Business
FG In Discussions With World Bank For New Loan
The Federal Government is presently in talks with the World Bank for a new $1.5 billion loan, referred to as HOPE (‘Nigeria Human Capital for Opportunities and Empowerment’).
The loan, as per information from the World Bank’s website, aims to enhance basic education and primary health services in participating states.
Anticipated for implementation in 2024, it awaits approval from the World Bank Group board.
Sunday PUNCH uncovered an additional loan titled ‘Nigeria Macro-Fiscal Reforms for Economic Stability and Economic Transformation,’ though the specific amount remained undisclosed at the time of this report.
Moreover, investigations revealed discussions in progress for five other pending loan projects.
The ongoing discussions involve various loan projects, including $300 million for the solutions for internally displaced persons and host communities, $500 million for the rural access and agricultural marketing project-scale up, $750 million for the Nigeria distributed access through renewable energy scale-up project, $700 million for sustainable power and irrigation for Nigeria project, and $500 million for NG accelerating resource mobilisation for reforms PforR.
The outcome of these discussions will determine whether the loans proceed or are abandoned. Notably, in the initial four months of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, Nigeria has already secured a total of $1.95 billion in loans from the World Bank.
Three recent loans from the World Bank to Nigeria include a $750 million approval on June 9, 2023, aimed at boosting the country’s power sector.
The second, approved on June 22, 2023, amounted to $500 million, supporting Nigeria’s efforts in women’s empowerment. Lastly, a $700 million loan, approved on September 21, 2023, focuses on enhancing adolescent girls’ learning and empowerment.
It’s worth noting that the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the International Development Association, both components of the World Bank, have consistently provided loans to Nigeria over the years.
As of June 30, 2023, the World Bank stands as Nigeria’s largest multilateral creditor, with the country holding a debt of approximately $14.51 billion.
A detailed breakdown reveals a $14.51 billion IDA debt and a $485.75 million IBRD debt for the second quarter of the year.
According to the Debt Management Office, Nigeria’s total public debt has surged to N87.38 trillion by the end of the second quarter, marking a 75.29% increase from N49.85 trillion recorded at the end of March 2023.
The breakdown indicates a total domestic debt of N54.13 trillion, constituting 61.95% of the total debt, and a total external debt of N33.25 trillion, accounting for 38.05% of the total debt.
Within three months, both domestic and external debts in Nigeria have witnessed a substantial increase.
The domestic debt surged by 79.18%, rising from N30.21 trillion, while the external debt saw a 69.28% increase from N19.64 trillion in the first quarter of 2023.
The Debt Management Office (DMO) had cautioned in its 2022 Debt Sustainability Analysis Report that the Federal Government’s projected revenue of N10 trillion for 2023 might not adequately support additional borrowings.
Notably, the DMO highlighted the high projected debt service-to-revenue ratio of 73.5% for this year as a significant threat to debt sustainability.
The Debt Management Office emphasized in a report titled ‘Report of the Annual National Market Access Country Debt Sustainability Analysis’ that the current revenue profile of the government is insufficient to sustain increased levels of borrowing.
“The projected FGN debt service-to-revenue ratio at 73.5 per cent for 2023 is high and a threat to debt sustainability.
“It means that the revenue profile cannot support higher levels of borrowing. Attaining a sustainable FGN debt service-to-revenue ratio would require an increase of FGN revenue from N10.49tn projected in the 2023 budget to about N15.5tn.”
The Debt Management Office emphasized the need for the government to prioritize revenue generation through comprehensive initiatives and reforms.
This includes a focus on the Strategic Revenue Growth Initiatives and other pillars, aiming to elevate the country’s tax revenue to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) ratio.
The goal is to increase the ratio from approximately seven per cent to align more closely with that of peer nations.
Business
Content Creation Can Buy 4 Lamborghini’s – Comedian Josh2Funny Reveals
Nigerian comedian and popular skit maker, Chibuike Josh Alfred, known by his stage name Josh2Funny, has shed light on the profitability of the content-creating industry.
In a recent interview with Echo Room, Josh2Funny highlighted the impressive financial potential that content creators can achieve, noting that it is possible for them to comfortably afford multiple luxury cars, including up to four Lamborghini vehicles.
Speaking candidly, Josh2Funny emphasised that content creation has become an extremely lucrative field due to the constant demand for fresh and engaging material. “If you want to buy four Lamborghini from content creation, you can buy it,” he said.
His remarks underscore the significant revenue opportunities available in the digital content landscape.
Josh2Funny explained that the continuous consumption of online content is what drives its profitability. “What do you think we are doing in the content-creating industry? Are we joking? You all are with your phones, when you’re in the bathroom, when you’re [using the restroom], you’re consuming our stuff. It’s like pure water,” he stated.
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The comedian further elaborated that businesses or industries that deliver products consumed on a daily basis often see the most substantial financial returns. Content creation, with its high rate of daily consumption by audiences worldwide, aligns perfectly with this model.
“People are out there, consuming our content every time,” he said, reinforcing the idea that the reach and influence of content creators have never been more extensive.
Josh2Funny’s insights reveal why the content-creating industry has become a lucrative career path for many in Nigeria and around the world. With the continuous growth of social media platforms and the public’s insatiable appetite for entertainment and relatable content, creators are finding new and innovative ways to monetize their craft.
This shift not only highlights the potential for significant financial gain but also showcases the evolving landscape of digital media, where influencers, comedians, and skit makers can turn creativity into a sustainable and highly rewarding business.
