Economy
FBN Holdings Plc Appoints Wale Oyedeji as New Group Managing Director
FBN Holdings Plc has officially announced the appointment of Adebowale (Wale) Oyedeji as the new Group Managing Director (GMD), effective November 13, 2024.
This appointment is subject to the approval of the Central Bank of Nigeria and ratification by shareholders at the next Annual General Meeting, marking a new chapter for the financial institution.
Wale Oyedeji replaces Nnamdi Okonkwo, who will retire after completing his term. He joins from Nova Commercial Bank, bringing over 30 years of banking experience across corporate banking, treasury, and commercial banking, along with extensive leadership expertise.
In his most recent position as Managing Director/CEO of Nova Commercial Bank, Oyedeji played a key role in the institution’s transformation and expansion into retail banking.
His academic background includes a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Economics from the University of Ibadan and a Master of Science in Financial Economics from the University of London. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and an alumnus of the prestigious Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School.
Oyedeji’s career includes significant leadership roles, such as serving as Managing Director of Guaranty Trust Bank UK from 2008 to 2011 and as an Executive Director for the Corporate Banking Group of Guaranty Trust Bank Plc.
He also served as an Independent Non-Executive Director at Stanbic IBTC Bank, further solidifying his expertise in the banking sector.
At FBN Holdings, Oyedeji will lead the implementation of the company’s new five-year strategic plan, overseeing operations at both the Holdco and its various subsidiaries.
Speaking on his appointment, the Group Chairman of FBN Holdings, Mr. Femi Otedola, CON, stated, “The Board is pleased to welcome Wale Oyedeji to the Holdco and looks forward to him building on the solid foundation of our 130-year-old franchise and sustaining its undisputed leadership position.”
This leadership transition is expected to enhance FBN Holdings’ long-term strategy and continue its legacy as one of Nigeria’s premier financial institutions.
Oyedeji’s appointment comes amid a year of substantial leadership changes at FBN Holdings, as the company continues to reshape its governance and strategic direction.
Earlier in the year, Nairametrics reported that billionaire businessman Femi Otedola was appointed as the new Chairman of FBN Holdings, marking the beginning of a new era for the institution. Otedola, who became the largest individual shareholder in FBN Holdings in 2021, has played a key role in reshaping the company’s leadership.
In March 2024, FBN Holdings further expanded its leadership team with the appointment of five elite directors, reinforcing its corporate governance and strategic vision under Otedola’s leadership.
These changes were part of a broader effort to stabilize the institution following years of leadership turbulence. More recently, Nairametrics covered the appointment and subsequent confirmation of Olusegun Alebiosu as MD/CEO of First Bank, a subsidiary of FBN Holdings.
Nnamdi Okonkwo, the outgoing GMD, has been instrumental in guiding FBN Holdings through these boardroom shifts, playing a pivotal role in restoring investor confidence and steering the institution back to profitability.
As Okonkwo exits, Wale Oyedeji is expected to take the reins and build upon this momentum, continuing to lead FBN Holdings through its strategic evolution. With this latest appointment, all eyes will be on Oyedeji as he leads FBN Holdings into its next chapter, navigating the competitive landscape and regulatory pressures of Nigeria’s banking sector.
Economy
US oil imports from Nigeria to drop as Trump plans energy emergency order
The President Trump planned an executive order and declaration of a national energy emergency, targeted at enhancing the United States oil and gas production could impact on Nigeria’s oil demand and revenue generation.
This was even as prices of oil, including Nigeria’s Bonny Light dropped to $80 per barrel from $83 per barrel, yesterday, as traders await U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration in the hope of some clarity on his policy agenda.
However, the United States used to import a bulk of its crude oil from Nigeria, but the commencement of shale oil, deliberate government policy and other factors, reduced the nation’s oil and gas import in recent times.
Despite the reduction, recent data indicated that the United States oil and gas import from Nigeria was worth $4.73 billion in 2023.
According some experts, the revenue would likely decrease in 2025 and beyond following President Trump executive order and declaration of a national energy emergency.
In an interview with Vanguard, yesterday, an economist and Chief Executive Officer, Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise, CPPE, Dr Muda Yusuf, said: “Naturally, if investments in oil and gas increase in the United States and the US of course is a major oil producer that will increase the global supply. If global supply increases, energy prices are likely to fall.
“So, if energy prices fall, of course, that has implications for our own revenue. So it’s likely to negatively impact on our oil price, on our oil revenue but it may be positive for businesses because a reduction in crude oil price or commodity or global oil price typically reduces the cost of petroleum products, including the Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, also known as petrol, diesel and jet fuel.
“However, it’s a double-edged sword as changes, if the price increases; it will favour the government and penalize the private sector, who uses energy. If the price drops, it penalizes the government and benefits the citizens and investors because their energy costs will drop.
“That is one implication of the Trump presidency. The second implication is, if he’s able to calm down the situation between Russia and Ukraine. Russia is a major oil producer as well, a major gas producer.
“So, he’s able to calm down Russia and Ukraine and he has the potential to do that because it is part of the commitment that he has made.
