Economy

Illegal JVs in Oil Industry: Agbakoba Threatens to Sue FG

Published

1 year ago

July 11, 2024

Eric

A former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), has threatened to drag the Federal Government to court to determine the constitutionality of continuing outsourcing of oil and gas management to International Oil Companies (IOCs) through Joint Ventures (JVs) and Production Sharing Contracts (PSCs).

Agbakoba also called for a complete overhaul of Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, insisting that the current system has ‘completely failed’ and is responsible for poverty and hunger across the country.

The human rights lawyers, who stated this at a press conference in Lagos, argued that the current Contract Oil model directly contradicts Sections 16 and 44(3) of the Nigerian Constitution.

He maintained that the law mandates the government to manage Nigeria’s natural resources in a manner that secures the maximum welfare, freedom, and happiness of every citizen and that the current arrangement, which primarily benefits IOCs, falls far short of this constitutional requirement.

Agbakoba also stated that it is a fundamental principle of administrative law that statutory bodies, including the government, can not delegate their core functions without express legal authorisation. Without such express authority, the current arrangements may be ultra vires and potentially void.

The lawyer said, “These responsibilities, fundamental to the nation’s sovereignty and economic well-being, may be inherently governmental and thus incapable of being lawfully delegated to private entities. Furthermore, it is dubious whether the federal government has the authority to delegate the inherent rights of Nigerians to their natural resources to third parties.

“While the federal government is reluctant to consider shared or joint ownership with state governments, who represent Nigerians more directly, it sees no issue in delegating, outsourcing, and sharing joint ownership with IOCs. This inconsistency raises questions about the government’s interpretation and application of its constitutional mandate.

“We will approach the court to declare that the PIA, the current legal framework for the continued outsourcing or unlawful delegation of the management of Nigeria’s oil and gas to IOCs, is unconstitutional.

“The dominance of IOCs in the sector has historically limited opportunities for developing local content and building domestic capacity in the oil and gas industry,” he said.

Agbakoba also said that the current system of JVs and PSCs, which was initially justified by a lack of funds, now appears to violate the inherent rights of Nigerians over their natural resources.

He stated that if the country adopts a “Development Oil” approach, it can reclaim control over its vital oil and gas sector and transform it into a powerful engine for national development.

The senior lawyer insisted that this paradigm shift requires bold policy changes, including securitising oil reserves through a Sovereign Oil Fund, allowing Nigeria to finance its oil and gas operations.

He said, “The current exit of IOCs presents both a challenge and an opportunity for new Nigerian actors in the oil and gas sector. In collaboration with the federal government, these actors must rise to the occasion and build a new strategy for oil and gas exploration based on development oil principles.

“By aligning the oil and gas sector with broader national interests and constitutional obligations, Nigeria can create a more diversified, resilient, and prosperous economy that truly benefits all its citizens. This approach not only promises economic growth but also reaffirms Nigeria’s sovereignty over its natural resources, ensuring that they are managed for the welfare and security of all Nigerians, as mandated by the constitution,” Agbakoba stated.

Leadership

Economy

CBN Increases ATM Daily Cash Withdrawal Limit to N100k

Published

2 days ago

December 3, 2025

Eric

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has increased cash withdrawal limits on all channels to N500,000 weekly for individuals and N5 million for corporates.

Announcing the policy revision in a circular on Tuesday, the regulator pegged automated teller machine (ATM) withdrawals at N100,000 daily, with a weekly cumulative withdrawal of N500,000.

The development is a major shift from tighter cash policy measures introduced under the previous administration.

In December 2022, the central bank, under Godwin Emefiele, its former governor, had directed deposit money banks and other financial institutions to limit over-the-counter cash withdrawals by individuals and corporate entities per week N100,000 and N500, 000, respectively.

The CBN’s latest policy reversal, also removed the cumulative deposit limit, saying the fee on excess deposit “shall no longer apply”.

According to the regulator, the policies form part of efforts to moderate the rising cost of cash management, address security concerns, and “reduce the potential for money laundering associated with the economy’s heavy reliance on cash”.

The bank said the policies, issued over the years in response to evolving circumstances in cash management, sought to reduce cash usage and encourage accelerated adoption of other payment options, particularly electronic payment channels.

However, with the “effluxion of time”, the apex bank said the need has arisen to streamline the policies’ provisions to reflect present-day realities.

“Consequently, effective January 1, 2026, the following cash-related policies, which are for mandatory compliance by all deposit-taking financial institutions in Nigeria, shall apply nationwide,” the circular reads.

“The cumulative deposit limit is hereby removed and the fee for excess deposit shall no longer apply.

“The cumulative weekly withdrawal limit across all channels shall be N500,000 for individuals and N5 million for corporates. Cumulative weekly withdrawals above these limits shall attract excess withdrawal fees as indicated in ‘5’ below.

