Business
Law enforcement agencies investigating $2.4bn unverified forex claims – CBN
Law enforcement agencies investigating $2.4bn unverified forex claims – CBN
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) says law enforcement agencies are investigating $2.4 billion unverified foreign exchange claims.
Governor of the CBN Olayemi Cardoso disclosed this while speaking during a press conference on Tuesday after the 294th meeting of the monetary policy committee (MPC) in Abuja.
On February 5, the CBN governor said he inherited a $7 billion FX backlog when he became the head of the apex bank in September 2023.
However, it was discovered that $2.4 billion of the sum was invalid following an inquiry into the transactions.
Subsequently, the CBN said all outstanding FX obligations had successfully been settled.
Providing clarification on the unverified claims, the CBN governor highlighted various irregularities, such as the disbursement of large sums of FX for requests never submitted and allocations made without the necessary naira backing.
He said there was an absence of legal validity and adequate documentation in these transactions.
Cardoso also stressed the gravity of these irregularities, labelling numerous transactions under investigation as “clearly unlawful”.
“We brought in Deloitte management consultants who took time and this really did take months.
“This is not something that happened overnight and a lot of this work was going on and people didn’t know but they took months painstakingly to go through all the documents, all the documents and to ensure that you know, they would have a report, which we could rely on,” he said.
“In the course of that, of course, we determined that a number of these transactions did not qualify.
In some cases, you had some allocations that were made in millions of dollars, which were never requested for.
“We also had somewhere they had no naira and they were also allocated, you know, huge sums of foreign exchange and the list goes on. It was for that reason that we refused to validate those particular transactions.
“We refused to validate them because apart from the fact that documentation was not satisfactory, in many cases, they were outright illegal.
‘And the law enforcement agencies, of course, are now looking into those transactions that are, as far as we’re concerned, not valid to be paid.”
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Auto
Jetour Takes Rely R8 Premium Pickup to Abuja in Major FCT Debut
Jetour Takes Rely R8 Premium Pickup to Abuja in Major FCT Debut
Jetour Nigeria is taking the battle for Nigeria’s premium pickup market to Abuja with the debut of the all-new RELY R8, a heavy-duty pickup that combines rugged off-road capability with the comfort, technology and refinement of an executive SUV.
The premium pickup will headline the Jetour Experience in the Federal Capital Territory from September 22 to 24, 2026, following the strong reception recorded during the showcase in Lagos.
The Abuja edition is expected to attract government officials, corporate executives, fleet operators, business owners, automobile enthusiasts and members of the media, with prospective customers given an opportunity to experience the R8 first-hand.
The RELY R8 is positioned as a versatile workhorse designed to serve demanding sectors including agriculture, construction, logistics and security, while offering the level of comfort and sophistication increasingly demanded by premium pickup buyers.
Unlike conventional work-oriented pickups, the R8 seeks to bridge the gap between utility and executive motoring, combining heavy-duty capability with a refined cabin and advanced technology.
Its off-road credentials are underpinned by high ground clearance, a reinforced chassis and an All-Terrain Management System featuring dedicated driving modes for mud, sand and asphalt.
The configuration is designed to give the pickup the versatility to move from challenging work environments to recreational adventures without compromising its rugged character.
Inside, Jetour has given the R8 a spacious five-seat cabin with SUV-inspired ergonomics, targeting drivers and passengers who spend long hours on the road.
The smart cockpit is powered by a high-performance processor and supports Level 2+ intelligent driving assistance. It also comes with a 12.3-inch HD touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and remote engine-start functionality.
For Jetour Nigeria, however, the R8’s appeal goes beyond performance and technology, with the company putting considerable emphasis on ownership support.
The automaker currently operates through seven accredited dealerships across the country, including Elizade Nigeria Limited, New Era AutoVehicle Services, Kojo Motors, Germaine Auto Centre, Tab Autos, R.T. Briscoe Motors and Mandilas Motors.
The network is expected to provide customers with access to authorised service facilities, genuine spare parts and manufacturer-backed warranty protection.
The company is also leveraging its growing presence in the Nigerian market, following industry recognition from the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association.
Jetour was recently named Fastest Growing Auto Brand of the Year by NAJA, while the Jetour Dashing won the Car of the Year award at the NAJA International Auto Awards.
The latest Abuja showcase is therefore expected to provide Jetour with another opportunity to strengthen its footprint in the premium and commercial vehicle segments, particularly among fleet operators and corporate users.
