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FCMB Joins REA To Boost Electricity Access For 2M

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FCMB Joins REA To Boost Electricity Access For 2M

In a landmark move to bolster electricity access for millions of Nigerians, the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) and First City Monument Bank (FCMB) have on Thursday 19th June, 2025, at the bank’s head-quarters in Marina, Lagos, entered into a strategic collaboration to provide a ₦100 billion loan facility targeted at accelerating private sector-led deployment of renewable energy solutions across the country.

The agreement supports the implementation of the Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-Up (DARES) initiative. It will enable the deployment of decentralised renewable energy projects aimed at delivering reliable power to approximately 2,000,000 households in unserved and underserved areas across the country.

The signing of these agreements between REA and FCMB signifies the commencement of private sector investment in the Rural Electrification Agency’s renewable energy space, which was catalysed by the $750 million DARES World Bank funding.

The approval of DARES funding by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, its commencement, and the guidance of the Federal Ministry of Power will undoubtedly lead to increased private sector funding, accelerating the intended impact of supplying electricity to 17.5 million Nigerians in unserved and underserved communities.

Under this partnership, FCMB will provide a revolving loan facility of ₦1 billion per eligible mini-grid developer for a period of two years, with potential for scale-up. The facility will serve as a critical financial instrument for developers engaged under REA’s DARES programme, which is an initiative designed to expand inclusive energy access and stimulate economic growth through the deployment of interconnected and isolated mini-grids, as well as productive-use applications.

Speaking at the event, Abba Abubakar Aliyu, Managing Director and CEO of REA, emphasised the strategic importance of the collaboration. He stated, “This partnership signifies a significant milestone in addressing one of the biggest challenges in decentralised renewable energy deployment—access to finance. Through this facility, developers will have better access to funding that will enable them to scale and meet electrification targets, thus improving the quality of life in rural and peri-urban communities.”

Yemisi Edun, Managing Director and CEO of FCMB, stated,” Our partnership with the Rural Electrification Agency represents a pivotal step in our commitment to powering inclusive growth and economic resilience across Nigeria. Access to reliable energy is a catalyst for enterprise, education, and improved livelihoods, making it a critical development goal. Through this collaboration, we are combining financial innovation with infrastructure delivery to ensure underserved communities are not left behind. Together, we are building pathways for people to thrive by unlocking the power of energy to transform homes, businesses, and entire communities.”

A key highlight of the launch was the introduction of a “Deal Room”. This is a dedicated platform for project developers to engage with REA and FCMB on project financing, structure, and disbursement processes. This will enable developers to better understand the eligibility criteria and project evaluation mechanisms.

The partnership structure provides that FCMB will finance up to 70% of approved project costs, while REA will domicile performance-based grant payments into a reserve account within FCMB to further de-risk the transactions.

Through this collaborative approach, REA and FCMB reaffirm their commitment to bridging Nigeria’s energy access gap, promoting private sector participation, and unlocking investment opportunities within the renewable energy sector.

Thenationonlineng.net

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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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Good News: Cooking Gas Prices Drop As LPG Supply Improves Across Nigeria

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Prices of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), commonly known as cooking gas, are crashing in several parts of the country as retailers report improved supplies.

According to a market survey by PUNCH, retailers and consumers confirmed that prices have dropped and the product has become more available across the country.

This development follows months of scarcity, which led to a nationwide hike in prices. The scarcity peaked in September 2025.

Consumers in Lagos, Ogun, Oyo and other states confirmed that they purchased cooking gas within the N1,050 to N1,400 range. Some major marketers were also reported to be selling directly to consumers at around N900 per kilogramme.

For many households, the current prices represent a significant improvement from the sharp increases recorded last year, when LPG prices surged after a dispute involving the Dangote refinery and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) led to the shutdown of some gas facilities.

Despite the improvement, several consumers said they were hopeful that prices would fall below N1,000 per kilogramme in the new year, arguing that lower costs are critical to promoting clean cooking and reducing reliance on firewood and kerosene.

Speaking on the situation, the National Chairman of the Liquefied Petroleum Gas Retailers branch of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Ayobami Olarinoye, said the LPG market had become relatively stable, with increased supply reaching Lagos.

According to Olarinoye, some off-takers are now receiving gas in Apapa, Lagos, helping to ease availability challenges experienced in previous months.

He explained that retail prices at street-level outlets currently range between N1,300 and N1,400 per kilogramme, noting that costs vary based on neighbourhoods, transportation and logistics.

Olarinoye added that prices could be lower at filling stations and gas plants, where operational and distribution costs are reduced.

He further disclosed that retailers currently purchase LPG from major marketers at prices between N960 and N1,050 per kilogram, depending on the supplier. According to the NUPENG official, sellers offering LPG below N1,000 per kilogramme are typically major dealers who own their own plants and sell directly to end users and do not distribute to retailers.

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