BUSINESS
Emefiele Lists Gains of Forex Restriction On 41 Items
…outlines projections for 2018
The Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele says the dogged implementation of the Bank’s policy, which restricts importers of certain items access to foreign exchange from the Nigerian Forex market, has led to improvements in the domestic production of those items and a reduction in Nigeria’s import bill.
Delivering the 2017 Annual Bankers’ Dinner of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) in Lagos at the weekend, Mr. Emefiele asserted that local manufacturers were recording profits and major boosts to their revenue due to the policy.
According to him, in spite of opposition to the introduction of the policy restricting 41 items from Nigeria’s foreign exchange market, the faithful implementation of the policy had seen to the considerable decline in Nigeria’s import bills. From an average of about US$5.5 billion, he disclosed that the nation’s monthly import bill had fallen consistently to US$2.1 billion in 2016 and US$1.9 billion by half year 2017.
Citing the example of Psaltry International Limited (PIL), an agro-allied company based in Oyo State, he said the introduction of the policy had reversed the fortunes of the starch-producing company. He noted that prior to the policy; Psaltry had only few customers and a huge backlog of inventory. However, due to the policy, he disclosed that the company now has over 50 multinational clients including Nestle and Unilever, thereby saving the country $7 million in foreign exchange drawdown over the two years of the policy.
While also asserting that the access restriction policy had freed Nigeria from the perennially embarrassing importation of toothpicks, the CBN Governor disclosed to the delight of the audience that as part of the gains from the policy and in line with an agreement reached with Unilever, which moved its production facility to another country a few years ago, the company had agreed to commission a new Blue Band Factory in Agbara, Ogun State before the end of 2017.
Mr. Emefiele further disclosed that the implementation of the policy had had a great impact on Nigeria’s import bill and boosted local rice production in Nigeria. He recalled that Nigeria, in 2012, imported about 1.2 million metric tonnes of rice from a trading partner, noting that, in 2016, one full year of implementation of the policy, rice exports to Nigeria had fallen by 99 percent to only 784 metric tonnes.
“These are clearly verifiable successes of government’s attempts to create jobs locally, improve the wealth of our rural population, improve industrial capacities and ultimately attain economic growth in Nigeria,” he noted.
On the current position of the economy, Mr. Emefiele expressed delight that the Nigerian economy had recorded positive growth after five consecutive quarters of negative growth, thereby signaling its exit from recession. He also noted the downward trend in headline inflation from 18.72 per cent in January 2017 to the September 2017 figure of 15.98.
The CBN Governor equally expressed gladness that the Naira had appreciated from over N500/US$1 to about N360/US$1. While noting that the economy had seen stability in the exchange rate of the naira for over six months, he affirmed that the exchange rate was not only stable, but was also converging across various windows and segments of the market.
He noted that since the establishment of the Import and Export Window, the CBN had recorded about US$10 billion in autonomous inflows through this window alone. According to him, this reflected the effect of the increased transparency which that window accorded the foreign exchange market and its impact of improving investor confidence and business sentiments.
Speaking on the country’s reserves, Emefiele noted that the reserves had recovered significantly from about US$23 billion in October 2016 to over US$34.3 billion as at November 3, 2017.
“The accretion in reserves does not only reflect increased inflow but also our shrewd FX demand management strategy,” he added
In assessing the country’s rating on the ease of doing business, he disclosed that the World Bank’s ease of doing business indicator for 2018 showed that Nigeria, with a score of 52.03, improved 24 places to rank 145 out of 190, standing above the regional
average score of 50.43 recorded for sub-Saharan Africa. This is even as he noted that the Bank’s effort had reinforced the Presidential initiatives to improve ease of doing business in Nigeria.
Speaking on the economic outlook for 2018, Emefiele warned fiscal and monetary authorities against complacency and over-confidence because of current positive developments in the economy. Rather, he urged all to strive to improve and sustain the pace of recovery.
Although he noted that the import bill had dropped, he stressed that Nigeria’s manufacturing and agriculture sectors still had a long way to go if the country were to attain self-sufficiency in those sectors. Nevertheless, he assured that the CBN, on its part, would continue to fine-tune its policies and strategies based on its understanding of evolving developments and supported by in-house technical analysis and simulations. He assured that the CBN would remain proactive in ensuring that the welfare of Nigerians is optimised at any point in time.
