Economy
13 new governors borrowed N226.8bn in six months – DMO
In the first six months after taking office, 13 new state governors collectively borrowed N226.8bn from domestic and external financiers.
This emerged as findings by Sunday PUNCH showed that 16 state governors also increased the debt profile of their states by N509.3bn with domestic and external debt of N243.95bn and $298.5m (N265.37bn), respectively.
The external debt was calculated based on the exchange rate of N889/$ used by the Debt Management Office in its report.
This is according to an analysis of the latest sub-national debt reports released by the DMO.
The sub-national debts are classified into domestic borrowings from local creditors and external borrowings from international creditors like the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.
The domestic and external debts published on the DMO’s website were as of December 30 and June 30, 2023, respectively.
The states, which include Benue, Cross Rivers, Katsina, Niger, Plateau, Rivers, Zamfara, and the Federal Capital Territory, got N115.57bn from domestic creditors, while governors of Ebonyi, Kaduna, Kano, Niger, Plateau, Sokoto, Taraba and Zamfara states borrowed $125.1m (N111.24bn) from external sources.
For the sub-nationals, a further breakdown of the data showed that Cross Rivers Governor, Bassey Otu, took the highest loan, with N16.2bn from domestic and $57.95m from foreign creditors between June and December 2023.
Katsina State followed with the debt surging by N36.93bn from N62.37bn to N99.3bn by December 2023.
Third on the list is Niger State, with a domestic debt of N17.85bn, surging from N121.95bn in June 2023 to N139.8bn by December of the same year.
Plateau got N16.32bn; Rivers borrowed N7.07bn; Zamfara, N14.26bn; and the FCT under the leadership of Nyesom Wike borrowed N6.75bn from domestic creditors.
For foreign debt, Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State accumulated external debt of $37.54m, while Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State borrowed $17.69m from external financiers.
Similarly, the governors of Kano borrowed $6.6m; Niger, $1.27m; Plateau, $831,008; Sokoto, $499,472; Taraba, $1.51m; and Zamfara, $655,563, from external sources.
Despite declarations by the administration of President Bola Tinubu that it would not continue with the massive borrowings of the previous government to fund its expenditures, the latest developments show that the new government is sticking to the controversial policy amidst increased revenue.
In 2023, state governors got the most Federal Account Allocation Committee allocations in at least seven years. The rise in FAAC allocations to the three tiers of government, especially the states, followed the removal of subsidy on petrol and currency reforms by the Tinubu administration. The reforms have reportedly led to a 40 per cent boost in income.
An analysis of the 2023 FAAC monthly allocations revealed that the sub-national and local government councils got the highest allocation of N627.73bn in September, followed by N610.5bn in December, N555.75bn in August, N533bn in November, N514bn in July and N497.97bn in October.
Economy
SEE Today’s Black Market Exchange Rate: Dollar (USD) To Naira (NGN) – January 19, 2025
What is the Dollar to Naira Exchange Rate in the Black Market (Parallel Market/Aboki FX)?
Check out the latest black market Dollar to Naira exchange rate for January 18, 2025. You can exchange your dollars for Naira at these rates:
How much is the Dollar to Naira today in the black market?
The current black market exchange rate for Dollar to Naira (Aboki FX) is as follows:
Buying Rate: N1670
Selling Rate: N1680
These rates were obtained from sources at the Bureau De Change (BDC) in Lagos on Saturday, January 18, 2025.
Important Notice:
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) does not recognize or endorse transactions in the parallel market (black market). Individuals looking to engage in Forex transactions are advised to approach their respective banks for official exchange rates.African fashion collections
Dollar to Naira Black Market Rate Today:
Buying Rate: N1670
Selling Rate: N1680
Dollar to Naira CBN Rate Today:
Highest Rate: N1559
Lowest Rate: N1545
Please note: Exchange rates may vary depending on location and negotiation terms, and the rates mentioned here are for reference purposes only.
