Emefiele dares reps, says CBN won't suspend cash withdrawal limit - Newstrends
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Emefiele dares reps, says CBN won’t suspend cash withdrawal limit

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  • Visits Buhari to get his support

Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, says the apex bank will not dump its new policy on cash withdrawal limit slated to begin January 9, 2023.
He spoke against the demand by the House of Representatives that the policy limiting weekly cash withdrawal to N100,000 for individuals should be suspended.
Emefiele who spoke to journalists on Thursday after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari in Daura, Katsina State, however said the CBN would not dump the policy.
According to the CBN governor, the policy has the backing of President Muhammadu Buhari.
He said, “He (the President) was very happy and said we should carry on with our work; no need to fear; no need to bother about anybody.”
The CBN governor insisted that the the policy was not targeted at any particular person, but aimed at developing the economy.
But he conceded that some details of the policy may be reviewed after it came into operation.
The House of Representatives had resolved that Emefiele should appear before it next Thursday to come and explain the new policy.
This followed a motion of matter of urgent public importance moved by Aliyu Magaji (APC Jigawa) on Thursday during plenary.
Magaji had complained that the policy will affect small businesses which depend on cash for transactions with negative impact on the economy at large.
“Although the Central Bank of Nigeria has the right to issue monetary policies on the Nigerian economy to be able to guide and direct the economy to the right part of recovery and growth, however, the new policy rolled out by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) will definitely have a negative impact on the already dwindling economy, and further weakens the value of the Naira as Nigerians may resolve to use dollars and other currencies as a means of trading and thus further devalue Naira and weakens the economy.
“It is good to have a cashless policy but we seem to be borrowing ideas and policies from other countries that are far ahead of us. We are comparing ourselves with the United States and the United Kingdom. These people are far ahead of us. We will get there one day but this type of policy disturbs the people that voted for us.
“The issue affects everyone, most of our people are in rural areas and everything is being done in Naira and cash. And somebody will wake up and make a policy that will start tomorrow, no consultation,” he stated.
Responding to questions from journalists after his meeting with the President, Emefiele said: “Well, the Senate of the Federal Republic is National Assembly, they are legislative arm of the government and from time to time we brief them about what is happening and about our policies and I’m aware that they have asked for some briefings and we will brief them but I think it’s important for me to say that the cashless policy started in 2012.
“Almost three to four occasions we have had to step down the policy because we felt that there is a need for us to prepare ourselves and deepen our payment system infrastructure in Nigeria. Between 2012 and now 2022, almost about 10 years, we believe that a lot of electronic channels have been put in place that will aid people in conducting banking and financial service transactions in Nigeria.
“We heard about people talk about some of the people in the rural areas and the truth is that even online banking, as I was coming out to Daura, I saw a kiosk that has super agent today. It’s because of the way we felt that there was a need for us to deepen the payment system infrastructure.
“We have 1.4 million super agents that are all over different parts of the country, all local governments, and all villages in this country and I have told my colleagues, some of their names are already on the CBN website and we will publish all the names of all the super agents and having super agent, which is different from the banks, which is different from microfinance banks, which is different from other financial institutions.
“Having 1.4 million of them is as good as having 1.4 million banking points where people can conduct services and we think, Nigeria as a big country, the biggest economy in Africa, that we need to leapfrog into the cashless economy.”
The CBN had in a memo issued on Tuesday directed all banks and other financial institutions to ensure that over-the-counter cash withdrawals by individuals and corporate entities do not exceed N100, 000 and N500, 000, respectively, per week.
The apex bank also directed that only N200 and lower denominations should be loaded into banks’ ATM machines.

 

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Carloha Rides High, Plans New EV for Nigeria After Winning Global Honours

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Carloha Rides High, Plans New EV for Nigeria After Winning Global Honours 

 

Carloha Nigeria, the authorised dealer of Chery vehicles in Nigeria, is strengthening its position in the country’s automotive industry after clinching two prestigious global awards as it unveils plans to introduce another electric vehicle (EV) into the market.

iCAUR (iCAR) is a global youth-oriented electric vehicle brand under the Chery Group, which was developed in partnership with SmartMi Tech. The brand is focused on stylish designs and smart mobility and it is currently expanding across international markets.

Carloha Nigeria received the New Star Award and Brand Leap Contribution Award at the 2026 Chery Global Summit and Beijing International Automotive Exhibition in China. This is in recognition of its rapid market growth, brand development efforts and customer engagement initiatives.

