CBN outlines fiscal reforms, growth targets to achieve $1.0 TN GDP within 8 years – Newstrends
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CBN outlines fiscal reforms, growth targets to achieve $1.0 TN GDP within 8 years

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Olayemi Cardoso, Governor of the CBN

CBN outlines fiscal reforms, growth targets to achieve $1.0 TN GDP within 8 years

THE economic policy proposals of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has identified a set of fiscal reforms and growth targets that will achieve $1.0 TN GDP within eight years.

Olayemi Cardoso, the new Governor of the CBN, revealed this in a statement of the findings from the preliminary assessment of the challenges facing the apex bank.

He explained that in reviewing selected BRICS and MINT countries with large populations and similar developmental characteristics as Nigeria, it is interesting to identify macro-economic indices that point to Nigeria’s economic trajectory, given the faithful implementation of the proposed economic reforms.

In economies bigger than $1.0TN, these indicators include moderate inflation, sizable foreign reserves and the capacity to quickly rebound from a cyclical economic downturn.

The CBN has from the preliminary assessment of challenges facing it attributed the failure in corporate governance, diminished institutional autonomy, current financial system stability, unorthodox use of Ways and Means spending as some of its challenges that need urgent attention.

Other challenges that need urgent attention include; Backlog of FX demand,  Lack of clarity in fiscal and monetary relationships – where are the delineations, and what should be the limits in CBN’s fiscal side interventions, Inflation and price stability, Access to FX market and FX price discovery, need for interest rate realignment to money supply, inflation and market realities,

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Current Financial System Stability among others.

 He, however, noted that these problem statements need in-depth review by the new central bank leadership team to determine what mechanisms are currently working, what can be tweaked or dispensed with and what new tools need to be introduced as only a refocused CBN can support economic growth.

The CBN governor explained that in assessing these currently challenges facing the Central Bank of Nigeria, preliminary questions are being raised, some of which include:

How will issues of governance be addressed?

 How can public and financial systems’ stakeholder confidence be restored in the autonomy and integrity of CBN?

What needs to be in place to revert to evidence-based monetary policies?

Discontinuation of unorthodox monetary policies and Foreign Currency management?

What controls can CBN develop to enforce statutory limits in the use of Ways and Means of financing public sector deficit?

How much of the backlog is real versus speculative/hoarding?

Are there creative financing options for clearing the short to medium term backlog?

 What are the causes and what is CBN’s proposed response to address inflation and price stability issues?

What mechanisms exist to address FX rate unification under a willing buyer and willing seller arrangement?

What should be the role of the Central Bank in the FX market?

Is there a need for interest rate realignment to money supply, inflation, and market realities?

What is the current state of the financial system?

Are CBN surveillance frameworks being updated proactively to track the expanding use of electronic payment systems by Fintech and Telcos? Among others.

He added that CBN does not have a magic wand that can be waved at the current economic challenges because the problems facing the bank are large and complex.

“However, with focused leadership and sustained reforms, it is expected that over time, the country will see gains open economic spaces, attract new investments, create employment and give our hardworking and talented compatriots opportunity for a more prosperous future,” he said.

CBN outlines fiscal reforms, growth targets to achieve $1.0 TN GDP within 8 years

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I’m honoured, excited over World Bank’s appointment – Dangote

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Africa’s richest man and Chief Executive Officer of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote

I’m honoured, excited over World Bank’s appointment – Dangote

President and CEO of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has expressed gratitude following his appointment to the World Bank’s Private Sector Investment Lab, a global initiative aimed at accelerating private investment and job creation in emerging economies.

In a statement confirming the development, Dangote described the appointment as both an honour and a reflection of his long-standing commitment to economic development through private enterprise.

“I am both honoured and excited to accept my appointment to the World Bank’s Private Sector Investment Lab, dedicated to advancing investment and employment in emerging economies,” Dangote said.

“This opportunity aligns with my long-standing commitment to sustainable development and unlocking the potential of developing economies.”

