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☆ 29 children may be sentenced to death for protesting against cost-of-living crisis in Nigeria
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-02 | by ( Associated Press | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

ABUJA, Nigeria CNN —Twenty-nine children could be facing the death penalty in Nigeria after they were arraigned Friday for participating in a protest against the country’s record cost-of-living crisis. The death sentence was introduced in the 1970s in Nigeria, but there have been no executions in the country since 2016. “So taking minors before a federal high court is wrong, ab initio, except if the government is able to prove that the boys are all above 19 years,” Balogun said. “A country that has a duty to educate its children will decide to punish those children. Yemi Adamolekun, executive director of Enough is Enough, a civil society organization promoting good governance in Nigeria, said authorities have no business prosecuting children.

Persons: Nigeria CNN —, Akintayo, “, ” Balogun, Marshal Abubakar, ” Abubakar, Yemi Adamolekun, ” Adamolekun, — Organizations: Nigeria CNN, Associated Press, Child, United Nations Locations: ABUJA, Nigeria, Abuja, Africa, West

☆ Nigerian company Autogirl wants to be the Airbnb of car rentals
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-25 | by ( Victoria Barauna | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

In 2023, it announced it would be expanding to Kenya, with a rollout of 1.2 million electric vehicles. Around the world, transport startups are embracing electric vehicles, and those in Africa are no different. In 2023, it announced it would be expanding to Kenya, with a rollout of 1.2 million electric vehicles. Uncover , a Kenyan skincare brand, says it wants to fill this gap by providing healthy cosmetics that put African women first. ‘‘We want to be the Airbnb of vehicle rentals in Africa and ultimately the world,” Arinze says.

Persons: Chinazom Arinze, ” Arinze, “, Spiro, Clement Di Roma, Simon Maina, Prince William’s, James Oatway, there's, Edwin Maina, Arinze, …, Autogirl, hasn’t, she’s, ’, ‘, Airbnb, ” Organizations: CNN, Babcock University, Getty, Reeddi Technologies, The Royal Academy of Engineering, Kenyan, Hertz, Hyundai, Lexus Locations: Nigeria, Benin, Kenya, Africa, AFP, China, Cameroon, Rwanda, Ghana

☆ Nigeria to London: Nelly Agbogu is on a mission to elevate Africa small businesses with Naijbrandchick
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-05 | by ( Ifeanyi Abraham | For Cnn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

To address these challenges, Agbogu launched the Naija Brand Chick Trade Fair, a platform connecting SMEs directly with customers. “Many Nigerian SMEs struggle to reach a buying audience, which is a significant barrier,” she explains. “The trade fair creates a platform where businesses can connect directly with customers.”The trade fair has become a resounding nationwide success attracting thousands of exhibitors yearly since it started in 2018. Shoppers at Naijabrandchick trade fair in Lagos, Nigeria. We are always oversubscribed because entrepreneurs consistently tell us they achieve sales they have never achieved before in just two days at the fair,” Agbogu said.

Persons: Nelly Agbogu, ” Agbogu, ”, Agbogu, “, It’s, Naijabrandchick, Agbogu’s Organizations: CNN, Nellies, ”, Trade, Shoppers, Intercontinental O2, SME, United Arab, “, Wema Bank Locations: Nellies Nigeria, Lagos, Nigeria, Nigerian, Benin, London, ”, Canada, United Arab Emirates, Rwanda, Naijabrandchick, Africa, Kenya

☆ Nigeria plunged into darkness as union workers shut down national grid in minimum wage protest
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-03 | by ( Nimi Princewill | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Cane-swinging union workers were also seen in photos circulating on social media Monday ordering personnel of the country’s tax agency out of their offices. This strike comes after failed negotiations with the government to raise the federal minimum wage. The unions’ demands include raising the minimum wage from 30,000 naira ($22.4) to 494,000 naira ($369.6). Despite being Africa’s fourth-largest economy, Nigeria’s minimum wage is not among the continent’s top ten, lagging far behind countries like Seychelles, where workers receive a minimum wage of $465.4 monthly. 30k or 60k minimum wage in 2024 Nigeria is unsustainable and unacceptable,” wrote lawyer Festus Ogun in a post on X.

