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Economy

Providus Bank Battles E-Settlement Company To Salvage N3.7 Billion Loan

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In a bid to salvage the sum of three billion, seven hundred and forty-three million, one hundred fifty-two thousand, five hundred and nine eighty Naira which was advanced to E- Settlement company, Providus Bank Limited has applied to a federal high court in Lagos urging the court to set aside an order granted the company to convene a meeting of its creditors to pass a scheme of arrangement.

In an affidavit sworn to by the Head, Loan Recovery & Remedial Management of Providus Bank Limited,Olayinka Lawuyi, he avers thus:

Providus Bank is one of the creditors of the E-Settlement Limited with the sum of N3,743,152,598.57 (three billion, seven hundred and forty-three million, one hundred and fifty-two thousand, five hundred and ninety-eight Naira, fifty-seven Kobo)being owed to it by E-Settlement Limited.

The bank provided E-Settlement Limited with an overdraft facility to the tune of N2,600,000,000 (Two Billion and Six hundred Million Naira only) upon its application to enable E-Settlement Limited to rebook its loan balance in order to enable it to repay from its current cash flow realities.

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The said facility was due for repayment on 3rd January 2025, as the agreed tenor for the overdraft facility was 365 days.

Further to the paragraphs above, PROVIDUS bank and E-Settlement Limited had already taken steps towards an agreement/compromise with respect to the loan facility, and it is a shock to the bank that while negotiating the terms of a loan restructuring privately with the bank E-Settlement Limited has taken steps to hold a court-ordered meeting of all its creditors.

E-Settlement Limited approached the Court vide an Ex Parte application dated 23rd October 2024, seeking, amongst other things, an order mandating all the creditors of E-Settlement Limited to attend a meeting for the purpose of the E-Settlement Limited, proposing a Scheme of Arrangement and Compromise to all its creditors under Section 715 of the Companies and Allied Matters.

In E-Settlement Limited’s application to the Court, E-Settlement Limited indicated that it is indebted to its creditors in the sum of N12,458,553,150 (twelve billion, four hundred and fifty-eight million, five hundred and fifty-three thousand, one hundred and fifty Naira).

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By E-Settlement Limited’s Scheme of Arrangement, it wishes to defray its entire alleged N12, 458,553,150 (twelve billion, four hundred and fifty-eight million, five hundred and fifty-three thousand, one hundred and fifty Naira) with the sum of $2,000,000.00 (Two Million US Dollars), which is to be full and final payment of its alleged indebtedness to all its creditors on a pro-rata basis. E-Settlement Limited stated in its application that it is indebted to the following creditors in the following amount.

Bank of Industry: N452,326,928
Kunoch Limited: N849,896,553
Vale Blue Finance Limited: N309,400,140
VFD Microfinance Bank Limited: N30,000,000
Kuda Microfinance Bank Limited: N1,510,193,217
PROVIDUS BANK Plc: N3,795,837,670
Emirates and Highbury Limited: N4,590,065,330
Advanced Technologies Nigeria Limited: N425,072,322,9
Aza Finance: N8,870,666
Kizento Project: N170,831,000
Salaries: N324,950,000

TOTAL, N12,467,443,826

E-Settlement Limited purposefully and intentionally misrepresented and suppressed several material facts before the Court, which ought to have been openly provided to enable the Court to reach an informed decision on the application.

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Mr Lawuyi avers further that as a fact that E-Settlement Limited misrepresented and suppressed material facts from the Court in obtaining the orders:

The fact that E-Settlement Limited is negotiating privately with the Providus bank on a restructuring of its loan obligations E-Settlement Limited concealed the fact that of the 11 Creditors listed in the Scheme of Arrangement, at least 3 (Three) of the said Creditors have the same/similar Directors and are controlled by the same proprietors as E-Settlement Limited herein.

As a fact E-Settlement Limited and its alleged creditors have already arrogated to themselves 49.6% out of the 80% required by Section 715(1) to pass the Scheme of Arrangement.

The Scheme of Arrangement currently proposed by E-Settlement Limited is inherently unfair to PROVIDUS Bank

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As a fact E-Settlement Limited commenced the application in Suit No: FHC/L/MISC/709/2024, vide an Ex Parte Originating Summons to obtain the order therein, without the Court hearing PROVIDUS BANK or any of the other creditors on the propriety of granting the said orders.

Further to the statement above, E-Settlement Limited obtained Court orders affecting the rights and interests in the loan facility extended to it without the Court first hearing PROVIDUS bank or giving it an opportunity to be heard, a breach of it’s right to fair hearing.

