The Federal Government is contemplating a supplementary budget to accommodate a proposed increase in the minimum wage, as ongoing negotiations are likely to exceed the allocations in the 2024 fiscal plan, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
In its latest staff country report on Nigeria, the IMF mentioned, “The authorities noted that a supplementary budget may be needed to accommodate the outcome of the ongoing wage structure negotiations, which may exceed what they had included in the 2024 budget.”
Naija News reports that the adjustment is crucial as the government is also considering raising domestic and external borrowing ceilings to avoid new borrowings from the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Ways and Means facility.
Negotiations for the new minimum wage have been central to discussions between Organized Labour and the government.
These discussions aim to ease the economic burdens faced by workers due to recent policy changes, such as the removal of fuel subsidies and the unification of the foreign exchange markets, which have pushed the cost of living higher.
Labour leaders have demanded a substantial increase in the minimum wage for the lowest-ranked workers from N30,000 to N615,000, although there are indications that the tripartite committee might settle for N70,000.
In the 2024 budget, the government initially allocated N6.48 trillion for personnel costs. However, this figure may fall short of the requirements due to the new wage structure.
The IMF warns that Nigeria’s budget deficit for 2024 is expected to exceed initial estimates, driven by implicit subsidies and rising debt interest expenses.
“The drivers are lower oil/gas revenue projections, reflecting IMF oil price forecasts but incorporating recent production gains; higher implicit fuel and electricity subsidies; continued suspension of excise measures included in the MTEF; and higher interest costs,” the report elaborates.
Finance Minister, Wale Edun, had aimed to reduce the budget deficit from 6.1% in 2023 to 3.8% in 2024. Nonetheless, the IMF projects a larger deficit, advising, “Based on staff’s projections, the authorities must raise the domestic and external borrowing ceilings to prevent renewed recourse to CBN financing.”
The report also supports an “opportunistic issuance” of Eurobonds and possible official financing as integral parts of the 2024 financing mix, amidst the financial adjustments required to stabilize Nigeria’s economy and address the extensive social needs of its population.
Outrage As Korra Obidi Plans Hawaii Vacation After Raising $50,000 On GoFundMe For Legal Battle Against Ex-Husband
AFOLABINigerian-American singer and dancer, Korra Obidi has faced a backlash from Nigerians on social media after she announced a trip to Hawaii immediately after reaching a $50,000 milestone in her GoFundMe campaign.
Naija News reports that Obidi launched the fundraiser on Friday with the aim of securing $100,000 to afford a competent lawyer to challenge her ex-husband, Justin Dean, for the custody of their children.
Over 950 donors contributed to the cause, enabling Obidi to raise half of her target within days.
On her GoFundMe page, she declared, “As a mother, it’s time to fight for myself and my kids,” urging her followers to assist her financially.
However, the narrative took a swift turn when Obidi revealed during a live session on Facebook that she was planning a vacation in Hawaii.
This revelation has sparked considerable outrage among her fans and donors, many of whom are accusing her of misusing the funds meant for legal battles.
Wanda Johnson, a Facebook user, criticized Obidi, saying, “She got y’all’s money, now she’s at the airport. Some of you are so weak to believe her foolishness. She is always begging, scamming, and manipulating.”
Chigoziri Ohochukwu also expressed disappointment, commenting, “You are gradually becoming a professional beggar on social media.”
The situation has led to calls for reporting the GoFundMe for a refund.
Jennifer Lynn Russell stated, “People need to report the GoFundMe, everybody needs to get their money back.”
In contrast, a few voiced support for Obidi.
Mary Monique Napont defended her, stating, “It’s none of your business lady. She is an influencer, performer, student, and most importantly a great mother. Leave her be. You are a part of the problem. If you don’t like her, don’t follow her. It’s that simple.”
The controversy comes amid an ongoing and highly publicized divorce and custody battle with her ex-husband, which has previously seen Justin Dean gaining the right to keep their children off Obidi’s online platforms.
Obidi has accused Dean of abuse and “gaslighting,” both during their marriage and towards their daughters.
