Taiwan Seeks to Restore Bilateral Relations with Nigeria for Mutual Benefits
The Nation Online

Taiwan Seeks to Restore Bilateral Relations with Nigeria for Mutual Benefits

Speaking on Friday in Lagos during a media interactive session, Andy Yih-Ping Liu, Chief of Taiwan Mission at the Taipei Trade Office in Nigeria, emphasized the potential for stronger collaboration between the two nations. Taiwan has called for the restoration of bilateral ties with Nigeria to explore mutually beneficial opportunities across various sectors.

Court Freezes $225.8 Million Linked to THISDAY Chairman Nduka Obaigbena and Associates
Green B reporters

Court Freezes $225.8 Million Linked to THISDAY Chairman Nduka Obaigbena and Associates

The court also froze accounts belonging to Efe Damilola Obaigbena, Olabisi Eka Obaigbena, and General Hydrocarbons Limited, an oil and gas company where they serve as directors and shareholders. The Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, has issued an order restraining all commercial banks in Nigeria from releasing or dealing with funds and assets totaling $225.8 million linked to Nduka Obaigbena, Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of THISDAY Media Group and Arise News Channel.

CBN Suspends Export Proceeds Repatriation Extension Requests to Enforce Forex Compliance
Premium Times

CBN Suspends Export Proceeds Repatriation Extension Requests to Enforce Forex Compliance

In a circular dated January 8, signed by W.J. Kanya, Acting Director of the Trade & Exchange Department, the CBN clarified that it will no longer approve such requests from authorized dealers acting on behalf of exporters. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has announced the suspension of requests for the extension of export proceeds repatriation, reinforcing its commitment to stricter foreign exchange compliance.

China and Nigeria Renew $2 Billion Currency Swap Deal to Boost Trade and Investment
Channels TV

China and Nigeria Renew $2 Billion Currency Swap Deal to Boost Trade and Investment

In a Friday statement, the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) confirmed that the three-year facility—renewable upon mutual agreement—will strengthen financial cooperation and expand the use of the yuan and naira, reducing reliance on the US dollar and cutting transaction costs. China and Nigeria have extended a 15 billion yuan (approx. $2 billion) currency swap agreement, aimed at facilitating seamless trade and investment between both nations.

 Bank of Industry Secures $50 Million Loan to Empower Women Entrepreneurs in Nigeria
Tribune Online

Bank of Industry Secures $50 Million Loan to Empower Women Entrepreneurs in Nigeria

This initiative is part of the African Development Bank’s (AfDB) Affirmative Finance Action for Women in Africa (AFAWA) program, which aims to provide financial support and promote gender-inclusive economic development. The Bank of Industry (BoI) has secured a $50 million loan portfolio from the African Guarantee Fund (AGF) to boost economic growth by empowering women entrepreneurs in Nigeria.

Nigeria's Tax System Long Overdue for Reforms, Says Federal Government.
Daily Post

Nigeria's Tax System Long Overdue for Reforms, Says Federal Government.

Speaking at a national discourse organized by the Kaduna Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations on Saturday, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, highlighted the importance of modernizing the tax framework to enhance efficiency and drive national development. The Federal Government has emphasized the urgent need for comprehensive tax system reforms in Nigeria.

Holcim Sells 84% Stake in Lafarge Africa to Huaxin Cement in $1 Billion Deal.
Reuters

Holcim Sells 84% Stake in Lafarge Africa to Huaxin Cement in $1 Billion Deal.

This move underscores the company's broader efforts to reallocate resources to regions with higher growth potential. Swiss cement giant Holcim has announced its decision to exit the Nigerian market by selling its 84% stake in Lafarge Africa to China's Huaxin Cement for $1 billion. The deal, confirmed on Sunday, aligns with Holcim's strategy to streamline its portfolio and focus on high-growth regions.

 President Tinubu: Nigerians Lived "Fake Lives" Before 2023 Subsidy Removal.
Business Day

President Tinubu: Nigerians Lived "Fake Lives" Before 2023 Subsidy Removal.

Speaking at the 34th and 35th convocation ceremonies of the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA) in Ondo State, the President defended his policies of petrol subsidy removal and exchange rate unification. President Bola Tinubu has stated that Nigerians lived beyond their means before the removal of the petrol subsidy in 2023.

China’s Zhuzhou City Delegation Explores Strategic Partnerships with Nigeria.
Thisday Live

China’s Zhuzhou City Delegation Explores Strategic Partnerships with Nigeria.

The visit aims to expand cooperation in these sectors, with a focus on boosting trade, infrastructure development, and industrial growth between the two nations. A delegation from Zhuzhou City in China’s Hunan Province, led by Mayor Mao Tengfei, is visiting Nigeria to deepen collaboration under the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership. Received by Joseph Tegbe, Director General of the NCSP, the delegation highlighted Zhuzhou's expertise in commodity export, industrial production, ceramics, fireworks, electricity generation, and high-speed rail.

