Business
Govt’s Excise Duty Puts 950,000 Manufacturing, Allied industries jobs at Risk of Layoffs
The increases in excise duty on sweetend beverages, beers, tobacco and single use plastics by the Federal Government will severely affect 950,000 direct and indirect employees in the manufacturing sector’s value chain.
Based on this, the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has called on the Federal Government to reverse the 2023 Fiscal Policy Measures, and retain the 2022 -2024 excise duty roadmap as approved in the 2022 FPM.
This is to foster stability in the affected sectors and their value chain.
Otunba Francis Meshioye, President of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), said that the government had better suspend the policy in the interest of the national economy.
At a press conference in Lagos, the previous day, the MAN President noted that companies in the affected industries support other businesses in their value chain, cutting across agriculture, logistics, bottling, labelling and packaging businesses, as well as factory and office staff, distribution, wholesale and retail businesses, catering for over 950,000 direct and indirect employees.
” For instance, over 37,000 sorghum farmers rely on the brewing sector for their livelihood. Unemployment rate which stands at 41 percent , puts about 489,000 existing jobs at risk and which will further widen the unemployment gap,” he said .
He explained that a crash in sale volumes and consequent cuts in production will severely impact
these businesses in the value chain, which will have a multiplier effect on the national economy.
” For instance, supplier transactions in the sector declined by over N260 billion by the end of 2022, when compared to 2021,” he said.
He said that retaining the 2023 FPM will have a negative signalling effect on current and prospective investors.
“A continuing decline in sale volumes will necessitate production cuts and a re-evaluation of investments in the sector. Specifically, if sales proceeds can no longer sustain
business overheads and operating expenses, businesses will be forced to scale
down their operations which would result in factory closures, job losses, a decline in exports and much more.
It is instructive to note that the Excise increase is a direct attack on Foreign Direct Investment (FDI),” he said.
Commenting on the introduction of the Single Use Plastics tax, he said that it is necessary for the authority to reverse the tax on Single Use Plastics and engage with relevant stakeholders
to facilitate ongoing initiatives, which have a better prospect of achieving the desired environmental objectives.
“A good example of this is the Food & Beverage Recycling Alliance, approved by the federal government,” he said.
Business
Dangote Refinery’s IPO Ends Tomorrow
“The level of investor interest reflects growing confidence in our business and in the strong financial results we have delivered,” the company said.
[File photo] Opening ceremony of Dangote Refinery’s IPO on the NGX, September 14,2026
Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals has confirmed that its Initial Public Offering (IPO) will close on Tuesday, 27 October 2026 as scheduled, with no extension.
In a statement, the management said that the IPO has become a historic ownership moment, an opportunity for Africans at home and abroad to own a stake in one of the continent’s most strategic industrial assets.
“Investors recognise that this refinery is not merely an energy asset. It is a platform for industrial growth, foreign-exchange generation, regional trade, energy security and economic development across Africa,” management said.
The offer was structured to ensure ordinary investors participate alongside institutions, broadening ownership of the world-class asset.
“The level of investor interest reflects growing confidence in our business and in the strong financial results we have delivered,” the company said.
Business
Dangote Visit London Stock Exchange Ahead of November Cement Listing
Unlike an initial public offering, a secondary listing would let Dangote Cement, already listed on the Nigerian Exchange, set up an additional presence in London.
Aliko Dangote visited the London Stock Exchange on Friday, October 23, 2026, as Dangote Cement Plc prepares a proposed $1 billion share sale and a secondary listing in the United Kingdom.
The company is reportedly targeting November 2026 for the listing, subject to market conditions and regulatory approval.
A video circulating on social media captured the visit, with exchange officials and attendees welcoming Africa’s richest man.
The trip is part of efforts to pull international investment into his business empire.
The proposed deal could see Dangote Cement offer about 10% of its equity to international investors, potentially raising roughly $1 billion.
The final timetable is not fixed and remains subject to market conditions and regulatory requirements.
Unlike an initial public offering, a secondary listing would let Dangote Cement, already listed on the Nigerian Exchange, set up an additional presence in London.
That could raise the company’s visibility with international institutional investors, including pension funds, asset managers and other investment firms.
The share sale has not been completed. Its final structure, valuation and pricing are still subject to confirmation.
Business
Olagunju to head JPMorgan’s Proposed Nigerian Merchant Bank
The proposed bank would expand JPMorgan’s presence beyond its representative office in Lagos. It could undertake a broader range of regulated banking activities after securing a final licence.
The Central Bank of Nigeria has granted JPMorgan approval-in-principle to establish a merchant bank in Nigeria.
The regulator also approved Adedapo Adedayo Olagunju as Managing Director of the proposed JPMorgan Merchant Bank Nigeria Limited.
The approval came on Friday, October 23, 2026. The bank has not received its final operating licence.
Olagunju has led JPMorgan’s West African operations since 2018.
He is an Oxford-trained banker with more than two decades of experience in treasury management, financial markets, institutional banking and structured finance.
His appointment puts him in line to head the American bank’s proposed Nigerian merchant bank once final licensing is completed.
The CBN also approved four non-executive directors and three independent non-executive directors for the proposed institution.
The proposed bank would expand JPMorgan’s presence beyond its representative office in Lagos. It could undertake a broader range of regulated banking activities after securing a final licence.
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