News
Apex Bank Ends Direct Funding Of Development Projects
Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) will no longer be directly involved in development finance interventions.
A document obtained by The Nation stated that the decision is to enable the apex bank to focus more on “advisory roles that support economic growth.”
The document details plans by CBN Governor, Dr. Yemi Cardoso to reposition the apex bank.
The document contains the “preliminary assessment of the challenges facing the CBN.”
In it, Cardoso stated that “much has been made of past CBN forays into development financing, such that the lines between monetary policy and fiscal interventions have blurred.”
He clarified that “in refocusing the CBN to its core mandate, there is a need to pull it (CBN) back from direct development finance interventions into more limited advisory roles that support economic growth.”.
A source, who is privy to the document, said that “in the past, the CBN had been involved in providing funding for various developmental projects”, such as Anchor Borrowers Programme, among others.
“There is a growing recognition of the need to refocus the CBN to its core mandate and limit its involvement in direct development finance interventions,” he added.
He said: “Instead of directly funding projects, the CBN can provide guidance and expertise to help facilitate economic growth.
“This advisory role can include providing recommendations on policy measures, regulations, and strategies that support economic development.
“By limiting its direct intervention in development financing, the CBN can avoid potential conflicts between its role in monetary policy and its involvement in fiscal matters. This separation will allow the CBN to focus on its primary mandate of maintaining price stability, promoting financial stability, and ensuring the soundness of the banking system.”
The official added that “shifting towards an advisory role would allow the CBN to leverage its expertise and provide valuable insights to policy-makers and other stakeholders.
“The CBN can use its knowledge of the financial sector and its understanding of the broader economy to support decision-making processes that lead to sustainable economic growth,” he added.
In the document, Cardoso highlighted the advisory roles of the CBN to include:
•acting as a catalyst in the propagation of specialised institutions and financial products that support emerging sectors of the economy;
•facilitate new regulatory frameworks to unlock dormant capital in land and property holdings;
•accelerating access to consumer credit;
•expanding financial inclusion to the masses; and
•de-risking instrumentation to increase private sector investment in housing, textiles and clothing, food supply chain, healthcare, and educational supplies.
According to Cardoso: “These verticals have huge demand patterns, with the potential for high local inputs and value retention, and can be the basis for rapid industrialisation”.
The CBN, he said, would exercise “convening power to bring key multilateral and international stakeholder participation in government and private sector initiatives”.
Before listing other things he intends to do, Cardoso identified some of the challenges currently confronting the CBN.
According to him, “In assessing challenges currently facing the CBN, preliminary questions are being raised on addressing them.
The challenges are:
•Failure in corporate governance in CBN;
“How will issues of governance be addressed? Diminished institutional autonomy: How can public and financial systems’ stakeholder confidence be restored in the autonomy and integrity of CBN?
•Need to refocus CBN back to core functions:
“What needs to be in place to revert to evidence-based monetary policies? Discontinuation of unorthodox Monetary policies and Foreign Currency management?
•Unorthodox use of Ways and Means spending;
“ What controls can CBN develop to enforce statutory limits in the use of Ways and Means of financing public sector deficit?
•Backlog of FX demand;
“ How much of the backlog is real versus speculative/ hoarding? Are there creative financing options for clearing the short to medium-term backlog?
•Lack of clarity in fiscal and monetary relationships;
Where are the delineations, and what should be the limits in CBN’s fiscal side interventions? Inflation and price stability: What are the causes, and what is CBN’s proposed response to address inflation and price stability issues?
•Access to FX market and FX price discovery;
“What mechanisms exist to address FX rate unification under a willing buyer and willing seller arrangement? What should be the role of the Central Bank in the FX market? Is there a need for interest rate realignment to money supply, inflation, and market realities?
•Current Financial System Stability;
“What is the current state of the financial system? Are CBN surveillance frameworks being updated proactively to track the expanding use of electronic payment systems by Fintech and Telcos?”
News
Oyo 2027: Adelabu Quits As Power Minister To Focus On Guber Race
The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu has formally resigned from his position in the Federal Government to pursue his governorship ambition in Oyo State.
In a resignation letter dated April 22, 2026, and addressed to the President, Adelabu stated that his resignation will take effect on April 30, 2026, to enable him to focus on his governorship ambition in Oyo State.
The letter, routed through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, stated that he was stepping down with “a deep sense of honour and profound gratitude.”
He wrote, “I write with a deep sense of honour and profound gratitude to formally tender my resignation as the Honourable Minister of Power of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This resignation is to take effect on 30th April 2026, in order to allow sufficient time for a smooth and orderly handover of responsibilities.”
Adelabu thanked the President for the opportunity to serve, describing his appointment as a privilege.
He said, “Your Excellency, I remain sincerely grateful for the privilege and confidence you reposed in me by appointing me to serve our great nation in this capacity.
“It has been a rare honour to contribute to national development under your leadership and to play a role in advancing reforms in the power sector—one of the most critical foundations of Nigeria’s industrial growth and economic transformation.”
The former minister said his resignation was to enable him focus fully on his governorship ambition in Oyo State, citing provisions of the amended electoral law.
He added, “My decision to step down is informed by my intention to focus fully on my gubernatorial ambition in Oyo State. This aspiration, which dates back to 2016 during my service as Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, ultimately led to my voluntary resignation from the Central Bank in 2018 in order to pursue the same goal.”