In response to the recent electricity tariff hike and the surging cost of fuel, Nigeria’s premium electricity consumers, known as Band A customers, are increasingly turning to solar power as a sustainable alternative.
Naija News reports that the shift comes after a significant increase in electricity costs, which have reportedly risen by over 300 per cent since April due to the government’s cessation of subsidies for electricity in Band A feeders.
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) adjusted the tariff for Band A consumers to N225 per kilowatt-hour in April from the previous rate of N68, although a slight reduction to N206.80/kWh was implemented in May.
Despite this reduction, calls from organized labour and other stakeholders to revert the tariff to the initial N68/kWh have continued, fueled by widespread discontent among consumers.
Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, maintains that reversing the tariff is no longer feasible, as it would plunge the nation into “perpetual darkness.” Adelabu argues that the tariff adjustment is necessary to attract investors and bring liquidity to the power sector, a stance not universally accepted.
Critics point out that the tariff increase disproportionately affects not only the affluent but also many low-income earners living within Band A feeder locations, including pensioners, civil servants, and small business owners.
The increased costs have forced some consumers to drastically reduce their electricity usage, which has impacted their overall quality of life.
Oduro Oladunni, a resident affected by the hike, shared his predicament, stating, “Before the increase, my household’s monthly electricity expense was around N60,000, but now we’ve had to pay N129,000 in April alone. We now limit our electricity use to late at night to manage costs, which has forced us to cut back on essentials like food.”
Similarly, Adesayo Sulaimon lamented the reduction in electricity affordability, stating, “What previously cost N12,000 now requires N40,000, significantly shortening the duration our units last.”
The tariff hike has not only affected individual consumers but has also led to broader dissatisfaction among various economic sectors.
In response, Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigerian Labour Congress, led a protest at the NERC head office in Abuja, demanding transparency about the power plants to be developed and calling for the abolition of taxes that exacerbate the financial strain on citizens.
In the face of these challenges, many Band A customers are reconsidering their reliance on grid electricity.
The move towards solar energy is seen not just as a cost-effective measure but as a necessity to maintain stable and affordable power.
Social media commentator Morris Monye highlighted this trend, stating, “I don leave una. Solar is the best way to go. No more Band A.
“N65,000 now gives me access to 288 kWh instead of 812 kWh. I have opted for solar and invested in 20 panels and eight batteries for about N6m.”
The surge in solar adoption reflects a critical pivot in how Nigerians are dealing with energy costs.
Angel Thomas, another convert to solar, shared that a N2m investment in solar panels significantly improved the power supply for his mother’s household essentials.
Kylian Mbappe was named France’s player of the year on Monday at an awards ceremony in Paris, as he comes to the end of his seven-season stay with Paris Saint-Germain.
Mbappe, 25, picked up the prize for the best player in Ligue 1 at the UNFP (French players’ union) Trophies gala for the fifth time in a row after a season in which he has scored 44 goals in all competitions for PSG.
The France captain last week confirmed he will leave PSG at the end of the campaign when his contract expires, with Real Madrid expected to be his next destination.
“It is a page that is turning, a chapter of my life that is going to close,” Mbappe said.
“Ligue 1 will always have an important place in my life. It is the only league I have known in my career up to now.
“I have always tried to be an honourable representative of this league,” he added.
“I will miss it for sure. It is a part of my life that is coming to an end. What is coming next is very exciting but that is something else.”
Mbappe played his final home game for PSG on Sunday and scored as the champions suffered a shock 3-1 defeat against Toulouse.
That goal took him to 27 for the season in Ligue 1, eight goals more than the next best marksman, Lille’s Canadian striker Jonathan David.
The season is not finished yet, with Mbappe’s PSG having two more Ligue 1 games to play this week before the French Cup final against Lyon on May 25.
Mbappe saw off the other nominees for an award voted for by his fellow players and handed over by Marie-Jose Perec, the French former 200m and 400m Olympic champion.
His PSG teammate Ousmane Dembele had also been in contention along with Pierre Lees-Melou of Brest, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Marseille and Edon Zhegrova of Lille.