Persons: Bayo Onanuga, Onanuga, Olusina Ajidahun, “ I’m, ”, Lateef Fagbemi, Festus Ogun, Dipo Awojide, Bola Tinubu’s, Ajuri Ngelale Organizations: CNN, Transmission Company, Nigeria, Nigerian Labor Congress, Trade Union Congress, TUC, TCN, Health, Healthcare, Nigerian, Onanuga, NLC Locations: Nigeria, Seychelles, Lagos, Abuja, Nigerian

☆ Nigerian official says gunmen ‘made tea’ as they kidnapped at least 160 in hours-long deadly raid
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-27 | by ( Nimi Princewill | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

The attack occurred in Kuchi village, Munya district, in Niger state, beginning at about 5:30 p.m. on Friday and lasting until 4:00 a.m. Saturday, according to district official Aminu Abdulhamid Najume. Najume reported that about 300 gunmen arrived on motorbikes and stayed for several hours, making themselves at home before leaving with the abductees. “This is not the first or second time Kuchi village has been attacked. “The invasion of the village by the gunmen is yet another indication of the Nigerian authorities’ utter failure to protect lives,” Amnesty added. The Kuchi abduction comes two months after 21 people, including a newlywed, were killed when gunmen described locally as ‘bandits’ stormed a market in Rafi, another affected district in Niger.

Persons: Boko, Najume, “, ” Najume, ”, ’, Rafi Organizations: CNN, Niger State Police Command, Amnesty Locations: Nigeria, Kuchi, Munya, Niger, Najume, Nigeria’s, Abuja, Niger’s, Kaduna

☆ Nigeria wants a road to rival the Pacific Coast highway. Landmark Beach stands in the way
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-05 | by ( Nimi Princewill | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

The beach resort and other sections of the Landmark site on the coastal right of way are billed to be pulled down, a government notice seen by CNN states. “People who bring in money to make cities like this effective will be very concerned (with the proposed demolition of the beach resort). Environment consultant Adeodun is urging authorities to conduct thorough environmental and social impact assessments before tearing down coastal businesses for the superhighway. “I understand that the original right of way for the road did not pass through Landmark Beach… Perhaps, revisiting the routes to ensure minimal environmental damage and preserve local businesses should be strongly considered,” he added. For Onwuanibe, the coastal highway, once rethought, should serve as a blessing for thriving businesses situated along the coast rather than a curse.

Persons: Paul Onwuanibe, –, Onwuanibe, Temitope Ajayi, ”, Ajayi, Similade Adeodun, ” Onwuanibe, “ We’ve, Adeodun, ” Adeodun, “ Organizations: Nigeria CNN —, CNN, Landmark Group, Lonely, Lagos State Ministry of Physical, Urban, “, Landmark, Landmark Realty Limited, Nigerian Economic Summit Locations: Lagos, Nigeria, Calabar, Cameroon, Victoria, Ireland, United States, Victoria Island, United Kingdom, Africa, Landmark Realty Limited Lagos

☆ A Nigerian woman reviewed some tomato puree online. Now she faces jail
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-27 | by ( Nimi Princewill | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Abuja, Nigeria CNN —A Nigerian woman who wrote an online review of a can of tomato puree is facing imprisonment after its manufacturer accused her of making a “malicious allegation” that damaged its business. Her post, accompanied by a photo of an opened can of Nagiko Tomato Mix, produced by local company Erisco Foods Limited, sparked varied reactions from commenters, one of whom replied: “Stop spoiling my brother’s product. This case is due to be heard on May 20, her lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, told CNN. National police spokesman Olumuyiwa Adejobi told CNN he could not comment on the case as the matter was in court. Hard to proveNigerian legal and public affairs analyst Kelechukwu Uzoka told CNN that there are limits to the freedom of speech defense.