E-Settlement Limited misrepresented to the Court the true and actual position of its indebtedness.

The prayers sought in this application are to protect the rights and interests of PROVIDUS Bank the party, affected by the order.

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Consequently, It is in the interest of justice to grant this application. E-Settlement Limited will not be prejudiced by the grant of this application. The court has adjourned for the hearing of the application.

Economy

Naira Gains Slightly Against Dollar On May 8, 2025

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On Thursday, May 8, 2025, the naira is exchanging for ₦1,627 to 1 US dollar at the parallel market (black market) in Nigeria.

This reflects the current rate at which individuals are trading dollars for naira outside of official financial institutions.

This means that for every one dollar, you can get the equivalent in naira of ₦1,627 on May 8, 2025, showing a very slight improvement compared to the previous day, indicating a momentary easing of pressure on the naira against the dollar.

Thursday, May 8, 2025, records a marginal upward movement in the exchange rate, suggesting a bit of stability in the local currency for those transacting in foreign exchange.

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The black market rate represents the value at which individuals can trade their dollars for naira outside official exchange channels, where the currency’s value is largely driven by supply and demand dynamics rather than government regulation.

Note that the Black Market Exchange rate is typically higher than the official exchange rate because it is not regulated by the government and reflects a more immediate, fluctuating market response.

Today’s exchange rate has slightly improved compared to yesterday, Wednesday, May 7, when the naira exchanged at ₦1,628 per dollar. (This means the naira gained a bit of value in the past 24 hours, possibly due to a brief easing in dollar demand or better forex inflow.)

The value of a country’s currency is determined by aggregate supply and demand, influenced by factors such as national interest rates, inflation, capital flow, and the overall money supply.

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These forces, both internal and external, affect the strength of a nation’s currency and contribute to exchange rate fluctuations. The most common method to assess a currency’s value is through exchange rates. The two main exchange rate systems are the fixed rate and the floating rate systems, with the parallel market rate offering a real-time reflection of currency trends.

Investors and market participants closely monitor parallel market rates for a more immediate and practical reflection of currency trends, often making it a reliable indicator of short-term shifts in economic conditions.

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Economy

SEE Black Market Dollar to Naira Exchange Rate Today – 7th May 2025

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The dollar to naira rate keeps making headlines, and if you’re here, chances are you’re looking for today’s black market exchange rate – Wednesday, 7th May 2025. Whether you need to exchange dollars for business, personal use, or just want to stay updated, this post gives you the most accurate and up-to-date info on the dollar to naira rate in the parallel (Aboki) market.

We understand how quickly things can change in Nigeria’s forex market, so we’re committed to bringing you real-time figures and what’s influencing them.

What is the dollar-to-naira exchange rate on the black market, like the Aboki Fx?
The exchange rate for the US dollar (USD) to Nigerian Naira (NGN) in the parallel market, also known as black market, as of 7th May 2025, is N1,610 for 1 USD.

This rate is often sourced from the latest data provided by Bureau De Change (BDC) operators.

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How much is a Dollar to Naira today in the Black Market?
What is the Dollar to Naira Exchange Rate at the Black Market, especially the Aboki Fx?
Because of the dynamics of supply and demand in the informal foreign exchange market, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) official rates often differ significantly from those in the black market.

As of today, 7th May 2025, the black market buying rate for the US dollar is N1,600 while the selling rate is N1,610.

These rates change from time to time during the day, influenced by various factors including economic conditions, market speculation, and government policies.

The dollar-to-naira exchange rate in the black market has continued to fluctuate, reflecting the economic challenges and forex shortages in Nigeria.

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In contrast to the black market, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) maintains an official exchange rate. Today, the CBN rate for one dollar is N1,606.64.

The disparity between the official and black market rates highlights the pressure on the naira and the challenges in the country’s forex market.

Black Market Exchange Rate Today

Foreign Currency Buying rate Selling rate
DOLLAR ($USD) N1,600 N1,610
POUNDS STERLING (GBP) N2,120 N2,140
EURO (EUR) N1,780 1,800

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CBN Exchange Rate Today
Foreign Currency Buying rate Selling rate
DOLLAR ($USD) N1,605.64 N1,606.64
POUNDS STERLING (GBP) N2,150.27 N2,151.61
EURO (EUR)
N1,823.68

N1,824.82

YUAN (CNY)
N222.49

N222.63
SAUDI RIYAL (SAR)
N428.07

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N428.34

CRYPTOCURRENCY
At the time of posting

BITCOIN

1 BTC: NGN153M

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1 NGN = 0.000000078BTC

ETHEREUM

1 ETH: NGN 2.9M

1 NGN: 0.00000034ETH

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Variations in Forex Rates
Forex rates in Nigeria vary across different markets and platforms. The black market, official CBN rates, and rates offered by commercial banks and international money transfer operators all differ.

