Panorama and the Commonwealth Institute of Advanced Professional Studies (CIAPS) — Anambra ranks alongside Lagos and Enugu as the leading states in adopting and implementing e-governance practices that foster accountability, transparency, and improved service delivery.
In his remarks, Professor Anthony Kila, Director of CIAPS, emphasized the importance of e-governance in shaping how governments interact with citizens. “The centrality of e-governance allows us to assess the performance of state governments in the country. How the government treats the digital world says a lot about them,” he said.
The report evaluated states based on a comprehensive set of criteria, including website security, up-to-date content, public engagement, availability of online services, policy updates, and user accessibility. Anambra’s performance reflects the state’s deliberate investment in digital infrastructure and its commitment to leveraging technology as a tool for inclusive governance.
Reacting to the recognition, the Managing Director/CEO of the Anambra State ICT Agency, Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata, CFA, described the report as a welcome validation of the efforts being made under the leadership of Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, CFR, to reposition Anambra as a liveable and prosperous smart mega-city.
“This is not just about being tech-savvy,” Agbata said. “It’s about using digital tools to create real impact — making the government more accessible, responsive, and transparent. Anambra is building a digital future that works for everyone.”
The CGPI Report recommended that all states intensify efforts to train public servants, maintain digital platforms effectively, and build user-friendly systems that keep citizens informed and empowered. For Anambra, this recognition serves both as a milestone and a motivation to scale new heights.
As the journey continues, Anambra remains focused on setting the pace for e-governance in Nigeria in line with the Governor’s mantra of Everything Technology & Technology Everywhere.
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