Persons: Nigeria CNN —, Chioma, ” Okoli, Okoli, Erisco, ”, “, Inibehe Effiong, Nwokolo, who’s, Effiong, couldn’t, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, ” Adejobi, David, ” Effiong, Kelechukwu Uzoka, Eric Umeofia Organizations: Nigeria CNN, CNN, Facebook, Erisco Foods, Nigeria Police Force, Okoli, National, “, Amnesty Locations: Abuja, Nigeria, Lagos, West African, ”, ” The Lagos, Erisco’s Lagos

Binance faces charges of alleged non-payment of Value-Added Tax (VAT) and company income tax, failure to submit tax returns and complicity in aiding customers to evade taxes through its platform, the reports said. Alongside the company, two senior executives — U.S. citizen Tigran Gambaryan and British-Kenyan Nadeem Anjarwalla — were both charged and remanded in custody by Nigerian authorities. "We were made aware that Nadeem is no longer in Nigerian custody. Our primary focus remains on the safety of our employees and we are working collaboratively with Nigerian authorities to quickly resolve this issue," a Binance spokesperson told CNBC. watch nowThe families of the two employees declined to comment at this time, but issued statements on March 20, following a hearing at which Nigerian authorities extended their detainment.

Persons: Budrul Chukrut, Tigran Gambaryan, Nadeem Anjarwalla —, Anjarwalla, Nadeem, Anjarwalla's, Elahe Anjarwalla, Tigran, Binance, Yuki, Samuel Alabi Organizations: Getty, Federal Inland Revenue Service, Federal High Court, —, CNBC, British, U.S ., Locals, Abuja, Afp Locations: Nigeria, Abuja, British, Binance, Nigerian, IBADAN, Ibadan

☆ Binance crypto exec reportedly on the run after busting out of custody in Nigeria
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-25 | by ( George Glover | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Nadeem Anjarwalla escaped police custody in Nigeria on Friday, Binance said. Nigeria charged Binance, Anjarwalla, and another employee of the crypto exchange with tax evasion. AdvertisementA Binance executive is reportedly on the run after busting out of police custody in Nigeria on Friday. "We were made aware that Nadeem is no longer in Nigerian custody," a Binance representative told Business Insider on Monday. On Monday, Nigeria's Federal Inland Revenue Service said it was charging Binance, Anjarwalla, and Gambaryan with tax evasion.

Persons: Nadeem Anjarwalla, Binance, —, Nadeem, didn't, Bayo Onanuga, Anjarwalla, Tigran Gambaryan, They'd Organizations: Service, Nigeria's Premium Times, Bloomberg, Nigeria's Federal Inland Revenue Service Locations: Nigeria, Africa, Abuja

☆ Nearly 300 abducted schoolchildren released by gunmen in Nigeria, governor says
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-24 | by ( Sophie Jeong | Heather Chen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —Nearly 300 schoolchildren kidnapped in Nigeria earlier this month have been released, the governor of the country’s Kaduna state said in a post on X on Sunday. “The abducted Kuriga school children are released unharmed,” Uba Sani said, without providing further details. Some students were rescued but 287 of them had remained with the kidnappers – around 100 were from primary school and the rest from secondary school. Kaduna state, which borders the Nigerian capital Abuja to the southwest, has grappled with recurring incidents of kidnappings for ransom by bandits and has witnessed several mass abductions in recent years. This is a developing story and will be updated.

Persons: “, ” Uba Sani, Sani, Bola Tinubu, ”, Mansur Hassan, Nuhu Ribadu, ” Sani, Mariya Knight Organizations: CNN, Secondary School, country’s National, Nigerian Army Locations: Nigeria, Kaduna, Kuriga, Kaduna’s Chikun, Abuja, Princewill

☆ Gunmen who kidnapped 287 school children in Nigeria say they will kill them all if $622,000 ransom not paid
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-13 | by ( Nimi Princewill | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Abuja, Nigeria CNN —Gunmen who kidnapped at least 287 school children in Nigeria last Thursday have demanded a ransom of 1 billion naira ($621,848) and threatened to kill all of the students if their demands are not met, a member of the local community told CNN on Wednesday. About 100 of them are from the primary school and the rest from the secondary school. In 2021, at least 140 students were kidnapped by armed men from a private secondary school. The incident came just months after around 20 students from a private university in Chikun’s Kasarami village were abducted by gunmen. Five of those students were killed after a ransom deadline was not met, family members told CNN at the time.

