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SERAP Drags CBN On N100bn Dirty Notes, Other Missing Public Funds
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), “to account for and explain the whereabouts of the over N100 billion ‘dirty and bad notes’ and ‘other large sum of cash awaiting examination’ which are kept in various branches of the CBN.”
In a statement, the SERAP pointed out that the allegations were documented in the latest annual report recently published by the Auditor-General of the Federation.
Consequently, the SERAP urged CBN governor, Olayemi Cardoso, to “explain the whereabouts of the N7.2 billion budgeted for the construction of the CBN Dutse branch in 2010 and the N4.8 billion budgeted for the renovation of the CBN Abeokuta branch in 2009, and to publish the names of the contractors who collected the money but failed to complete the projects.”
Similarly, the SERAP urged Cardoso “to explain the whereabouts of the allegedly missing outstanding loan of N1.2 billion granted to the Enugu State government in 2015 and the outstanding loan of N1.9 billion granted to the Anambra State government between 2015 and 2016 and to fully recover and remit the public funds to the treasury.”
The SERAP also urged him “to refer these grave violations of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended], the CBN Act and the country’s national and international anticorruption obligations to appropriate anticorruption agencies for investigation and prosecution, as appropriate, and the recovery of the public funds.”
These demands were detailed in the letter dated June 29, 2024 issued under the signature of Deputy Director, SERAP, Kolawole Oluwadare.
It stated, “These grim allegations by the Auditor-General suggest grave violations of the public trust, the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution, the CBN Act, and national and international anticorruption obligations.
“These grave violations also reflect a failure of CBN accountability more generally and are directly linked to the institution’s persistent failure to comply with its Act and to uphold the principles of transparency and accountability.”
It added that, “These grave violations have seriously undermined the ability of the CBN to effectively discharge its statutory functions and the public trust and confidence in the bank. The CBN ought to be committed to transparency and accountability in its operations.”
The letter, read in part, “We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within 7 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions to compel you and the CBN to comply with our request in the public interest.
“Explaining the whereabouts of the missing public funds, publishing the names of those suspected to be responsible and ensuring that they are brought to justice and the full recovery of any missing public funds would serve the public interest and end the impunity of perpetrators.
“According to the recently published 2020 audited report by the Auditor General of the Federation (AGF), the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has since 2017 been keeping over N100 billion [N100,672,999,000.00] ‘dirty and bad notes’, and other large sum of cash awaiting examination in various branches of the CBN.
The Auditor-General fears that the ‘dirty and bad notes’ initially planned to be destroyed may have been ‘be diverted and re-injected into the economy.’
“The CBN in August 2010 also reportedly budgeted N7.2 billion [N7,286,500,476.76] for the construction of Dutse branch building. The Dutse branch was due to be completed in November 2012 but the contractors have failed to complete the project.
“The Auditor-General is concerned that the project may have been ‘awarded to incompetent contractor,’ and wants the ‘job completed without further delay.’
“The CBN in 2009 reportedly budgeted N4.8 billion [N4,812,608,028.10] for the renovation of the CBN Abeokuta branch. The Abeokuta branch was due to be completed in 2012 but the contractors have failed to complete the project.
“There is no significant renovation work on the site, several years after the proposed completion date. The Auditor-General is concerned that the project may have been ‘awarded to incompetent contractor,’ and wants the ‘job completed without further delay.’
“The CBN also reportedly failed to account for the missing outstanding loan of N1.2 billion [N1,294,453,887.83] granted to the Enugu state government in 2015 and the outstanding loan of N1.9 billion [N1,994,383,561.64] granted to the Anambra state government between 2015 and 2016.
“The Auditor-General fears the public funds may have been diverted. He wants the money fully recovered and remitted to the treasury.
“Paragraph 708 of the Financial Regulations 2009 provides that, ‘on no account should payment be made for services not yet performed or for goods not yet supplied.’
“Section 35(2) of the Public Procurement Act 2007 provides that, ‘once a mobilization fee has been paid to any supplier or contractor, no further payment shall be made to the supplier or contractor without an interim performance certificate.
“Section 16(6) of the Public Procurement Act states that ‘all bidders shall possess the necessary professional and technical qualifications to carry out particular procurements; the financial capacity and adequate personnel to perform the obligations of the procurement contracts.’
