Business
Wema Bank Records 196% Profit Before Tax

Wema Bank has announced its full Year 2023 Audited financial statement, recording profit before tax (PBT) growth of 196 per cent from ₦14.75bn to N43.59 billion.
The bank also proposed a dividend per share of 50kobo; up from 30 kobo in 2022 and deposit growth of 60 per cent to ₦1,860.57bn from ₦1,165.93bn reported in FY 2022.
“Return on Equity (ROAE) of 39.28%, NPL of 4.31% and N40billion 1st tranche of Capital raise awaiting final regulatory approvals,” a statement from the bank said.
Commenting on the results, the MD/CEO of Weman Bank, Mr. Moruf Oseni, said, “2023 showcased a revitalised Wema Bank as evidenced by the considerable improvements in our numbers. The performance is headlined by impressive improvements in Profit before Tax which grew strongly by 196%.”
He noted that the growth of Gross Earnings by 72%, Total Assets by 56% and earnings per share at 279.5 kobo shows the core improvements to the bank’s balance sheet.
“In addition, our cost to income ratio at 64.37% has witnessed significant improvement from the previous period.
We also completed our N40bn Capital raise exercise (results awaiting final verification by regulators). This exercise actively positioned us for the new capital licensing requirements of the Central Bank of Nigeria. Wema Bank will accelerate its capital management plans and ensure we embark on the journey to raise the required capital as quickly as possible.
“The Bank will be proposing a dividend per share of 50 kobo to its shareholders at the next Annual General Meeting; this is in line with the Bank’s capital conservation strategy and to ensure that it continues to provide returns to its shareholders in anticipation of additional capital raises scheduled for later this year.
“We are satisfied with the bank’s performance in the first year of the new leadership team, as we move in a strong growth trajectory. Our target remains clear, we want to become a Top-Tier Bank in the industry powered by Digital excellence, we have carved a niche for ourselves with ALAT as a Retail platform, but we are now positioning the enterprise as the Intelligent platform for all financial services.
“We have partnered with the Federal Government on upskilling Two Million MSMEs, provided engagement platforms for all NYSC members and are now implementing partnerships in Health, Education, Women empowerment and in the green economy.
“In the months ahead, we would be developing platforms and supporting initiatives that prioritise the needs of our customers, leveraging technology in solving problems across all sectors.”
Business
Nigeria First Policy: Customs Championing Made-in-Nigeria Vehicles Procurements
In terms of aesthetics, I am satisfied with what I see here. In terms of functionality, we have been assured by the manufacturers that the vehicles are quite efficient.”

The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi has assured members of the Nigeria Automotive Manufacturers Association (NAMA) that the Service would champion the procurements of locally assembled vehicles from the auto manufacturers inline with the government’s Nigeria First Policy Directive.
CGC Adeniyi gave the assurance when he inspected vehicles produced by members of the Nigeria Automotive Manufacturers Association (NAMA) at the Service’s headquarters, Maitama, Abuja.
After the inspection, the CGC commended the association for turning up in full strength and expressed satisfaction with the quality of the vehicles.
He remarked, “In terms of aesthetics, I am satisfied with what I see here. In terms of functionality, we have been assured by the manufacturers that the vehicles are quite efficient.”
“What gives me joy is that in all the vehicles I have seen today, there is an imprint of Nigeria, which shows that they are fully assembled here. It gives me joy that Mr President’s policy is on the right course,” he added.
He further praised President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Nigeria First policy initiative in the automobile industry.
He pledged that the Nigeria Customs Service would continue to patronise and support the sector for the growth and well-being of the nation’s industrial economy.
In response, Ilekuba Anslem Chairman, Chief Executive Officer of Cedric Masters Group, commended the CGC for his unwavering support for the automobile industry.
Also, Oluwatobi Ajayi, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Nord Automobile Limited, praised the CGC.
“Even before this policy was announced, you had been championing made-in-Nigeria vehicles.
With Mr President’s announcement, we are confident that you will be the first CEO of a government parastatal to fully champion this policy,” he said.
He assured the CGC that the company would not abandon its vehicles after sales.Similarly, Jonas Ojukwu, a Director at Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company Limited (IVM), assured the Nigeria Customs Service of the company’s commitment to delivering the best to the Service.
Other stakeholders who spoke at the event included representatives from Mikano Motors Nigeria and Stallion Motors Nigeria.
Business
Lagos Marks 39 Building in Lekki Axis for Demolition
Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, explained that government swung into action following a series of petitions on encroachment of the Ikota River.

Lagos State government has marked no fewer than 39 buildings located in two highbrow estates for demolition for building on the Right of Way, RoW, of Ikota River, at Eti-Osa Local Government Area. Ikota is part of the Maroko Okun Alfa Ward in the Lekki axis.
This is coming as the state government issued indefinite quit notices to affected occupants to enable them move their properties and families before the demolition exercise commences.
The affected buildings, located at Oral Extension Estate, Westend and Megamound Estate, Eti-Osa, LGA, include 20 buildings to be totally removed, eight marked for partial removal, while 13 buildings are to go down at Westend Estate.
Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, explained that government swung into action following a series of petitions on encroachment of the Ikota River.
Wahab said: “We had several complaints. We have been on this for a while now, and we found out at the ministry level that while we are engaging to find a win-win solution that will mitigate the negative impact on the environment and they don’t affect the people so much. Some developments were also going on to further push back the RoW, and the alignment of the Ikota River.
Business
Senate Constitutes Abdullahi Yahaya Tax Harmonisation Committee
Altogether, the four Tax Reform bills were Executive Bills transmitted by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the two chambers of the National Assembly in November last year.

The Senate on Thursday constituted a committee saddled with the responsibility of harmonizing its amendments to the tax reform bills with the House of Representatives version for final transmission to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, announced this during plenary after the passage of the bills.
Akpabio named senator Abdullahi Yahaya (Kebbi North) as chairman of the committee.
The members of the committee as announced by the Senate President are Senate Minority Leader, Abba Moro (PDP, Benue South), Chief Whip, Tahir Mongumo (APC, Borno North), Enyinnaya Abaribe (Abia South), Abdulaziz Yari (Zamfara), and Solomon Adeola (APC, Ogun West).
Earlier, the remaining two Tax Reform Bills — the Nigeria Tax Bill 2025 and the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Bill, 2025.
This was in addition to passage of the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, 2025, and the Nigerian Tax Administration Bill, 2025.
Altogether, the four Tax Reform bills were Executive Bills transmitted by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the two chambers of the National Assembly in November last year.
The passage of the bills was sequel to the consideration and adoption of a report of the Senate Committee on Finance presented by its Chairman, Senator Sani Musa (APC, Niger East).
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