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CBN excludes Abuja, Lagos PoS operators from cash swap programme

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2 years ago

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The Central Bank of Nigeria has excluded mobile money/Point of Sales agents in Abuja and Lagos from its newly launched cash swap programme.

The Punch reports the development ahead of the January 31 deadline for the phasing out of the old N1,000, N500 and N200 notes.

It reports a Frequently Asked Questions document released to selected agents obtained on Monday that the CBN provides some guidelines for the cash swap programme.

According to the document, the only five banks approved for the programme are Access Bank, Zenith Bank, United Bank for Africa, First Bank of Nigeria and First City Monument Bank.

It read in part, “Not all agents can participate. This is open to only selected agents profiled by the super agent/MMO/bank and submitted to the Central Bank of Nigeria and participating banks (Access, Zenith, UBA, First, FCMB).”

On the number of states selected for the programme, it read, “Selected agents in all the 36 states (except Lagos State and FCT, Abuja). Lagos and Abuja agents are excluded from this.”

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The PUNCH also learnt that the agents are restricted from using the new notes for their regular transactions, only for the programme.

On where the agents can get the new notes, the document added, “from one of these designated banks (Zenith, First Bank, Access, UBA, FCMB). However, you must have a bank account with that bank and your operators (super agent/MMO/bank) will have pre-registered you with the bank where you have an account.”

It added, “you must go to the bank you have informed operator (super agent/MMO/bank) of. That is where your agent details will be submitted to for verification when you get there to collect the new notes.”

Also, each agent’s name, BVN number, and operator’s name are required before the new notes will be released.

The document added that the bank would also verify the agent’s picture and finger print.

The document also noted that an agent is expected to have a record of the customer’s Know-Your-Customer information, which includes name, phone number, bank, account number and amount.

It was also noted that why there is no restriction on how much a customer can deposit, only N10,000 can be released per customer under the cash swap programme.

The CBN also urged the agents to open a bank account or wallet for customers with bank accounts.

The PUNCH also learnt that an agent can only get up to N500,000 new notes weekly for the programme.

Also, each agent is expected to record all transactions performed with the new notes and submit the record to the operator (super agent/MMO/bank).

CBN threatens sanction

Regarding what happens if an agent uses the new notes for other purposes other than the new naira initiative, the document noted, “There will be severe sanctions such as de-listing as an agent, withhold of any applicable benefit, de-list from future programmes, negative report to bank & CBN and other such penalties as directed by regulatory authorities.”

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In a memo by Moniepoint to their agents, agents were asked to collect BVN, NIN, or voter’s card details from customers paid new notes.

The memo read in part, “The Swap should be in the form of PoS withdrawals only of not more than N10,000 per person. Any withdrawal more than N10,000 per person should not be paid with new notes.

“Agents are also permitted to charge cash-out fees for the cash swap transactions but prohibited from charging any further commissions to customers for this service.

“You are to collect BVN, NIN or votes card details from customers paid with new notes for weekly submissions to the CBN.

“The CBN will continue to monitor implementation of the programme and provide further guidance as may be necessary.”

The National President, Association of Mobile Money and Bank Agents in Nigeria, Mr Victor Olojo, told our correspondent that a proposed meeting with the CBN did not hold.

He further noted that the agents were still actively involved in the process and a framework had been provided to guide the programme.

The CBN when announcing the cash swap programme which began on Monday, noted that the initiative was aimed at enabling citizens in rural areas or those with limited access to formal financial services to exchange old naira notes for the redesigned notes. To promote financial inclusion, the CBN said the service was also available to anybody without a bank account.

It said agents might, on request, instantly open a wallet or account, leveraging the CBN tiered know your customer framework. This, according to the bank, will ensure that this category of the populace (unbanked citizens) is able to exchange or deposit their cash seamlessly without taking unnecessary risks or incurring undue costs.

The CBN also directed agents to sensitise customers to opening wallets/bank accounts and the various channels for conducting electronic transactions.

A PoS agent (name withheld), who reached out to the executive members of the AMMBAN, noted that PoS agents were risking their lives in Kebbi to circulate the new notes.

He said, “Here in Kebbi State, the new notes are only in circulation within the Birnin Kebbi the state capital, and agents are doing their best to mop up the old notes, taking the risk of traveling with huge cash from rural areas to the state capital as most of the banks in Kebbi State has only one branch in the state capital while the few banks exist in the selected local governments are over-crowded.”

The AMMBAN president had earlier told the PUNCH that the issue of insecurity would likely affect the operations of some PoS agents, noting that some measures were also in place to safeguard the agents and the cash.

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Naira opens 2025 on weak note against US dollar

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January 3, 2025

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Naira opens 2025 on weak note against US dollar

The Nigerian naira fell to N1,541.36/$ on the first trading day of 2025, marking a 0.36% decline from the closing rate of N1,535.82/$ recorded at the end of 2024, according to NFEM data on the Central Bank of Nigeria’s website.

Some authorised dealers quoted the dollar at N1,545/$, a slight improvement from the N1,550/$ quoted earlier in the week. Others quoted the naira at N1,520/$ at the close of trading on Thursday.