PSG’s domestic dominance was reflected in the other awards, with teenage midfielder Warren Zaire-Emery named young player of the season and Gianluigi Donnarumma the best goalkeeper.
Eric Roy of Brest was named coach of the year after leading the modest Brittany club to European qualification for the first time in their history — with one game left they are guaranteed to finish at least fifth, meaning a Europa League place at worst.
The naira depreciated to N1,520 per dollar at the parallel section of the foreign exchange (FX) market on Monday.
This signifies a 3.4 percent decline from the N1,470/$ traded on May 10.
The bureau de change (BDC) operators, popularly known as street traders, put the buying price of the dollar at N1,490 and the selling price at N1,520 — leaving a profit margin of N30.
At the official window, the local currency depreciated by 0.80 percent against the dollar to close at N1,478.11 on Monday — from the N1,466.31 traded on May 10.
According to FMDQ Securities Exchange, a platform that oversees official FX trading in Nigeria, an exchange rate of N1,490 to the dollar was the highest rate recorded during trading and the lowest rate was N1,322/$.
Meanwhile, Olayemi Cardoso, governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), on Monday, said the apex bank had been “reoriented” to focus on price and monetary stability.
Cardoso said the official FX market has been stabilised.
According to the governor, investors previously had a “tendency to head for the window” in response to currency fluctuations, however, there has been a “fundamental shift”.
Cardoso said investors are getting more comfortable with the official window.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has intensified its efforts against illegal dollar transactions in Nigeria, warning businesses and individuals against illegal dealing in foreign currency.
Naija News reports that the Acting Director of Public Affairs for the EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, made this disclosure while speaking on Channels Television’s program, Politics Today.
He emphasized the agency’s commitment to enforcing the law strictly.
Uwujaren declared, “The ship has already left the train station. We have started a movement, and we are not going to relent.”
He urged the public to cooperate with the EFCC by reporting any suspicious activity.
“The advice I will have for Nigerians is that wherever you see this kind of development happening, the onus is on you to alert the EFCC. We can’t be everywhere but I can assure you that once we have the evidence that people are violating the law, the EFCC under the leadership of Ola Olukoyede will not spare anybody.”
This renewed crackdown on dollar transactions is part of a broader initiative to stabilize the Nigerian economy and ensure compliance with financial regulations.
“The movement has started and we would not rest,” Uwujaren added, signaling a robust approach to tackling economic crimes and maintaining the integrity of the nation’s financial system.
Fiorentina's hops of getting back into Europe for next season have taken a huge hit in the past few months, and although a spot in the Europa Conference League is still on the cards from a mathematical point of view, fans will be disappointed to see the Europa League spot of sixth disappear after previously occupying a spot in the top six just a matter of months ago.
The Florence side now sit down in ninth and 10 points adrift of Roma in sixth, with Fiorentina now winning only 14 of the 34 games so far. On the other hand, this does also mean one extra game to play, so there is still a glimmer of hope.
Fiorentina are coming into this one, however, with yet another spot in the Europa Conference League final after losing to West Ham United last season in the same competition's final.
This comes after a 1-1 draw with Club Brugge in Belgium where Lucas Beltran scored a penalty in the final 10 minutes of the game to hand the Serie A side a 4-3 on aggregate after winning 3-2 on home soil.
On the other hand, Fiorentina did lose to Hellas Verona last weekend in Serie A, which has put their hopes of another spot in Europe in serious doubt. Gaetano Castrovilli scored in the first half that day for his side.
The last win for Vincenzo Italiano’s men came in a 5-1 battering over Sassuolo, as Nicolas Gonzalez carried on his great form with a brave, alongside a finish each from Riccardo Sottil, Lucas Martinez Quarta and a goal from Antonin Barak.
As for Monza, they will be pleased to have survived another season, where they continue to battle to get into the top half of the Serie A table.
The club currently sit in 11th with a gap of two points on Torino up in 10th. As well as this, Monza have not had any fears of relegation for some time, but they will want to better their 11th-placed finish from last campaign.