Persons: Nigeria CNN — Gunmen, “, ”, Aminu Jibril, Jibril, Mansur Hassan, Uba Sani, ” Sani Organizations: Nigeria CNN —, CNN, Secondary School Locations: Abuja, Nigeria, Kuriga, Kaduna, Kaduna’s Chikun, Chikun’s Kasarami

☆ Binance to discontinue Nigerian currency services as legal squabble deepens
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-05 | by ( Elliot Smith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Binance on Tuesday announced that it will discontinue all Nigerian naira services, amid an ongoing legal dispute between the U.S. cryptocurrency firm remains and Africa's most populous country. In an update posted on its website, Binance said that, starting this Friday, any remaining naira balances in user accounts will be automatically converted to Tether , a cryptocurrency stablecoin pegged to the U.S. dollar. The company will not support any deposits of Naira after 2 p.m. UTC on Tuesday and will no longer support withdrawals of the currency after 6 a.m. UTC on Friday, the announcement said. Nigeria is also one of the world's biggest crypto markets, but the Nigerian government has demanded almost $10 billion in compensation from Binance, which it accuses of manipulating foreign exchange rates via currency speculation and rate fixing, and arrested two of the firm's senior executives last week, according to multiple media reports. The Nigerian naira has lost almost 70% of its value over the past few months, as Africa's largest economy faces a currency crisis and soaring inflation.

Persons: Binance Organizations: U.S, U.S ., Nigerian Locations: Naira, Nigeria, Binance

☆ Nigeria battles to halt spiraling currency crisis and rising food insecurity
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-05 | by ( Elliot Smith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

IBADAN, Nigeria - Feb. 19, 2024: Demonstrators hold placards during a protest against the hike in price and hard living conditions in Ibadan on February 19, 2024. Inflation hit an annual 29.9% in January, driven by soaring food prices that have triggered a cost-of-living crisis in Africa's largest economy. The naira currency, meanwhile, plunged to an all-time low of around 1,600 against the U.S. dollar in late February. "With about 8 percent of Nigerians deemed food insecure, addressing rising food insecurity is the immediate policy priority." IBADAN, Nigeria - Feb. 19, 2024: Demonstrators are seen at a protest against the hike in price and hard living conditions in Ibadan on February 19, 2024.

Persons: Samuel Alabi, Bola Tinubu's, David Omojomolo, Olayemi Cardoso Organizations: Afp, Getty Images, International Monetary Fund, U.S, Bloomberg, Getty, Washington, D.C, IMF, Central Bank of, Capital Economics Locations: IBADAN, Nigeria, Ibadan, Getty Images Nigeria, Africa's, LAGOS, Lagos, Africa

☆ Nigeria customs confirms deaths in stampede for discounted rice
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-27 | by ( Nimi Princewill | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Abuja, Nigeria CNN —The Nigeria Customs Service has paused the sale of seized bags of rice to needy residents amid growing hunger in the country, after confirming people were trampled to death during a deadly crowd surge at its Lagos office Friday. “The crowd became desperate and charged through our barricades in search of rice bags inside emptied containers. Nigeria is battling one of its worst cost-of-living crises that has seen inflation rise to nearly 30% - the highest in 30 years. ‘End hunger’ protestsFresh protests broke out on Tuesday as labor unions mobilized for nationwide demonstrations to rail against the economic hardships. The government also endorsed a 2012 recommendation from a presidential committee that recommended cuts to government staffing levels.