“The special authorisation for withdrawal of N5 million and N10 million once monthly by individuals and corporates, respectively, shall no longer apply.

“Automated Teller Machine (ATM) withdrawal limit shall be N100,000 daily (per customer), subject to a maximum of N500,000 weekly. As indicated in ‘2’ above, cash withdrawals from ATMs and point of sale devices are part of the weekly withdrawal limit indicated therein.

“Excess cash withdrawals (withdrawals above the levels indicated in ‘2’ above) shall attract fees of 3 percent and 5 percent to individual and corporate customers, respectively, on the excess amount withdrawn. The fee shall be shared 40 percent to the CBN and 60 percent to the bank or financial institution.”

According to the circular, signed by Rita Sike, CBN’s director of financial policy and regulation department, said all currency denominations “may be loaded in ATMs”.

However, the CBN retained the limit on over-the-counter encashment of third-party cheques at N100,000.

“Account holders are advised that any withdrawal under this section will form part of the cumulative weekly set in ‘2’ above”.

“Banks shall render the following monthly returns (in a format to be advised) to the respective supervisory departments (Banking Supervision Department, Other Financial Institutions Supervision Department and Payments System Supervision Department) as applicable:

“a . Returns on cash withdrawal transactions above the specified limit;

“b. Returns on Cash Deposits

“Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) shall create separate accounts to warehouse processing charges collected on cash withdrawals above the limits.

“The following accounts/entities are exempted from the application of sections 2 and 5 of this circular:

“i. Revenue generating accounts of federal, state, and local governments; and

ii. Accounts of microfinance banks and primary mortgage banks with commercial and non-interest banks.

The CBN also said the exemption of embassies, diplomatic missions and aid-donor agencies from specific cash policies “shall no longer apply”.

Economy

CBN Retains Interest Rate at 27%

Published

1 week ago

November 25, 2025

Eric

The Monetary Policy Committee of the Central Bank of Nigeria has maintained the benchmark interest rate at 27 per cent, extending its pause on monetary tightening.

The CBN Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, announced the decision on Tuesday at the end of the committee’s 303rd meeting in Abuja.

Cardoso said, “The Committee decided by a majority vote to maintain the monetary policy stance,” indicating that members were not yet convinced that current economic conditions warranted another reduction.

The move follows the 50-basis-point cut implemented in September 2025, the only rate reduction since the tightening cycle began under the current CBN leadership.

It also marks the fourth consecutive hold this year.

The MPC had raised rates six times in 2024 amid surging inflation and currency pressures.

The Punch

Economy

FG Stops Proposed 15% Import Duty on Diesel, Petrol

Published

3 weeks ago

November 13, 2025

Eric

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), on Thursday, announced discontinuation of the planned 15 per cent duty on imported petroleum products.

NMDPRA’s Director, Public Affairs Department, George Ene-Ita, conveyed the development in a statement while warning the public to shun panic buying.

President Bola Tinubu, on October 29, approved an import tariff on petrol and diesel, a policy expected to raise the landing cost of imported fuel.

The President’s approval was conveyed in a letter signed by his Private Secretary, Damilotun Aderemi, following a proposal submitted by the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Zacch Adedeji.

The proposal sought the application of a 15 per cent duty on the cost, insurance, and freight value of imported petrol and diesel to align import costs with domestic market realities.

Implementation was slated to take effect on November 21, 2025.

The policy aimed to protect and promote local refineries like the Dangote Refinery and modular plants by making imported fuel more expensive.

While intended to boost local production, it is also expected to increase fuel costs, which could lead to higher inflation and transportation prices for consumers.

Experts have argued that the move could translate into higher pump prices for consumers, with some estimating an increase of up to N150 per litre or more.

In an update, however, NMDPRA said the government was no longer considering going ahead with implementing the petrol import duty.

“It should also be noted that the implementation of the 15% ad-valorem import duty on imported Premium Motor Spirit and Diesel is no longer in View,” the statement read in part.

Meanwhile, the NMDPRA also assured all that there is an adequate supply of petroleum products in the country, within the acceptable national sufficiency threshold, during this peak demand period.

“There is a robust domestic supply of petroleum products (AGO, PMS, LPG, etc) sourced from both local refineries and importation to ensure timely replenishment of stocks at storage depots and retail stations during this period.

“The Authority wishes to use this opportunity to advise against any hoarding, panic buying or non-market reflective escalation of prices of petroleum products.

“The Authority will continue to closely monitor the supply situation and take appropriate regulatory measures to prevent disruption of supply and distribution of petroleum products across the country, especially during this peak demand period.

“While appreciating the continued efforts of all stakeholders in the midstream and downstream value chain in ensuring a smooth and uninterrupted supply and distribution, the public is hereby assured of NMDPRA’s commitment to guarantee energy security,” the statement added.