CBN introduces new private sector-led agric scheme – Newstrends
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CBN introduces new private sector-led agric scheme

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The Central Bank of Nigeria has unveiled guidelines for the operation of the Private Sector-led Accelerated Agriculture Development Scheme (P-AADS) to facilitate increased private sector agricultural production of staple foods and industrial raw materials as well as support food security, job creation and economic diversification.

The P-AADS is designed to complement the Accelerated Agriculture Development Scheme (AADS), earlier introduced by the apex bank to engage 370,000 youths in agricultural production, in collaboration with state governments as well as address the food security and youth unemployment challenges across the country.

Efforts at growing the economy also received a boost from the United Nations (UN) with the provision of $250 million for Nigeria’s Economic Sustainability Plan.

The UN offer, which is aimed at complementing Nigeria’s COVID-19 economic recovery efforts under the Nigerian Economic Sustainability Plan (ESP) initiative, was hailed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

The CBN, in a circular titled: “Guidelines for the Private Sector-led Accelerated Agriculture Development Scheme,” signed by the Director, Development Finance Department, Mr. Yusuf Yila, said the scheme shall be funded from the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme (ABP).

The CBN pegged the maximum loan accessible under the scheme at N2 billion per obligor- and to be repaid from the Economics of Production (EOP) for cultivating on the cleared farmland.

 

The apex bank also stated that interest rate under the intervention shall be five per cent per annum (all-inclusive) up to February 28, 2021.

However, interest on the facility from March 1, 2021, shall be nine per cent per annum (all-inclusive), it added.

The guidelines put the maximum tenor for annual crops at six years with a six months’ moratorium while perennial crops have a maximum tenor of 10 years with a one-year moratorium.

The framework also stipulated that the collateral be pledged by participants under the scheme shall be the title of the cleared land and other acceptable collateral prescribed under the ABP.

The CBN added that it will bear 50 per cent of the credit risk in the event of default by the participants while the repayment of the facility shall be made on instalment through the participating banks and spread over the EOP of the cultivated commodities.

The participating banks shall remit repayments received to the CBN on a quarterly or annual basis depending on the commodity financed.

The CBN listed the focal agricultural commodities eligible for consideration under the scheme to include rice, maize, cassava, cotton, wheat, tomato and poultry.

Others include fish, sorghum, oil palm, cocoa, livestock/dairy and any other commodities as may be listed by the CBN from time to time.

On the eligibility criteria, the apex bank stated that prospective P-AADS participants must be existing or new firms engaged in agricultural production with proven capacity and bankable proposal; possess the acceptable title for contiguous lands of not less than 20 hectares; have good credit record and be able to provide collateral for participation.

The beneficiary will also provide evidence of the capacity to cultivate a focal commodity directly or engagement of farmers, including youths as in-growers or out-growers to cultivate on the land after clearing.

The guidelines specified infractions and sanctions against participating parties.

According to the CBN, diversion of funds by the participating banks shall attract a penalty at its maximum lending rate at the time of the infraction.

In addition, such PFI shall be barred from further participation under the scheme.

Also, non-rendition or false returns shall attract the penalty stipulated by BOFIA, while charging interest rate higher than prescribed shall attract the penalty stipulated by BOFIA.

The CBN said any participating bank that fails to disburse the fund within the stipulated days of receipt to the borrower shall be charged penalty interest at the PFI’s maximum lending rate for the period the fund was not disbursed.

Also, failure to remit repayments received to CBN within the stipulated period shall attract penalty interest at the PFIs maximum lending rate.

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Dangote refinery increases petrol price from N899 to N955/litre

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Dangote refinery increases petrol price from N899 to N955/litre

 

Dangote Petroleum Refinery has announced an increase in the cost of lifting its petrol from N899 per litre to N955.

This also affirmed the projection of oil marketers and Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria that Nigerians should gear up for an imminent hike in the pump price of fuel.

This is coming following the latest rise in the cost of crude oil in the international market.

Dangote refinery in a notice on Friday titled, “Communication on PMS Price Review”, said the new pricing structure of N955 per litre was for customers purchasing between two million and 4.99 million litres.

Bulk buyers of five million litres or more are to pay N950 per litre, according to the notice.

This price adjustment indicates a 6.17% increase, or N55.5 per litre, compared to the discounted rate of N899.50 per litre offered during December 2024’s holiday period.

The refinery added that the new rates took effect from 5:30pm Friday impacting all unsold stock balances and pending orders.

Dangote refinery informed its customers of the price revision, attributing the change to rising global oil prices.

“Kindly be advised that effective from 5:30 PM today, an upward adjustment has been implemented on the gantry price of Premium Motor Spirit.

“Please note that all stock balances yet to be lifted as at the above-stated time are to be repriced at the new reviewed prices.

“We shall communicate with customers on their revised volumes based on the reviewed prices, in due course,” it read in part.

