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Forex: Speculation, Round-tripping, Account For Naira’s Continuous Fall

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Chief Executive Officer, Confederated Facilitators Limited (CFL) Group of companies, Lai Omotola has opined that the soaring dollar to naira rate, with adverse effects on Nigeria’s economy is not being driven by market forces but by wealthy elite businessmen whom he tagged, ‘market cabals’

He bared  his mind at a media parley organised by his company in commemoration of its 25th anniversary.

According to him, “I have never seen elite business people whose only business they do is to speculate on their currency. That’s the only business they do. All of them, in everything they are doing, the underlying factor is that they are speculating.

“And this is how they do it. They may have a manufacturing plant, no doubt about it. For instance, the manufacturing plant needs $10 million, so they need to buy dollars. But the truth of the matter is that nobody is investigating if their actual need is $10 million or if they need something lesser than what they say they need.

“So, most likely, they only needed $1 million, but they will collect $10 million. They will send the $1 million to their supplier, convert the remaining $9 million to Naira, and go and sell it to the black marketers. Now, when you have a gap of over N300 in the exchange rate and you are selling $9 million, you are making N270 million without having a staff or investing anywhere, but just taking dollars in and out.”

“That business is sweeter than cocaine, which is why all of them are locked into it, and that is why Naira today is moving towards N1,200 for a dollar. When this present government was floating the Naira, it was to make the difference between the Naira at the official market and the parallel market not to exceed N2. That’s the meaning of floating. But this government has forgotten that when you float the Naira, there is no dollar in the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, to back that Naira.

“And it’s a matter of demand and supply. Anything in life, if today more people are looking for a particular substance than what is available, the price of the substance would go up. It is fundamental economics. If fewer people are looking for it, the value will depreciate. That’s the issue of demand and supply. So when you now allow the Naira to float, when you don’t have enough dollars, guess those with the dollar. It’s with the market cabals, ”he said.

He added, “Nigeria’s economy is not powered by market forces. There is nothing called market forces in Nigeria’s economy. Nigeria’s economy is powered by market Cabals. Regulating the currency has moved from the hands of the CBN to the hands of the Market Cabals. Let me tell you how they operate. For instance, they know that Nigeria requires $100 million to have that floating that will keep the difference between the official rate and parallel market at N2.

“And the cabals are the ones that have the $100 million. So they will only release $50 million into the economy. Now, when you release $50 million, demand for the dollar will become much higher, and the supply will become lower, thereby influencing and increasing the price of the dollar to Naira. CBN cannot intervene because there is no dollar.

“So the market cabals always have dollars with them. And they work in circles. They have dollars with them, they are the ones supplying dollars to the market, and they make a hell of a profit from the circles. So which business can be better than that?”

He said in other nations, the need for dollars is only for raw materials, school fees payment, or other productive things. But in Nigeria, two things contribute to the need for dollars; corruption, which is bribery, and speculations.

He noted that productive need for the dollar is not up to 40 per cent, “and that is where the challenge is. How do you fight against this kind of behavioural pattern?

“So our business elites that have funded politicians to win an election that are doing this type of not too-tidy business are the ones that have held our Naira in captivity. And as long as they are in charge, it will be difficult for the Naira to gain strength against the dollar.

“The worst part of it is that if the government goes today, pump $20 billion into the economy, 80 per cent of that money will end up in their hands, and they will continue to use it in an unproductive means because they want that dollar to Naira gap to continue to exist.”

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Ingentia Energies Appoints New MD

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Indigenous oil and gas company, Ingentia Energies Limited, has appointed a former Shell executive, Engr Victor Agbaroji, as its new Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer.

It was gathered that Agbaroji assumed office on 1 September 2026, following the completion of the tenure of the company’s interim managing director, Engr Charles Odita, who led the firm between March and August 2026.

The company disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, after a leadership transition ceremony held in Lagos.

READ ALSO: Dangote Credits Tinubu’s Economic Reforms with Driving Nigeria’s Economic Recovery

Speaking during the event, Odita said his six-month tenure was productive and expressed confidence in Agbaroji’s ability to accelerate the company’s growth.