“SERAP notes that Section 15(5) of the Nigerian Constitution requires public institutions to abolish all corrupt practices and abuse of power.” Section 13 of the Constitution imposes clear responsibility on the CBN to conform to, observe and apply the provisions of Chapter 2 of the constitution.
“Paragraph 3112(ii) of the Financial Regulations 2009 provides that, “Where a public officer fails to account for government revenue, such officer shall be surcharged for the full amount involved and such officer shall be handled over to either the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) or the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).”
“Nigeria has made legally binding commitments under the UN Convention against Corruption to ensure accountability in the management of public resources. Articles 5 and 9 of the UN Convention against Corruption also impose legal obligations on the CBN to ensure proper management of public affairs and public funds.
“Nigerians have the right to know the whereabouts of the public funds. Taking the recommended measures would advance the right of Nigerians to restitution, compensation and guarantee of non-repetition.
“The Nigerian Constitution, Freedom of Information Act, and the country’s anti-corruption and human rights obligations rest on the principle that citizens should have access to information regarding their public institutions’ activities.”
More than 100 Chinese original equipment manufacturers are being wooed for investment, technology and manufacturing capacity to aid growth in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) made the disclosure through its Director, Project Certification and Authorisation Division and Senior Technical Adviser to the Executive Secretary, Austin Uzoka.
This was detailed in a statement issued by the Board which stated that Uzoka was representing the Executive Secretary, Felix Ogbe, at the 15th China Shale Oil and Gas Summit in Chengdu, China, where he made the disclosure.
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According to Ogbe, the board was seeking to move the relationship between Nigerian oil and gas operators and Chinese manufacturers beyond the conventional buyer-seller model to investment, manufacturing, technology transfer and integration into global supply chains.
He said the Nigerian Oil and Gas Content Development Act (NOGCDA) guaranteed patronage for oil and gas equipment manufacturing facilities established in Nigeria, adding that such investments could also provide access to opportunities across the Gulf of Guinea.
“We are looking beyond the traditional buyer-seller relationship. What can we build together? We want Chinese companies to see Nigeria not simply as a market for their products, but as a strategic investment destination, a platform for manufacturing and technology development, and a gateway to opportunities across the wider African market,” he said.
He highlighted the Nigerian Oil and Gas Park Scheme (NOGPS) as a platform for Chinese original equipment manufacturers to establish manufacturing, assembly and service operations in Nigeria.
He said the scheme would provide opportunities for technology transfer, technical arrangements and the integration of Nigerian businesses into the supply chains of Chinese companies.
The ES also identified China’s capabilities in manufacturing, engineering, technology and energy infrastructure as areas that could support Nigeria’s industrial development.
“China has developed tremendous capabilities in manufacturing, engineering, technology and energy infrastructure. We want to explore how those capabilities can be connected with the opportunities that exist in Nigeria, for mutual benefits,” he added.
Nigeria’s local content policy had evolved from increasing Nigerian participation in oil and gas projects to a broader industrial development agenda focused on manufacturing, technology ownership and global competitiveness, he pointed out.
“Nigeria’s local content journey has evolved significantly since the local content law was enacted in 2010. What began primarily as an effort to increase Nigerian participation in the oil and gas industry has developed into a broader industrial development agenda focused on building capabilities, deepening manufacturing, promoting technology ownership and positioning Nigerian businesses to compete within regional and global markets,” he observed.
The engagement formed part of Nigeria’s participation in the 15th China Shale Oil and Gas Summit, held from September 20 to 23 at the Chengdu Century City International Conference Centre.
The summit, themed ‘Empowering Efficient and Green Development via Intelligent Technologies, Innovating to Lead the Shale Oil and Gas Revolution’, provided a platform for Nigerian oil and gas stakeholders to showcase investment opportunities in manufacturing, technology and oil and gas services.
According to the NCDMB, several Chinese OEMs expressed interest in exploring business relationships with Nigerian companies and participating in the country’s growing oil and gas manufacturing ecosystem.
In her closing remarks, the General Manager, Midstream, PCAD, Ms Lekoma Phimia, urged stakeholders to build on the connections established at the session to develop commercially viable and sustainable business relationships.
The NCDMB also used the exhibition to provide prospective investors and industry players with information on Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, local content opportunities and avenues for establishing operations in the country.