The increase is due to the rise in the price of Brent, the global benchmark for crude.

Brent crude rose to $81.84 per barrel—the highest level in 2025.

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Petrol price hike imminent over biting exchange rate – PENGASSAN

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President of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), Festus Osifo

Petrol price hike imminent over biting exchange rate – PENGASSAN

The President of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), Festus Osifo, has warned that the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, could increase if the upward trend in global crude oil prices persists.

Speaking during PENGASSAN’s National Executive Council Meeting in Lagos on Thursday, Osifo highlighted the correlation between rising crude oil costs and Nigeria’s foreign exchange challenges, cautioning that the situation may lead to higher fuel prices.

“The crude price rose to $80 per barrel today. Without exchange rate improvements, PMS prices will increase in the coming weeks,” Osifo stated.

He attributed the nationwide high fuel prices to the volatile exchange rate, even with the gradual resumption of operations at domestic refineries. However, he noted that these facilities were not yet operating at full capacity.

Addressing misconceptions about refining, Osifo explained that producing high-quality PMS involves extensive blending and processing. “The old Port Harcourt refinery is functional, and there is significant progress at the Kaduna and Port Harcourt refineries. Refineries globally engage in blending operations; it is a normal part of the process,” he said.

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Osifo linked the rising cost of petrol to the weakened naira, explaining that a stronger exchange rate could stabilize PMS prices.

“The price of PMS is directly linked to our weak naira. If the exchange rate improves to below N1,000 to a dollar, PMS could sell for N500–N600 per litre,” he added.

Drawing comparisons with countries like Venezuela and Zimbabwe, Osifo stressed the importance of currency management in the oil and gas sector, which relies heavily on U.S. dollars for equipment, operations, and expatriate salaries.

On local refining, he refuted claims that it would automatically lead to significantly lower prices, emphasizing the importance of maintaining cost margins. “Producing locally does not mean selling below cost. Even farmers calculate their production costs before adding margins,” he explained.

In a separate discussion, Osifo criticized Nigeria’s proposed 2025 budget of ₦49 trillion (approximately $30 billion), describing it as inadequate for a country with a population exceeding 230 million.

“The budget of $30 billion is abysmally low for a country like Nigeria, especially when you compare it with nations like South Africa, which has a population of about 60 million but operates on a budget of over $120 billion,” he stated.

He urged the Nigerian government to explore its vast natural and mineral resources to increase revenue and reduce reliance on borrowing.

Petrol price hike imminent over biting exchange rate – PENGASSAN

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Nigeria’s CNG conversion capacity increases by 2,500% – NMDPRA

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Nigeria’s CNG conversion capacity increases by 2,500% – NMDPRA

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has said that the country’s Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) conversion capacity increased by over 2,500 per cent in 2024.

Mr Farouk Ahmed, Authority Chief Executive, NMDPRA, said this on Thursday in Abuja at the inaugural Petroleum Industry Stakeholders’ Forum, organised by the Ministry of Petroleum Resources.

Ahmed said that NMDPRA supported the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGI) by stimulating 186 new conversion centers which triggered the county’s conversion capacity.

“The NMDPRA will continue to collaborate with the PCNGI to ensure deployment of CNG infrastructure in major cities of  Lagos and Abuja, up to 100,000 conversions, while collaborating with states to develop Nigeria Gas Vehicles (NGVs) in other areas.

“The development of CNG as a viable alternative to Petrol has been incentivised.

“These conversions alongside new buys have raised the Nigerian Gas Vehicles population to an estimated 30,000 to 50,000 vehicles and trucks, and it continues to grow daily.

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“With over 400 million dollars attracted for investment in 86 and 65 new daughters and mother stations under construction respectively, Nigeria refueling capacity has therefore risen from 20 to 56,” he said.

Ahmed said that the collaboration between PCNGI, NMDPRA and Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) led to the development of standards and the NGV Monitoring System expected to be inaugurated this year.

“The NMDPRA also collaborates with the SON, the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) and the National Institute of Transportation Technology (NITT) in ensuring that our mobility CNG growth is achieved in a safe and sustainable manner,” he said.

The NMDPRA boss, however, listed some challenges facing the initiative to include establishment and operation of petroleum handling facilities without proper licensing, permits and authorisations.

He listed other challenges to include poor collaborations for Open/ third party access to facilities and lack of cooperation of some operators for an effective regulatory oversight, in line with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) provisions.

“We implore the industry to adhere to all regulatory requirements, especially as they relate to safety, efficiency, best practices, sustainability, consumer protection and community participation.

“As we progress into 2025, the NMDPRA will continue to consolidate on its successes for enhanced regulatory oversight.

“This will include the upgrade of our laboratories for enhanced product quality analysis and referencing, inter-agency collaborations, automation and sustainability in the industry,” Ahmed said.

 

Nigeria’s CNG conversion capacity increases by 2,500% – NMDPRA

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