Opinion

Systemically Weak Banks Put Nigeria’s $1Trillion Ambition at Risk

Thank You for the Opportunity to Serve Nigeria

3 Lessons Nigerian Marketers Can Learn from Top YouTube Creators

A Generation Under Siege as Nigeria’s Drug Crisis Deepens

A Rejoinder and a Clarification: On Sunday Dare, Economic Reform, and the Nigerian Public Square

Pat Utomi: An economic buccaneer flirting with intellectualism

How Nigeria’s Energy Crisis is Driven by Debt and Global Forces

N4.65 Trillion in the Vault, but is the Real Economy Locked Out?

Refining Without Relief: How Global Oil Wars, Market Structure, and Monopoly Risks Still Drive Fuel Prices in Nigeria

One SA Bank Equals Nigeria’s Entire Banking Sector - Why Recapitalisation Is Critical for Global Competitiveness

Recapitalisation Without Transformation is a Risk Nigeria Cannot Afford

$214Bn Missing, Institutions Silent: Is Accountability Dead in Nigeria?

BY BLAISE UDUNZE Between 2010 and 2026, a staggering $214 billion, approximately N300 trillion in public funds, has been reported as missing, unaccounted for, diverted, unrecovered, irregularly spent,

Joint Statement by Green Energy International Limited and Lekoil Nigeria Limited

Green Energy International Limited (“Green Energy”) and Lekoil Nigeria Limited (“Lekoil Nigeria”) are aware of recent media reports concerning a court matter arising from a commercial dispute with a s

Is Nigeria Borrowing to Survive or to Build?

BY BLAISE UDUNZE Nigeria is no longer flirting with deficit financing. As a country, it is living with it, not occasionally but structurally, routinely, almost comfortably. It became evident wh

If Capital is the Answer, What Exactly is the Problem with First Holdco? - FinancialEDGE

BY BLAISE UDUNZE The Olayemi Cardoso-led Central Bank of Nigeria’s 24-month compliance timeline for the recapitalization of Nigeria’s banking system is about to conclude on March 31, 2026, which is framed as an unavoidable solution to systemic fragility, weak balance sheets, and the demands of a larger, more complex economy. Bigger capital, regulators argue, will

State Police and the Questions Nigeria Can No Longer Avoid - FinancialEDGE

Nigeria’s post-1999 democratic era has coincided with one of the gravest crises of state authority in the country’s history, with the state appearing weak and incapable of defending its authority. Fundamentalist Islamist groups, ethnic militants, gangs, secessionist movements, cult groups, organized criminal groups, and political thugs, among others, have relentlessly challenged the state to a

WISTA Nigeria felicitates with the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and NIMASA on the commissioning and official launch of the CVFF Application Portal: - FinancialEDGE

On behalf of the women maritime associations in the Nigerian maritime industry, and in my capacity as President of WISTA Nigeria, I warmly congratulate the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, led by His Excellency, Honourable Minister Adegboyega Oyetola, CON, and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), under the leadership of Director-General

SEC’s Bold Steps - FinancialEDGE

SEC's Bold Steps I once sat with Dr Agama, the DG of SEC, in his office to discuss the markets This was after one of my many rants on market stability, cohesion and effectiveness He came across as a man who could make and take hard decisions, even though he didn't look it with his

Why 2026 Must Be the Year Nigeria’s Economy Works for All - FinancialEDGE

BY BLAISE UDUNZE As the new economic year begins in Nigeria, statements and policies emanating from government officials' corridors project cautious optimism. One of the official narratives that expresses renewal of hope and confidence is the projection from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) that the economy is expected to continue expanding, with GDP growth

Nigeria, Sovereignty, and the Perils of Foreign Military Entanglemen - FinancialEDGE

Nigeria, Sovereignty, and the Perils of Foreign Military Entanglemen tNigeria’s ongoing struggle against terrorism particularly violence affecting Christian communities in parts of the country has renewed calls for deeper military cooperation with the United States. While the protection of civilians is a moral and constitutional obligation of the Nigerian state, history cautions that foreign military

Tax Reform or Financial Exclusion? The Trouble with Mandatory TINs - FinancialEDGE