Fiorentina vs Monza pick: Fiorentina to win and cover the -1 AH spread
Fiorentina have been pretty inconsistent in recent matches, but most of their poor performances came were away from home. At Stadio Artemio Franchi, Viola won back-to-back games vs Sassuolo and Club Brugge and were undefeated in the last five.
Monza is in terrible form. They have been winless in the last six and won just three points during that time. Throughout the season, they have been solid away from home. However, their five wins in 17 road games came mostly against the teams from the bottom of the league's table: Sassuolo, Frosinone, Verona, Salernitana, and Genoa.
In the first h2h game this season, Fiorentina won 1:0 away from home in a match where Viola completely controlled the game. Now, at Stadio Artemio Franchi, we believe Fiorentina should secure a comfortable home win, considering their good home record and Monza's terrible form.
Fiorentina vs AC Monza Serie A Head to Head (H2H) stats
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AC Monza 0 : 1 Fiorentina
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AC Monza 3 : 2 Fiorentina
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Fiorentina 1 : 1 AC Monza
SRC: FORBET
Media
First ⚽️⚽️ in @seriea ??⚪️?#ACMonza #MonzaLazio #SerieATIM #Djuric pic.twitter.com/3zxYxgHD5S
— AC Monza (@ACMonza) May 9, 2024
The General Overseer of Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has disclosed how God dealt with some billionaires who questioned his accountability over their tithes.
Pastor Adeboye disclosed that four billionaires from one of the branches of RCCG had written to him demanding to know how the ministry spent their tithes.
Addressing his members, Pastor Adeboye disclosed that God punished the branch as most of the members started suffering in their businesses and their contracts were being cancelled.
He said: “The tithe that was coming from this family was hefty. All of a sudden a handful of the big men wrote to me and said every month, you must give us an account of how you are spending our tithe. I said okay, ‘what they are asking for is alright, they are simply asking for transparency. Nothing is wrong with that.
“I said, however, I have gone through the Bible, I have not seen anywhere where God spoke to Moses and said every month, you must give an account of the tithe children of Israel to them. So, I said alright, I will do two things.
“Number one, I will prepare a detailed account of how your money is spent, including if we buy a bottle of coke for first timers. I will put it in a file and every month when you people come for the Holy Ghost Service, that file be on the table. I won’t give it to you. I will put it on the table.
“Anyone who wants to see it can go and read it. But make sure you wait till I have left the room because everything that we are doing in earth is being recorded in heaven. I don’t want my God to say you are the one who handed it over to them and you are there when they were reading. And I did it.
“Number two, I told the treasurer, from now on, any tithe that came from this family, don’t add it to the rest, put it aside. Let me find out if the God who sent me can run his church without these people’s contributions. So, for two separate years, every kobo that came for this family was kept in a separate account.
“It was when Aboaba came from Ibadan, I sent him there and then after he had been in the church for some months, he came to me. He said the people you asked me to go and join are complaining that things are not going well, and they have found out that they offended me, and that’s why their contracts are being cancelled and all manner of things are happening.
“I said we are not quarrelling and God knows I wasn’t quarrelling. I just ignore it. He then said when you knew this was the problem, why did you send me there? I said I didn’t know anything was happening. I just want to know how gracious God can be to me. Then, we reconciled. It wasn’t everybody that offended me.
“It was a handful of people who thought that they were cleverer than God and they brought problems to everybody. It will interest you to know that every one of those involved in that group is no longer in the church and they are not where they ought to be, let me just put it like that.”
The Independent Electoral Commission, INEC, has announced May 20, 2024 as deadline for political parties contesting in the forthcoming Ondo State governorship election, to submit names of their candidates.
This was made known on Monday by the INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, during a consultative meeting with political party leaders ahead of the 2024 Edo and Ondo States governorship elections.
Yakubu stated that parties were expected to finalise and submit the names of their candidates before May 20, adding that there will be no extension of time.
This, according to him, is when the portal for candidates in the forthcoming Ondo governorship election will close.
