Business

List of banks excluded from CBN’s retail Dutch Auction

Published

10 months ago

August 11, 2024

CBN

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has announced the successful conclusion of a Retail Dutch Auction System, where it sold a total of $876.26m to 26 qualified banks that participated in the auction.

The CBN had on Tuesday, August 6, 2024, held a Retail Dutch Auction System, during which $876.26m was sold to participating banks with the primary objectives of increasing FX liquidity, easing demand pressure, and promoting price discovery in the market, all of which are in line with the apex bank’s core goals

The CBN made the disclosure in a statement posted on its website signed by Omolara Omofunde Duke, the director, financial markets department.

Commenting on the auction process, the director disclosed that a total of $1.18bn in bids were submitted by 32 authorized dealer banks. Of the total bids, $313.69m from six banks were deemed to be ineligible, leaving a net total of $876.26m to be allotted among the 26 remaining banks who met the qualifying criteria

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The CBN stated, “A total bid valued at US$1.18bn was received from 32 Authorized Dealers Banks, of which, bids valued at US$876.26m from 26 banks qualified, while bids valued at US$313.69m from six banks were disqualified.”

In response to the mounting unmet demand for foreign exchange among end users, the apex bank announced last week its decision to implement a Retail Dutch Auction System. This move is seen as a timely intervention that aims to alleviate the increasing pressure on the FX market, ultimately stabilising the naira’s exchange rate.

In the past months, the naira has traded within the N1,450 and N1,600 range. However, despite the currency’s recent volatility, the Central Bank of Nigeria set a cut-off rate of N1495/$ for the Retail Dutch Auction, providing a brief respite from the currency’s fluctuating exchange rate and creating a much-needed stability in the market.

Business

CAC reviews service fees

Published

1 day ago

June 18, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

The Corporate Affairs Commission, CAC, has announced a review of its service fees, scheduled to take effect from August 1, 2025.

Ekwutosblog learnt that the review followed a thorough evaluation of current economic conditions, rising operational costs, and consultations with key stakeholders across relevant sectors by the Commission.

The adjustments affect services provided to companies, business names, limited partnerships, and incorporated trustees, including post-incorporation filings and other regulatory services.

A comprehensive list of the new fees is available on the CAC website.

The adjustment is reportedly aimed at improving service delivery through enhanced digital operations.

Business

Lagos loses N4trn yearly to traffic congestion, moves to regulate tanker operations

Published

6 days ago

June 13, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

The Lagos State Government has disclosed that the state suffers economic losses amounting to approximately N4 trillion each year due to persistent traffic congestion

This was revealed by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Mr Sola Giwa, during a recent interview on TVC News.

He identified unregulated parking and the chaotic activities of tankers and articulated vehicles along key logistics corridors as major contributors to the problem.

In response, the government has announced the enforcement of an Electronic Call-Up (E-Call-Up) system, scheduled to take effect from Monday, June 16, 2025.

The initiative targets tankers and articulated vehicles operating along the Lekki-Epe corridor

Giwa explained that all truck operators entering Lagos to load or offload goods will now be required to register and book their movements through the E-Call-Up platform.

The system is designed to coordinate truck activities, eliminate indiscriminate roadside parking, and reduce traffic disruptions.

“Under the new system, tanker operators will be required to upload their Authority to Load, ATL, and pre-book assigned parking slots before arriving in Lagos.

The platform will also collect relevant cargo and travel data, supporting better logistical planning and enforcement.

Seven dedicated truck parks have been approved along the Lekki-Epe axis. These facilities will be equipped with restrooms, kitchens, electricity, and other basic amenities to support driver welfare and operational efficiency.

Giwa stated that the policy is the outcome of more than two years of stakeholder engagement and is a key part of the state’s broader efforts to reform its transportation system and build a more efficient and resilient urban environment.

Business

Arnold Ekpe: Nine things you need to know about new Chairman of Dangote Sugar

Published

7 days ago

June 12, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc recently appointed Mr Arnold Ekpe as the new Chairman of its Board, effective 16th June 2025.

Ekpe’s appointment comes after the retirement of Alhaji Aliko Dangote as Chairman of the company on Wednesday.

Dangote’s retirement brought an end to a 20-year leadership of the company.

His retirement will take effect starting from June 16, this year, according to a statement issued yesterday by Company Secretary Temitope Hassan.

However, Ekwutosblog brings you seven things you need to know about Dangote’s replacement, Arnold Ekpe:

1. Ekpe is a seasoned finance professional with more than thirty years of experience in the corporate sectors and banking.

2. He was born in Aug. 1953 in Nigeria, and went to King’s College, Lagos, where he graduated in 1972 and later traveled to abroad for his tertiary education.

3. Ekpe attended the University of Manchester and earned a First Class Honours degree in Engineering as a Shell Scholar (1973–1976).

4. He later obtained an MBA from Manchester Business School (1977–1979).

5. Ekpe started his career in 1977 with Schlumberger SA as a Wireline Logging Engineer.

6. He joined Alcan Aluminium Nigeria as Executive Assistant to the CEO in 1979.

7. Ekpe then entered the banking industry in the early 1980s, starting at International Merchant Bank (an affiliate of First Chicago) as Head of Strategy.

8. He later became Group CEO of Ecobank Transnational Incorporated, a role he held until his retirement in 2012.

9. He has served as an Independent Non‑Executive Director at Dangote Sugar Refinery since 2024.