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Senate, CIBN Seek to End Malpractices in the Banking Sector
The Senate committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions, chaired by Senator Adetokunbo Abiru and the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) have vowed to sanitize the banking sector and bring to book erring banks and their employees involved in any form misconduct.
The collaboration was cemented at the Senate during an interactive session between members of the committee and CIBN.
The umbrella professional body for bankers in Nigeria led by its President/Chairman of Council, Dr. Ken Opara met with the banking Committee to seek assistance of the Lawmakers in the passage of the proposed CIBN Act Bill and other key issues and initiatives affecting the banking and finance industry.
Senator Abiru emphasized the need to rid the banking industry of corruption and sharp practices which are inimical to the progress of the nation.
He said; “As lawmakers, we shall continue to ensure that the banking industry is properly regulated by enacting modern laws required to engender confidence in the industry as well as perform effective oversight over the regulators such as the CBN and the NDIC.
“We hope to partner with relevant professional bodies, especially the CIBN. I am happy to note that the process of amending the CBN Act of 2007 will be concluded soon.”
We shall equally fast-track the passage of other Bills meant to strengthen the financial services industry in Nigeria.
Abiru who is also a member of the institute assured of the Senate’s resolve to support the CIBN to solve the Nation’s inflationary and other prevailing economic crisis.
He said; “Your coming at a time the National Assembly is debating amendments to the CBN Act as well as other related issues to help the government and the CBN navigate the current economic challenges posed by rising inflation and persistent naira depreciation.
Harping on the need to pass the CIBN Act, First Vice President CIBN Prof. Deji Olanrewaju stressed that many corrupt bankers evade prosecution under the guise that they are not members of the CIBN.
Deji explained that by the time CIBN Act bill is passed bankers involved in malpractices will be brought to book under the CIBN Tribunal which he said has a competent jurisdiction like a Federal High Court.
He explained; “The tribunal according to the provisions of the act law 207 has power and competent jurisdiction like a high court which means that any judgment passed by the tribunal is like a judgment passed by the high court, so they have to go to court of appeal but lo and behold, majority of those that we ought to bring to book escaped on the pretext that they are not our members.
“They work in the bank and deal with money but they said they are not members and as a lawyer we know the importance of the jurisdiction. These people are working in the bank but their activities are affecting us globally, so we must do something tangible that will make us sanitise the system.
Without the amendment to that law there is nothing we can do. We also reach out to agencies like EFCC and ICPC that are working against malpractices.
In an earlier address, the President of the CIBN added that if the CIBN Act is amended, everyone working in the banking sector will be held accountable for misconduct or financial crimes.
He said; “In the current amendment, we want to capture everyone working in the banking industry in Nigeria for the purpose of upholding ethics and professionalism CBN, NDIC, and banks are to send reports of allegations of misconduct to the Institute.
Dr Ken also revealed the plans of the institute to expand its name and coverage. “The expansion of the Institute’s name to include ‘Finance” to conform to the Institute’s coverage and best practice: “Chartered Institute of Banking and Financial Services”. -Section 1 to cover institutions under the regulation of CBN, especially non-conventional banks.
“And to also include persons carrying out non-conventional banking. This will enable the Institute to foster ethics, maintain professional standards and build capacity in the ever- evolving novel/modern banking practice, e.g. FinTechs will have an enabling environment to provide financial services through the use of digital and modern technology.
Senator Orji Uzor Kalu bemoaned the level of malpractices committed in the banking sector. The former Governor supported the passage of the CIBN bill.
“I wish you asked us to start the amendment ourselves. Because the banking industry needs sanitisation , they defraud unsuspecting people by juggling of money from one account to the other by bankers which they do with the computer system or any other means and want to encourage the CIBN to continue to play its role. The Government needs you at this crucial economic moment, Kalu said.
In his contribution Senator Osita Izunso advised that the amendment of the CIBN bill should also take into consideration the Federal Government’s Investment and Securities Tribunal to further boost its legitimacy so as to avoid constitutional bottle necks.
Izunaso advised; “I’m talking about the composition of the membership. It is you, the CIBN themselves that constitute the membership and that will still have a problem of legitimacy.
“I want us to look at it from the perspective of the Investment and securities Tribunal, that is constituted by the Government, it’s not by you yourselves, so ICT is set up by Government but it is in the act that the Government should constitute it.
“What we should have in this amendment is that it should be in the act, but that the Government should constitute it , when that happens there can even be budgetary provisions for it. That will give it plenty of legitimacy.
Izunaso also urged the CIBN to also grant membership to non-workers of the Banking sector who usually have dealings with banks.
“If I’m a customer and I have been defrauded by a banker, it’s not fair when you consider only the banker, you should consider every other person who is into banking, “Izunaso added.
Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) has awarded a total of N13 million in grants to three standout tech startups at the 2025 Techpreneur Summit held in Lagos, reinforcing its commitment to innovation and inclusive growth among Nigeria’s micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
The winners include: BuyScrap, a digital marketplace for recyclable materials – N6 million; Qiqi Farms, which connects local farmers to hospitality and export markets – N4 million; Eco-Cyclers, a youth-led recycling initiative based in Enugu – N3 million
Alongside the grant awards, DBN also launched a new digital data asset, a first-of-its-kind platform aimed at enabling data-driven decisions within the MSME ecosystem.
The platform offers deep insights into business trends, sector-specific challenges, and growth opportunities—supporting smarter policymaking and targeted investments.
In his keynote address in Lagos, Tony Okpanachi, managing director/ CEO, DBN, described the event’s theme, “CTRL + SHIFT: Tech Empowered Movement for Naija,” as a strategic call to reimagine enterprise development in Nigeria.
“This isn’t just a keyboard shortcut,” he said. “It’s a mindset reset—powered by technology—to build a more inclusive, innovative, and resilient business landscape. From financing to innovation, DBN remains committed to enabling MSMEs to thrive.”
Okpanachi emphasized that the Summit aligns with DBN’s AMPLIFI Strategy, which integrates digital transformation, sustainability, and scalability into its core programs.
He highlighted initiatives such as the Digital Shift Workshops and the Eco-Innovation Challenge as key steps toward embedding innovation in Nigeria’s MSME sector.
Encouraging young innovators, he added: “The future belongs to those bold enough to imagine and build it. DBN is proud to support the ideas that will shape tomorrow.”
A major highlight was the unveiling of the DBN Data Asset—a digital platform designed to provide real-time, evidence-based insights into Nigeria’s MSME landscape.
The platform combines DBN’s proprietary data with external sources like the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) to offer a comprehensive view of MSME performance by region and sector.
Jeremy Dan Okayi, DBN’s Head of Strategy, Policy & Innovation, described the platform as: “A reservoir of insight, potential, and direction—built on two years of collaboration and shared vision. This tool will support informed decision-making across the public and private sectors.”
News
FCCPC Shuts France, Belgium, and Italy Visa Centres in Abuja Over Alleged Consumer Rights Violations
In a bold enforcement action, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), supported by the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), has sealed off the visa application centres of France, Belgium, and Italy in Abuja over alleged consumer protection breaches and obstruction of regulatory investigations.
The affected centres—located at Mukhtar El-Yakub House in the Central Business District and operated by TLS Contact, a Teleperformance Company—were shut down following reports that they refused to accept formal correspondence from the FCCPC regarding a consumer complaint. The Commission cited further infractions, including obstruction of investigation and alleged assault of its officers during lawful duties.
Speaking to journalists at the scene, Mrs. Boladale Adeyinka, Director of Surveillance and Investigations at the FCCPC, explained: “This is an enforcement operation against TLS. On March 25, 2025, we served them a letter to address a consumer complaint, which they refused to accept. Instead, TLS officers assaulted our team, and in a subsequent visit on June 17, they also allegedly assaulted uniformed police officers.”
Citing Section 33 of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA), Mrs. Adeyinka emphasized that failure to comply with Commission directives constitutes a criminal offense, punishable by imprisonment, fines of up to ₦20 million, or both.
TLS has been ordered to appear before the Commission on June 20, 2025, to provide testimony, submit evidence, and make formal depositions. The company may be held liable for any financial losses suffered by applicants due to the disruption of visa services.
Despite multiple requests for comment, management at TLS Contact declined to respond as of press time.
Adedapo Segun, chief financial officer (CFO), Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), has explained why there is a missing sum of N210 trillion in the company’s audited financial statement spanning from 2017 to 2023.
According to Segun, the missing funds are cash calls requested by joint venture (JV) partners and settlement to the JVs.
He spokeat a session of the Senate Committee on Public Accounts chaired by Aliyu Wadada.
Segun was responding to an alarm raised by the committee over missing N210 trillion in NNPCL’s audited financial statement.
Recall that Wadada issued a one-week ultimatum to NNPCL to account for the missing N210 trillion.
Reacting, Segun said, “The N103 trillion and N107 trillion are made up of joint venture cash calls that have been requested by the JV operators and JV cash call payments made by NNPCL, which are yet to be reconciled because governance procedures were not done at that time.
“That is why you see the description reflecting those two items would be washed out because they are two sides of the same transaction, which is the cash calls by JV partners and the settlement by NNPCL.”
However, Habu Sadeik, a financial analyst, in a post on X on Thursday, said Segun’s response was unsatisfactory.
Saidik faulted NNPCL’s response about the fund discrepancies, noting that something is not right with the audited financial statement.
“Forget about the senators’ lack of knowledge.
“The CFO’s response is not satisfactory. Are you saying that cash calls worth hundreds of trillions are just appearing on your FS only in 2024 without 31 disclosure?
“If it’s a cash call, why hasn’t the disclosure said so?
“Which cash call is over 100 trillion?
“Something is definitely not right, and I hope they retrospectively correct that FS.
“Someone somewhere did a chef’s work,” he wrote on X.
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