“It is my privilege today to hand over the affairs of Ingentia Energies Limited to the incoming managing director, Engr Victor Agbaroji. The company has achieved a lot within the last six months; it is our desire that the new Managing Director will take us to the next level, and I am confident that as an industry veteran, he would hit the ground running and accelerate the company’s growth trajectory,” Odita stated.

In his acceptance remarks, Agbaroji said he would consolidate the gains made under the outgoing management while focusing on safety, talent development, innovation and cost competitiveness.

“Our immediate focus is to consolidate and sustain the gains we have made. Ingentia Energies has set the pace among its peers in growing the company since the acquisition of its licence, and we intend to maintain that momentum, holding in high esteem our company’s greatest assets – people – and taking into recognition the importance of safety, talent development, innovation and cost-competitiveness. IEL will ensure that our people work safely and return home to their loved ones every day. At the same time, we will continue to develop talents, improve efficiency, embrace innovative ways of creating value, and deliver strong returns to our shareholders and stakeholders while affirming our commitment to supporting Nigeria’s energy aspirations, including the national target of increasing crude oil production to 3 million barrels per day,” the new MD said.

According to the statement, Agbaroji brings more than 31 years of experience across the oil and gas value chain to the new position.

He began his professional career as a well-test engineer, gaining experience across several fields before moving to Shell as a reservoir engineer.

During his career at Shell, he held various positions covering operations engineering, corporate petroleum engineering, corporate planning and economics.

The company said he contributed to portfolio optimisation initiatives that supported the emergence of Nigeria’s indigenous marginal field operators.

Agbaroji also served as front-end development manager for major gas projects, including gas supply initiatives for fertiliser production.

At the global level, he was global operations manager for reserves reporting across the Shell Group, overseeing activities spanning Asia, Europe, Australia and North America.

He subsequently moved into Nigeria’s independent oil sector, where he brought international industry practices into indigenous operations.

Before joining Ingentia Energies, Agbaroji led technical advisory, risk management and project delivery support services for emerging energy companies.

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Dangote Credits Tinubu’s Economic Reforms with Driving Nigeria’s Economic Recovery

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President and Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Limited (DIL), Aliko Dangote, has commended the Federal Government for implementing bold and transformative economic reforms repositioning Nigeria for sustainable growth, strengthening investor confidence, and accelerating the country’s economic recovery.

According to Dangote, the ongoing fiscal, monetary, and regulatory reforms have contributed significantly to improving macroeconomic stability, enhancing productivity across key sectors, increasing Nigeria’s attractiveness as an investment destination, and fostering a more resilient business environment. He noted that the positive outcomes emerging from the reform agenda underscore the importance of consistent, market-driven policies in advancing national development and economic prosperity.

“The economic reforms being implemented by the Federal Government are beginning to yield tangible results. We are witnessing improved economic activity, stronger investor confidence, increased industrial productivity, and a more resilient business environment. These measures are laying a solid foundation for sustainable economic growth and long-term prosperity for Nigeria,” Dangote stated

READ ALSO: US-Iran Conflict Sees Oil Exceed $94

He explained that the reforms have created a more enabling operating environment for businesses, particularly large-scale manufacturing and industrial enterprises that are critical to economic diversification, job creation, foreign exchange generation, and national competitiveness. He added that government initiatives aimed at improving efficiency, promoting investment, enhancing transparency, and supporting domestic production are providing a solid framework for industrial expansion.

“We commend the Federal Government for its courage and determination in implementing reforms that are essential for economic transformation. While every reform process comes with initial challenges, the benefits are increasingly evident in stronger economic indicators, improved business confidence, and renewed investor interest in Nigeria,” he said.

Dangote further observed that the government’s favourable policy environment has supported the continued growth and efficient operation of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals complex, Africa’s largest integrated refining and petrochemical facility. He noted that policy measures designed to strengthen local refining capacity, reduce import dependence, improve energy security, and encourage value addition have contributed meaningfully to the refinery’s success and Nigeria’s broader economic development objectives.

