Business
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.
Punchng.com
Business
FG Approves 35% Hazard Allowance Increase, Breakdown Emerges
The Federal Government has approved a 35 percent increase in hazard allowances for junior and senior members of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) working in federal universities.
The revised allowance package, which takes effect from January 1, 2026, follows an agreement reached between the government and NASU on June 29, 2026.
According to The PUNCH, the approval was conveyed in a circular issued in Abuja on July 20, 2026, by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC).
The circular, signed by the commission’s Acting Secretary, Adighiogu Chiadi, was addressed to the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume; the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation; ministers; and heads of government agencies.
“Following the agreement between the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions dated 29th June 2026, the Federal Government has approved the payment of the following allowances to non-teaching staff members of NASU in Federal Universities,” the circular stated.History
Under the new package, workers on CONTISS 1–5 will receive an annual laboratory hazard allowance of ₦243,000, up from ₦180,000, representing a 35 percent increase.
Employees on CONTISS 6–15 will now earn ₦486,000 annually, an increase from ₦360,000, also representing a 35 percent rise.
The union had sought annual hazard allowances of ₦360,000 and ₦720,000 for the two categories, respectively.
Responsibility Allowances Reviewed
The government also approved increases in responsibility allowances for senior non-teaching staff.
Annual responsibility allowances for registrars and bursars were raised from ₦750,000 to ₦840,000, representing a 12 percent increase, although NASU had requested ₦1.5 million annually.
Deputy registrars, deputy bursars and deputy directors will now receive ₦480,000 annually, compared with the union’s demand of ₦600,000.
For the first time, directors will receive an annual responsibility allowance of ₦600,000, matching NASU’s request.
Similarly, heads of sections, who previously had no approved responsibility allowance, will now receive ₦150,000 annually, against the union’s demand of ₦900,000.
Other Allowances Adjusted
The government also reviewed allowances for field trips, teaching practice and industrial supervision.
Staff on CONTISS 1–5 will receive ₦81,000 annually, up from ₦60,000, while those on CONTISS 6–12 will earn ₦108,000, compared with the previous ₦80,000.
Employees on CONTISS 13–15 will now receive ₦135,000 annually, an increase from ₦100,000.
The revised package also includes higher allowances for the Students’ Work Experience Programme (SWEP).
Workers on CONTISS 1–5 will receive ₦81,000 annually, up from ₦60,000, while those on CONTISS 6–12 will earn ₦108,000, an increase from ₦80,000.
For employees on CONTISS 13–15, the previous allowance range of ₦60,000 to ₦100,000 has been harmonised at ₦135,000 annually, although NASU had proposed ₦200,000.
The circular further stated that the Provision Tools Allowance (PTA) has been absorbed into the Consolidated Non-Teaching Tools Allowance (CATA), while laboratory student-to-staff ratio supplementation will now be covered under existing excess workload provisions.
The review follows months of negotiations between the Federal Government and NASU after the union argued that the allowances introduced under the 2009 agreement had become inadequate due to rising inflation and the increasing cost of living.
Business
No More N1,300/Litre: Relief As Petrol Prices Drop, Marketers Announce New Rates
Petrol depot prices have dropped again across Nigeria’s key distribution hubs, with loading rates falling at several depots in Lagos, Port Harcourt and Warri amid sustained competition and improved product supply.
The fresh cuts, ranging from N5 to N25 per litre on Monday, July 27, were recorded at multiple depots nationwide
In Lagos, all six monitored depots lowered their ex-depot rates. Bulk Strategic trimmed its price from N1,260 to N1,250 per litre, while Liquid Bulk moved from N1,270 to N1,256, data from Petroleumprice.ng shows.
Masters dropped from N1,275 to N1,260, and Matrix reduced its rate from N1,270 to N1,255. Sigmund recorded the largest single cut in Lagos, shaving N20 off its price to settle at N1,250 per litre. T.S.L also lowered its loading price from N1,265 to N1,250.
Port Harcourt depots followed suit. Hong Petroleum reduced its ex-depot price from N1,255 to N1,246 per litre, while Mainland moved from N1,255 to N1,250. Northwest did not publish a current loading price.
In Warri, Optima posted the biggest single reduction across all three cities, cutting its price by N25 from N1,270 to N1,245 per litre. Matrix in Warri also reduced its rate by N24 to N1,246, and Rain Oil trimmed its loading price by N5 to N1,268 per litre.
Below is a snapshot of current ex-depot prices: Snapshot of petrol depot prices on Monday at depots
LAGOS
Bulk Strategic – N1,250/litre
Liquid Bulk – N1,256/litre
Masters – N1,260/litre
Matrix – N1,255/litre
Sigmund – N1,250/litre
T.S.L – N1,250/litre
PORT HARCOURT
Hong Petroleum – N1,246/litre
Mainland – N1,250/litre
WARRI
Optima – N1,245/litre
Matrix – N1,246/litre
Rain Oil – N1,268/litre
Business
Top 10 Richest Yoruba Billionaires: South West Wealthiest Entrepreneurs, Key Factors Behind Their Wealth
The Yoruba ethnic group, predominantly located in Nigeria’s southwestern region, has long been home to some of the wealthiest and most influential entrepreneurs in Africa.