Economy
Nigeria secures aircraft financing deal with Afreximbank
By Francesca Hangeior
A development financing institution, African Export–Import Bank, Afreximbank, has agreed in principle to collaborate with Nigeria on aircraft financing.
Afreximbank, while announcing plans to launch a leasing subsidiary, which will soon take delivery of 25 aircraft to be leased to African airlines, said it will provide Nigerian airlines with access to dry-leased aircraft that would enable them to better service Bilateral Air Service Agreement, BASA, routes and domestic operations.
A statement by Mr Tunde Moshood, special adviser on Media and Communications to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo, said the partnership was achieved during a side meeting held with the Afreximbank team at the four-day Aviation Economic Conference in Dublin, Republic of Ireland.
The statement reads: “A significant milestone in Nigeria’s aviation sector was achieved during a side meeting held with the Afreximbank team at the ongoing Aviation Economic Conference in Dublin, Republic of Ireland. The meeting, facilitated by Boeing’s Senior Director of Finance, Lereece Rose, brought together key stakeholders to discuss aircraft financing opportunities for Nigerian airlines.
“The meeting was attended by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo SAN, who led the Nigerian delegation. The delegation included distinguished members such as the Chairman, Senate Committee on Aviation, Senator Abdulfatai Buhari; Chairman, House Committee on Aviation, Abdullahi Idris Garba, Chairman, Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance, and Other Financial Institutions, Senator Abiru Adetokunbo; Director General of the NCAA, Capt. Chris Najomo; Managing Director of Fidelity Bank, Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe; COO of Air Peace, Toyin Olajide; CEO of XEJet, Emmanuel Iza; Chairman, ValueJet, Kunle Soname and his Managing Director, Capt. Majekodunmi, and Chairman/CEO of Bellagio Air, Dr. Oludare Akande, among other aviation stakeholders.
“At the meeting, Afreximbank, led by its Director and Global Head of Project and Asset-Based Finance, Helen Brume, agreed in principle to collaborate with Nigeria on aircraft financing. Highlighting the bank’s extensive experience in supporting airlines such as Arik Air, Kenya Airways, and TAG over the past two decades, Brume emphasized the need for robust aviation infrastructure to enhance the competitiveness of African airlines.
“To address this, Afreximbank announced plans to launch a leasing subsidiary, which will soon take delivery of 25 aircraft to be leased to African airlines. This initiative aims to provide Nigerian airlines with access to dry-leased aircraft, enabling them to better service Bilateral Air Service Agreement, BASA, routes and domestic operations.
“Lereece Rose commended the Minister for his efforts in improving Nigeria’s aviation ecosystem, particularly in raising Nigeria’s Cape Town Convention score from 49.5% to 75.5 per cent. This progress underscores the country’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for aircraft financing and leasing.
“The Minister highlighted the critical need for partnerships that would enhance access to aircraft financing for Nigerian operators, facilitating growth and improved service delivery. In response, Afreximbank affirmed its readiness to work with the Nigerian government, signaling a promising future for the country’s aviation industry.
“A committee has been established to follow up on the discussions, ensuring that this partnership materializes into actionable solutions for Nigerian airlines.”
Economy
SEE Dollar (USD) to Naira Black Market Rate Today January 16, 2025 Aboki
As of January 16, 2025, the Nigerian Naira (NGN) has continued to experience some level of volatility against the US Dollar (USD), while this has been the norm for decades now, this largely to some extent reflects the ongoing economic challenges.
See the Naira performance across various currencies
A quick check at the parallel market at Abuja Zone 4 market,as at January 16, 2025 , the black market exchange rate stands firmly at approximately ₦ 1,663.00 per USD. This means if you want to buy a dollar now, it is ₦ 1,663.00 while if you want to sell it is approximately ₦ 1,652.00 .
Please be aware that the parallel market or the black market rates are mostly and notably higher compared with what you get from the official market or CBN rate
Dollar to Naira (USD to NGN) Black Market Exchange Rate Today
Selling Rate ₦ 1,663.00
Buying Rate ₦ 1,652.00
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