In the parallel market, the naira ended the day at N1,655/$, improving from N1,670/$ quoted on Tuesday.

The naira’s performance in 2024 saw a significant depreciation of 40.9% compared to its official rate of N907.11/$ at the close of 2023.

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The decline comes despite various foreign exchange policies introduced by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to improve market transparency and attract foreign investors.

One of the notable reforms was the December launch of the Electronic Foreign Exchange Matching System, which introduced new guidelines for authorised forex dealers. This initiative brought some stability to the naira towards the end of 2024.

Meanwhile, in the money market, the Nigerian Interbank Offered Rate saw declines across all maturities, indicating liquidity in the banking sector. The Open Repo Rate dropped by 0.61% to 26.69%, while the Overnight Lending Rate fell by 0.55% to 27.25%.

Trading in the secondary market for Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) bonds remained subdued, resulting in a marginal increase in the average yield to 19.76%. In the sovereign Eurobonds market, buying pressure across various segments of the yield curve led to a 6-basis-point decline in the average yield to 9.62%.

Naira opens 2025 on weak note against US dollar

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Jetour attributes Nigeria’s award to customers loyalty, innovation 

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January 3, 2025

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Jetour attributes Nigeria’s award to customers loyalty, innovation

 

Jetour has been declared the fastest growing auto brand in Nigeria.

The award was announced on Wednesday December 11, 2024 in Lagos at an impressive ceremony organised by the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA).

Jetour representative in Nigeria, Jetour Mobility Services, has taken to its Facebook page to celebrate its customers for making this to happen, attributing the success to its commitment to innovation in creating remarkable driving experiences.

Jetour known for its luxury offerings is one of China’s most revered auto brands, a marque of Chery Holding Group established in 2018.

It mainly produces crossovers and Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs).

The recognition of Jetour as the Fastest Growing Auto Brand in the country is coming about a year after its introduction into the Nigerian market.

Jetour arrived in Nigeria in the last quarter of last year. And the SUVs available for this market are X70 – Liberty, X70 Plus – Elegance, X90 Plus – Cruise and Dashing.

Chairman of the NAJA Awards Organising Committee, Mr Theodore Opara, said despite being new in the Nigerian market, the brand was quickly able to secure a prominent place for itself in the highly competitive industry and received considerable attention from new car enthusiasts.

The committee, he added, had no difficulty in picking the brand as the fastest growing in the Nigerian auto market.

The name “Jetour” is a combination of the word “jet” and “tour”, which according to the automaker signifies a “convenient journey”. And its models try to depict this connotation in designs and performance.

Jetour Mobility Services said it considered the award a great honour, adding that it was a validation of its commitment to innovation and creating remarkable driving experiences.

The firm celebrates the award on its Facebook page with the following comments:

“We’re honoured to be named the Fastest Growing Auto Brand of the Year at the prestigious NAJA Auto Awards, powered by the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association.

“This achievement is a testament to our commitment to innovation, quality, and creating unforgettable driving experiences.

“A huge thank you to our amazing customers and everyone who has been a part of the journey — your trust propels us forward! Cheers to more milestones ahead!”

Jetour says its focus is to be a leader in mobility as well as provide reasonable travel solutions for individuals and families.

Its goal is to provide an excellent vehicle that demonstrates individuality for today’s young people, it adds.

As in the global market, the brand users in Nigeria are said to be an uncompromising group of individuals, unwilling to settle for less.

Jetour is not only winning in Nigeria, it is also a toast of a section of the Saudi market. One of its models, Dashing, recently won the Best Midsize Crossover Award for 2023-2024.

National Automotive Supply Company, the authorised distributor of Jetour vehicles in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, announced that the new and advanced Jetour Dashing won the “Best Midsize Crossover” award during the awards ceremony of the 11th edition of the “PR Arabia National Automotive Award” in Saudi.

Jetour Dashing was announced as the winner at the ceremony held in mid-November in Jeddah under the patronage of the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation and in the presence of several princes and VIPs, as well as representatives of regional offices of automotive brands.

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NNPC rejected Dangote $750m offer to manage Nigeria’s refineries, days Obasanjo

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2 days ago

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January 2, 2025

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Former President of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo

NNPC rejected Dangote $750m offer to manage Nigeria’s refineries, days Obasanjo

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has disclosed that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) rejected a $750 million offer from billionaire businessman Aliko Dangote.

In an exclusive interview with Channels TV, former President Olusegun Obasanjo revealed that in 2007, Dangote offered a staggering $750 million to manage the Port Harcourt and Kaduna refineries.

Obasanjo explained that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), now rebranded as NNPCL, rejected the offer due to its inability to operate the refineries effectively.

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He said, “Aliko got a team together and they paid $750m to take part in PPP (Public–public-private partnership) in running the refineries.

“My successor refunded their money and I went to my successor and told him what transpired. He said NNPC said they wanted the refineries and they can run it. I now said but you know they cannot run it.

“But I was told not too long ago that since that time, more than $2 billion have been squandered on the refinery, and they still will not work,” he added

 

NNPC rejected Dangote $750m offer to manage Nigeria’s refineries, days Obasanjo

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