“In line with the provisions of the Amended Electoral Act 2026, which preclude political office holders from contesting elections, I consider it both appropriate and necessary to resign at this time.”
Adelabu’s exit marks a major political development ahead of the next electoral cycle, particularly in Oyo State, where he is expected to contest the governorship election.
News
Wale Edun, Musa Dangiwa Resigned Voluntarily, Not Sacked – Presidency
The Presidency has clarified that Wale Edun (former Finance Minister) and Ahmed Musa Dangiwa (former Housing Minister) voluntarily resigned from their positions and were not sacked by President Tinubu.
In a statement released this evening April 22, presidential media aide, Bayo Onanuga, said that contrary to public opinions, Wale Edun resigned on health grounds while Dangiwa also tendered his resignation and thanked the President for the opportunity given him to serve in the Federal Executive Council.
Onanuga stated that Edun, who clocked 70 on Monday and has battled recent ill health, fittingly submitted his resignation letter on his birthday, thanking the President for the opportunity to serve Nigeria.
“It has been a pleasure and privilege to serve your administration and the Renewed Hope Agenda, Under your leadership, Nigeria has emerged stronger, more resilient and more internationally respected. I wish you and the administration every success in the future” he wrote
Onanuga stated that on Tuesday, before the Office of the Secretary of the Government of the Federation announced his departure from the Cabinet, Edun paid a valedictory visit to the President at the Villa and held an hour-long discussion with the president and then left to focus on his private businesses.
The presidential aide stated that President Tinubu has expressed deep appreciation to Edun and Dangiwa for their dedicated service and significant contributions to the administration’s economic reform programme and wished them continued success in their future endeavours.
‘’In the same vein, the President has urged the new Minister of Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, to consolidate ongoing reforms and advance the administration’s fiscal and economic objectives with renewed focus, discipline, and innovation.
President Tinubu will shortly send the ministerial nominee for housing, Muttaqha Rabe Darma, also from Katsina, like Dangiwa, to the Senate for confirmation” the statement concluded
News
Unity Bank, Experts Advocate Green Investment, Climate Innovation To Drive Economic Resilience
Nigeria’s retail lender, Unity Bank Plc, alongside leading climate innovation experts, has called for increased investment in the green economy and the adoption of frontier technologies as critical pathways to driving economic resilience and reducing the impact of climate change on vulnerable populations across Africa.
The call was made during a thought-provoking webinar hosted by the Bank to commemorate this year’s Earth Day, themed “The True Cost of Climate Change and Who Pays?”. Climate experts and stakeholders convened to examine the human, economic, and institutional costs of climate change, while spotlighting practical solutions to address its growing impact.
In his opening remarks, Unity Bank’s Head of Strategy and Innovation, Ibukun Coker, emphasised the urgency of addressing climate risks from both a societal and business perspective.
He said: “Climate change is no longer a distant or abstract challenge. It is an existential threat with direct consequences for individuals, businesses, and economies. At Unity Bank, we recognise the role institutions must play in incorporating sustainability in project financing, supporting businesses and promoting solutions that build resilience in communities where we operate.”
The webinar featured Chinwe Udo-Davis, Founder and CEO of Instollar, and Oluwatosin Ajide, Programme Manager at the Nigeria Climate Innovation Centre, both of whom provided insights into the drivers of climate change and the pathways to mitigation and adaptation.
Speaking during the session, Udo-Davis highlighted the disproportionate burden which climate change places on underserved communities and the need for inclusive solutions.
“The true cost of climate change is not evenly distributed. Communities with the least resources are often the most affected, whether through energy poverty, environmental degradation, or limited access to sustainable alternatives. Addressing this imbalance requires intentional investment in clean energy solutions that are both accessible and scalable.”
Ajide underscored the importance of coordinated, system-wide approaches in tackling climate challenges, particularly through innovation and policy alignment.
“Climate change is fundamentally a structural problem, and its solution requires a paradigm shift: from innovation and policy to financing and implementation. Stakeholders must work collaboratively to drive solutions that are sustainable and inclusive.”
The session also explored emerging opportunities in climate technology, renewable energy, and ecosystem financing, reinforcing the role of innovation and cross-sector collaboration in building long-term resilience.
By hosting the webinar, Unity Bank continues to demonstrate its commitment to advancing sustainability-focused dialogue and supporting initiatives that promote responsible growth and environmental stewardship.
The initiative underscores the Bank’s broader strategic focus on environmental sustainability as well as its commitment to financial inclusion.
-
News1 day agoNo Solar Permits Needed For Private Homes In Lagos, SSA Confirms
-
News1 day agoMass Burial For 30 ISWAP Insurgents Following Lethal NAF Strikes In Borno
-
News2 days agoCourt Sentences Dismissed NECO Employee To 24 Years Over Fake Diploma
-
News1 day agoUnity Bank, Experts Advocate Green Investment, Climate Innovation To Drive Economic Resilience
-
News20 hours agoOyo 2027: Adelabu Quits As Power Minister To Focus On Guber Race
-
News1 day agoLagos Sets Rules, Penalties For April 25 Sanitation Relaunch
-
Breaking News2 days agoTinubu Appoints New Ministers, Sacks Edun, Dangiwa In Minor Shake-Up
-
News22 hours agoWale Edun, Musa Dangiwa Resigned Voluntarily, Not Sacked – Presidency
