Business

MAN Raises Concerns About Astronomical Charges Imposed By Financial Reporting Council on Private Companies

For publicly quoted companies, the maximum payment earlier was N1 million per annum. Now, that amount is hiked to N25 million.

Published

1 year ago

March 10, 2025

OCHEFA

511 Views

The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has expressed grave concerns over the implementation of certain provisions of the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (Amendment) act, particularly those relating to charges on non-listed entities, like most members of MAN.

The Director-General of MAN, Segun Ajayi-Kadir, said that these provisions, as currently implemented, pose significant challenges to the manufacturing companies, the majority of whom are non-listed entities and are categorized under the current definition of Public Interest Entities (PIEs) of the said Act.

For instance, a new section 33 introduced under the FRCN Amendment Act, 2023 mandates annual charges for non-listed entities, calculated as a percentage of their annual turnover (maximum being 0.05% of the annual turnover for companies with turnover of more than N10 billion).

For publicly quoted companies, the maximum payment earlier was N1 million per annum. Now, that amount is hiked to N25 million!

Quite incredibly, for non-listed companies, who were previously excluded, there is no cap, and it is linked to the turnover, irrespective of whether the company is profitable or not.

The FRCN Amendment Act, 2023, Section 33 Clause 3, imposes heavy penalties on a person or an entity failing to pay annual dues with 10% of the annual due for every month of default cumulatively until payment, liable to sanctions prescribed by the Council for any default of its agents, officer or personnel engaged in the financial reporting process for failure to comply with the provision of the act and in case of chief executive officer to a penalty as may be prescribed by the Council, or on conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months.

The strict penalties and possible conviction to imprisonment could be construed as having the nature of a criminal law. Generally, non-payment of fees/dues typically results in other penalties or fines, and imprisonment provisions are applicable only in cases where non-payment is seen as an act of defiance or fraud.

The Section 34 of the Principle Act stipulates that the proceeds of the Fund established under Section 33 of the Act is to be applied for the expenditures of the Council, which incentivizes excessive generation of revenue and makes collection of the fees purely for administrative purposes.

Criminalizing non-payment of dues/fees, the utilization of which is more administrative in nature, makes the FRNC Amendment Act, 2023 a draconian law with no choice left for the entities to contest the charge, but to comply and pay the dues.

Ajayi-Kadir further posits that this is a direct assault on the government’s commitment to ease of doing business.

Apart from the reservations against its application to private companies, the astronomical increase for listed companies, the excessive charge on non-listed companies turnover, particularly for loss-making companies, and the commencement of implementation at this difficult time for manufacturers and other businesses amounts to yet another form of aggravated tyranny of regulation.

The investments in the productive sector of the economy will be negatively impacted if the continued implementation of this annual charge and the strenuous efforts of FRCN to execute the same are not halted.

MAN, therefore, implores the FRCN to be mindful of the potential negative impact of its continued administration of the fees on businesses and put it on hold.

As the umbrella body for manufacturers in Nigeria, we admonish the FRCN to await the enactment of the tax reform laws and realign its operations with the relevant provisions.

Urgent consideration and swift action from the government are needed to avert the unpleasant consequences of this annual fee. This will bring relief to anxious and long-suffering manufacturers and other business owners.

Quite importantly, it will boost our commitment to ease of doing and align with the broader objectives of the fiscal policy and tax reforms agenda of President Tinubu, which is primarily aimed at streamlining regulatory requirements, harmonizing taxes and revenue collection agencies, promoting business growth and cultivating a competitive landscape.

Related Topics:Featured Financial reporting Council

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UAE announces exit from OPEC, OPEC+ amid Iran war tensions

UAE Energy Minister Suhail Mohamed al-Mazrouei told Reuters the decision followed a strategic review of the country’s energy direction.

Published

11 hours ago

April 28, 2026

OhiBaba

16 Views

The United Arab Emirates has announced it is withdrawing from OPEC and the broader OPEC+, delivering a significant setback to the oil-producing bloc and its de facto leader, Saudi Arabia, at a time when the ongoing Iran war has triggered a major global energy shock.

Reuters reported that the departure of the UAE, a longstanding member of OPEC, is expected to create uncertainty within the group, which has traditionally maintained a united front despite internal disagreements over geopolitics and production quotas.

UAE Energy Minister Suhail Mohamed al-Mazrouei told Reuters the decision followed a strategic review of the country’s energy direction.

This is a policy decision, it has been done after a careful look at current and future policies related to level of production,” said the energy minister.

When asked whether the UAE consulted with Saudi Arabia, he said the country did not raise the issue with any other nation.

The decision comes amid mounting tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, where Gulf producers have struggled to move exports due to Iranian threats and attacks on vessels.

The strategic waterway typically handles about a fifth of the world’s crude oil and liquefied natural gas shipments.

Business

Zenith Bank Opens Côte d’Ivoire subsidiary tomorrow

‎Group Managing Director, Dame Dr Adaora Umeoji, said the expansion reflects the vision of the bank’s Founder and Chairman, Jim Ovia, to build a global brand with a strong presence across Africa and key international markets.

Published

19 hours ago

April 28, 2026

OCHEFA

31 Views

‎• Zenith Bank GMD, Dame Dr Adaora Umeoji

An official opening ceremony of Zenith Bank Plc Côte d’Ivoire is scheduled for Wednesday, April 29, 2026, and is expected to draw senior government officials and regulators from Nigeria and , as well as business leaders and members of the diplomatic community.

The subsidiary will be led by Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Cédric Tano, who said the bank’s entry into Côte d’Ivoire comes at a time of strong economic growth and increasing regional integration, adding that it aims to combine global best practices with local market insight to support businesses, facilitate cross-border trade and contribute to economic growth in Côte d’Ivoire and the wider WAEMU region.

In a statement, the bank said that the subsidiary was licensed in December 2025 by the Ministry of Finance and Budget of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire and regulated by the UMOA Banking Commission, will operate from its headquarters at SCI Wall Street, Avenue Noguès, Plateau, Abidjan.

The bank said that the new subsidiary is positioned to support cross-border trade and investment, with a focus on corporate banking, trade finance, local and offshore banking services, and structured financial solutions for businesses operating across Africa and internationally.

Business

NACCIMA Set Up Export Express Support Center To Boost Non-oil Exports Trade

Chairman of the NACCIMA Export Group, Kola Awe, said that the initiative was driven by the need to improve export performance, noting that only a small fraction of registered exporters accounts for a significant share of the country’s export value.

Published

20 hours ago

April 28, 2026

OCHEFA

35 Views

NACCIMA has established an Export Express Support Centre as a practical intervention to simplify export processes and provide direct support to businesses.

At the event, Polaris Bank Plc donated equipment to support the take-off of the centre, a move stakeholders described as critical to building the infrastructure needed for export development.

“The centre is built on knowledge, training, innovation and support. We are not charging anybody for knowledge. It is a platform for exporters to get the information and assistance they need,” said Awe.

Awe explained that the centre would go beyond advisory by offering hands-on support to resolve issues related to logistics, documentation, procurement and regulatory compliance.

NACCIMA National President, Dr Jani Ibrahim,added that the centre was designed as a one-stop hub to guide exporters and strengthen their capacity to compete in regional and global markets.

“It will serve as a one-stop hub providing guidance, tools and technical support to exporters, helping them navigate documentation, meet standards and access new markets with confidence.

“It will serve as a one-stop hub providing guidance, tools and technical support to exporters, helping them navigate documentation, meet standards and access new markets with confidence,” he said.