The INEC boss said: “Turning to Ondo State, political parties have just concluded their primaries. Eighteen (18) political parties conducted primaries monitored by the Commission. I wish to remind you that parties have one week to the deadline for the nomination of candidates which is 6.00pm on Monday 20th May 2024 when the portal automatically shuts down. I urge you to adhere strictly to the deadline. Political parties have been given 23 days (over three weeks) from the end of primaries to prepare and submit the list of only two candidates (Governorship candidate and running mate) to the Commission. There will be no extension of time.”
Super Eagles head coach, Finidi George, has picked two foreigners and his former international teammate, Daniel Amokachi, as his assistants.
The names of the two foreign assistants will be revealed before the Super Eagles 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying fixtures against Bafana Bafana of South Africa and Squirrels of Benin.
Finidi has also retained Olatunji Baruwa as the goalkeeper’ s trainer.
Baruwa occupied same position under the previous head coach, Jose Peseiro.
The 53-year-old was unveiled by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Monday.
The former Ajax star officially left his post as Enyimba head coach on Sunday to concentrate on his new job.
Finidi was in charge of the Nigeria Premier Football League champions for the next three years.
He guided the two-time African champions to their 10th NPFL title last season.
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Bullied Student In Viral Video, Namtira Bwara Sues Lead British School, Seeks ₦500 Million In Damages
AFOLABIA Lead British International School student in Abuja, Namitira Bwala, has filed a civil suit against the school’s management.
She alleged that the school failed in its obligation to provide her with a safe and conducive learning environment.
Naija News recalls there was outrage on social media some weeks back following the emergence of a video on the alleged bullying of a female student of Lead British International School, Abuja, by her classmates.
An X user, @mooyeeeeeee, in an SOS post accompanied by two videos, said the female student was bullied, and she is seeking justice for her.
The matter had gained national attention with stakeholders and members of the public expressing views on the incident.
The suit was filed on May 9, 2024, at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, through her lawyer, Marvin Omorogbe, Esq, of Deji Adeyanju and Partners.
Bwala in the suit marked FCT/HC/CV/2341/24: Miss Namtira Bwala Vs Lead British International School Ltd which commenced by way of Writ of Summons is seeking among others a public apology that would be published on two national dailies and ₦500 million in general damages.
She claimed among others, “A declaration that by virtue of the Claimant’s studentship in the Defendant’s school, Lead British International School, Gwarimpa, Abuja, the Defendant owes the Claimant a duty of care to protect her from any physical or emotional harm as well as any breach of her privacy while under the Defendant’s custody and supervision.
“A declaration that the Defendant’s failure to prevent the assault, torment, emotional distress, pain and trauma suffered by the Claimant while under the custody and supervision of the Defendant amounts to negligent conduct on the part of the Defendant.
“A declaration that the Defendant’s failure to immediately inform the Claimant’s parents of the assault and emotional trauma suffered by the Claimant while under the custody and supervision of the Defendant amounts to negligent conduct on the part of the Defendant
“A declaration that the Defendant’s failure to cause an immediate investigation into the physical assault and emotional trauma suffered by the Claimant while under its Custody and Supervision, until the video of the incident became viral on social media, amounts to negligent conduct on the part of the Defendant.
“An order directing the Defendant to issue a public apology to the Claimant in two national daily newspapers.
“An order directing the Defendant to pay the Claimant the sum of ₦500,000,000.00 (Five Hundred Million Naira) as general damages for the Defendant’s breach of the duty of care it owes to the Claimant and its negligent conduct in failing to prevent the assault, torment, emotional distress, pain, trauma and breach of privacy suffered by the Claimant while under the Defendant’s custody and supervision.
“Cost of this suit at ₦5,000,000 (Five Million Naira).
“An order directing the Defendant to pay the Claimant post judgment interest on the sum(s) awarded at the rate of 10% per annum from the date of the delivery of judgment until the judgment is fully and finally settled.
“Such orders or other orders as this Honourable Court may deem fit to make in the circumstances.“
Meanwhile, in a statement on Monday, the Counsel for the claimant, Marvin Omorogbe Esq, expressed optimism that the lawsuit will bring about drastic changes and adequate measures to prevent similar issues from reoccurring in the school.
