Business
Why CBN’s e-Naira Is Choice Of Aliko Dangote Varsity
The Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology (ADUST), Wudil, Kano, has resolved to adopt the electronic version of the domestic currency, the e-Naira for tuition payments.
The resolution was passed on Tuesday after the Kano branch of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) took its awareness campaign on the e-Naira to the university.
However, this is subject to ratification of the decision by the Kano State government.
Vice Chancellor, ADUST, Prof Musa Tukur Yakasai, assured that the policy would be effected after consultation with the state government.
Kano Branch Controller, CBN, Umar Ibrahim Biu, urged the university community to adopt the new E-wallet system payment of tuitions, salaries and other transactions.
He explained the need for the university community to migrate to the cashless system for financial security and efficiency using the e-naira initiative.
He said, “The e-naira is a trend blazer now, is something that has come to stay and we are trying to make sure that everybody is brought onboard. That is why we are doing this intervention.
“We have done it with so many merchants, we’ve gone into markets, we’ve gone into so many places, now we are coming into the institutions.
“We’ve been to University of Nsukka, University of Jos and now we are here in Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology to also sell the idea of the E-Naira wallet to both the students and staff of the institution and the institution.
“Our target is where the students can use the facility to pay their tuition fees and other payments through the E-Naira wallet.
“This will help the students a lot, it’s the safest way of handling your funds. Nobody will steal it. It will eradicate corruption. One does not need to carry huge amount of cash.
“There’s financial inclusion; they get included in the financial statement. Is part of the financial literacy campaign.
“The Vice Chancellor wholeheartedly accepted it. With e-naira they can get up to five per cent back on every payment they make. The money doesn’t go like that; they save something out of it. There are a lot of other incentives they can enjoy.”
On behalf of the university community, Vice Chancellor, ADUST, Musa Tukur Yakasai, assured that the institution would key into the e-naira initiative.
“We appreciate the idea of the CBN coming to launch the E-Naira initiative in this institution.
“This is a University of Science and Technology where our students are already e-confirmed. They are doing a lot of things, some of the academic activities are via e-platforms. So it is very easy for students to adopt this e-era.
“Some of the questions people ask are cleared by the bank. Especially the fear of losing money to hackers and other things like that.
“We now understand the e-naira and are now convinced, and we will call on our students and other stakeholders to key into this initiative. It makes it easier for everyone to operate without having to move with a lot of cash” the Vice Chancellor stated.
Savannah Energy has shared a trading update on its Nigerian operations and other markets in Africa, including up-to-date cash collections in its Nigerian business.
According to the update, made available on Thursday in Lagos, its gross production in Nigeria averaged 23.1 Kboepd for FY 2024, broadly in line with the prior year’s 23.6 Kboepd, of which 88% was gas (FY 2023: 91%).
On the update, CEO of Savannah Energy, Andrew Knott, said, “I am pleased to provide a FY trading update which demonstrates the continued progress we have made in 2024, a year which saw the highest level of cash collections ever recorded by our Nigerian business. 2025 is expected to be an exciting year for our Company: we have a large planned operational programme in Nigeria which is anticipated to enhance both our oil and gas production levels and capacity; we intend to progress our R3 East oil development project in Niger; we continue to pursue key acquisitions in the upstream oil and gas space; and we continue to seek to build our power business.
“Fundamentally, Savannah remains unequivocally an “AND” company, seeking to deliver strong performance both for the short AND long term across multiple fronts, and pursuing growth opportunities in both the hydrocarbon AND power sectors.”
The update It also shows that it generated a Total Income of US$393.6 million in 2024, compared to FY 2023’s US$289.8 million. This consists of Total Revenues of US$258.7 million and Other operating income of US$134.9 million.
The report also shows that Savannah’s FY 2024 Total Revenues were ahead of the previously issued financial guidance of greater than US$245 million, while FY 2024 financial guidance is reiterated for Operating expenses plus administrative expenses at ‘up to US$75 million’. The company expects its FY 2024 capital expenditure to come in lower than planned (previously guided at ‘up to US$50 million’) due to the phasing of spend.