Specifically, Mr. Emefiele noted that, that barring any unforeseen shocks, Inflationary pressure will continue to ease, expressing optimism that the rate may return to very low double digit or high single digit levels during the next year. He also expressed hope that the foreign exchange reserve will continue to grow; stressing that Nigeria can attain a foreign reserve position of about US$40 billion by end of 2018.
Mr. Emefiele also expressed hope that the economic recovery would consolidate and that the exchange rate stability currently being witnessed would continue. While expressing hope for even stronger policy coordination, collaboration and cooperation in 2018, he hinted that monetary policy stance could change when the underlying fundamentals become supportive.
While expressing delight that some of the pains that were associated with some of the CBN’s policies had become major gains in Nigeria’s economy, Mr. Emefiele urged all stakeholders to work towards creating a Nigeria, where balanced growth and shared prosperity is guaranteed for all.
BUSINESS
Tinubu’s Rubber Revolution Takes Root In Cross River As Eba Partners First Nigerian Condom, Latex Products Factory
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision to revitalise Nigeria’s rubber industry is beginning to yield results in Cross River State, as the first factory in the country and the second in Africa producing condoms and other latex products begins operation in Calabar.
This development follows President Tinubu’s directive to the Chairman of the Governing Board of the Rubber Research Institute, Benin, and All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairman in Cross River State, Alphonsus Ogar Eba Esq, JP, to drive initiatives that will develop rubber production, processing, marketing, and value addition in the sector.
The President’s Renewed Hope Agenda emphasises diversifying the economy, reducing carbon emissions, tackling climate change, creating jobs for Nigerian youths, and restoring the glory of cash crops, reminiscent of the Eastern Region’s economic boom during the era of Sir Michael Okpara.
On Wednesday, 13th August 2025, the Vice Chairman (South-South) of the National Association of Rubber Producers, Processors and Marketers, Bishop Usen Umoh, led Barr. Eba on a working visit to Agrim Pharmaceutical and Health Care FZE Calabar — an Indian-owned company that has set up Nigeria’s first condom manufacturing facility.
The company’s Managing Director, Mr Nitin Agrim, revealed plans to expand production to include medical hand gloves, rubber bands, and other latex-based products. He appealed for partnership and access to locally sourced latex to reduce dependence on imports.
Barr. Eba commended the company for their confidence in the Nigerian economy and for choosing Cross River State as their investment destination. He assured them of the Federal and State Governments’ readiness to support their operations by ensuring a steady supply of raw materials.
He urged the company to prioritise employing Nigerians, especially members of their host communities in Cross River.
During a guided tour of the factory, Barr. Eba expressed satisfaction that most of the workforce were from Cross River and Akwa Ibom States. He noted that with this facility and its planned expansion, Nigeria could save up to $18 million annually in foreign exchange currently spent on condom imports.
He also emphasised that nearly 23 states in Nigeria grow rubber, gum arabic, and other latex-yielding crops, highlighting his determination to fulfil the President’s mandate of reducing the nation’s reliance on oil revenue.
According to him, diversifying into cash crops such as rubber, oil palm, and cocoa, which once formed the backbone of Nigeria’s economy before the discovery of crude oil in the 1950s, will stimulate growth, create wealth, and drive sustainable development.
...As Governors of Sokoto, Bauchi, Kano Lead Opening Ceremony
The Managing Director/CEO of Fesadeb Media Group and Convener of the Africa International Housing Show (AIHS), Barrister Festus Adebayo, has called for urgent reforms in Nigeria’s housing sector laws, describing many of the existing policies as obsolete and inadequate for present-day challenges.
Adebayo noted that the laws establishing key housing institutions such as the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) and the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) are outdated and hinder effective service delivery.
“In Nigeria, the law that establishes some of the housing agencies are moribund.
“Check the law that establishes FHA—you will discover that it is time for us to review it so that FHA can be able to do more in the performance and delivery of its mandate.
“The same thing applies to the Federal Mortgage Bank. The law only provides solutions to problems that existed at the time it was created; it needs urgent review,” he said.
The 9th edition of the AIHS, scheduled to take place between Tuesday, July 27 to 1st August, 2025, will have as special guests the Governors of Sokoto, Bauchi, and Kano States, who are expected to showcase their respective states’ achievements in housing and infrastructure development.
Barrister Adebayo emphasised that the theme of this year’s show, “Reimagining Housing Through Innovation, Collaboration and Policy,” aligns with the urgent need to modernise housing policies and strengthen collaboration between government and private sector players to meet Africa’s growing housing demand.
He reiterated that reforming housing laws and fostering partnerships are crucial steps to ensure sustainable solutions to Nigeria’s housing deficit.