Jetour Nigeria is inviting prospective customers, automotive stakeholders and enthusiasts to register for test drives and obtain updates on the Abuja experience through its website, social media platforms or email.
With its combination of heavy-duty capability, off-road technology, premium cabin appointments and intelligent driving features, the RELY R8 is expected to be one of the major attractions of the Abuja automotive calendar this month.
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Business
BREAKING: OPay Warns Customers Against Viral Shutdown Message, Threatens Legal Action
BREAKING: OPay Warns Customers Against Viral Shutdown Message, Threatens Legal Action
OPay, one of Nigeria’s leading digital financial services platforms, has dismissed reports circulating on social media claiming that the company is shutting down its operations or proceeding on an indefinite leave.
The company, in an official statement, described the messages as false and misleading, urging its customers and members of the public to disregard the reports and refrain from sharing unverified information.
The clarification comes amid messages being circulated across social media platforms allegedly advising OPay customers to withdraw their funds because the fintech company was purportedly preparing to shut down.
However, OPay said there was no basis for the claims, stressing that its operations remained fully functional and that customers could continue to use their accounts as usual.
“OPay remains fully operational, and your money is safe and secure,” the company stated, adding that its services were continuing to run normally.
The digital banking platform assured customers that they could continue using their OPay accounts “with confidence,” apparently seeking to calm concerns that may have arisen from the viral messages.
OPay further pointed to its regulatory status in Nigeria, stating that it is duly licensed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and its deposits are insured by the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC).
The company said its regulatory and insurance status underscored its commitment to providing safe, reliable and convenient financial services to Nigerians.
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The fintech firm also revealed that the authorities had taken the circulation of the alleged false information seriously.
According to OPay, the Central Bank of Nigeria, in conjunction with security and law-enforcement agencies, is investigating the individuals responsible for creating and spreading the messages.
The company warned that those found culpable would face legal consequences.
“We take this matter seriously,” OPay said, adding that violators would be prosecuted “to the full extent of the law.”
The company also appealed to its customers to exercise caution when receiving information about its operations, particularly messages circulated through social media and other unofficial channels.
OPay urged users not to believe or share unverified claims, advising them to rely on the company’s official communication channels for accurate information concerning its services.
Reaffirming its commitment to the Nigerian market, the company said: “OPay is committed to Nigeria and Nigerians. We are here, and we are not going anywhere.”
The statement ended with an appreciation to customers for their continued confidence in the digital banking platform.
The development comes against the backdrop of the growing influence of digital financial platforms in Nigeria, where millions of customers use fintech applications for money transfers, payments, savings and other financial transactions. Consequently, unverified reports concerning the stability of a major digital banking platform can generate considerable anxiety among users.
OPay’s clarification therefore appears aimed at preventing panic withdrawals and reassuring customers that its services remain available.
BREAKING: OPay Warns Customers Against Viral Shutdown Message, Threatens Legal Action
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Business
Dangote Refinery IPO approved at ₦525 per share, targets ₦2.15trn
Dangote Refinery IPO approved at ₦525 per share, targets ₦2.15trn
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has approved the commencement of the Dangote Refinery initial public offering (IPO), clearing the way for the highly anticipated public sale of shares in one of Africa’s largest industrial projects.
Under the approved offer, Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE will offer 4.1 billion ordinary shares at ₦525 per share, with the transaction capable of raising approximately ₦2.15 trillion if fully subscribed.
The development represents a major milestone for the Dangote Refinery IPO and could make the transaction one of the largest public offerings ever undertaken in Nigeria and potentially one of the biggest in Africa.
The SEC conveyed its approval in a letter to Vetiva Advisory Services Limited, the Lead Issuing House for the transaction. The letter was signed by Abdulkadir Abbas, Director of the SEC’s Securities and Investment Services Department.
The regulator also registered the company’s existing 120.13 billion ordinary shares, while approving the refinery’s draft offer documents and authorising it to proceed with the Completion Board Meeting and Signing Ceremony.
The approval brings the refinery significantly closer to its planned entry into the Nigerian capital market, where investors will have an opportunity to acquire a direct stake in one of the country’s most strategically important energy assets.
The Dangote Refinery shares are expected to be offered to a broad range of investors, with the order book scheduled to open on September 14, 2026, according to the latest details surrounding the transaction.
The proposed offer involves 4.1 billion shares priced at ₦525 each, translating to a potential gross fundraising of about ₦2.15 trillion, or roughly $1.5 billion at prevailing exchange rates.
The transaction is also expected to include a 15 per cent greenshoe option, which would give the company the flexibility to sell additional shares if demand exceeds the initial offer.