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According to the update, Savannah’s cash collections in 2024 amounted to US$248.5 million, a slight increase from the US$206 million it received in 2023. The report further shows that its cash balances as at 31 December 2024 stood at US$32.6 million, compared to the 31 December 2023 figure of US$107.0 million.
The report shows that the company’s midstream subsidiary, Accugas Limited, had as at 31 December 2024 drawn down on its NGN332 billion of the NGN Transitional Facility, with the resulting funds being converted to US$, which, along with cash held, was used to partially prepay the existing Accugas US$ Facility, leaving a balance as at 31 December 2024 of approximately US$212.3 million.
The report also provided new updates on Accugas’ US$45 million Uquo Central Processing Facility (“Uquo CPF”) compression project in Nigeria, noting that its commissioning which will enable the expansion of gas production in the medium term is well underway.
The report highlighted the progress being made in the procurement process of long lead equipment in Nigeria for a potential two-well drilling campaign on the Uquo Field in H2 2025, with an additional gas development well expected to add up to 80 MMscfpd of supplemental production capacity and a potential exploration well targeting an Unrisked Gross gas initially in place (“GIIP”) of 154 Bscf (25.7 MMboe) of incremental gas resources.
The update shows that progress is also being made in the planned Savannah acquisition of Sinopec International Petroleum Exploration and Production Company Nigeria Limited, whose principal asset is a 49% non-operated interest in the Stubb Creek oil and gas field (“Stubb Creek”), with regulatory approval and completion being targeted in Q1 2025. Following the completion of the acquisition, Savannah intends to commence an expansion programme which is anticipated to increase Stubb Creek gross production from an average of 2.7 Kbopd in 2024 to approximately 4.7 Kbopd.
In Niger, Savannah continues to seek to progress its 35 MMstb (Gross 2C Resources) R3 East oil development in South-East Niger, while it continues to push for a potential alternative transaction structure to acquire a material stake in producing oil and gas assets in South Sudan as previously announced on 20 December 2024.
On the renewable energy front, the update shows that Savannah has up to 696 MW of renewable energy projects currently in motion, including the up to 250 MW Parc Eolien de la Tarka wind farm project in Niger and the up to 95 MW Bini a Warak hybrid hydroelectric and solar project in Cameroon. A firm believer in Africa’s transition to renewable energy, Savannah continues to target a portfolio of up to 2 GW+ of power projects in motion by the end of 2026.
The Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) has projected that the country has the potential to achieve a 5.5% growth in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) if critical policy reforms are sustained.
This was disclosed on Thursday during the launch of the NESG’s 2025 Macroeconomic Outlook report.
Speaking at the event, the Chief Economist and Director of Research & Development at NESG, Dr. Olusegun Omisakin, highlighted the need for more efficient policy implementation to unlock Nigeria’s economic potential.
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“We believe at the optimal level, if we embark on more efficient policy reforms, the Nigerian economy has the potential, the GDP to end up at 5.5 per cent, and we believe that this is achievable,” Omisakin stated.
More to follow……….
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has announced the release of the Nigerian Foreign Exchange (FX) Code, a set of guidelines designed to promote ethical conduct among authorized dealers in the country’s FX market.
In a statement, the apex bank disclosed that the official launch of the Code would take place on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, at the CBN Head Office Auditorium in Abuja.
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“The Central Bank of Nigeria has approved the release of the Nigerian Foreign Exchange (FX) Code as a guideline to the banking industry to promote the ethical conduct of authorised dealers in the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market,” the statement read.
The introduction of the FX Code is expected to enhance transparency, accountability, and professionalism within Nigeria’s foreign exchange ecosystem, aligning it with global best practices.
The event is anticipated to attract key stakeholders in the financial and banking sectors, as well as representatives from authorized FX-dealing institutions across the country.
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