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CBN Lauds Nigeria’s Instant Payment System

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CBN Lauds Nigeria's Instant Payment System

The Central Bank of Nigeria has declared the country’s instant payment system as one of the most advanced globally, citing years of reforms and innovation that have reshaped the nation’s financial landscape.

Director of Payments System Policy at the CBN, Mr Musa Jimoh, made this known on Thursday during the FintechNGR Quarter Two Regulators’ Forum Webinar, themed “Beyond Compliance: Unlocking Innovation with Nigeria’s Open Banking Framework.”

According to Jimoh, Nigeria’s payment ecosystem has evolved significantly, fuelled by a blend of fintech innovation, progressive regulation, and shifting consumer behaviour.

“Our payments happen within seconds, and that’s a very big one for Nigeria as a country,” he said, describing the instant payment system as a reflection of the country’s drive for innovation and financial inclusion.

The forum, which brought together key players in the financial technology space, explored the potential of open banking to deepen financial services and promote collaboration among institutions.

Jimoh noted that the CBN had made deliberate efforts over the years to modernise Nigeria’s financial system, starting as far back as 2006 when it first inaugurated a national payment system vision.

“The journey of payment system development in Nigeria has been long. It started about 2006 when the CBN inaugurated its first payment system vision. The objective was to prepare a roadmap for the development of the payment system in Nigeria,” he said.

One of the pivotal moments, he explained, came in 2010 when the apex bank mandated a switch from magnetic stripe cards to chip-and-PIN cards, a move that led to the widespread adoption of more secure EMV payment cards.

“This was a major turning point for Nigeria,” he noted.

Jimoh traced further developments in the ecosystem to regulatory interventions such as Know Your Customer protocols, mobile banking, agent banking, mobile money, and the cashless policy.

“Today, Nigeria has over 160 different licenses granted to institutions for financial and payment services,” he revealed, adding that financial institutions and switching companies had also upgraded their infrastructure to handle increasing transaction volumes.

He also cited the biometric-based Bank Verification Number as a landmark policy that enabled secure customer identity across platforms.

Touching on the relevance of open banking, Jimoh said it had the potential to boost innovation by enabling developers to build new financial products using customer-permissioned data held by banks.

“Banks are holding onto vast amounts of data that could be leveraged to develop innovative financial products and services. The CBN believes that open banking can help address this challenge by allowing developers to access bank data and create innovative financial products and services. The data must be permissioned, and the customer must give consent before it can be used,” he said.

However, he acknowledged that challenges remain in the implementation of open banking, particularly around the standardisation of APIs and cybersecurity.

To address these, Jimoh said the CBN had set up specialised workstreams focused on solving technical and policy issues surrounding open banking.

“The CBN aims to create an environment where openness, inclusiveness, and innovation drive national economic resilience and prosperity. With a robust regulatory framework, standardised API, and collaboration among stakeholders, open banking could transform Nigeria’s financial landscape,” he said.

Jimoh concluded by reiterating the central bank’s commitment to working with the private sector and regulators to advance innovation and deepen access to financial services across Nigeria.

“The CBN has released regulations and guidelines on open banking and established a regulatory sandbox to support innovation,” he added.

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RVEALED: Meet The Owners of Nigeria’s Commercial Private Jet Companies

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In the past two decades, Nigeria’s skyline has become an unexpected stage for a drastic rise in private aviation, as reported by Nairametrics

What was once a rare symbol of elite mobility has grown into a fleet of well over a hundred business jets crisscrossing domestic and international routes.

According to industry figures, the number of private business aircraft operating in the country climbed from just 44 in 2005 to 157 by 2024, a surge of more than 350% that reflects both expanding wealth and shifting travel habits among the nation’s affluent.

Flying a private jet is not just about convenience; it’s about connecting business faster, offering access where commercial airlines cannot, flexibility, and providing a level of service that combines luxury, reliability, and exclusivity.

These jets allow business moguls, musicians, athletes, and other high-net-worth individuals to move quickly, either for work or leisure.

Flying a private jet is costly; flights start at around $3,000 and above, depending on the aircraft, distance, and level of luxury, making these jets accessible to only a select group of Nigeria’s economic elite.