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The proceeds are expected to support Dangote Group’s ambitious plans to expand the refinery’s capacity from its current 650,000 barrels per day nameplate capacity to approximately 1.4 million barrels per day.
The refinery reached its 650,000-barrel-per-day nameplate capacity earlier in 2026 and has subsequently tested production of up to 700,000 barrels per day.
If the planned expansion to 1.4 million barrels per day is completed, the facility would become the world’s largest refinery, surpassing existing mega-refineries in other parts of the world.
The expansion is expected to strengthen Nigeria’s position in the global refined petroleum products market while further increasing the country’s ability to process crude oil domestically.
Located in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos State, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals Complex occupies approximately 2,635 hectares and forms part of one of Africa’s largest integrated industrial developments.
The complex combines crude oil refining, petrochemical production, power generation, storage and marine logistics infrastructure.
It includes a 900,000-tonnes-per-annum polypropylene plant and a dedicated 435-megawatt power plant, giving the facility substantial internal energy-generation capacity.
The refinery also has extensive storage infrastructure comprising 177 tanks with a combined capacity of approximately 4.742 billion litres.
Its marine facilities include multiple quays capable of handling large vessels, liquid cargo shipments and roll-on/roll-off operations, while its crude and product-handling infrastructure is designed to support large-scale domestic distribution and exports.
The complex also has five Single Point Moorings (SPMs) designed to facilitate the efficient loading and unloading of crude oil and petroleum products.
The scale of the facility has enabled Dangote Refinery to increasingly serve both the Nigerian market and international destinations as production expands.
Since commencing operations, the refinery has become an increasingly important supplier of refined petroleum products in Nigeria, while also developing an export business serving markets across Africa and Europe.
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Growing exports of refined petroleum products have further strengthened the refinery’s strategic importance, particularly as Nigeria seeks to reduce its historic dependence on imported petroleum products.
The Dangote Refinery IPO is therefore being launched at a significant stage in the company’s development.
The refinery has already undergone major capital investment and is now seeking additional funding to increase its processing capacity and strengthen its position as a major regional energy hub.
Ahead of the IPO, the refinery also completed a major private fundraising exercise and secured additional financial backing to strengthen its position ahead of the public offering.
The proposed listing will also broaden investor participation in the refinery. Until now, ownership of the facility has largely remained within the Dangote Group and associated investors, meaning ordinary investors have had limited opportunities to directly participate in its growth.
The planned NGX listing could change that by opening the refinery’s ownership to a much wider pool of Nigerian and international investors.
Aliko Dangote has previously described the planned listing as an opportunity to broaden participation in the company and allow more Africans to benefit from the growth of one of the continent’s largest industrial investments.
The transaction could also have a significant impact on Nigeria’s capital market because of its sheer size.
A successful ₦2.15 trillion IPO would represent a substantial injection of new capital and could increase the depth, liquidity and attractiveness of the Nigerian equities market.
The listing is also expected to attract considerable attention from institutional investors, pension funds, asset managers, high-net-worth individuals and retail investors seeking exposure to the energy and industrial sectors.
For investors considering the Dangote Refinery shares, however, the ₦525 offer price will be only one part of the investment decision.
Prospective investors will need to examine the company’s final offer documents, financial performance, profitability, debt position, expansion requirements, dividend policy and exposure to changes in crude oil prices, petroleum product prices, exchange rates and global refining margins.
The ability of the refinery to maintain high utilisation rates and generate sufficient cash flow while simultaneously funding its planned expansion will also be closely watched by investors.
The company’s ability to expand its export markets could become increasingly important as its production capacity grows beyond Nigeria’s domestic requirements.
With the proposed expansion to 1.4 million barrels per day, Dangote Refinery is seeking to move beyond its role as Nigeria’s largest refinery and establish itself as a major global refining and petrochemical hub.
The ₦525 per share Dangote Refinery IPO consequently represents more than another stock market transaction. It could mark a new phase in the development of Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector while giving investors direct access to one of the country’s most ambitious industrial projects.
As the expected September 14 opening approaches, market attention will increasingly focus on investor demand, the final terms of the offering and whether the refinery succeeds in raising the targeted ₦2.15 trillion.
If successfully completed, the IPO would give the Dangote Refinery a new ownership structure, provide additional capital for expansion and potentially establish one of the most significant new listings in the history of Nigeria’s capital market.
Dangote Refinery IPO approved at ₦525 per share, targets ₦2.15trn
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