Business
Number of Verified BVN Holders in Nigeria Hits 65 Million, Reports NIBSS

The Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) has reported that the number of verified Bank Verification Number (BVN) holders in Nigeria has reached 65 million as of August 15, 2024. This milestone underscores NIBSS’s pivotal role in advancing Nigeria’s financial sector and driving digital transformation.
Introduced by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in 2014, the BVN system aims to reduce fraud and enhance security in banking by providing a unique biometric identifier for bank accounts. The system has seen significant growth since its launch, now covering a substantial portion of Nigeria’s banked population.
From April to July 2024, BVN registrations increased from 61.47 million to 62.7 million, adding over 854,000 new accounts. By August, the total number of verified BVN holders had surged to 65 million, marking a growth of over 4 million in 2024 alone.
Premier Oiwoh, Managing Director and CEO of NIBSS, attributed this growth to ongoing technological advancements and innovations. “NIBSS was established to provide service-oriented solutions addressing key financial sector challenges. Our modernization efforts have been crucial in achieving this significant milestone,” Oiwoh stated.
Despite this progress, concerns remain about the 40% of Nigerians who are still financially excluded. The Enhancing Financial Innovation and Access (EFInA) 2023 survey indicates that many Nigerians, particularly in rural areas, continue to face barriers to accessing formal banking services due to low financial literacy and mistrust of banking institutions.
Kurfi Garba, Managing Director of APT Securities, noted that financial literacy remains low and cultural mistrust deters many from engaging with traditional banks. He highlighted a growing demand for alternative financial services like mobile wallets and payment service banks, which may help bridge the financial inclusion gap.
Chinwe Egwim, former Chief Economist at Coronation Merchant Bank, emphasized the need for a comprehensive approach to enhance financial inclusion. She advocated for improved financial literacy, greater trust in banking institutions, and robust cybersecurity measures to protect the BVN database and reassure users.
Egwim also stressed the importance of public education to promote BVN registration and safeguard against fraud. Addressing these issues effectively will help Nigeria leverage the BVN system’s benefits and move towards a more inclusive and secure financial ecosystem.
Business
CBN expresses commitment to FX Code

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has reaffirmed its commitment to the Nigerian Foreign Exchange (FX) Code, stating that its operations align with the principles of the code.
In a statement signed by Governor Olayemi Cardoso, Deputy Governor of Economic Policy Mohammad Abdullahi, and Director of the Financial Markets Department Dr. Omolara Duke, the apex bank emphasized that its decision follows a review of the FX Global Code and recognition that the code represents a set of principles widely acknowledged as good practice in the foreign exchange market.
The statement confirmed that the CBN acts as a regulator to market participants as defined by the code and is committed to overseeing FX market activities in a manner consistent with its principles.
“To this end, the Bank has taken appropriate steps, based on the size and complexity of the FX Market, and therefore aligns its roles with the principles of the Code,” the statement added.
Business
FG launches electronic asset register to boost investment

The Federal Government has launched a national electronic assets register to provide real-time access to information on government-owned assets, aiming to enhance transparency and attract more investments into the country.
The digital registry was introduced by the Accountant General of the Federation, Dr. Oluwatoyin Madein, during an event that also featured the unveiling of a compendium of FAAC allocations to federal, state, and local governments from 2020 to 2023.
Madein described the initiative as a major milestone in improving public resource management, emphasizing that it is essential for financial sustainability and integrity. She stated that the project aligns with the government’s commitment to transparency and accountability in handling public funds and assets.
She noted that giving citizens access to information about public asset management would increase government accountability. “Whether it is infrastructure, equipment, or other public property, every asset must be accounted for,” she said.
The real-time access provided by the digital register is expected to support policy formulation, budgeting, and planning. Madein explained that by having a clear understanding of the government’s assets and their conditions, policymakers can make more informed decisions on resource allocation, investment management, and potential privatisation or public-private partnerships (PPPs) for underutilized assets.
She added that the initiative also aligns with international best practices, supporting Nigeria’s adoption of the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and the International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS). These standards will help strengthen the credibility and integrity of the country’s financial statements.
On the compendium of FAAC allocations, Madein stated that it provides a detailed breakdown of revenue distribution to the three tiers of government and serves as a valuable resource for policymakers, researchers, and the general public.
Minister of State for Finance, Doris Uzoka-Aniete, who officially unveiled the compendium, praised the Accountant General’s efforts in promoting transparency and accountability. She described the electronic asset register as an important tool that will help determine the real value of Nigeria’s assets and create opportunities for local and foreign investment.
Business
Tariff increase will push available power generation to 7,000MW — Minister

Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, has stated that the proposed electricity tariff increase will help boost Nigeria’s available power generation capacity to 7,000 megawatts (MW). This comes after the country recorded its highest-ever available power generation of 6,003MW and a peak evacuation of 5,801.84MW last week.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Strategic Communication, Bolaji Tunji, Adelabu emphasized that tariff regularization is crucial for unlocking the sector’s full potential and sustaining ongoing improvements in power generation and distribution.
“To sustain these improvements, the government would have to pay down the tariff shortfalls of N1.94 trillion for 2024 and address legacy debts of N2 trillion to the GENCOs,” the minister said. He added that continued tariff reforms are necessary to ensure that consumers start paying for the energy they consume.
Adelabu reiterated the government’s intention to raise electricity tariffs for customers in Bands B, C, and D as part of efforts to enhance the sector’s liquidity and reduce subsidy obligations. The planned tariff hike is expected to narrow the gap between Band A customers—who currently pay higher rates—and those in lower bands.
The minister noted that Nigeria recently set another milestone with a daily maximum energy output of 128,370.75 megawatt-hours (MWh), attributing these achievements to ongoing reforms and infrastructural upgrades in the sector.
“We are thrilled to announce these historic milestones in Nigeria’s power sector,” Adelabu stated. “These achievements represent a brighter future where businesses can thrive, households can enjoy uninterrupted power supply, and the economy can grow sustainably.”
According to the minister, recent improvements result from collaborative efforts by the Federal Ministry of Power and key stakeholders to address longstanding challenges in the sector. These include the rehabilitation and upgrading of transmission and distribution networks, implementation of innovative technologies to enhance efficiency, and policy reforms aimed at improving accountability and sustainability.
While celebrating these milestones, Adelabu called for continued support from state governments, private sector stakeholders, and the general public. He stressed the need for collective action to sustain the momentum and build upon the progress made.
With power generation at a record high and tariff reforms on the horizon, stakeholders are hopeful that Nigeria’s electricity supply will see lasting improvements, ensuring stable and reliable power for businesses and households nationwide.
-
News24 hours ago
IPOB’s lawyer accuses Anambra govt of violating citizens’ rights, wants all arrested charged to court
-
News24 hours ago
Opposition no longer safe with recruitment of Osun PDP members into Amotekun – APM
-
News24 hours ago
Osun Amotekun recruits accuse Adeleke’s govt of nepotism
-
News20 hours ago
PANDEF Clarifies Visit To Tinubu, Knocks Wike Over Inflammatory Comments
-
Foreign6 hours ago
Judge blocks Trump from deporting non-citizens using wartime law
-
News6 hours ago
Obasanjo bemoans selection process of traditional rulers in Nigeria
-
News6 hours ago
Market associations, women groups knock el-Rufai, rally support for Tinubu, Gov Sani
-
News6 hours ago
SERAP sues Akpabio over ‘failure to reverse unlawful suspension of Natasha Akpoti’