Business
NIVEA Black & White Invisible Roll On Deodorant Batch No. 93529610 Not On Sale in Nigeria
A safety alert notification by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in Nigeria issued on October 31, 2024, regarding NIVEA BLACK & WHITE Invisible Roll-on deodorant (50 ml) batch number 93529610, in relation to the general European Union (EU) Rapid Alert System for Dangerous Non-Food Products (RAPEX), has come to our attention.
The batch is said to contain 2-(4-tert-Butylbenzyl propionaldehyde (BMHCA).
In a statement on Saturday, in Lagos, Beiersdorf, the owner of NIVEA brand, assured that the “the Batch No. 93529610 in question has not been marketed in Nigeria and thus never recalled”.
According to the statement, Beiersdorf was well informed that “Based on current European legislation, the use of ingredient 2-(4-tert-Butylbenzyl propionaldehyde (LilialTM) in cosmetic products has been banned from the European markets as of March 1, 2022.”
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It acknowledged that “The batch in question, in fact, expired in January 2022 and was hence at the time fully compliant with the then valid European cosmetic regulation.
“As a responsible corporate citizen, Beiersdorf is working collaboratively with NAFDAC to safeguard the interest of the Nigerian consumers by ensuring that our locally manufactured product meets the global quality standards.”
It maintained that “The safety of our consumers remains our highest priority, consistent with our ethical philosophy as a business.”
In pursuit of this commitment, Beiersdorf’s entire NIVEA product portfolio formulations have been reformulated to be Lilial-free formulas in full compliance with the EU Regulation on cosmetic products well ahead of its Lilial ban coming into effect as far back as March 1, 2022. For instance, the formulation of NIVEA BLACK & WHITE Invisible Roll-on deodorant has been Lilial-free since at least 2020 across the globe, including Nigeria.
“Our trade partners were informed ahead of time and reminded of their responsibility to remove the outdated Lilial-containing products within the legal timeframe to fulfill their obligations with the European Cosmetic Product Regulation,” it added.
Business
Shell, NNPC Ltd, Others Gift Three Universities ICT Centre, Digital Library
The Shell companies in Nigeria teamed up with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) and other stakeholders to build Information Communication Technology (ICT) centres and a digital library in Nigerian universities in 2024.
Biztellers reports that it initiative is part of their continuing support for education.
Some of the corporate bodies that executed the projects include the Shell Nigeria Exploration Production Company Limited (SNEPCo) and NNPC Ltd, and the Nigerian Content Monitoring and Development Board (NCDMB).
The benefiting institutions were, the Niger Delta University, Amassoma, Bayelsa State, which got a digital library in April, the Sa’adu Zungur University (formerly Bauchi State University), Gadau in Bauchi State, where an ICT Centre was commissioned in July, by The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Ltd (SPDC) as part of the Joint Venture with NNPC, TotalEnergies and NAOC.
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In what would sound like singing-off on the educational intervention initiative for 2024, the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), overflew with joy at the unveil of a world-class engineering design studios and ICT hub, courtesy of the SPDC, NNPC Ltd and other Joint Venture partners collaborated with NCDMB.
Reflecting on the three facilities, Country Chair, Shell Companies in Nigeria, and Managing Director, SPDC, Osagie Okunbor, said, “This is Shell working to power lives in Nigeria. The projects have changed the academic and physical landscapes in the three universities and linked the students and lecturers to the global learning arena.”
The facilities at FUTO include two state-of-the-art engineering design studios and a fully furnished 100-seater ICT lecture hall, equipped with computers and smartboards with dedicated power and water supplies. FUTO was selected for the project as part of the “institutional strengthening” in the catchment area of SPDC’s Assa North Ohaji South Gas Development Project. They were launched at a colourful ceremony attended by representatives of the Imo State Government and principal officers of the university.
Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, represented by the Commissioner for Digital Economy and E-Government, Dr. Chimezie Amadi, said, “We deeply appreciate the efforts of our partners in NNPC, SPDC, Total Energies, and NAOC JV, who have invested in the future of Imo State by supporting this critical project. Your commitment to human capacity building aligns perfectly with our goals, and together, we will continue to drive innovation, skills development, and sustainable economic growth for our people.”
Okunbor’s address at the commissioning was read by General Manager, External Relations, Igo Weli, in which he expressed happiness “that the collaboration of SPDC, Joint venture partners, NCDMB, and FUTO has resulted in this successful social investment project that demonstrates our commitment to improving access to quality education for every Nigerian.”
On his part, the Executive Secretary NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, called on Nigerian institutions to domesticate the advancements in AI and other technologies.
“Our AI must understand Igbo, Hausa, Efik, Yoruba, and other local languages,” he said, speaking through Dr. Ama Ikuru, the Director in charge of Capacity Building.
“We must leapfrog the innovations of other nations and become a net exporter of advanced technology to achieve the lofty ideals of Nigerian content development,” he added.
The Chief Upstream Investment Officer, NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services, Bala Wunti, said in his address which was read by the Senior Advisor Stakeholders Relations, Halimat Wilson, “Innovation thrives in an environment where ideas can be freely exchanged and developed. The Engineering Studio and ICT Hub is designed to be such a place where students, researchers, and faculty can collaborate on projects, share knowledge, and push the boundaries of what is possible.
Welcoming guests earlier, FUTO Vice Chancellor, Prof Nnenna Oti, thanked the sponsors of the project “for a landmark donation” to the university.
The Shell Companies in Nigeria have been education since the 1950s through scholarships and other initiatives. These efforts have resulted in the award of thousands of secondary, undergraduate and postgraduate scholarship awards, provision of educational infrastructure and establishment of sabbatical and internship programmes as well as centres of excellence in several universities.