BY BLAISE UDUNZE It is not only questionable but an aberration that a nation where over 38million Nigerians remain financially excluded, where trust in institutions is fragile, and where citizens are pressured under the weight of rising living costs, the use of Tax Identification Number (TIN) has been specified as the only option for their

Preventing Financial Crimes Amid Mounting Insecurity: Why Following the Money is Now a Survival Imperative - FinancialEDGE

BY BLAISE UDUNZE Nigeria today faces a sobering dual reality: a deepening security crisis and an entrenched financial-crime ecosystem that quietly feeds, sustains, and normalises that crisis. Across the North, Middle Belt, and parts of the South, kidnappers, bandits, insurgent cells, political actors, compromised security agents, and a complex chain of financial facilitators operate within

Tax Reforms Strengthen Economic Competitiveness: What you need to know about Nigeria’s Tax Administration Act that goes into force in January 2026 - FinancialEDGE

Dr Tope Fasua In recent weeks, a wave of commentary has suggested that Nigeria’s new tax regime may scare away investors, trigger capital flight, or damage business competitiveness. These concerns, although understandable in an environment where fiscal reforms attract intense public scrutiny, are largely misplaced. The 2025 tax reforms, anchored by the new Nigeria Tax

Nigeria’s “Era of Renewed Stability” and the Truths the CBN Chooses to Overlook - FinancialEDGE

BY BLAISE UDUNZE At the Annual Bankers’ Dinner, when the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Yemi Cardoso, recently stated that Nigeria had "turned a decisive corner," his remark aimed to convey assurance that inflation was decelerating with headline inflation eased to 16.05percent and food inflation retreating to 13.12 percent, the exchange rate was

CBN’s 303rd MPC Meeting: A Technocratic Victory, an Economic Setback, and a Missed Opportunity on Nigeria’s Real Crisis - FinancialEDGE

BY BLAISE UDUNZE The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) 303rd Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting arrived at a time of unprecedented tension within the Nigerian economy. The country has not faced a more difficult convergence of challenges for more than a decade in the area of crushing food inflation, unrelenting insecurity, slowing growth, weak

POSITION OF MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA ON THE REPORT OF MONETARY POLICY COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON NOVEMBER 24-25, 2025. - FinancialEDGE

POSITION OF MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA ON THE REPORT OF MONETARY POLICY COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON NOVEMBER 24-25, 2025. 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 The Monetary Policy Committee of the Central Bank of Nigeria held the 303rd Meeting on November 24 -25, 2025. The committee reviewed the current economic development alongside the macroeconomic indicators. Members expressed

CBN’s N75 Trillion Credit Milestone to Private Sector Falls Flat as Productivity Crisis Deepens - FinancialEDGE

BY BLAISE UDUNZE Nigeria’s financial system is flashing red, and not because of a scarcity of money. Ironically, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the nation’s banking proudly tout a historic rise in private-sector credit, announcing figures hovering around N75 trillion throughout 2024-2025. On paper, this looks like a funding boom, a sign that

A dangerous Concentration of Power: Is CBN’s Fixed Income Securities Takeover a Ticking Bomb for Nigeria’s Economy? - FinancialEDGE

BY BLAISE UDUNZE The Central Bank of Nigeria’s decision to take full control of government securities issuance has been described by some as a bold move toward transparency and market efficiency. Yet, beneath the surface of this reform lies a web of structural dangers that could tighten credit even further, push interest rates higher, escalate

Fayose At 65: An Iconic Brand For Forthrightness And Grassroots Connection, - FinancialEDGE

By Emmanuel Ajibulu Your Excellency, I sincerely celebrate you as you commemorate the 65th anniversary of your birth for a life that has been well lived, especially in the service of God and humanity. I celebrate a man of vision, a man of purpose and achievement. I celebrate a leader and mentor of men, Dr

Is Nigeria Economically Broke? Challenges and Opportunities in Africa’s Largest Economy - FinancialEDGE

BY BLAISE UDUNZE Is Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy, economically broke? It is a question no patriotic citizen wants to confront, yet one that confronts every Nigerian daily at the fuel pump, the market stall, the school gate, the hospital reception, and increasingly, in the national accounts. The country’s fiscal reality is no longer a debate