The international recognition comes as Carloha intensifies its push into Nigeria’s growing EV space, buoyed by the positive reception of the iCAUR brand among motorists, technology enthusiasts and environmentally conscious consumers.

Managing Director, Sola Adigun, said the awards validate the company’s commitment to delivering world-class automotive solutions, while the growing acceptance of iCAUR reflects increasing consumer interest in innovative and sustainable mobility options.

“The Nigerian automotive market is evolving, and consumers are becoming increasingly receptive to innovation, sustainability and smart mobility solutions.

“The success of iCAUR has encouraged us to continue investing in the future of electric mobility in Nigeria,” he said.

Adigun disclosed that plans for the launch of a new EV are at an advanced stage, describing the move as part of a broader strategy to expand consumer choice and support Nigeria’s transition to cleaner transportation.

He added, “Winning these awards on the global stage is a strong endorsement of the work our team has done in building the Chery brand in Nigeria.

“It also demonstrates that Nigerian automotive businesses can compete successfully with the best across the world.”

According to him, Nigerian customers are increasingly demanding vehicles that combine intelligent safety technologies, premium comfort, fuel efficiency and modern design, noting that these qualities were prominently showcased by Chery at the Beijing exhibition.

“Beyond selling vehicles, our goal is to provide mobility solutions that meet the evolving needs of Nigerian families and businesses while aligning with global trends in sustainability, innovation and customer experience,” Adigun said.

At Auto China 2026, Chery also showcased its latest safety and intelligent mobility technologies, including the all-new TIGGO V and its AiMOGA robotics innovations, under its new global brand philosophy, “For Family.”
General Manager, Felix Mahan, said the awards underscore Carloha Nigeria’s commitment to excellence and customer satisfaction, adding that the company’s CarlohaCare 6-6-7 package continues to offer customers industry-leading aftersales support through a six-year warranty, six years of free service and a seven-day repair promise.
“This recognition reflects growing international confidence in both the Nigerian market and our ability to deliver world-class customer experience. We remain committed to making vehicle ownership easier, more affordable and more rewarding for our customers,” Mahan said.
With fresh global recognition and an expanded EV strategy, Carloha is positioning itself as one of the key players driving the future of sustainable mobility in Nigeria.

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BREAKING: Dangote Refinery Announces New Petrol, Diesel Prices

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BREAKING: Dangote Refinery Announces New Petrol, Diesel Prices

BREAKING: Dangote Refinery Announces New Petrol, Diesel Prices

LAGOS, NIGERIA – The Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals has announced fresh reductions in the prices of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, and Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), also known as diesel, in a move that is expected to reshape pricing dynamics across Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector . Information made available to the Nigerian Tribune on Saturday by a source familiar with the development showed that the refinery has lowered the gantry price of petrol by N25 per litre, bringing it down from N1,275 to N1,250 per litre . A senior Dangote Group official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the development and attributed the price adjustment to the recent decline in global crude oil prices. “We have reduced the petrol price to N1,250 at our gantry. This has to do with the current reduction in global oil prices, though everything is still volatile and requires caution,” the official said .

The reduction comes as depot prices were already responding to shifting supply dynamics. Market checks by Petroleumprice.ng showed that Aiteo and NIPCO were selling petrol at N1,272 per litre, while Integrated Energy, Ascon, and African Terminal were trading around N1,274 per litre, all below Dangote Refinery’s previous gantry price of N1,275 per litre . The latest price reduction comes about three weeks after reports emerged that Dangote Refinery had increased the ex-gantry price of petrol. At the time, a credible inside source disclosed that petrol continued to sell at N1,275 per litre at the refinery, hours after reports claimed that the company had raised its petrol price by N75 amid fluctuations in global crude oil prices .

The refinery has also reduced the price of Automotive Gas Oil (diesel) by N100 per litre, setting the ex-depot price at N1,700 per litre, down from the previous N1,800 per litre, according to a refinery communique sighted by petroleumprice.ng effective May 27, 2026 . However, this followed a brief reduction attempt on May 26 when the refinery had adjusted diesel prices by N200 to N1,600 per litre but retracted the announcement later the same day . Industry operators said the reversal was aimed at preventing losses among marketers and ensuring a fair adjustment across the supply chain.

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Confirming the diesel price development, the National Public Relations Officer of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) , Mr. Joseph Obele, said the reduction followed the arrival of imported petroleum cargoes into the country. “Dangote Refinery recently instituted legal action after the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) approved import licences for some marketers to bring petroleum products into the country,” Obele said . “Over the weekend, some of the vessels carrying imported products reportedly arrived, and shortly after, the refinery reduced the gantry price of diesel from N1,800 to N1,600 per litre” . He described the development as a direct result of market rivalry: “All hail competition and say no to monopoly in the petroleum industry. The more the competition, the better prices consumers will enjoy” .