“The progress being recorded at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals complex is closely linked to a policy environment that encourages investment, supports domestic industrialisation, and promotes self-sufficiency. These reforms are helping Nigerian businesses to plan with greater certainty, invest with confidence, and compete effectively on the global stage,” he added.

He stated that the refinery’s increasing production capacity and expanding export footprint are contributing significantly to Nigeria’s economic resurgence by generating foreign exchange earnings, creating employment opportunities, strengthening local supply chains, and positioning the country as a leading energy and manufacturing hub

Reaffirming the Group’s commitment to supporting the Federal Government’s economic agenda, Dangote said Dangote Industries Limited would continue to invest in strategic sectors, drive innovation, promote industrial development, and create sustainable employment opportunities.

“Our vision has always been to support Nigeria’s economic development through transformative investments. Today, we are witnessing how the combination of private-sector commitment and decisive government policies can unlock unprecedented opportunities for national growth. The refinery, petrochemical operations, fertiliser production, and our other industrial investments are helping to build a more self-reliant, competitive, and prosperous economy,” he said.

He expressed confidence that sustained reforms, policy consistency, and stronger collaboration between the public and private sectors would further stimulate economic growth, attract increased foreign direct investment, and reinforce Nigeria’s position as one of Africa’s most attractive investment destinations.

“Nigeria is on the path to becoming one of the world’s leading industrial and economic powers. With continued policy consistency, robust private-sector participation, and investment-led growth, the future of our economy is exceptionally bright,” Dangote concluded.

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Group Credits PINL with Safeguarding Environment, Farms

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A group has given kudos to the Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL) for effective pipeline surveillance and community interventions during the recent flooding in parts of the Niger Delta.

The Niger Delta Progressive Alliance (NDPA) in a statement signed by its Convener, Nse Victor Udoh, noted that the PINL’s operational efficiency and sustained maintenance of pipeline corridors helped prevent additional environmental damage, preserve farmlands and protect aquatic ecosystems from threats associated with pipeline failures and oil spills.

According to the NDPA, annual flooding in the Niger Delta poses serious environmental risks, particularly when floodwaters come into contact with damaged pipelines, oil spills and illegal activities around oil and gas infrastructure.

The organisation noted that the recent flood season was different, as there were no reported cases of widespread oil contamination of floodwaters, dead fish or the spread of oil into farms and residential areas attributable to pipeline failures.

READ ALSO: DPRP Decries Rising Fuel Imports, Despite Strong Local Supply Capacity

It said the development underscored the importance of preventive pipeline management, stressing that effective infrastructure protection was often measured by disasters that were prevented rather than emergencies that attracted public attention.

According to the group, regular patrols, monitoring and right-of-way surveillance enabled PINL to identify and address potential threats before they escalated into major incidents.

It added that inspection, maintenance and repair activities had also contributed to maintaining the integrity of critical pipelines, especially during periods of heavy rainfall and flooding.

The NDPA further commended PINL for its interventions in flood-affected communities in Rivers, Bayelsa and Imo States.

It cited the company’s restoration efforts in areas previously affected by illegal refining, as well as empowerment programmes targeting women and youths in host communities.

Udoh said the initiatives showed that corporate social responsibility should go beyond occasional charitable gestures and become part of a sustained commitment to community welfare and development.

“We commend Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited, therefore, on two counts that this season has made inseparable: the efficiency of its service, tested by a flood and found equal to it, and the seriousness of its social responsibility,” he said.

He added that the group had observed that farms remained protected and waterways retained their ecological value despite the flooding.

“This season, our farms still stand where the water reached them. Our creeks still hold their life,” Udoh said.

The alliance maintained that infrastructure security and community welfare were closely linked in the Niger Delta, where pipelines pass through several communities and environmentally sensitive areas.

It urged PINL to sustain the standard, stressing that protection of critical national infrastructure, environmental preservation and improved host-community welfare should remain mutually reinforcing objectives.

The NDPA described PINL’s performance during the flood season as an example of how operational efficiency and responsible community engagement could combine to protect energy infrastructure and the environment.

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