E-Financial
NSE Seeks Privatization of NRC

The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) has advocated privatisation of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) to attract the requisite private sector investment and technology.
Ademola Olorunfemi, NSE president, who made the call when he briefed newsmen in Abuja, said that such technical expertise and financial wherewithal abound in the private sector.
Olorunfemi advocated construction of double rail system that would include the much desired East-West track route to reduce travel times, optimise operations to facilitate private investment in the rail system.
“One aspect of our transport system that must be given the required attention in the interest of our economy is the railway.
“Its optimal performance will no doubt lessen traffic on our roads thereby extending the lifespan of roads in addition to the gross reduction of cases of road mishaps.
“We must move as a top railway operator on the African continent and the fabrication and local manufacture of equipment by indigenous firms should be encouraged and revamped.
“Facilities available in NRC workshops can be improved for this purpose and outsource to competent and tested engineering firms.
“This is where the local content bill is necessary in the railways industry,’’ he said.
He said this would attract local manufacturers and foreign companies to set up plants in Nigeria, thereby creating employment opportunities thus enabling the local production of new wagons and coaches under a well-packaged partnership structure.
Olorunfemi recommended the speedy amendment of the Railway Act through the proposed Railway Bill because the passage of the bill would be a major panacea for its development.
He said law would open the railway transport sub-sector to reputable and technically experienced railway investors under a well-structured public private partnership for an optimal railway operation in Nigeria.
The president also called for the establishment of a National Council for Science Engineering Technology and Innovation to drive forward the science, engineering development and economic transformation in the country.
He further called on the 36 states to establish the council to foster science and technology innovation in the country.
Olorunfemi said every nation that became great in the last three centuries mastered science engineering technology and innovation.
“This is because the advances and application of science, engineering, technology and innovation (SETI) over the centuries have led to the physical and economic development of such nations.
“Most countries that applied SETI as a driving force in their industrialisation process with or without natural resource endowment excelled within a very short time so Nigeria cannot jettison the measure.
“This is the norm; science, engineering technology and innovation are available all over the world.
“What makes the difference is the political will to place SETI in the driver’s seat by the leadership of the country.’’
E-Financial
Ecobank Nigeria to Fully Repay $300m Eurobond Ahead of Schedule

Ecobank Nigeria has moved to retire the remaining part of its $300 million Eurobond before maturity. The bank has launched a tender offer for holders of its 7.125% senior notes due February 2026.

The bank announced the offer on Friday, 28 November 2025, inviting investors to tender their holdings ahead of schedule. Of the original $300 million issuance, $150 million remains outstanding.
Under the terms, investors whose notes are accepted for repurchase will receive $1,000 for every $1,000 in principal, plus accrued and unpaid interest up to, but not including, the settlement date. The transaction is expected to be completed on or before 31 December 2025.
Ecobank said the early repayment move is part of a broader strategy to optimise its balance sheet and strengthen capital planning flexibility. The lender added that the tender offer gives investors an opportunity to exit the instrument ahead of the original February 2026 maturity.
In a statement, the bank said the initiative underscores its “commitment to transparent engagement with funding partners and investors,” stressing that the offer supports its long-term goal of maintaining a well-structured debt profile.
Participation in the programme is voluntary, and investors will make decisions based on their individual considerations, the bank added.
Ecobank emphasised that the announcement is for information only and does not constitute an offer to buy or sell securities. Eligible noteholders are expected to rely on the formal tender documents when deciding whether to take part.
E-Financial
Reps Give Banks Four-Day Ultimatum on Tax Deductions, Charges

The House of Representatives Ad hoc Committee investigating deductions of taxes and sundry charges from the earnings of civil and public servants has given commercial banks a four-day deadline to submit all requested documents.

House of Rep
The committee, chaired by Hon. Kelechi Nwogwu, issued the ultimatum at the commencement of its investigation, following a motion earlier moved by the House Chief Whip, Hon. Usman Bello Kumo, on alleged deductions from civil servants’ salaries.
Nwogwu insisted that Chief Executive Officers of affected financial institutions must appear in person before the panel, rejecting representatives sent by GT Bank, Zenith Bank, Access Bank and other banks.
He explained that the panel was mandated to ensure that all deductions of charges by banks on customers’ accounts were fair and properly applied.
The committee disclosed that invitations had also been extended to the Ministry of Finance, the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, and all commercial banks operating in Nigeria.
“You cannot appear here without an identity. We are here on the mandate of the people who elected us into parliament. We have resolved to meet next week on Wednesday.
“You must submit all requested documents by Monday, May 1,” Nwogwu said.
He warned that any bank that failed to comply with the deadline would face sanctions, adding that the committee would put the CEOs on oath during the next sitting.
The investigation continues next week.
E-Financial
SEC Urges IST to Freeze all CBEX Bank Accounts in Nigeria

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has asked the Investments and Securities Tribunal (IST) to order the freezing of all bank accounts belonging to Crypto Bridge Exchange (CBEX) and other defendants held in commercial banks and financial institutions across Nigeria.

The request was made in Suit No. IST/OA/02/2025: Securities and Exchange Commission & Anor v. Crypto Bridge Exchange (CBEX) & 25 Others, the first case before the 6th Tribunal presided over by Hon. Aminu Jinaidu, Chairman of the IST.
SEC also urged the Tribunal to seize houses and other assets allegedly acquired by the defendants using proceeds obtained from the public through the CBEX investment scheme, which it said falsely operated as a digital assets platform and capital-market operator.
The Commission argued that CBEX, which is not registered with SEC, unlawfully promised investors a 100 percent return on investment within 30 days—conduct it said is in violation of Section 3(b) of the Investments and Securities Act, 2025.
SEC further disclosed that the Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong had, on April 23, 2024, issued an advisory warning against CBEX, describing it as a suspicious virtual-asset entity. According to the advisory, CBEX adopted a name resembling that of a Chinese property-rights trading organisation to give investors false assurance, despite having no connection with the legitimate entity.
At Tuesday’s sitting, the Tribunal ordered that hearing notices be served on the defendants through national newspapers, as CBEX failed to appear and was not represented in court.
CBEX launched in Nigeria in July 2024, operating through a website and mobile app. It claimed to use advanced artificial intelligence to generate unusually high profits from cryptocurrency trading, promising returns of up to 100 percent within a 40- to 45-day lock-in period. The scheme later collapsed and was exposed as a Ponzi operation that reportedly defrauded investors of more than N1.3 trillion (about $800 million).
Hon. Jinaidu also presided over several other matters on the tribunal’s docket, including Benue Investments Property Co. Ltd & Anor v. Securities and Exchange Commission & 6 Others; Maven Asset Management Ltd v. Securities and Exchange Commission; John Makinde Onade & Anor v. First Registrars & Investors Services Ltd & Anor; and Securities and Exchange Commission & Anor v. Tourist Company of Nigeria PLC & 6 Ors. All the cases were adjourned to January 27, 2026.
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