CBN Governor Cardoso Signals Potential Rate Cuts as Inflation Eases.
BNN Blomberg

CBN Governor Cardoso Signals Potential Rate Cuts as Inflation Eases.

Speaking at the annual Bankers' Dinner in Lagos, Cardoso emphasized that the 875 basis points of rate hikes this year were necessary to curb inflation and stabilize the economy. Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Olayemi Cardoso has hinted at possible reductions in high interest rates in the coming months if inflationary pressures continue to subside.

Locally Assembled Vehicles Must Use 40% Nigerian-Made Components to Boost Economy
Thisday Live

Locally Assembled Vehicles Must Use 40% Nigerian-Made Components to Boost Economy

Speaking after a two-week training in Abuja, organized by NADDC in partnership with South Korea's Midas IT Co., Osanipin highlighted the importance of fostering local production in the automotive sector. Joseph Osanipin, Director General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), emphasized that vehicles assembled in Nigeria should include at least 40% locally manufactured components to maximize their economic impact.

SEC Warns Against Dealing with Unlicensed Marino FX Ltd. in Nigeria
Daily Nigerian

SEC Warns Against Dealing with Unlicensed Marino FX Ltd. in Nigeria

“We hereby notify the public that Marino FX Ltd., which has been parading itself as a SEC-licensed cryptocurrency exchange is NOT registered or licensed by SEC to operate in any capacity in the Nigerian capital market, including cryptocurrency exchanges.

CBN Raises Monetary Policy Rate to 27.50%, Retains Cash Reserves Ratio
Channels TV

CBN Raises Monetary Policy Rate to 27.50%, Retains Cash Reserves Ratio

The Central Bank of Nigeria's (CBN) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has increased the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) by 25 basis points, bringing it to 27.50% from the previous 27.25%. CBN Governor Mr. Yemi Cardoso announced The Central Bank of Nigeria's (CBN) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has increased the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) by 25 basis points, bringing it to 27.50% from the previous 27.25%. CBN Governor Mr. Yemi Cardoso announced the decision at a press conference on Tuesday, also confirming that the Cash Reserves Ratio (CRR) for Deposit Money Banks (DMB) will remain unchanged, along with the 16% CRR for Merchant Banks.

Tax Justice Network Report Reveals Nigeria Loses $492 Billion Annually to Tax Havens
Leadership NG

Tax Justice Network Report Reveals Nigeria Loses $492 Billion Annually to Tax Havens

The report, part of the Tax Justice Network’s annual State of Tax Justice assessment, highlights the significant impact of global tax abuse on Nigeria’s economy, showing how the country’s tax revenues are severely undercut by these practices. A new report by the Tax Justice Network has revealed that multinational companies and wealthy individuals are exploiting tax havens to evade taxes, leading to an annual loss of $492 billion for the Nigerian government.

Nigeria and Brazil Partner to Boost Fertilizer Production and Agricultural Finance with $4.3 Billion.
Peoples Gazette

Nigeria and Brazil Partner to Boost Fertilizer Production and Agricultural Finance with $4.3 Billion.

The agreement, signed by Nigeria’s Permanent Secretary Temitope Fashedemi and FGV President Carlos Leal during the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Brazil, is expected to attract $4.3 billion in private-sector investments to drive innovation and growth in Nigeria’s agricultural sector. The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has signed an MoU with Brazil’s Fundação Getulio Vargas (FGV) to enhance fertilizer production, hybrid seed technology, and agricultural finance.

World Leaders Agree on Landmark “Baku Finance Goal” at COP29 in Azerbaijan.
Premium Times NG

World Leaders Agree on Landmark “Baku Finance Goal” at COP29 in Azerbaijan.

Announced by COP29 President Mukhtar Babayev during Sunday’s closing plenary, the deal marks a significant milestone in global climate financing, aiming to bolster efforts toward combating climate change. After two weeks of rigorous discussions, world leaders at the 29th United Nations Climate Summit (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan, achieved a breakthrough agreement on the “Baku Finance Goal.”

Nigerian Telecoms Make Strides in Repaying N250 Billion USSD Debt.
Legit NG

Nigerian Telecoms Make Strides in Repaying N250 Billion USSD Debt.

According to the Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), resolving this issue requires active collaboration between the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). Nigerian telecom operators are gradually addressing the N250 billion debt tied to unstructured supplementary service data (USSD) services. However, major tier-one lenders have yet to make significant progress in settling their dues.

Governor Sanwo-Olu Proposes N3.005 Trillion “Budget of Sustainability” for Lagos in 2025.
Daily Post

Governor Sanwo-Olu Proposes N3.005 Trillion “Budget of Sustainability” for Lagos in 2025.

Sanwo-Olu highlighted the budget's focus on creating resilient systems for long-term progress, signaling continued investment in key sectors to improve the quality of life for Lagos residents. Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has submitted a proposed N3.005 trillion budget for 2025 to the State House of Assembly, emphasizing infrastructure development and sustainability.