Persons: Abdullahi Maiwada, regrettably, ” Maiwada, EndHungerProtest, Bola Tinubu, Tinubu Organizations: Nigeria CNN —, Nigeria Customs Service, World Bank Locations: Abuja, Nigeria, Lagos, Africa’s, West, India

☆ Nigeria customs investigate deadly crowd crush during sale of seized bags of rice to stave off hunger
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-24 | by ( Nimi Princewill | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —The Nigeria Customs Service says it is investigating reports people were trampled to death during a sale of bags of confiscated rice amid growing anger over skyrocketing prices of food in Africa’s most populous country. Long queues have formed outside the Lagos customs office since the commencement of the sale as thousands of locals struggle to grab a bag of the 25-kilogram rice selling at a discounted price of 10,000 naira ($6.80). The customs service said the distribution of the seized bags of rice was part of the government’s plan “to tackle the pressing issue of food insecurity.”The cost of rice, a staple food in Nigeria, has surged in recent months. The customs service says it has been confiscating contraband rice from smugglers following restrictions on foreign rice imports by the Nigerian government. Analysts welcomed the rice distribution initiative but questioned its viability in tackling Nigeria’s worsening food insecurity.

Persons: Abdullahi Maiwada, “, ”, couldn’t, Sam Amadi, Bola Tinubu, Tinubu, Babajide Sanwo, Olu Organizations: CNN, Nigeria Customs Service, World Bank, Analysts Locations: Africa’s, Lagos, West, India, Nigeria, Nigerian

☆ Africa's largest economy is battling a currency crisis and soaring inflation
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-21 | by ( Elliot Smith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

With annual inflation nearing 30% and a currency in freefall, Nigeria is facing one of its worst economic crises in years, provoking nationwide outrage and protests. The currency is down around 70% since May 2023 when Tinubu took office, inheriting a struggling economy and promising a raft of reforms aimed at steadying the ship. In a bid to fix the beleaguered economy and attract international investment, Tinubu unified Nigeria's multiple exchange rates and enabled market forces to set the exchange rate, sending the currency plunging. In January, the market regulator also changed how it calculates the currency's closing rate, resulting in another de facto devaluation. Years of foreign exchange controls have also generated enormous pent-up demand for U.S. dollars at a time when overseas investment and crude oil exports have declined.

Persons: Bola Tinubu, Tinubu Organizations: U.S, greenback Locations: IBADAN, Nigeria, Ibadan, freefall, Nigerian

☆ US Determined to Remain Strong Security Partner for Nigeria -Blinken
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-23 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

ABUJA/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday said the United States is determined to remain a strong security partner for Nigeria, whose military is backed by the U.S., Britain and other allies in a long war against Islamist insurgents. "The United States is determined to be and remain a strong security partner for Nigeria," Blinken told reporters. Blinken added that he discussed how it is vitally important there be a focus on ensuring civilians are protected and humanitarian considerations. The coup in Niger was one of a series of military takeovers or attempted power grabs that occurred in West and Central Africa over the past three years. So far, about $2 billion of the backlog across sectors such as manufacturing, aviation, and petroleum have been paid, CBN spokesperson Hakama Sidi Ali said in a statement.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Blinken, Bola Tinubu, Mohamed Bazoum, Hakama Sidi Ali, Chijioke Ohuocha, Felix Onuah, Daphne Psaledakis, Humeyra Pamuk, Simon Lewis, Ismail Shakil, Mark Porter, Daniel Wallis Organizations: Islamist, European Union, France, Central Bank of Nigeria Locations: ABUJA, WASHINGTON, United States, Nigeria, U.S, Britain, Niger, West, Central Africa, Abuja, Africa, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Angola, Jan, Africa's, Washington

☆ Nigeria naira hits record low near unofficial market rate
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

ABUJA, Dec 1 (Reuters) - Nigeria's naira dropped to a record low against the dollar on Friday on the official market, close to the rate at which it trades on the unofficial parallel market. The currency of Africa's biggest economy fell as low as 1,160 naira to the dollar, LSEG data showed, before recovering to around 800 naira. The naira's official exchange rate has been drifting towards the parallel market level as the central bank is yet to clear outstanding foreign-currency amounts owed in forward deals. Last week, central bank Governor Olayemi Cardoso said he would allow market forces to determine exchange rates while setting clear, transparent and harmonised rules governing market operations. The currency sold at around 1,165 naira on the parallel market on Friday.

