Economy
CBN bans staff, govts, banks, others from owning BDCs
By Emmanuel Agaji
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has excluded governments, commercial banks, merchant banks, Other Financial Institutions (OFIs), public officers among other parties from owning Bureau De Change (BDCs) directly or indirectly.
CBN disclosed this on Friday in its Guidelines for the operations of BDCs in Nigeria.
The apex bank noted that no person is permitted to carry on the business of BDC in Nigeria without its authorization.
Section 2.0 of the guidelines stated: “The following shall not be allowed to participate in the ownership of BDCs, directly or indirectly: Commercial, merchant, non-interest and payment service banks, OFIs, including holding companies and payment service providers, serving staff of financial services regulatory and supervisory agencies;
Serving staff of regulated financial services providers, Governments at all levels, public officers as defined in 5th Schedule Part IV of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria;
“Non-Governmental organizations, cooperative societies, charitable organizations, academic and religious institutions, non-Nigerian non-resident natural persons, non-Nigerian resident natural persons, non-resident non-regulated companies, telecommunication services providers;
“Sanctioned individuals and entities, a shareholder in another BDC (whether directly or indirectly), any other entity that the CBN may from time to time designate.”
Economy
UK plans to regulate Cryptocurrency in 2027
Britain has announced that it will formally bring cryptocurrency companies under the purview of its financial regulations by 2027, in a sweeping move aimed at safeguarding investors and boosting the country’s status as a global digital finance hub.
The United Kingdom (UK) government, in a statement released on Monday, December 15, said the new framework will be firm and proportionate, ensuring crypto firms play by the same rules as traditional financial services.
Under the new legislation, crypto firms will be regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the body that already oversees banks, insurers, and other financial institutions in the UK.
This will subject crypto companies to well-established transparency and reporting standards. The FCA is expected to publish its specific regulatory framework for the sector in 2026, ahead of full enforcement the following year.
UK Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, described the move as “a crucial step in securing the UK’s position as a world-leading financial centre in the digital age.”
“By giving firms clear rules of the road, we are providing the certainty they need to invest, innovate and create high-skilled jobs here in the UK,” Reeves stated.
She added that the legislation will equip millions of Britons with “strong consumer protections” while “locking dodgy actors out of the UK market.”
Britain joins a growing list of jurisdictions stepping up oversight of the volatile crypto industry. The European Union rolled out similar legislation in 2023, and the United States is gradually establishing its own rules in response to mounting scrutiny.
The regulatory tightening comes in the wake of several scandals that have rocked the industry, including the collapse of major exchanges and investment platforms.
Just last week, a US court sentenced crypto mogul Do Kwon to 15 years in prison for fraud related to the downfall of his company, which wiped out an estimated $40 billion in investor funds and sent shockwaves across global markets.
With the UK’s new regulatory framework now on the horizon, industry players have roughly two years to adapt.
Economy
FG, States, LGs Share ₦1.928trn November 2025 Revenue
A total sum of ₦1.928 trillion, being November 2025 Federation Account Revenue, has been shared to the Federal Government, States and the Local Government Councils.
According to a statement by the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), the revenue was shared at the December 2025 Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) meeting held in Abuja.
The ₦1.928 trillion total distributable revenue comprised distributable statutory revenue of ₦1.403 trillion, distributable Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue of ₦485.838 billion, Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL) revenue of ₦39.646 billion.
A communiqué issued by the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) indicated that total gross revenue of ₦2.343 trillion was available in the month of November 2025. Total deduction for cost of collection was ₦84.251 billion while total transfers, interventions, refunds and savings was ₦330.625 billion.
According to the communiqué, gross statutory revenue of ₦1.736 trillion was received for the month of November 2025. This was lower than the sum of ₦2.164 trillion received in the month of October 2025 by ₦427.969 billion.
Gross revenue of N563. 042 billion was available from the Value Added Tax (VAT) in November 2025. This was lower than the N719.827 billion available in the month of October 2025 by N156.785 billion.
The communiqué stated that from the N1.928 trillion total distributable revenue, the Federal Government received a total sum of N747.159 billion and the State Governments received a total sum of N601.731 billion.
The Local government Council received N445.266 billion, while the sum of N134.355 billion (13% of mineral revenue) was shared to the benefiting State as derivation revenue.
On the N1.403 trillion distributable statutory revenue, the communiqué stated that the Federal Government received N668.336 billion and the State Governments received N338.989 billion.
The Local Government Councils received N261.346 billion and the sum of N134.355 billion (13% of mineral revenue) was shared to the benefiting States as derivation revenue.
From the N485.838 billion distributable Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue, the Federal Government received N72.876 billion, the State Governments received N242.919 billion and the Local Government Councils received N170.043 billion.
A total sum of N5.947 billion was received by the Federal Government from the N39.646 billion Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL), the State Governments received N19.823 billion and the Local Government Councils received N13.876 billion.
In November 2025, Excise Duty increased moderately while Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT), Hydrocarbon Tax (HT), CIT on Upstream Activities, Companies Income Tax (CIT), CGT and SDT, Oil & Gas Royalties, Import Duty, CET Levies, Value Added Tax (VAT), Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL) and Fees recorded substantial decreases.
Economy
Naira Slides Against Dollar On Monday, December 15
On Monday, December 15, 2025, the naira exchanged at ₦1,485 per US dollar across Nigeria.
This new figure shows a decline compared to Sunday, December 14, when the currency traded at ₦1,482 per dollar. The movement represents a slight depreciation, indicating that the naira weakened marginally compared to the previous day.
Analysts note that an exchange-rate movement like this suggests renewed pressure on the local currency, even if minimal. Some observers say the drop may be linked to increased dollar demand, tighter supply in the market, or cautious sentiment among traders at the start of the new week.
The movement also highlights that, despite recent fluctuations, the foreign exchange market remains highly sensitive to demand patterns, investor confidence, and external inflows. Experts caution that while the naira weakened today, short-term changes like this are common in the current FX environment and do not necessarily signal a sustained trend.
For businesses, particularly importers, the weaker naira could slightly increase cost considerations in procurement and pricing. Many firms are expected to continue monitoring market developments closely to determine whether the depreciation will persist or reverse in subsequent sessions.
Manufacturers, retailers, and service providers are still operating cautiously within the present FX climate, as long-term stability remains dependent on improved dollar supply, consistent policy direction, and stronger investor confidence.
At ₦1,485 per dollar, the naira has worsened compared to the previous day, reflecting a mild depreciation and underscoring the fragile balance within the foreign exchange market.
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