Business
FG Clears $850m Debt To EU Airlines
The Federal Government of Nigeria has successfully cleared a backlog of debts amounting to $850 million owed to European airlines. This significant achievement was announced by Samuela Isopi, the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, during the 9th edition of the Nigeria – EU Business Forum held in Abuja.
Ambassador Isopi commended the Nigerian government for taking action to settle the outstanding debts. She also praised the government’s decision to lift foreign exchange restrictions on the importation of forty-three items, which has been viewed positively by the EU.
Nigeria remains a crucial economic partner for the EU, with bilateral trade reaching approximately 35 billion Euros in the past year. Additionally, the EU is the largest foreign investor in Nigeria, with investments valued at around 26 billion Euros, representing a significant portion of Nigeria’s foreign direct investment.
Isopi highlighted the presence of over 230 EU companies operating in Nigeria, contributing to job creation particularly among youths and women. This underscores the economic ties and mutual benefits derived from the EU-Nigeria relationship.
The theme of the forum, ‘Investing in Jobs and Sustainable Future’, reflects the focus on fostering dialogue between the public and private sectors. It aims to emphasize the role of government in supporting businesses to achieve inclusive development, demonstrating a commitment to sustainable economic growth and job creation.
The forum was attended by key figures including Myriam Ferran, Director General at the EU, Atiku Bagudu, Minister of Budget and National Planning, and Nura Rimi, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment. It provided a platform to discuss strategies for enhancing economic cooperation and investment opportunities between Nigeria and the EU.
Overall, the successful settlement of airline debts and the positive outcomes highlighted at the forum signify a strengthening of economic relations between Nigeria and the European Union, with a focus on mutual prosperity and sustainable development.
Business
NAICOM Revokes Nigeria Reinsurance’s Licence, Freezes Operations Over Capital Shortfall
Banire directed banks, financial institutions, policyholders and members of the public not to honour any instruction relating to the company except those issued by him or persons expressly authorised by him.
The National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) has revoked the operating licence of Nigeria Reinsurance Corporation for failing to meet the statutory Minimum Capital Requirement (MCR) and appointed Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Dr. Muiz Banire, SAN, as Receiver/Provisional Liquidator to wind up the company’s affairs.
The appointment took effect on August 3, 2026, following the cancellation of the company’s certificate of registration by the insurance regulator.
In a public notice dated August 4, 2026, Banire said NAICOM appointed him, in exercise of its statutory powers, to oversee the receivership and liquidation of Nigeria Reinsurance Corporation (RR-002).
In the notice, the company’s licence was revoked after it failed to comply with the prescribed Minimum Capital Requirement applicable to its category of licence within the stipulated compliance period, in accordance with the Nigerian Insurance Industry Reform Act (NIIRA) 2025 and other extant laws, regulations and guidelines.
Banire said his appointment authorises him to immediately trace, recover, secure and take possession of the company’s assets, collate and settle its liabilities in line with the NIIRA 2025, liaise with NAICOM on matters relating to the liquidation, and submit periodic reports to the Commission.
Banire directed banks, financial institutions, policyholders and members of the public not to honour any instruction relating to the company except those issued by him or persons expressly authorised by him.
Source: ThisDay
Business
NDIC begins paying depositors of 46 closed microfinance banks
NDIC Managing Director and Chief Executive Oludare Sunday confirmed the development at a retreat for members of the House of Representatives Committee on Insurance and Actuarial Matters in Lagos on Wednesday.
The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has started reimbursing depositors affected by the closure of 46 microfinance banks nationwide.
NDIC Managing Director and Chief Executive Oludare Sunday confirmed the development at a retreat for members of the House of Representatives Committee on Insurance and Actuarial Matters in Lagos on Wednesday.
” Payments are ongoing, and over 700,000 Heritage Bank customers have already received their insured funds through BVN-linked accounts.
“We have started paying depositors of those banks, and gradually we intend to cover all the insured depositors,” he said,” he said.
Following the revocation of the 46 MFB operating licences, the CBN subsequently appointed the NDIC as provisional liquidator of the failed financial institutions.
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