Persons: naira, Olayemi Cardoso, Chijioke Ohuocha, Alex Richardson Organizations: Thomson Locations: ABUJA

☆ Gunmen Kill One, Kidnap at Least 150 in Nigeria's Northwest, Residents Say
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-25 | by ( Nov. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Hamza Ibrahim and Ahmed KingimiKANO, Nigeria (Reuters) - At least 150 people, including women and children, were abducted with one person killed in a coordinated attack by gunmen on four villages in Nigeria's northwest Zamfara state, residents said on Saturday. The Zamfara police spokesperson did not immediately respond to Reuters' request for comment on the attack, which took place late on Friday. Residents told Reuters that gunmen on dozens of motorcycles stormed the villages of Mutunji, Kwanar-Dutse, Sabon-Garin Mahuta and Unguwar Kawo in the Maru local government area of the state. Dankandai Musa, a resident of one of the villages, told Reuters he managed to slip away unnoticed during the chaos. "I managed to escape after they were regrouping us and the people from the three other villages that were attacked," he said.

Persons: Hamza Ibrahim, Ahmed Kingimi KANO, Garin Mahuta, Dankandai Musa, Lawali Damana, Bola Tinubu, Elisha Bala, Mark Potter Organizations: Reuters, Residents Locations: Nigeria, Nigeria's, Zamfara, Mutunji, Sabon

☆ Nigeria lawmakers pass 2024-2026 budget framework with naira at 700 to dollar next year
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

ABUJA, Nov 21 (Reuters) - Nigeria's lower house of parliament passed the medium-term expenditure framework for 2024-2026 on Tuesday, a set of assumptions that will be used to prepare the country's budget over the next three years. The naira last week briefly slumped to a record low of 1,105 against the dollar on the official market, bringing the official exchange rate within touching distance of the parallel market rate. The fiscal framework must also be passed by the upper chamber of parliament. Tinubu is also due to send the country's 2024 spending plan of 26 trillion naira ($34 billion) to parliament for approval. Below are some of the assumptions in the medium-term expenditure framework:Reporting by Camillus Eboh in Abuja Writing by Chijioke Ohuocha Editing by Alexander Winning and Matthew LewisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Bola Tinubu's, firming, Camillus, Chijioke, Alexander Winning, Matthew Lewis Organizations: Thomson Locations: ABUJA, Tinubu, Camillus Eboh, Abuja

☆ Woman makes record-breaking wig longer than seven Olympic swimming pools
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-15 | by ( Jack Guy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —A woman from Lagos, Nigeria, has entered the record books after weaving a handmade wig that measures 351.28 meters (1,152 feet, 5 inches) in length. Professional wigmaker Helen Williams spent more than two million naira (almost $2,500) and 11 days making the wig, which is longer than seven Olympic swimming pools. “Finding the materials to make the longest wig was not an easy task,” said Williams in the statement. “I have trained hundreds of students and have made thousands of wigs,” said Williams, although her record-breaking endeavor still proved difficult. The outcome is the longest handmade wig in the world.”Williams is a professional wigmaker in Lagos, Nigeria.

Persons: Helen Williams, Williams, ” Organizations: CNN, Guinness World Records Locations: Lagos, Nigeria

☆ Nigeria gets refineries investment, forex pledge from Saudi Arabia
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-10 | by ( Felix Onuah | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Temilade Adelaja/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsABUJA, Nov 10 (Reuters) - Nigeria and Saudi Arabia on Friday agreed to a series of investment and cooperation deals, including a pledge by the Saudi government to invest in the revamp of Nigeria's oil refineries and provide financial support to sustain the government's foreign-exchange reforms. Under Tinubu, Nigeria has embarked on the boldest reforms in decades, scrapping a popular petrol subsidy and unifying the country's multiple exchange rates as part of measures "aimed at improving the ease of doing business." Information Minister Mohammed Idris said the Saudi government pledged to make "a substantial deposit of foreign exchange to boost Nigeria's forex liquidity". "Nigeria and Saudi Arabia have always enjoyed a special relationship at both the bilateral and multilateral levels. The two leaders agreed to work together over the next six months to "develop a comprehensive road map and blueprint" to deliver on the investments, Idris said.