This discrepancy creates arbitrage opportunities and poses challenges for businesses and individuals needing foreign currency for legitimate transactions.

50 Dollars to Naira Today Black Market
For people looking to exchange 50 US dollars today, the rate in the black market will be approximately N80,000 if obtained at the buying rate of N1,600 per dollar.

For those buying from retailers, it would cost N80,500 at the selling rate of N1,610 per dollar.

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100 Dollars to Naira Today Black Market
Exchanging 100 US dollars today in the black market will get you N160,000 if sold at the current buying rate.

For those purchasing dollars, it will cost them N161,000. This rate of increase no doubt affects businesses, travelers, and others who need dollars and other foreign currencies for overseas transactions.

500 Dollars to Naira Today Black Market
A larger transaction of 500 US dollars will result in N800,000 at the buying rate and N805,000 at the selling rate in the black market today.

The higher volumes reflect the ongoing need for dollars in the business community.

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1,000 Dollars to Naira Today Black Market
For those who need up to 1000 US dollars, the black market will offer N1,600,000 at the buying rate and N1,610,000 at the selling rate.

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Economy

75.5% of rural Nigerians now live below poverty line — World Bank

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The World Bank has disclosed that a staggering 75.5 per cent of rural Nigerians are now living below the poverty line, reflecting deepening hardship in the country’s hinterlands.

This was revealed in the Bank’s April 2025 Poverty and Equity Brief for Nigeria, which paints a grim picture of worsening economic hardship, widening inequality, and persistent underdevelopment across much of the nation.

While poverty is widespread among urban populations, the report emphasised that the situation is significantly worse in rural areas, where economic stagnation, high inflation, and insecurity have exacerbated living conditions.

“Based on the most recent official household survey data from Nigeria’s National Bureau of Statistics, 30.9 per cent of Nigerians lived below the international extreme poverty line of $2.15 per person per day in 2018/19 before the COVID-19 pandemic,” the report stated.

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The report also highlighted Nigeria’s enduring regional disparities. “Nigeria remains spatially unequal. The poverty rate in northern geopolitical zones was 46.5 per cent in 2018/19, compared with 13.5 per cent for southern ones. Inequality measured by the Gini index was estimated at 35.1 in 2018/19.

“Nigeria’s Prosperity Gap — the average factor by which individuals’ incomes must be multiplied to attain a prosperity standard of $25 per day for all — is estimated at 10.2, higher than most peers.”

Despite successive policy interventions, these figures underscore a persistent economic divide across the country.

The report’s demographic analysis found that children aged 0 to 14 years had a poverty rate of 72.5 per cent, reflecting the scale of deprivation among the youngest segment of the population.

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Gender disparities were also observed, with 63.9 per cent of females and 63.1 per cent of males classified as poor under the $3.65 per day lower-middle-income threshold.

Education emerged as a significant determinant of poverty, with Nigerians lacking formal education experiencing a poverty rate of 79.5 per cent. This contrasts with 61.9 per cent for those with primary education and 50.0 per cent for secondary school graduates. Only 25.4 per cent of those with tertiary education were considered poor.

The report also drew attention to multidimensional poverty indicators, which further reflect widespread deprivation.

According to the World Bank, about 30.9 per cent of Nigerians live on less than $2.15 daily, 32.6 per cent lack access to limited-standard drinking water, 45.1 per cent do not have limited-standard sanitation, and 39.4 per cent have no electricity.

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Education access remains a challenge, with 17.6 per cent of adults yet to complete primary education, and 9.0 per cent of households reporting at least one school-aged child not enrolled in school.

The report noted that even before the COVID-19 pandemic, efforts to reduce extreme poverty had largely stalled.

“Before COVID-19, extreme poverty reduction had almost stagnated, dropping by only half a percentage point annually since 2010. Living standards of the urban poor are hardly improving, and jobs that would allow households to escape poverty are lacking,” the report read.

Although the World Bank acknowledged recent economic reforms aimed at stabilising Nigeria’s macroeconomic outlook, it warned that persistently high inflation continues to undermine household purchasing power, particularly in urban areas where incomes have not kept pace with rising costs.

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In light of the worsening situation, the Bank called for urgent policy action to shield vulnerable groups from inflationary shocks and to drive job creation through more productive economic activities.

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