The Managing Director/CEO of Fesadeb Media Group and Convener of the Africa International Housing Show (AIHS), Barrister Festus Adebayo, has unveiled plans for the 2025 edition of the continent’s biggest housing and construction forum, promising robust engagements on housing incentives, mortgage reforms, women’s inclusion, and accountability for government housing agencies.
Speaking ahead of the event, Barrister Adebayo who stressed that housing remains a critical need that must receive as much attention as food security, observed that Africa International Housing Show 2025 scheduled to hold between 27th July, to 1st August, 2025 in Abuja promises to be a platform for key policy conversations, stakeholder accountability, and practical solutions to bridge Africa’s housing gap.
“At the AIHS 2025, we will do everything possible to see how we can attract and get government to look into incentives that can help in the delivery of housing. In fact, we shall be providing suggestions on the type of incentives and interventions government can provide,” he said.
He pointed to the government’s recapitalisation of the Bank of Industry to support food production as a lesson for housing. “Today we have Bank of Industry being totally recapitalized for the purpose of providing food. Housing is key. After food is housing. When the government gives attention to housing, employment will be created, productivity will be increased. Because when I sleep well, I think well, I work well. It also reduces the number of times I go to the hospital,” he stated.
Adebayo lamented the hurdles faced by Nigerians in accessing mortgage loans, questioning why prospective homeowners cannot easily secure mortgages.
“We will look into what is wrong with the mortgage system—why people cannot walk into a mortgage bank, fill a form, show evidence of their monthly salary, and own a house. Africa International Housing Show 2025 will be looking into all these issues,” he assured.
As part of ongoing efforts to ensure inclusivity, Barrister Adebayo explained that the AIHS 2025 will also give prominence to women’s participation in housing discussions.
“Before the end of day two, we shall be engaging our women to come up with their own ideas on how the issue of housing can be better addressed. There are challenges in the area of women as well. Some states in Nigeria don’t allow women to inherit property. There are laws that are against them. So, the women will be with us,” Adebayo explained.
He confirmed that United Nations Women representatives from Nigeria and Cameroon will be part of the discussions. “They are not asking for only extra seats in parliament. The women are also demanding affordable housing for themselves, for widows of police and soldiers who died in the course of their service.
“As of 2025, we are going to engage all the CEOs of the agencies, be it federal mortgage banks. There is going to be a fire shot with them,” he revealed.
Speaking on the need to ensure accountability from relevant Regulatory agencies, Barrister Adebayo further disclosed that AIHS 2025 will hold government housing agencies accountable.
“We will ask them, ‘What have you achieved in the last one year? How many mortgages have you created? How many houses have you financed? How many workers and beneficiaries have you supported?’
“We will then move to the Federal Housing Authority and ask, ‘Tell us what you are doing, and give us room to answer questions. What agenda are you pursuing?’” he said.
He added that the forum will engage the Nigerian Mortgage Refinance Company and the Ministry of Finance, which currently holds about ₦250 billion and is targeting ₦1 trillion for housing and mortgage development. “They will be with us as partners and will be telling us what they have done since they were established. They will enlighten stakeholders on how Nigerians and non-Nigerians can benefit from the funds, the percentage of their interest rate, and how to access the money,” Adebayo said.
According to him, AIHS 2025 will attract participants from at least 25 countries, with over 25,000 attendees and between 350 to 400 distributors.
“AIHS is a gathering of professionals, policymakers, politicians, everybody.
“We will not leave AIHS 2025 without looking into why federal government housing projects fail.
“We have so many housing projects, but why are they failing? What mistakes are being repeated?” he queried.
Barrister Adebayo emphasised that the forum is expected to extract with concrete commitments from policymakers. “Before we leave, policymakers must give us a conversation. We will come up with a way forward,” Barrister Adebayo concluded.
-
NEWS2 days agoEnsure transparency, effective deployment of tax resources, NUJ, FCT Chair tells FG
-
SPORTS10 hours agoBarcelona edge Newcastle 2-1 thanks to Rashford’s Second-Half magic
-
NEWS1 hour agoNSITF mourns Afriland Towers fire VICTIMS, calls for stronger workplace safety
-
NEWS55 minutes agoSouth East NUJ hosts homecoming, awards Chris Isiguzo Lifetime Achievement Honour
-
NEWS43 minutes agoNigerian Born Int’l Journalist, Livinus Chibuike Victor, attempts to attain Interviewing Marathon of 72hours 30 Seconds