According to the statement, the Lead British International School, Gwarimpa, Abuja, is being sued following a viral video which showed a student being bullied by her classmates.
The victim’s family stated that the school had failed in its obligation to provide a safe and conducive learning environment, resulting in the victim’s experience.
At the moment, a date for the hearing of the lawsuit has not been scheduled.
‘Nigerians Need Jobs, Security, Electricity, Education, Not Hope’ – Catholic Priest Tells Tinubu
AdminA renowned Priest of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, Rev Fr Chinenye Oluoma, has lamented the state of the nation under the incumbent administration led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In a statement issued over the weekend via his Facebook page, titled ‘RENEWED SHEGE,’ Oluoma said politicians must stop offering people hope and instead offer them jobs, electricity, education, health care, and security, as these are what Nigerians need.
He expressed his belief that Nigerians may not fully comprehend President Tinubu’s new hope agenda. Oluoma compared hope to anaesthetics, stating that anaesthetics are used to numb pain during life-saving surgeries.
He shared his concerns on Facebook, highlighting the challenges faced by the nation’s currency, the naira, which is struggling to remain below ₦1500 per dollar. Oluoma also pointed out the significant increase in prices of basic commodities, such as bread, which has risen from ₦500 to ₦1200, and other goods that have doubled, tripled, or even quadrupled in price.
According to him, “Hope doesn’t put food on the table, hope doesn’t pay school fees, hope doesn’t pay hospital bills, hope doesn’t pay house rent (which landlords increase indiscriminately and govt ignores infamously); Hope will not create jobs or make electricity supply constant.”
“The problem here is that successive governments in Nigeria keep administering large doses of anaesthetics to us without carrying out any curative surgery. Maliciously increasing the dosage and frequency once we wake up from the effect of the previous dosage.
“At worst, hope is an opium, a psychic drug that makes you feel okay and patient, maybe even comfortable with all the things going wrong.
“It sedates you but doesn’t change your condition. So, Tinubu offered us hope, not jobs, not improved earnings, not stable electricity or a buoyant economy. He offered us hope, and we bought it.”
Furthermore, Oluoma expressed the viewpoint that politicians should not be the ones providing “hope” to citizens; rather, this responsibility should be entrusted to religious leaders.
He emphasized that it is the duty of the government to create job opportunities rather than merely promising them.
He wrote: “Hope shouldn’t be what politicians offer its citizens, it should be left for clerics like my humble self. A government should offer job opportunities, not hope of jobs.
“A government should offer security, power, housing, affordable health care, education and not hope for these things. Why is Nigeria the place where politicians preach like clergy men and clergy act like politicians?
“While the former offer hope, the latter promise jobs, prosperity and other material well being they are in no position and have no capacity to give. What in God’s blue planet is going on with governance in Nigeria?
“As long as the purchasing power of the poor masses keep nose diving and the prices of basic goods and services keep skyrocketing further beyond their reach, what we have is nothing but ‘Renewed Shege’.
“Each administration will always leave our currency weaker than the previous one, a recurring decimal. One administration shows us Shege, another one comes and renews it and we keep dying gradually in hope. Let the poor citizens of Nigeria breathe, please.”
[NaijaNews]
Story highlights
- Nigerian banking stocks have suffered a sharp decline in the second quarter, exacerbated by the Central Bank’s recapitalization directive.
- The FUGAZ stocks, comprising major Nigerian banks like FBNH, UBA, GTCO, Access Corporation, and Zenith Bank, have entered a bearish phase, with share prices significantly declining in anticipation of rights issues.
- Financial analysts have noted that the share price decline typically accompanying rights issues is due to the offer of shares at prices below market rates to entice existing shareholders, thereby increasing the supply of shares and putting downward pressure on prices.
Nigerian banking stocks have experienced a dismal second quarter thus far. This downtrend follows the Central Bank’s announcement on banking recapitalization, which has set expectations for further declines in share prices.
