NEWS
CPPE Foresees Subsidy Leading Nigeria to Bankruptcy
By Edozie Obasi-Eze
The Centre for Promotion of Private Enterprises (CPPE) has projected that barring changes to the situation in Russia and Ukraine, Nigeria’s subsidy cost may hit N4 trillion by the end of the year, which might lead the country to bankruptcy.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO), CPPE, Nigeria’s subsidy, expressed his opinion yesterday at its first-quarter press conference on the Nigerian economy.
He said, “With current subsidy trajectory, subsidy cost would not be less than N4 trillion by the end of this year. This is clearly a major source of disruption and dislocation for the finances of government at all levels.”
He averred that all things being equal, that is, if crude oil price did not shift from the current levels and the PMS price stayed fixed, Nigeria would be on the brink of bankruptcy, because the current subsidy regime was not sustainable.
He also opined that the deregulation dialogue needs to be brought to the table urgently to save the economy from further deterioration.
Dr Yusuf stressed that brave steps must be taken to ignite the reform process in the petroleum sector with the full activation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
He maintained that in the interim, all charges – import duty, levies, and taxes on importation should be suspended to moderate the cost of fuel, though the ultimate solution would be to revisit the deregulation engagement with stakeholders to pave way for a market-driven, private sector-led investment framework, with the government playing a regulatory role.
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“This is the option we have as a country to stop the bleeding, the distortions, the smuggling and loss of investment that our petroleum downstream sector had suffered over the years,” he added.
He listed the possible benefits of a market-driven pricing regime to include free resources for investment in critical infrastructures such as power, roads, rail systems, health sector, and education sector; unlocking the huge private investment potential in the downstream oil sector, especially in petroleum product refining.
According to him, it would also eliminate the patronage mentality, rent-seeking activities, and corruption that currently characterise the downstream oil sector, in addition to creating more jobs for the teeming youths in the downstream oil sector as an investment in the sector improves; would reduce smuggling of petroleum products outside the country.
The Russia Ukraine war, which he observed has disrupted global oil and gas supplies and resulted in sharp increases in energy prices globally, was already taking a toll on the cost of production, cost of business operations, haulage costs, and consequently on profit margin.
“The cost of the major energy products had increased significantly – diesel, aviation fuel, natural gas, and kerosene. The inflationary outcomes will affect the affordability of many products, leading to further worsening of poverty.
“We will see an increase in subsidy payment as the landing cost of petrol increases. Regrettably, we remain a major importer of petroleum products. Therefore, when oil prices increase, subsidy payment also surges. Only recently the estimate of subsidy was put at N3 trillion by the NNPC. That was before the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The story would have changed now. We should expect subsidy payments to exceed the N3 trillion by the end of the year, depending on how long the sanctions and invasion last. This of course has very serious implications for our budget and government finances.
“If crude oil price remains at current levels, and the PMS price remains fixed, the country may be teetering on the brink of bankruptcy. The current subsidy payment regime is simply not sustainable. The deregulation dialogue needs to urgently resume to save the economy from further deterioration,” he noted.
The Chancellor of Osun State University and Executive Vice Chairman of Famfa Oil Limited, Folorunso Alakija has described Governor Ademola Adeleke as “an action Governor who is delivering good governance to the good people of Osun state”.
She bared her mind, while hosting Gov Adeleke at the Ikoyi headquarters of Famfa Oil Limited.
According to her, she she has been following activities of Gov Adeleke since he assumed office, and commended him for setting a good leadership example.
The billionaire businesswoman on the occasion flanked by two of her directors, Ladi and Folarin Alakija, noted that the Osun State Governor has been demonstrating strong passion for public service and pursuing a big agenda for the state.
She prayed to God Almighty to strengthen the Governor for a second term in office, as in her opinion, four years were not enough for an action governor like Gov Adeleke to deliver fully on his ambitious agenda for the state.
Reviewing her tenure as the Chancellor of the Osun State University, the Famfa boss recalled the conception and stages of completion of the UNIOSUN Medical Research and Training Hospital which she wholly donated and financed.
She pointed out that the project which is 95 percent completed was designed to serve the health needs of patients from far and near and elevate service to humanity to a higher level.
Earlier, Governor Adeleke, accompanied by the Vice Chancellor of the Osun State University, Prof Odunayo Clement Adebooye and other state officials, said he was ‘on a thank you visit to the business mogul to appreciate her huge contributions to the growth and development of the state university’.
Gov Adeleke expressed appreciation for the massive multi-billion naira Medical Research and Training hospital that Apostle Dr Alakija was building at the State university, describing Famfa boss as “a commendable role model in the field of philanthropy.
“We are here as a government to appreciate you. You are uncommon and rare in your love for service to humanity.”
The Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) has announced that the portal for student loan applications will officially open on May 24, 2024.
This development is part of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund’s efforts to enhance access to higher education, as stated by the Fund’s media lead, Nasir Ayantogo, on Thursday night.
According to Ayantogo, the launch of the application portal is a significant step in President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to providing accessible and inclusive education for Nigerian students.
This initiative follows the signing of the Access to Higher Education Act, 2023, by President Tinubu on June 12, 2023 which aims to provide interest-free loans to financially disadvantaged students pursuing higher education in Nigeria.
Dele Alake, a member of the former Presidential Strategy Team, noted that this move fulfills one of President Tinubu’s key campaign promises to liberalize funding for education.
The Act, popularly known as the Students Loan Law, also established the Nigerian Education Loan Fund to handle all loan requests, grants, disbursements, and recoveries.
Initially, the government announced that the scheme would launch in September, but it faced several delays, resulting in an indefinite postponement in early March.
The Presidency attributed the delay to President Tinubu’s directive to expand the scheme to include loans for vocational skills.
Following a briefing from the NELFUND team led by the Minister of State for Education, Dr. Yusuf Sununu, on January 22, President Tinubu instructed the Fund to extend interest-free loans to Nigerian students interested in skill-development programs.
President Tinubu stressed the importance of including those who may not seek university education, noting that skill acquisition is equally as important as earning academic degrees.
He had said, “This is not an exclusive programme. It is catering to all of our young people. Young Nigerians are gifted in different areas.
“This is not only for those who want to be doctors, lawyers, and accountants. It is also for those who aspire to use their skilled and trained hands to build our nation.
“In accordance with this, I have instructed NELFUND to explore all opportunities to inculcate skill-development programmes because not everybody wants to go through a full university education,”
Through the portal, students can now access loans to pursue their academic aspirations without financial constraints.
According to the statement, the portal features a user-friendly interface, allowing students to conveniently submit their loan applications.
The statement added, “We encourage all eligible students to take advantage of this opportunity to invest in their future and contribute to the growth and development of our nation. Students can access the portal on www.nelf.gov.ng to begin application.”
President Bola Tinubu received Senegal’s newly elected President, Bassirou Faye, at the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja on Thursday.
Faye, who arrived at 3:09 p.m., is making his first official visit to Nigeria since taking office last month.
At 44, he is the youngest president in Senegalese history, having secured a decisive victory in April’s delayed presidential election with over 54% of the vote.
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