Business
Sterling Financial Holdings Rebounds With 102% Profit Surge
Sterling Financial Holdings Company Plc has announced its audited full-year results for the financial year ended December 31, 2024, delivering a performance marked by strong earnings growth, robust balance sheet expansion, and a return to dividend payout.
The Group reported a profit after tax (PAT) of ₦43.68 billion, representing a 102% year-on-year (YoY) increase from the ₦21.58 billion recorded in 2023. Earnings per share more than doubled to 151 Kobo, reflecting the Group’s strategic resilience and consistent delivery on shareholder value.
Gross earnings rose to ₦337.19 billion, up from ₦221.77 billion in 2023, driven by higher interest income, enhanced non-interest revenue, and prudent cost control. Across its subsidiaries, customer deposits grew by 36.7% to ₦2.52 trillion, providing the Group with ample liquidity to support the scale of its lending activities. Despite this expansion, the quality of assets improved, as impairment charges on loans fell by 12.6% to ₦10.78 billion.
Sterling was also ranked among the most actively traded stocks on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) between March and June 2025, reflecting sustained investor confidence in the Group’s long-term strategy and performance outlook.
Commenting on the results, Yemi Odubiyi, Group Chief Executive of Sterling Financial Holdings Company Plc, affirmed that the Group’s performance reflects the successful execution of its long-term strategy, particularly in sectors critical to Nigeria’s economic resilience, and underscores its commitment to delivering value for shareholders while deepening support for sustainable development.
“Our 2024 performance reflects the depth of our commitment to purposeful growth. By deliberately channeling capital into sectors that drive real economic value like agriculture, trade, healthcare, and renewable energy, we are not only achieving strong financial outcomes but also delivering lasting impact. The significant growth in our assets, loan book, and earnings is a testament to the trust we’ve earned from our customers and partners. As a Group, we are proud to see our subsidiaries gain momentum, our sustainability initiatives come to life, even as we continue evolving into a more agile and inclusive financial ecosystem.”Green job opportunities
“We remain focused on delivering innovation-led banking, strengthening our core, and deepening our contribution to the communities and markets we serve,” he stated.
SFHC’s commitment to growing diversified income streams also paid off. Net interest income climbed by 62% to ₦134.81 billion, while fee and commission income rose to ₦44.30 billion. Net fees and commissions increased by 30% to ₦33.93 billion in 2024, supported by higher transaction volumes, trade-related income, and digital banking fees. This growth provided a steady cushion against interest rate volatility and further diversified the Group’s earnings streams. The result was a stronger overall return on equity and a notable improvement in the Group’s cost-to-income ratio, reinforcing the operational efficiency gains achieved over the year.
Beyond financial performance, the Group demonstrated a deepened commitment to impact through its investments in renewable energy, healthcare, and community development. In 2024, SFHC partnered with the Lagos State Government to launch the Ilera Eko healthcare booths, delivering affordable, community-based medical services.
The project integrated basic care with financial inclusion, offering underserved populations a chance to access both health services and entry-level banking. Similarly, the Group ramped up its financing of solar power systems and mini-grid solutions, helping households and small businesses transition to sustainable energy while reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
Throughout the year, SFHC also engaged in numerous education and entrepreneurship programmes through the Sterling One Foundation, its social impact vehicle. These initiatives provided financial literacy, business support, and capacity development for thousands of young Nigerians, with a special focus on empowering women and youth in underserved communities. These efforts earned the Group recognition from institutions such as the IFC and Nigerian Exchange for excellence in corporate governance and social responsibility.
In line with its commitment to delivering shareholder value, SFHC has proposed a dividend of 18 Kobo per share for the 2024 financial year. The proposed dividend, subject to shareholder approval at the upcoming Annual General Meeting, emphasises the Group’s disciplined capital management approach and its intention to balance growth investments with direct returns to shareholders.
Leadership.ng
Business
Dangote Refinery Fixes Petrol Price in New Pricing Template
Dangote Petroleum Refinery has fixed the ex-depot price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, at $0.779 per litre as it officially transitioned to a dollar-denominated pricing system for refined petroleum products.
The new pricing template, which took effect on Monday, July 13, 2026, also pegs Automotive Gas Oil (diesel) at $1.087 per litre and aviation fuel at $0.942 per litre, while coastal deliveries of petrol have been priced at $1,044.62 per metric tonne.
The move effectively ends naira payments for petrol, diesel and aviation fuel purchased from the refinery, marking a significant shift from the naira-based transactions introduced under the Federal Government’s naira-for-crude policy, which commenced on October 1, 2024.
In a notice to petroleum marketers and customers, the refinery said all previously issued naira-denominated Proforma Invoices (PFIs) and Deal Recaps for both gantry and coastal transactions had become invalid.
The notice, signed by the refinery’s Group Commercial Operations, stated: “Following our email of July 9, 2026, regarding the transition from naira to United States dollars (USD), please note that all issued naira coastal and gantry PFIs/Deal Recaps are now invalid, and no payments should be made against them.
“The applicable USD prices for each product, effective today, July 13, 2026, are provided below.”
Under the revised pricing template, petrol sold through the gantry will cost $0.779 per litre, diesel $1.087 per litre, aviation fuel $0.942 per litre, while coastal PMS supplies will sell for $1,044.62 per metric tonne.