“If he’s able to do that, then we are likely to see more production of oil. We are likely to see the lifting of sanctions on Russia and if that happens, oil production will increase and prices will fall. Again, that will affect revenue negatively, but it will benefit businesses because cost of energy will drop.
“So, that is the nexus for me between what is happening with Trump policies and our domestic economy, especially the oil and gas sector.”
On his part, a Port Harcourt-based energy analyst, Dr. Bala Zakka, said: “Major importers from Nigeria, indirectly encourage our nation to be lazy, exporting crude oil instead of processing to add more value to the economy.
“I strongly believe that by reducing importation through his policies, President Trump would encourage increased refining in Nigeria and other African nations. We need to expand our refining capacity to refine more petroleum product and derivatives, capable of adding value to the domestic economy.”
Also, the National President of Oil and Gas Service Providers Association of Nigeria, OGSPAN, said: “Every nation continuously reviews its environment and takes decisions on the best ways and means to grow its economy. Nigeria should do the same in order to reduce dependence on oil and other economies.”
Meanwhile, the Petroleum Products Retail outlets Owners Association of Nigeria, PETROAN, has assured consumers that the coming on stream of the Dangote Refinery and the NNPC Limited owned Port Harcourt refinery would ensure easy flow of petrol during the Yuletide season.
PETROAN in a statement by its National Public Relations Officer, Dr Joseph Obele said the petrol supply agreement reached with the 650,000 barrels per day Dangote Refinery would avert any possible shortage of premium motor spirit during the period.
This, according to Dr Obele, is due to the efforts of PETROAN distribution technical committee incharge of planning and execution of zero-fuel scarcity strategy.
“We are happy that Nigerians are going to travel effortlessly during this period of the year”, the Group added.
Recall that the National President of PETROAN, Dr Billy Gillis-Harry, on Monday 2nd December 2024 led the negotiation team of the association to a fruitful strategic business meeting with the management of Dangote Refinery in Lagos.
PETROAN noted that the “sealing of a transactionary deal with Dangote Refinery was the aftermath of a successful buyer-seller negotiation and agreement secured by PETROAN at the strategic meeting.
“PETROAN National President commended the Vice President of Dangote group & Managing Director of Dangote Refinery, Mr. Devakumar V. G. Edwin, for his cooperation and strategies deployed so far to make petroleum products available to all Nigerians throughout the end of year festivities and beyond.”
Economy
SEE Black Market Dollar To Naira Exchange Rate Today 21 January 2025
Black Market Dollar To Naira Exchange Rate Today 21 January 2025 Can Be Accessed Below.
The official naira black market exchange rate in Nigeria today including the Black Market rates, Bureau De Change (BDC), and CBN rates.
Please note that the exchange rate is subject to hourly fluctuations influenced by the supply and demand of dollars in the market.
As of now, you can purchase 1 dollar at a certain rate now, however, it’s important to remember that the rate can shift (either upwards or downwards) within hours.
What’s the dollar to naira black market today 14 January 2025?
The local currency (abokiFx) opened at ₦1,660.00 per $1 at the parallel market otherwise known as the black market, today, Tuesday, 21 January 2025, in Lagos Nigeria, after it closed at ₦1,655.00 per $1 on Monday, 20 January 2025.
Dollar to Naira (USD to NGN) Black Market Exchange Rate Today
Buying Rate of $1 ₦1,655
Selling Rate of $1 ₦1,660
Please note that Nigeria’s black market dollar-to-naira exchange rate is typically higher than the official exchange rate because the Federal Government does not regulate it. The rates you buy or sell forex may differ from what is captured in this article because prices vary.
What’s the dollar-to-naira CBN exchange rate today?
Dollar to Naira (USD to NGN) CBN Rate Today
Buying Rate of $1 ₦1,551
Selling Rate of $1 ₦1,552
Please note that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) does not recognize the parallel market (black market), as it has directed individuals who want to engage in Forex to approach their respective banks.
Economy
Bitcoin hits all-time high driven by Trumpmania
Bitcoin the world’s largest cryptocurrency hits an all-time high of 109,241 dollars on Jan. 20 as Donald Trump prepares to take over the white house as president of the United States.
Ahead of the crypto-friendly president’s inauguration and the launch of $TRUMP and $MELANIA issued by Trump and his wife, Melania Trump, Bitcoin surged 5.5 per cent to set a new record according to the report from Bloomberg
The surge came after Trump and Melanin introduced meme coins over the weekend with $TRUMP briefly reaching a market capitalization of more than 15 billion dollars before falling sharply.
The meme coin has disrupted the digital asset market reducing influence into bitcoin and smaller tokens and drawing criticism from industry experts.
Bitcoin, Ethereum (the second largest crypt currency), and XRP or surged Monday morning in London as traders counted down the hours before Trump official returned to the white house.
Bloomberg News reported that he was considering an exclusive order that will deem crypto assets in ‘’National priority’’.
Ben El-baz, CEO of Hashkey Global said that the launch of meme coins by Trump and his team has further fuelled Bitcoin’s rally, as retail traders expect the republican president to prioritize and reaffirm his commitments to the crypto industry.
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