Investors, particularly those with substantial interests in major Nigerian banks, tell Nairametrics they are bracing for these potential drops. Early trends suggest their expectations of lower share prices is panning out as they gear up for non-dilutive rights issues.
These rights issues are typically the first step in the capital-raising process and could lead to further downward pressure on stock prices they opine.
Banking All Share Index
This trend is currently reflected in the performance of banking stocks. The Banking All Share Index, which tracks some of the most capitalized bank stocks on the Nigerian Exchange, is down 18% quarter-to-date, in stark contrast to the All-Share Index, which has seen a 6% increase over the same period.
- Year-to-date, Nigerian banking stocks have decreased by 6.8%, while the NGX All Share Index has risen by 31.37%.
- This is a significant reversal from the first quarter of the year, during which banking stocks posted a 14.6% return.
- At that time, the narrative was that bank stocks were undervalued both in terms of their earnings multiple and when evaluated in dollars.
- The momentum, however, has slowed recently, largely due to newly announced banking recapitalization plans.
- Nigeria’s Central Bank has mandated an increase in the minimum share capital, requiring international banks to hold N500 billion and nationally licensed banks N250 billion. This directive indicates that the banking sector must raise over N4 trillion (about $2.8 billion) within 18 months.
As a result, investor relations teams at banks are reportedly working overtime to meet these deadlines. But with billions of shares outstanding and freely floating, bank stocks are likely to face downward pressure in the short term as investors anticipate the rights issues.
FUGAZ stocks under pressure
The performance of tier-one bank stocks, which include FBNH, UBA, GTCO, Access Corporation, and Zenith Bank (FUGAZ), points to a bearish streak even as most adjust their prices ahead of dividend announcements.
In a recent Nairametrics report, nearly all the banks dropped below the one trillion market capitalization mark, with GTCO and Zenith barely hanging on. The valuation of FUGAZ bank shares is significantly declining in response to announcements of impending right issues.
- For example, FBNH, whose share price was quoted as high as N43 per share, is now down to N25 per share.
- One investor, who requested anonymity, suggested the stock could fall further to its year low of around N18, achieved on April 24th, if it continues to be oversold based on their technical analysis.
- A market maker with ties to the bank suggested the bank’s planned N300 billion rights issue could be priced at N15.50 per share, pointing to the same price that was mooted when the bank first announced a right issue in 2023.
- Access Corporation, Nigeria’s largest bank by total assets, has already seen its share price fall to N17.4, just N1.4 shy of its own year low of N16 per share. Access Bank also announced plans to raise N365 billion via a rights issue.
- UBA, another tier one bank, has seen its share price drop from a year high of N33.95 to just N20.50. The board also approved a rights issue for the bank. The last time UBA raised capital via a rights issue in 2015, it did so at a share price of N3.50.
- The same trend applies to Zenith Bank and GTCO, which have also seen their share prices fall from year highs of N47.35 and N53 to N34 and N40, respectively.
- They are also shy of their year lows of N31.3 and N32.7. Both GTCO and Zenith have also announced plans for the right issue.
Although all the banks have announced plans to raise capital, the dates and share prices for the capital raises have not yet been announced
What they are saying
Speaking on the issue, the president of the Association of Capital Market Academics of Nigeria (ACMAN) highlighted that a decline in share price often coincides with a rights issue.
President of ACMAN, Professor Uche Uwaleke, said the trend is commonly observed as rights issues are usually extended to existing shareholders at prices lower than prevailing market rates, aiming to incentivize shareholders to subscribe for additional shares.
Consequently, the influx of shares into the market intensifies, particularly when shareholders choose to divest a portion of their holdings, exerting downward pressure on share prices.
“A fall in share price normally accompanies a rights issue. This is because rights issues are typically made to existing shareholders at prices below current market values to serve as incentives to the shareholders to take up additional shares. So, the supply of shares to the market is increased especially when those shareholders opt to sell part of their shares which end up depressing share prices,” he said.
The Managing Director of Arthur Steven Asset Management Limited and former President of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS), Olatunde Amolegbe, noted that a discernible reaction has been evident since last month following the release of the recapitalization timeline by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
He emphasized that investors consistently exhibit caution regarding dilution stemming from capital-raising endeavours, particularly those entailing equity augmentation.
