Business
LCCI: An economy largely driven by trade and services not healthy
“The disproportionate reliance on the services sector, with declining contributions from agriculture and manufacturing, poses sustainability risks.
“Economic growth driven largely by trade and finance must be complemented by robust industrial and agricultural expansion to create quality jobs, enhance value addition, and ensure food security.”
Dr Almona added:
” LCCI advised the federal government to “address structural bottlenecks that hinder productivity across key sectors to achieve a sustainable and inclusive growth trajectory.
LCCI urged the government to consider the following to boost the economy: A comprehensive industrialization strategy should be developed to boost local manufacturing capacity.
Policies that incentivize domestic production, enhance
The disproportionate reliance on the services sector, with declining contributions from agriculture and manufacturing, poses sustainability risks.
▪︎Dr. Chinyere Almona
The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has said that the country’s reliance on trade and services, at the expense of industries is not healthy for the economy.
The LCCI, therefore called on the federal government to develop a comprehensive industrialization strategy to boost local manufacturing capacity, among other policies.
The Director- General, Dr. Chinyere Almona, noted that while the GDP growth figures indicate a positive trajectory, they raise critical concerns regarding real productivity and economic stability.
“The disproportionate reliance on the services sector, with declining contributions from agriculture and manufacturing, poses sustainability risks.
“Economic growth driven largely by trade and finance must be complemented by robust industrial and agricultural expansion to create quality jobs, enhance value addition, and ensure food security.”
Dr Almona added:” LCCI advised the federal government to “address structural bottlenecks that hinder productivity across key sectors to achieve a sustainable and inclusive growth trajectory.
LCCI urged the government to consider the following to boost the economy: A comprehensive industrialization strategy should be developed to boost local manufacturing capacity.
Policies that incentivize domestic production, enhance the ease of doing business, and facilitate access to finance for small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
Increased investment in mechanization, irrigation, and improved seed varieties is essential to boost agriculture and food security.
BLACK MARKET RATES
US DOLLAR (USD) Buy ₦1, 397 Sell ₦1,405
GREAT BRITISH POUND (GBP) Buy ₦1,850 Sell: ₦1,865
EURO (EUR) Buy ₦1, 580 Sell ₦1,600
CANADIAN DOLLAR (CAD) Buy ₦1,030 Sell ₦1,100
SOUTH AFRICAN RAND (ZAR) Buy ₦75 Sell ₦90
UAE DIRHAM Buy ₦350 Sell ₦370
CHINESE YUAN Buy ₦180 Sell ₦200
GHANA CEDI (GHS) Buy ₦95 Sell ₦110
WEST AFRICAN CFA Buy ₦2, 380 Sell ₦2, 460
CENTRAL AFRICAN CFA Buy ₦2, 220 Sell 2,300
AUSTRALIAN DOLLAR Buy ₦800 Sell ₦900
CBN OFFICIAL EXCHANGE RATES
US DOLLAR (USD) ₦1,370.15
GREAT BRITISH POUND (GBP) ₦1,832.17
EURO (EUR) ₦1,568.28
SWISS FRANC (CHF) ₦1,1705.44
JAPANESE YEN (JPN) ₦8. 51
CHINESE YUAN (CNY) ₦201. 80
WEST AFRICAN CFA (XOF) ₦2.38
WEST AFRICAN UNIT ACCOUNT (WAUA) ₦1,859. 98
SAUDI RIYAL (SAR) ₦364.91
SOUTH AFRICAN RAND (ZAR) ₦84. 32
The Presidency says the bodies allegedly used by Adeyemi—including the so-called Presidential Economic Advisory Council, Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council, and Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council—do not exist as government agencies.
The Presidency says a man identified as Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew allegedly created and operated fake government agencies, forged appointment letters, and falsely claimed to have been appointed by Femi Gbajabiamila.
According to the statement:
The Office of the Chief of Staff discovered the alleged scheme after complaints from the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) that an unauthorized body was operating in a way that conflicted with its functions.
The Chief of Staff petitioned the Department of State Services and the Nigeria Police Force in October 2025 to investigate alleged forged appointment letters.
The Presidency says the bodies allegedly used by Adeyemi—including the so-called Presidential Economic Advisory Council, Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council, and Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council—do not exist as government agencies.
Investigators allege Adeyemi operated from an office in the Federal Secretariat Complex, held meetings with diplomats, and sought diplomatic support to obtain U.S. visas for members of the alleged organization.
Police reportedly recovered forged documents and other exhibits during searches of his office and residence.
The investigation allegedly found that Adeyemi operated 34 bank accounts, including several in the names of fictitious organizations, and used forged documents to open a Central Bank of Nigeria account.
The Presidency says no government funds were paid into that account.
Police charged Adeyemi and two others before the Federal High Court on multiple counts, including forgery, impersonation, and obtaining by false pretence. The case is scheduled for hearing on July 27.
The Presidency also denied claims that Gbajabiamila appointed Adeyemi, stating that appointments to federal offices are issued through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, not the Office of the Chief of Staff.
Current status
The Presidency maintains that:
the agencies in question are fictitious,
the appointment letter was forged,
Adeyemi is an impostor,
and the allegations against him should be resolved by the court.
As the case is pending before the court, the allegations remain subject to judicial determination.
BLACK MARKET RATES
US DOLLAR (USD) Buy ₦1, 395 Sell ₦1, 403
GREAT BRITISH POUND (GBP) Buy ₦1,845 Sell: ₦1,865
EURO (EUR) Buy ₦1, 585 Sell ₦1,600
CANADIAN DOLLAR (CAD) Buy ₦1,030 Sell ₦1,100
SOUTH AFRICAN RAND (ZAR) Buy ₦75 Sell ₦90
UAE DIRHAM Buy ₦350 Sell ₦370CHINESE YUAN Buy ₦180 Sell ₦200
GHANA CEDI (GHS) Buy ₦95 Sell ₦110
WEST AFRICAN CFA Buy ₦2, 380 Sell ₦2, 460
CENTRAL AFRICAN CFA Buy ₦2, 220 Sell 2,300
AUSTRALIAN DOLLAR Buy ₦800 Sell ₦900
CBN OFFICIAL EXCHANGE RATES
US DOLLAR (USD) ₦1,372.41
GREAT BRITISH POUND (GBP) ₦1,821.73
EURO (EUR) ₦1,565.37
SWISS FRANC (CHF) ₦1,695.42
JAPANESE YEN (JPN) ₦8.45
CHINESE YUAN (CNY) ₦201.98
WEST AFRICAN CFA (XOF) ₦2.40
WEST AFRICAN UNITACCOUNT (WAUA) ₦1,870. 31
SAUDI RIYAL (SAR) ₦365.45
SOUTH AFRICAN RAND (ZAR) ₦83.80
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