He referenced the successes of the so-called Asian Tigers, economies that experienced rapid growth through strategic investment, as a source of inspiration for advancing similar outcomes in other parts of the world.

The World Bank announced Dangote’s inclusion on Wednesday as part of a broader expansion of the Lab, which enters a new phase focused on scaling up solutions that attract private capital and generate employment in developing countries.

Other newly appointed members include Bill Anderson, CEO of Bayer AG; Sunil Bharti Mittal, Chairman of Bharti Enterprises; and Mark Hoplamazian, President and CEO of Hyatt Hotels Corporation.

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World Bank Group President Ajay Banga noted that the expanded membership underscores the institution’s focus on integrating private-sector leadership into its strategy for global job creation.

“With the expanded membership, we are mainstreaming this work across our operations and tying it directly to the jobs agenda that is driving our strategy,” Banga said.

“This isn’t about altruism—it’s about helping the private sector see a path to investments that will deliver returns, and lift people and economies alike. It’s central to our mandate.”

The lab, which was co-chaired in 2023 by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, previously sought to mobilise £1 trillion in sustainable investment, particularly targeting energy transition projects in emerging markets.

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Air Peace suspends flights nationwide over NiMet strike

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Air Peace suspends flights nationwide over NiMet strike

 

Air Peace has suspended all its flight operations across the country due to the ongoing strike by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet).

The airline said in a statement on Wednesday that it was also suspending operations due to the unavailability of QNH (hazardous weather) reports required for safe landings.

“Due to the ongoing NiMet strike and the unavailability of QNH (hazardous weather) reports required for safe landings, Air Peace has suspended all flight operations nationwide until the strike is over,” Air Peace said.

“Your safety is our top priority. We appreciate your understanding and will share updates as the situation unfolds.”

The airline had earlier announced that the NiMet strike could lead to flight delays and cancellations across its network.

Air Peace added that it was monitoring the situation and working with relevant stakeholders to minimise the impact on customers’ travel plans.

Employees of NiMet commenced a nationwide indefinite strike over welfare issues on Wednesday.

Some of the issues raised involve “NiMet’s refusal to negotiate or implement agreed financial allowances and unresolved entitlements,” including wage awards, peculiar allowances, and outstanding payments from the 2019 minimum wage.

They also accused the management of the agency of withholding important documents, ignoring requests for inclusion of omitted staff in past payments, and neglecting key training programmes in favour of executive retreats.

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Nigeria’s gas production increases by 15.6% to 227,931.65 mscf

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Nigeria’s gas production increases by 15.6% to 227,931.65 mscf

 

Nigeria’s gas output has increased 15,6 percent month-on-month, MoM, to 227,931.65 million standard cubic feet, mscf, in March 2025.

But on year-on-year, YoY basis, the nation’s gas output recorded a marginal increase to 227,931.65 mscf in March 2025, from 198,353.62 mscf, recorded in the corresponding period of 2024.

Data obtained from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, NUPRC, Gas Production Status reports indicated that of the total of 227,931.65 mscf produced in March 2025, 119,552.75 mscf was associated while 108,378.90 mscf was non-associated gas.

Associated gas is extracted in the process of producing crude oil while non-associated gas is produced without crude oil after much investment, exploration and development.

 

The Ministry of Petroleum Resources (Gas), which is directly involved in the development of policies, targeted at increasing investment in the sector said efforts have been made to increase investment and production of gas in Nigeria.

Similarly, in its recent report obtained by Vanguard, the Nigerian LNG Limited stated: “We are fully committed to expanding our operations with the NLNG Train 7 Project, which will boost our production capacity by 35%, increasing from 22 Million Tonnes Per Annum (mtpa) to 30 mtpa. This project underscores our role as a key player in the global LNG market and positions Nigeria as a top-tier supplier of LNG, leveraging its vast proven gas reserves of 202 trillion cubic feet (the 9th largest globally).

Vanguard

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