Persons: Bola Tinubu, Temilade, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Mohammed Idris, Idris, Tinubu, Ajuri Ngelale, Boko, Felix Onuah, Elisha Bala, Emelia Sithole, Matthew Lewis, David Evans Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Saudi Crown, Saudi Aramco, Thomson Locations: Abuja, Nigeria, Rights ABUJA, Saudi Arabia, Saudi, Africa, Riyadh, Tinubu, Africa's

☆ Nigeria's naira firms on black market, central bank settles FX forwards
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The naira has hit successive record lows on the black market, where it trades freely, as excess demand on the official market gets funnelled to the unofficial market. The naira crossed the 1,000 naira mark on the black market on Sept. 26, the day newly-appointed central bank governor Olayemi Cardoso appeared before the Nigerian senate for his confirmation hearing. The central bank has not intervened on the official market since October, helping accelerate the naira's slide on the black market. The currency hit a record low of 1,300 naira per dollar on the black market, a month after it crossed the 1,000 naira mark, amid thin trading volumes on the parallel market and dollar shortages on the official market. On the official market, the naira was trading at 884.53 to the dollar at 1200 GMT.

Persons: Afolabi, firmed, Olayemi Cardoso, Cardoso, Wale Edun, Chijioke, Mark Potter Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Finance, Thomson Locations: Rights ABUJA, Nigeria

☆ Nigerians outraged over government spending plans as millions face hardship
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-03 | by ( Nimi Princewill | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Lawmakers rejected the plans for a presidential yacht before approving the N2.1 trillion ($2.7 billion) supplementary budget on Thursday, following a public outcry. Local media reported Thursday that the Nigerian House of Representatives reallocated the amount for the presidential yacht to the student loan scheme before passing the spending bill. Onanuga, who is Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, did not comment on the government’s plan to acquire luxury vehicles for the presidency. Last month, Nigeria’s Senate unveiled plans to acquire luxury vehicles for its 469 members despite the country’s struggling economy. Anti-corruption activist Ogunsanya told CNN that Nigerians were yet to reap the benefit of monies saved from the removal of the fuel subsidy.

Persons: Nigeria CNN —, ”, Reno Omokri, Yomi Ogunsanya, Ken Eluma Asogwa, Bayo Onanuga, ” Onanuga, It’s, Tinubu, Karimi, Ogunsanya Organizations: Nigeria CNN, Lawmakers, Twitter, CNN, World Bank, Nigerian, Nigeria’s Senate Locations: Abuja, Nigeria, India, “, Nigerian

☆ Explainer: What is pushing the Nigerian naira to record lows?
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-27 | by ( Chijioke Ohuocha | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Investors cheered when Tinubu lifted the currency controls, hoping a unified exchange rate would make it easier to access foreign currency, but that is yet to happen. Banks then repaid foreign credit lines with their own funds when the central bank did not pay out. New central bank governor Yemi Cardoso said clearing the backlog was a priority but he gave no timeline for how long it would take. The country's forex reserves fell to $33.5 billion in September from $37 billion in January, central bank data shows. Banks use their open net positions on foreign currency to finance short-term trade lines without resorting to the central bank for bidding.

Persons: Bola Tinubu, Tinubu, corporates, Banks, Yemi Cardoso, Chijioke Ohuocha, MacDonald Dzirutwe, Hugh Lawson Organizations: JPMorgan, FX, National Economic Council, BANK, Thomson Locations: ABUJA, Nigeria

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