Business
Dangote Forecasts Major Naira Appreciation to ₦1,100 per Dollar in 2026
Africa’s richest man and Chairman of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, on Tuesday projected a significant strengthening of the Nigerian naira, forecasting it could rally to as low as ₦1,100 per US dollar within 2026, driven by government reforms, import restrictions, and increased local production.
Speaking at the official launch of the National Industrial Policy 2025 in Abuja, attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima and other dignitaries, Dangote expressed optimism about the currency’s trajectory amid ongoing economic measures.
“Today, the dollar is N1,340. Mr Vice-President, I can assure you that, with what I know, by blocking all this importation and so on, the naira this year will be as low as N1,100 if we are lucky,” Dangote stated, according to multiple reports from the event.
He attributed the potential appreciation to reduced foreign exchange demand from imports, as local manufacturing ramps up including contributions from his own Dangote Petroleum Refinery, which is scaling toward full capacity. Dangote praised recent policy directions for beginning to yield positive results, noting that manufacturers are increasingly optimistic.
The forecast comes as the naira has shown signs of stabilization in recent weeks, trading around ₦1,300–₦1,340 to the dollar in official and parallel markets, a marked improvement from higher levels earlier in the year.
Dangote suggested that sustained import controls and industrial growth could push the currency even further, potentially toward ₦1,000 per dollar under ideal conditions, though he cautioned that policy consistency would be key.
The remarks align with broader optimism in some quarters, including from billionaire Femi Otedola, who recently projected the naira could trade below ₦1,000/$ before year-end, largely crediting the Dangote Refinery’s role in cutting dollar outflows for fuel imports.
Dangote also highlighted challenges, emphasizing the need for reliable power supply and continued government incentives to support industrial expansion and sustain the projected currency rally.
Analysts view the prediction as bullish but contingent on factors like forex policy enforcement, oil revenues, and global commodity prices.
The naira’s performance has been volatile in recent years due to external pressures and domestic structural issues, but recent CBN interventions and refinery developments have fueled renewed confidence among investors.
The statement has sparked discussions on social media and economic forums, with many welcoming the positive outlook while others call for concrete actions to realize such gains for everyday Nigerians facing inflation and import costs.
Business
NDIC Seeks Court Approval For Liquidation of 89 Defunct MFBs, PMBs Nationwide
The affected institutions are largely microfinance banks operating across multiple states, including Lagos, Anambra, Ogun, Osun, Ondo, Akwa Ibom, Oyo, FCT, Kaduna, Delta, Edo and Kano.
The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has commenced the process of concluding the liquidation of 89 microfinance banks (MFBs) and primary mortgage banks (PMBs) whose licences were revoked.
The affected institutions are largely microfinance banks operating across multiple states, including Lagos, Anambra, Ogun, Osun, Ondo, Akwa Ibom, Oyo, FCT, Kaduna, Delta, Edo and Kano, reflecting the spread of small-scale lenders within the financial system.
The development follows the revocation of licences of 179 MFBs and four PMBs by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in May 2023, after which selected institutions acquired the assets and liabilities of 89 of the defunct banks under a purchase and assumption arrangement.
Under the arrangement, new operators were issued licences to take over the operations of the affected institutions, which have since resumed business under different names across several states.
The NDIC said it would, in its capacity as liquidator, approach the Federal High Court to obtain orders for the dissolution of the defunct banks and its discharge as liquidator, in line with its enabling law and other relevant provisions.
The move signals the conclusion of a resolution process initiated after the regulatory action taken in 2023, with the transfer of assets and liabilities already completed and successor institutions in operation.
Business
Dangote exported 434m litres petrol in March – NMDPRA
A breakdown of the figures showed that the refinery produced an average of 48.2 million litres of petrol per day, translating to 1.49 billion litres for the 31-day period. Of this volume, 34.2 million litres per day, totalling 1.06 billion litres, was supplied locally.
• Dangote Petroleum Refinery / Credit: Instagram
The Dangote Petroleum Refinery exported about 434 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) in March 2026.
Data obtained from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA)’s March 2026 fact sheet on the state of the downstream sector on Wednesday revealed that the refinery produced a total of 1.49 billion litres of petrol during the month, while only 1.06 billion litres were supplied to the domestic market, leaving a substantial export surplus.
A breakdown of the figures showed that the refinery produced an average of 48.2 million litres of petrol per day, translating to 1.49 billion litres for the 31-day period. Of this volume, 34.2 million litres per day, totalling 1.06 billion litres, was supplied locally.
This implies that about 434 million litres of petrol were exported within the period.
The export of excess petrol reflects a major shift in Nigeria’s downstream sector, which has historically depended on imports to meet local demand. This development was further confirmed in a statement issued by the refinery earlier this week.It stated that, “Nigeria recorded a historic shift in its downstream petroleum trade in March, emerging as a net exporter of gasoline for the first time, driven largely by rising output from the Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals.
Business
Nigeria Unveils 20-Year Aviation Master Plan at ICAO Global Symposium In Morocco
Nigeria has taken a major step toward transforming its aviation industry, as the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, formally received the country’s Civil Aviation Master Plan from the International Civil Aviation Organization during the opening of the ICAO Global Implementation Support Symposium in Marrakech.
The Minister also participated as a special guest at a high-level Ministerial Round Table, where he addressed the “Future of Aviation Workforce in Nigeria,” outlining government efforts to close the skills gap and strengthen human capital development within the aviation sector.
The Civil Aviation Master Plan (CAMP) represents a landmark framework designed to guide the development of Nigeria’s aviation industry over a 20-year period, from 2025 to 2045.
It reflects a structured and forward-looking strategy aligned with the country’s National Development Plan and broader economic priorities.
Developed in collaboration with ICAO’s Capacity Development and Implementation unit, the initiative began in September 2024 with extensive stakeholder engagement and technical training, ensuring a comprehensive and inclusive planning process across the aviation ecosystem.
The Master Plan focuses on critical pillars including infrastructure modernization, adoption of advanced technologies such as unmanned aerial systems, and strict adherence to global safety and security standards to achieve a zero-fatality aviation environment.
It also envisions the transformation of Nigerian airports into aerotropolis hubs to boost economic growth, job creation, and connectivity.
Additionally, the plan emphasizes sustainability, innovation, and private sector participation, particularly in areas such as Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul facilities and cargo development, while aligning Nigeria’s aviation growth with global environmental standards.
The presentation of the CAMP at the ICAO symposium highlights Nigeria’s commitment to international best practices and its rising profile in global aviation development.
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