Over the years, these Yoruba billionaires have made significant impacts across various sectors, including oil and gas, banking, telecommunications, real estate, and entertainment. Their business acumen and achievements have not only helped shape Nigeria’s economy but have also garnered international recognition.
Here’s a look at the top 10 richest Yoruba billionaires and the key factors behind their wealth:
10. Sulaiman Adebola Adegunwa
Sulaiman Adegunwa is a billionaire philanthropist and businessman from Ogun State. He is the founder of Rite Foods Limited, a company best known for producing popular food and beverage brands in Nigeria. His investments also extend to education, as he founded the Sulaimon College of Education in Ogun State.
9. Fola Adeola
Fola Adeola is best known as the founder of Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank), one of Nigeria’s largest and most respected financial institutions. He is also involved in several other ventures, including heading MainOne, a telecom company, and running the FATE Foundation, which supports entrepreneurship in Nigeria. His net worth is around $550 million.
8. Dele Fajemirokun
Dele Fajemirokun is one of the most respected Yoruba business figures, with investments spanning insurance, oil, and telecommunications. He is the chairman of AIICO Insurance and a key investor in Food Concepts, the parent company of Chicken Republic. His business acumen has earned him a net worth of $500 million.
7. Samuel Adedoyin
Samuel Adedoyin is a self-made billionaire who overcame humble beginnings to become one of the wealthiest Yoruba men in Nigeria. He is the founder of the Doyin Group, a conglomerate involved in manufacturing, agriculture, and real estate. Adedoyin’s journey from small business ventures to becoming a billionaire is truly inspirational, and his net worth is estimated at $540 million.
6. Oba Otudeko
Oba Otudeko, a respected business magnate and philanthropist, is the founder of Honeywell Group, a diversified industrial conglomerate with interests in food processing, oil and gas, and real estate. He also played a pivotal role in the Nigerian banking industry, previously serving as the chairman of First Bank of Nigeria. Otudeko’s net worth is around $550 million.
5. Tunde Folawiyo
As the managing director of Yinka Folawiyo Group, a conglomerate with interests in energy, agriculture, and real estate, Tunde Folawiyo carries on the legacy of his family’s business empire. His ventures in shipping and energy are particularly notable, and he also serves on the board of MTN Nigeria. His estimated net worth is around $650 million.
4. Deji Adeleke
Dr. Deji Adeleke is a prominent businessman and philanthropist, best known as the father of the famous Nigerian musician Davido. He is the founder of Pacific Holdings Limited, a company with interests in oil and gas, real estate, and logistics. Adeleke is also an investor in education, having established Adeleke University in Osun State. His net worth is estimated at over $700 million.
3. Jimoh Ibrahim
Jimoh Ibrahim is another leading Yoruba entrepreneur who has built his fortune through diversified business ventures. He is the CEO of Global Fleet Group, a conglomerate with interests in oil and gas, insurance, real estate, aviation, and publishing. A lawyer by training, Jimoh Ibrahim’s net worth stands at around $1.1 billion, largely due to his ability to navigate various industries successfully.
2. Femi Otedola
Femi Otedola is one of Nigeria’s most recognized billionaires, primarily due to his involvement in the oil and gas industry. He is the former chairman of Forte Oil, a major petroleum marketing company in Nigeria, and his business ventures have expanded into power generation, finance, and real estate. Otedola’s investments in key sectors like shipping and energy make him a major player in Nigeria’s economy. As of 2024, his net worth is estimated at $1.8 billion.
1. Mike Adenuga
While Mike Adenuga is a Yoruba billionaire, his reach extends beyond Nigeria to the rest of Africa. He is the founder of Globacom, one of Nigeria’s largest telecommunications companies, and he also has interests in oil exploration through his company Conoil. Adenuga’s strategic positioning in telecoms and oil has made him the second-richest man in Nigeria, with a net worth of over $6 billion.
SEE THEIR NET WORTH

-
News2 days agoBREAKING: Tinubu Gives New Top Appointment
-
Politics2 days ago2027: ADC Gov Candidate Announces Top Ex-Lawmaker as Running Mate
-
Politics2 days agoREVEALED: Why Makinde Dropped Speaker Ogundoyin and Picked Bimbo Adekanmbi as Successor
-
Tech22 hours agoNigerian Gov Declares Tuesday Public Holiday Across State
-
News2 days agoREVEALED: Five Governors Set to Convert Local Security Groups Into State Police
-
Politics2 days ago2027 Presidency: Kwankwaso Breaks Silence on Peter Obi’s Controversial One-Term Commitment
-
Business19 hours agoNo More N1,300/Litre: Relief As Petrol Prices Drop, Marketers Announce New Rates
-
Politics1 day agoFULL LIST: APC Uploads 27 Governorship Candidates to INEC Portal, One State Missing