Amolegbe anticipates that volatility in banking stocks is likely to persist until the completion of the Rights issues.
“We’ve started seeing that reaction since last month when the recapitalization timeline was released by the CBN. Investors are always wary of dilution that typically results from capital raising exercises especially those involving equity raise.
My expectations are that volatility in banking stocks will probably continue until the rights issues are completed”.
The Managing Director of Highcap Securities Limited, Mr. David Adonri, highlighted that the post-rights Issue price dynamics are typically influenced by the prevailing market sentiment.
In a bullish market environment, prices may experience an upward trajectory following such issuances. However, he cautioned that irrespective of market sentiment, an oversupply of stocks resulting from a new issue could lead to a decline in prices.
Adonri noted that the movement of banking stocks after an impending rights issue is subject to considerable uncertainty, owing to the volatile nature of stock market fluctuations.
Outlook for banking stocks
Despite potential headwinds for investors interested in banking stocks, these conditions still provide a unique opportunity for medium-term investments.
- Banks are perhaps uniquely positioned to achieve the highest profits in their history, bolstered by central bank policies that have enhanced their earnings from foreign exchange gains and income from risk-free government securities.
- However, risks still exist in the longer term, with capital raises likely to increase the number of outstanding shares. The more shares a bank has, the greater the pressure on it to deliver strong earnings per outstanding share.
- Banks also face potential challenges as the era of super profits, driven by current central bank forex and monetary policies, gives way to a reliance on income from riskier lending activities.
Investors also have one eye on risk-free government securities which attract interest rates as high as 20% compared to the stocks which are riskier despite being cheap.
• Global fund lauds Nigeria’s anti-money laundering initiatives
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has explained why the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) should issue operating licences or register cryptocurrency dealers.
In its 2024 Staff Report released at the weekend, the IMF recommends that global crypto trading platforms be registered or licensed in Nigeria, like similar operators, the Bureaux De Change (BDCs), which are licensed by the CBN to carry out forex transactions at the retail end of the market.
The IMF advised that such crypto trading platforms should be subjected to the same regulatory requirements applicable to financial intermediaries, following the principle of same activity, same risk, and same regulation.
The CBN had announced that cryptocurrency traders used peer-to-peer trading to manipulate the naira exchange rate against the dollar and other global currencies.
The apex bank asserted in February that Binance, the largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, had processed $26 billion in untraceable transactions in its Nigeria unit alone.
Binance serves 185 million users in over 180 countries worldwide.
To protect the naira from value erosion and reverse the negative impact in the financial system, the CBN subsequently stopped banks and other financial institutions from banking cryptocurrency traders.
Aside several other factors causing naira’s slide, like rising import bills, medical tourism, and tuition fees payment abroad, exchange rate manipulation by cryptocurrency traders remains a major contributory factor.
IMF said: “Rapid growth of transactions on FX trading platforms poses new challenges. At the end of February, the authorities closed the operations of Binance and other crypto-asset trading platforms that were being used by Nigerians to facilitate capital flight – neither the identity of traders nor the origin of their funds could be traced.”
“The authorities also revoked the licences of 4,173 Bureaux De Change (BDCs) that failed to comply with CBN accounting and reporting requirements. Staff recommends that global crypto trading platforms be registered or licensed in Nigeria and subjected to the same regulatory requirements applicable to financial intermediaries following the principle of same activity, same risk, and same regulation.”
The IMF lauded Nigeria’s progress in the fight against money laundering and terrorism financing.
It said: “Nigeria has made welcomed progress on improving its Anti-Money Laundering and Combating Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) framework, but further action is needed in line with Financial Action Task Force (FATF) recommendations. Nigeria has undertaken a series of measures, including legislative reform, conducted a money laundering and terrorism financing risk assessment, built awareness for competent authorities and the private sector, and increased investigation and prosecution of money laundering to correct identified deficiencies in the AML/CFT framework.”
[TheNation]