The board said the Chengdu engagement was part of efforts to expand Nigeria’s international industrial connections and advance the objectives of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act (NOGICDA).
It added that its focus was to move the local content agenda from participation to capability, manufacturing, and ultimately technology ownership and regional competitiveness.
NIPCO Group has announced plans to develop a Floating Liquefied Natural Gas (FLNG) project in Nigeria, with the proposed development estimated to require more than $3bn in investment.
This statement was made at a press conference on Thursday by the Managing Director of NIPCO Group, Nagendra Verma, who said the proposed project would have an envisaged LNG production capacity of approximately three million tonnes per annum, subject to the outcome of feasibility studies, regulatory approvals and a final investment decision.
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Verma said the project, which would mark NIPCO’s entry into the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) sector, was being considered for locations in the Escravos area of Delta State and the Akwa Ibom region.
“This proposed development is envisaged to comprise an FLNG facility along with associated marine and export infrastructure with the potential to serve both the international LNG market and growing domestic LNG demand in Nigeria. The proposed project is presently envisaged to produce LNG unified LNG of approximately 3 million L per annum, 3 million metric tons per annum. The proposed development is expected to represent a significant investment currently estimated in excess of $3bn.
“The final location shall be determined subsequent to the ongoing feasibility study. We are looking at strategic locations that will facilitate access to upstream gas resources, LNG processing, marine transportation and both international and domestic markets,” he said.
According to him, NIPCO had been evaluating the proposed FLNG project for the past six to nine months and was currently undertaking preliminary technical, commercial and feasibility assessments.
“We are considering various development concepts, technology solutions, financing structures and commercial options with a view to establishing a technically robust and commercially sustainable project,” Verma said.
He said the proposed development would comprise an FLNG facility alongside associated marine and export infrastructure, with the potential to serve international LNG markets as well as Nigeria’s growing domestic gas demand.
“The project is presently envisaged to have an LNG production capacity of approximately three million tonnes per annum.
“However, this remains subject to the outcome of the ongoing feasibility and technical studies, project economics, regulatory approvals and final investment decisions,” he said.
Verma said NIPCO was also evaluating the shipping and logistics infrastructure required to support both export and domestic LNG supply.
The Managing Director said the ongoing assessment covers upstream gas supply and reserves, FLNG technology and configuration, LNG production capacity, marine and export infrastructure, domestic LNG supply opportunities, shipping and logistics requirements, project economics and financing structure.
FCT Generates More IGR Than Six North Central States Combined in Three Years
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) generated more Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) than the six states in the North Central geopolitical zone combined between 2023 and 2025, according to figures from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
The FCT recorded a total IGR of ₦849.80 billion during the three-year period, while Kwara, Niger, Kogi, Plateau, Nasarawa and Benue collectively generated ₦704.42 billion.
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The FCT recorded steady growth in its internally generated revenue throughout the period, rising from ₦211.10 billion in 2023 to ₦282.36 billion in 2024, before reaching ₦356.34 billion in 2025.
For the six North Central states, combined IGR stood at ₦176.55 billion in 2023, increased to ₦214.96 billion in 2024 and rose further to ₦312.91 billion in 2025.
Kwara State recorded the highest cumulative IGR among the six states, generating ₦226.20 billion over the three years.
It was followed by Niger with ₦122.71 billion, Kogi with ₦102.73 billion, Plateau with ₦102.08 billion, Nasarawa with ₦81.58 billion, and Benue with ₦69.12 billion.
The FCT’s three-year IGR was therefore about ₦145.38 billion higher than the combined revenue of the six North Central states.
The figures also show that the combined IGR of the six states increased substantially in 2025, when their total reached ₦312.91 billion, compared with ₦214.96 billion in 2024.
See full list below:
North Central States — Three-Year IGR (2023–2025)
Kwara — ₦226.20 billion
Niger — ₦122.71 billion
Kogi — ₦102.73 billion
Plateau — ₦102.08 billion
Nasarawa — ₦81.58 billion
Benue — ₦69.12 billion
North Central Total — ₦704.42 billion
By Year:
2023 — ₦176.55 billion
2024 — ₦214.96 billion
2025 — ₦312.91 billion
FCT:
2023 — ₦211.10 billion
2024 — ₦282.36 billion
2025 — ₦356.34 billion
Three-year total — ₦849.80 billion
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