The development comes amid an ongoing dispute over the issuance and renewal of import licences by the NMDPRA to marketers and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL). Industry observers say the timing of the diesel price cut is significant, as the new selling price from Dangote Refinery competes directly with imported products . Industry analysts said the diesel price cut could ease transportation and logistics costs if sustained, especially for manufacturers and businesses heavily dependent on diesel-powered operations .

Falling crude oil prices have strengthened market expectations of lower refined product prices. Brent crude, the international oil benchmark, has declined amid reports that the United States and Iran were close to reaching a ceasefire agreement . The easing of tensions between the two countries immediately impacted the oil market, with traders reacting positively to expectations of improved crude supply and reduced geopolitical risks in the Middle East . Despite the reductions at the refinery gate, checks indicate that retail prices have remained largely unchanged in many parts of the country, with several filling stations still dispensing petrol at prices above N1,350 per litre . Industry observers say the gap between ex-depot and retail prices may persist for some time as marketers work through existing stock purchased at higher rates before implementing any fresh pricing changes . The latest cuts come as competition continues to grow within Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector following the removal of fuel subsidies and the full deregulation of the market.

BREAKING: Dangote Refinery Announces New Petrol, Diesel Prices

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FG Deepens CNG Expansion with 1,100-Vehicle Capacity Gas Station in Abuja

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FG Deepens CNG Expansion with 1,100-Vehicle Capacity Gas Station in Abuja

FG Deepens CNG Expansion with 1,100-Vehicle Capacity Gas Station in Abuja

The Federal Government has intensified efforts to deepen the adoption of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) in Nigeria with the commissioning of a high-capacity refuelling station in Abuja capable of serving more than 1,100 vehicles daily.

The newly inaugurated facility, developed by Rolling Energy Limited in partnership with the Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund (MDGIF), is located in Jahi, Abuja, and is expected to significantly boost access to cleaner and more affordable transportation energy.

The project forms part of the Federal Government’s broader strategy to expand Nigeria’s gas infrastructure, reduce reliance on petrol and diesel, and accelerate the transition to cleaner fuel alternatives under the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas (Pi-CNG).

The High Capacity CNG Daughter Booster Station has a sales capacity of 1,000 Standard Cubic Metres (SCM) per hour, supported by two CNG tube skids with a combined storage capacity of 17,000 SCM.

The station also features a Mass Conversion Centre staffed by trained technicians and equipped with conversion kits capable of converting up to 20 vehicles and 25 tricycles daily, providing practical support for motorists and commercial operators seeking to switch to gas-powered transportation.

Speaking during the commissioning ceremony on Friday, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, described the project as a major milestone in Nigeria’s drive to deepen gas utilisation and strengthen access to affordable energy solutions.

Ekpo said the facility would play a strategic role in supporting the nationwide rollout of CNG adoption, particularly as the government continues efforts to cushion the impact of rising fuel costs following the removal of petrol subsidy.

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He said, “Facilities such as this are essential for building the backbone infrastructure required to support widespread CNG penetration in Nigeria.”

The minister commended Rolling Energy Limited and MDGIF for delivering the project, describing it as one of four strategic gas infrastructure projects currently being commissioned across the country.

According to him, similar projects by Ibile Oil and Gas, Portland Energy and Femadec are also being commissioned in Lagos and Owerri, signalling increased private sector confidence in the Federal Government’s gas commercialisation agenda.

Ekpo said the projects align with the Federal Government’s Decade of Gas Initiative, launched to leverage Nigeria’s estimated 215 trillion cubic feet of proven gas reserves to drive industrialisation, transportation reform, economic diversification and long-term energy security.

The minister noted that expanding gas infrastructure remains central to President Bola Tinubu’s energy transition agenda, which aims to provide Nigerians with cleaner, cheaper and more sustainable alternatives to conventional fuels.

Stakeholders in the energy sector have welcomed the development, noting that improved CNG station availability is crucial to encouraging wider adoption among private motorists, commercial transport operators and industrial users.

Analysts also say the establishment of more conversion centres and refuelling stations will help address one of the biggest barriers to mass CNG adoption — inadequate infrastructure.

The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to supporting private-sector-led investments to ensure that CNG refuelling stations become accessible across major cities and transport corridors nationwide.

FG Deepens CNG Expansion with 1,100-Vehicle Capacity Gas Station in Abuja

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