FG’s Suspension of 15% Fuel Import Duty: A Holistic Step Toward Economic Relief and Market Stability - FinancialEDGE

BY BLAISE UDUNZE In a welcome display of policy sensitivity and economic rationality, the Federal Government has suspended the planned 15 percent ad-valorem import duty on petrol and diesel. This move, announced by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), is more than a technical adjustment, it is a timely intervention that reflects

CBN’s $1 Trn Mirage: Why Nigeria’s Real Sector Holds the Missing Key - FinancialEDGE

BY BLAISE UDUNZE When the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) recently declared that the country was on course to becoming a $1 trillion economy through ongoing banking reforms, the statement was met with cautious optimism. To many, it sounded like a long-awaited promise of prosperity as a declaration that Nigeria’s economic renewal is finally underway.

Femi Soneye: Happy Birthday To Nigeria’s Rising Super Star, By Emmanuel Ajibulu - FinancialEDGE

“A true hero is not inspired by their strength, but by their ability to inspire and lead others” – Mahatma Ghandi (1931) “A true hero isn’t measured by the size of his strength, but by the size of his heart” – Zeus I am extremely proud and happy to join the Nigerian Guild of

Banks’ N1.96Trn Black Hole: Who Took the Loans, Who Defaulted, and Why the Real Economy Suffers - FinancialEDGE

By BLAISE UDUNZE Nigeria’s banking sector has entered a season of reckoning. Eight of the nation’s biggest banks have collectively booked N1.96 trillion in impairment charges in just the first nine months of 2025 which represents a staggering 49 percent increase from the N1.32 trillion recorded in the same period of 2024. Behind

Tinubu’s 15% Fuel Duty: Taxing Pain in a Broken Economy - FinancialEDGE

BY BLAISE UDUNZE When a nation is bleeding economically, with inflation at historic highs and citizens gasping for survival, one expects government policy to offer relief, not suffocation. Yet, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s approval of a 15 per cent import duty on petrol and diesel does the exact opposite for it taxing pain in

Nigerian Banks and the Culture of Concealment: How Financial Results Are Being Cooked to Hide Losses - FinancialEDGE

BY BLAISE UDUNZE In Nigeria’s banking industry, profit has become more a press release than a performance. Every results season, the same storyline plays out with record profits, rising assets, and promises of “strong fundamentals.” Yet, beneath the eye-catching headlines lies a quiet deception of a pattern of accounting charades aimed at repressing the true

DIGITALISED NDLEA AND WORRIES ABOUT DRUG ABUSES - FinancialEDGE

BY: EMMANUEL NNADOZIE ONWUBIKO “Quitting smoking is easy. I’ve done it a hundred times.” – Mark Twain with a hard truth on addiction recovery. “Addiction is just a way of trying to get at something else. Something bigger. Call it transcendence if you want, but it’s a rat in a maze. We all want the

Recapitalisation Reality Check: Uncovering the Truth Behind Nigeria’s Banking Boom - FinancialEDGE

BY BLAISE UDUNZE When the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) announced a new round of bank recapitalisation in March 2024, many expected the leading banks, especially those boasting record-breaking profits in the hundreds of billions and trillions, to sail through with ease. Their financial statements glistened with prosperity, with expanding balance sheets, rising dividends, and

Nigeria’s Inflation Drop: Has Life Become Any Easier? - FinancialEDGE

By BLAISE UDUNZE When the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) yesterday announced that Nigeria’s inflation rate had dropped to 18.02 percent in September 2025, the news was met with official applause. Government officials hailed it as evidence that the economy is recovering. Yet, for the millions of Nigerians struggling to buy food, pay rent, or

How Nigerian Banks Built a N219 Trillion Asset Empire on Depositors’ Funds - FinancialEDGE

BY BLAISE UDUNZE In the first quarter of 2025, Nigeria’s 10 largest banks proudly reported a combined total asset base of N218.99 trillion, up from N212.75 trillion at the end of 2024, according to a report by Nairametrics published on May 19, 2025. On paper, it looked like a victory as evidence that the sector

139M Poor, Yet Counting “Progress”: Nigeria’s Poverty Crisis Demands More Than Policy - FinancialEDGE