The refinery, however, clarified that the transition does not affect Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) transactions.
“Also note that this transition to USD does not apply to LPG transactions,” the notice added.
Industry sources said the change was necessitated by an increasing mismatch between the currency used to purchase crude oil and the currency in which refined products were being sold.
According to one source familiar with the development, Dangote Refinery now receives a significant portion of its crude oil from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) under dollar-denominated supply arrangements, while a large volume of refined products has continued to be sold domestically in naira.
The source said the imbalance had heightened the refinery’s exposure to foreign exchange risks.
Another industry official explained that the refinery had received fewer crude cargoes under the naira-for-crude arrangement in recent months, making it commercially necessary to align product sales with the currency used for crude procurement.
“Dangote Refinery is receiving fewer naira-denominated crude cargoes from NNPCL than dollar-denominated cargoes, while a larger volume of its petroleum products has been sold in naira.
“The resulting currency mismatch, combined with volatility in international crude oil prices and continued exchange-rate uncertainty, made it necessary to migrate product sales to dollars,” the source said.
The development is expected to have far-reaching implications for petroleum marketers, many of whom source products directly from the refinery for nationwide distribution.
It also raises fresh questions about the future of the Federal Government’s naira-for-crude initiative, which was introduced to strengthen domestic refining, reduce pressure on foreign exchange demand and help stabilise fuel prices.
Although the refinery has fixed a dollar benchmark for product sales, the retail pump price of petrol across the country will continue to depend on several factors, including the prevailing naira-dollar exchange rate, international crude oil prices, transportation and logistics costs, regulatory charges and marketers’ margins.
With Dangote Refinery now accounting for a substantial share of Nigeria’s refined petroleum supply, industry stakeholders are expected to closely monitor how the new pricing regime influences fuel prices and competition in the deregulated downstream petroleum market.
Source: Tribune
Business
Nigeria Strengthens Maritime Leadership as Fadahunsi Emerges Vice Chairman of Eastern Atlantic Hydrographic Commission
The Hydrographer of the Federation and Chief Executive Officer of the National Hydrographic Agency (NHA), Rear Admiral OO Fadahunsi, has been elected Vice Chairman of the Eastern Atlantic Hydrographic Commission (EAtHC) for the 2026–2028 term, further reinforcing Nigeria’s growing influence in regional and global maritime governance.
Rear Admiral Fadahunsi’s election was confirmed on Friday, 3 July 2026, during the ongoing EAtHC Conference in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, where member states endorsed his emergence to one of the commission’s most strategic leadership positions.
Established on 26 November 1984 under the auspices of the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO), the Eastern Atlantic Hydrographic Commission was founded by France, Nigeria, Portugal and Spain. Over the past four decades, the commission has expanded significantly, comprising 11 member states, 10 associate members and six observers committed to promoting hydrographic excellence across the Eastern Atlantic region.
The commission plays a pivotal role in advancing hydrography, nautical cartography and maritime safety through capacity-building initiatives, the development and implementation of International (INT) Charts and Electronic Navigational Chart (ENC) schemes, improved hydrographic surveys, enhanced charting standards, effective dissemination of nautical information and sustained advocacy on the importance of hydrography to regional maritime development.
Since its inaugural conference in Paris, France, in April 1986, the EAtHC has convened biennially to strengthen collaboration among member states and chart the future of hydrographic development.
In another significant endorsement of Nigeria’s expanding maritime profile, the country has been selected to host the next EAtHC Conference in June 2028. Nigeria will also host the 25th Meeting of the Capacity Building Sub-Committee (CBSC25) and the 19th Meeting of the Inter-Regional Coordination Committee (IRCC19) in June 2027, positioning the country at the centre of major international hydrographic engagements.
Rear Admiral Fadahunsi’s election is widely regarded as a testament to Nigeria’s sustained investment in hydrographic development, maritime safety and regional cooperation. It also reflects growing international confidence in the National Hydrographic Agency’s contributions to safer navigation, marine resource management and the blue economy.
As Nigeria prepares to welcome leading hydrographers, maritime regulators and technical experts from across the world over the next two years, the country is poised to consolidate its reputation as a key driver of hydrographic innovation and maritime security in the Eastern Atlantic region.
Business
Canada Publishes 2 Official Websites to Find Jobs, Says Over 2,000 Vacancies Are Posted Daily
Canada has made it easier for unemployed individuals and foreigners who wish to live and work in the country to find jobs that can help them live comfortably and meet their basic responsibilities.
On the official Canadian government website, two links are provided to websites where job seekers can find available jobs in Canada
According to the Canadian government website, applicants who apply for jobs through these platforms can get hired by different companies, as more than 2,000 jobs are posted every day.
Aside from these two websites, the Canadian government explains that individuals can also use employment agencies to help them find jobs that match their skills.
A job seeker can also ask friends or family members if there are job openings or vacancies, as not all positions are advertised on these websites.
1. Job Bank
The Canadian government explains that thousands of jobs are advertised on this platform every day by organisations and companies. The link to access the website can be found in the detailed post published on the Canadian government website.
2. Jobs GC
Another website where foreigners who wish to work in Canada or Canadian citizens can find government jobs is the Jobs GC website. Federal public service jobs are advertised on the website, alongside several other opportunities that may match an applicant’s skills.

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