The private jet business in Nigeria is built on relationships, trust, and discretion. Most clients come through referrals, with operators rarely advertising broadly.

Every flight is a careful balance of strict safety standards, experienced crews, and regulatory compliance from air operator certificates to international operational approvals.

This article explores the individuals driving Nigeria’s private jet market, investing heavily in one of the most elite forms of personal transport.

Here are the owners of commercial private jet companies in Nigeria

11. Yemi MacGregor- Stargate Jets Services Limited
10. Segun Demuren- Founder, Evergreen Apple Nigeria
9. Chukwuerika Achum- Founder, Falcon Aerospace Limited
8. Sam Iwuajoku- Founder, Quits Aviation Services and CEO ExecuJet Aviation Nigeria
7. Atedo Peterside- Founder, Anap Business Jets Limited
6. Samuel Salihu – CEO Private Business Jet Charter
5. Wisdom Ntoto – CEO Jetlyfe Aviation Ltd
4. Captain Ahmed Borodo- CEO Flybird Aviation
3. Dr. Ernest Azudialu Obiejesi -CEO Nesto Aviation Services Limited
2. Captain Edward Boyo –CEO Landover / Overland Airways
1. Dr. Elizabeth Jack-Rich- Founder, Elin Group Limited

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Black Market Naira To Dollar Exchange Rate Today 12th January 2026

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What is the Dollar to Naira Exchange rate at the black market, also known as the parallel market (Aboki fx)?

You can swap your dollar for Naira at these rates.

How much is a dollar to naira today in the black market?

The exchange rate for a dollar to naira at Lagos Parallel Market (Black Market) players buy a dollar for N1490 and sell at N1505 on Sunday, 11th January 2026 according to sources at Bureau De Change (BDC).

Black Market Exchange Rate Today 12th January, 2026
Buying Rate N1485
Selling Rate N1500

The exchange rate between the US dollar (USD) and the Nigerian naira (NGN) which rate we have given above; is a topic of high constant interest for people who are Nigerian and businesses and policymakers in Nigeria.

This rate of dollars to naira exchange rate influences not only the cost of imported goods but also the cost of travel, international education, and even local prices of certain commodities.

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.

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BREAKING: Petrol Depot Owners Crash Prices To Cheapest; Details Emerge

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Petrol prices at Nigerian depots have dropped to their lowest levels in months as intense competition grips the downstream market, following the apparent collapse of the fuel supply agreement between the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and independent marketers.

Fresh findings show that depot owners have slashed ex-depot prices to as low as N710 per litre, a sharp reversal from the steep hikes recorded just weeks earlier.,

In the first week of January 2026, depot owners sharply increased gantry prices after reports emerged that the Dangote Refinery had shut down its petrol production unit for maintenance.

Although the refinery denied the reports, the speculation was enough to jolt the market.

Depot prices surged, and the increases quickly filtered through to filling stations nationwide.

Independent marketers raised gantry prices from around N720 per litre to over N800 per litre, with analysts noting that depot operators were exploiting uncertainty surrounding Africa’s largest refinery.

Depot owners reverse course as competition intensifies
The price spike, however, has proven short-lived.

Checks reveal that depot owners have now reversed course, cutting prices aggressively to stay competitive with Dangote Refinery’s pricing structure, especially as fresh fuel imports enter the Nigerian market.

Data from PetroleumPriceNG shows that several major depots reduced prices significantly in recent days.

As of Sunday, January 11, 2026, ShellPlux sold petrol at N710 per litre, MAO at N715, while A.Y.M.

Falling crude oil prices add more pressure
Energy experts say global oil market dynamics are also contributing to the decline in local petrol prices.

“Crude oil is currently trading between $50 and $60 per barrel in the international market,” energy policy analyst Adeola Yusuf told Legit.ng.

According to him, ongoing geopolitical tensions involving Venezuela and Iran have pushed crude prices lower, with direct implications for refined fuel costs.

“Crude oil is often used as a political tool and is highly sensitive to geopolitical developments. When prices drop, refined product prices usually follow, especially in domestic markets,” Yusuf explained.

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