BY BLAISE UDUNZE The latest World Bank Nigeria Development Update delivers a chilling verdict, as 139 million Nigerians, over half of the nation’s population, are said to be living in poverty. The report, titled “From Policy to People: Bringing the Reform Gains Home,” praises Nigeria’s bold macroeconomic reforms but warns that the gains have yet

Honouring the Hands That Shape the Future: A Tribute to Teachers and the Legacy of Mrs. Anna Chinenye Udunze - FinancialEDGE

By Blaise Udunze Every year on October 5, the world pauses to celebrate World Teachers’ Day, which is a day to honour the men and women whose quiet labour builds the foundations of every great society. They are the custodians of knowledge, the gardeners of potential, and the silent architects of transformation. Long before the

How Policy Missteps Weigh Down Nigeria’s Fragile Banking Giants - FinancialEDGE

By Blaise Udunze Nigeria’s banking sector has always stood at the center of the nation’s economic hopes. Yet, instead of fueling growth and wealth creation, the sector finds itself trapped in a cycle of fragility, weighed down by policies that appear more punitive than progressive. At the heart of this malaise is the Central Bank

Nigeria at 65: A Nation Still Waiting for a Banking Revolution - FinancialEDGE

BY BLAISE UDUNZE Sixty-five years after independence, Nigeria’s banking sector boasts towering profits and continental reach. Yet behind the glossy numbers lies a sobering truth: banks remain disconnected from the real economy, leaving farmers, small businesses, and entrepreneurs stranded. As the nation marks another anniversary, the call for a true banking revolution has never been

CBN’s Rate Cut: A Lifeline or Just a Whisper for Nigerian Families and Small Businesses? - FinancialEDGE

By BLAISE UDUNZE The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), at its 302nd Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting today, announced a modest cut in the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR), trimming it by 50 basis points from 27.5 percent to 27 percent. The asymmetric corridor around the MPR was left unchanged at +260 and –250 basis points.

Empty Pots Don’t Lie: Hunger, Not Statistics, Is Nigeria’s True Inflation Figure - FinancialEDGE

By BLAISE UDUNZE Nigeria today sits at a troubling crossroads where official statistics clash with the bitter truth of daily survival. Each month, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and the Federal Ministry of Finance release inflation figures, suggesting a country navigating economic turbulence with resilience. Yet, in kitchens across the nation, in the

Driving Africa’s Capital Market with Technology: Why Products and Platforms Matter - FinancialEDGE

By Oluseyi Owoturo, Chief Executive Officer, Coronation Registrars Limited In June 2025, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) directed public companies and their registrars to comply with the Finance Act 2020, mandating that dividends unclaimed for six years or more be transferred to the Unclaimed Funds Trust Fund (UFTF). This move reflects a growing

Passport Hikes and Burden of Multiple Means of Identification Crisis in Nigeria - FinancialEDGE

By Blaise Udunze In recent months, Nigerians have been grappling with yet another increase in the cost of acquiring and renewing international passports. The hike, announced by the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and approved by the Federal Government, has drawn mixed reactions from citizens who considered the development as an additional burden in a period

Paradox of Profitability: Nigeria’s Banks, Bogus Earnings, and Recapitalisation Dilemma - FinancialEDGE

Paradox of Profitability: Nigeria’s Banks, Bogus Earnings, and Recapitalisation Dilemma By Blaise Udunze Nigeria’s economy has been buffeted by storms in recent years with currency volatility, galloping inflation, surging interest rates, and dwindling consumer purchasing power. Yet, amid these macroeconomic headwinds, corporate organisations, especially banks, continue to post eye-popping profits. Five of Nigeria’s top

Nigeria’s vanishing savings: $10bn subsidy removed, yet reserves stuck at $41bn - FinancialEDGE

Nigeria’s vanishing savings: $10bn subsidy removed, yet reserves stuck at $41bn By Blaise Udunze When the Nigerian government scrapped the decades-old fuel subsidy in 2023, it promised relief for the nation’s bleeding finances. Nearly $10 billion was to be freed up annually, and by scrapping it, President Bola Tinubu’s administration projected that the fiscal space