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Senate Investigates N14.7bn PHCN Privatisation Fund In Secret Accounts

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The Senate Committee on Public Accounts has instituted probe into the allegation that N14.7bn proceeds of privatisation of the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria is hidden in commercial banks by the Bureau of Public Enterprise.

The committee is acting on an audit query in the ‘Auditor-General for the Federation’s Annual Report on Non-Compliance/Internal Control Weaknesses Issues in Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the Federal Government of Nigeria for the Year Ended 31st December, 2019.’

The Acting Auditor-General of the Federation, Adolphus Aghughu, had presented the report to the Clerk to the National Assembly, Ojo Amos, on September 15, 2021, while the Senate and House Committees on Public Accounts began investigation of the queries.

The defunct government-owned National Electric Power Authority was privatised and renamed PHCN, which was later unbundled to become the present generation and distribution companies.

The query stated that the funds were still in the banks as of December 31, 2016, whereas the privatisation of the PHCN had been concluded since 2013.

The query read in part, “Audit verification and reconciliation revealed that the sum of N14,720,396,432.43, being proceeds from the privatisation exercise of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria was reported in the bureau’s trial balance to be in commercial bank accounts as at31st December 2016.

“Whereas, the privatisation of the PHCN was concluded in 2013, the proceeds are yet to be remitted tom the Central Bank of Nigeria Privatisation Proceeds Accounts.

“The issue has been communicated to the bureau via a letter with reference no. OAuGF/RESAD/05/2016/07, dated 19thApril, 2018, and no response has been received.

“Unauthorised funds kept in commercial banks may be diverted for other purposes, thereby leading to loss of revenue available for government programmes.

“The Director–General (of the BPE) is required to recover the sum of N14,720,396,432.43, being proceeds of the PHCN, and remit same to CRF and forward evidence of remittance to my office for audit confirmation.”

The BPE, in its written submission, however, stated that two separate sums of N3,231,984.73 allegedly held in Fidelity Bank Plc and N18,199,520.87 held in Stanbic Bank were “unaudited bank balances that were actually no longer in existence as of the date of the audited financial statements or asked questions, the matter would have been clarified.”

The bureau added, “With respect to the two other bank balances – N4.4bn (Access Bank Plc) and N10.2bn in FCMB, the correct balance in Access Bank as at 31/12/16 was NIL as the bank had transferred a swelled balance of $34.1m to the CBN Domiciliary Account.

“The bank had initially been unable to make the transfer as at September 2015 as required under the TSA policy, owing to the inexistence of designated USD Treasury Single Account for dollar balances.

“The balance in the FCMB as of 31/12/2016 was only $36,053.55, following a transfer of $65,088,198.53.

“The residual balance remained until 18/95/17 due to inability of the bank to remit as required under the TSA policy, owing to initial unavailability of designated TSA for USD balances as required under the then newly introduced policy.”

The probe is expected to reveal whether the BPE’s claims are true or not.

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emPLE Unveils Endowment Plan For Savings, Protection

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emPLE Life Assurance Limited has announced the launch of BETA Life, an endowment policy designed to empower Nigerians to grow their wealth, secure their future, and protect what matters most.
The product offers a unique combination of protection and savings in one simple, flexible plan helping Nigerians meet their financial goals, while staying protected through life’s uncertainties.
With three cash benefits spread over the policy term, BETA Life helps customers plan for real goals, be it education, rent, homeownership, or business without having to wait till the end of the tenure to benefit from their plan.
Speaking on the launch, Rantimi Ogunleye, MD/CEO of emPLE Life Assurance Limited, said: “BETA Life is more than a product; it’s a solution built around the realities of our customers. It’s for the parent who wants to secure their child’s future, the entrepreneur planning ahead, or the individual who wants to save smartly without losing the safety net of protection. We’ve brought together savings and life insurance into one plan, because we believe financial empowerment shouldn’t mean choosing one over the other.”
With flexible policy durations and multiple payout points, BETA Life is designed to adapt to a customer’s journey while providing peace of mind. In the unfortunate event of death or permanent disability, the plan ensures that loved ones or the policyholder are financially supported, proving that life insurance can be just as much about living well as it is about preparing for life’s uncertainties.
This launch is a continuation of emPLE’s mission to make life insurance more inclusive, relevant, and empowering, giving more Nigerians the tools to build financial resilience with confidence.

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Sovereign Trust Insurance Appreciates Nigerian Workers As May Day Holds

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As the world marks this year’s edition of Workers’ Day on Thursday, May 1, 2025, the Managing Director of Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc, Mr. Olaotan Soyinka has lauded the efforts of Nigerian workers and their contributions to national development.
Soyinka, who spoke at the company’s Appreciation Day Ceremony in Lagos, noted that a virile and dedicated workforce is instrumental and germane to the progress of any society.
He said the date, May 1, should be seen as a very important one because it is the day set aside to celebrate and give due respect to workers all over the world regardless of their social strata in the society.
According to him, “every legitimate form of work is as important as the other and credence must be given to all and sundry without any bias”.
In appreciating the staff of Sovereign Trust, Soyinka congratulated them and urged them not to relent in the judicious discharge of their duties as they strive to maintain the worldclass standard of the STI brand.
He further said that the management of the company will not stop at investing in the development of the its human capital, while also placing technology at the heart of its business operations. He equally assured the members of staff that their labour will not go in vain as they contribute their quota to the growth and advancement of the organisation.
He wished them a hearty Workers’ Day and encouraged them to always make the customer the focal point in their day-to-day activities.
He said”our customers should be at the heart of our business just as we must not compromise on delivering service excellence at every given opportunity thrown our way”.
The Head of Human Resources for Sovereign Trust, Adeola Onichabor, in her response to the managing director, thanked the management for the uncompromising stance in investing in training and human capital development for members of staff both at the local and international level.
She stated that Sovereign Trust has on parade an array of professionals in different fields of specialisation who effectively compliment the efforts of the professional underwriters in the organisation.
She equally used the opportunity to thank and encourage her colleagues to continue in their stride of hard work and dedication to the ideals of the company.
She enjoined them to also respect and honour one another in the discharge of their duties as the organisation strives to maintain best practice standards in the comity of insurance companies in the country and beyond.
Some members of staff who had been with the organisation from inception were equally recognised and appreciated for their commitment, unwavering dedication and contribution to the growth of the organisation in the last 30 years of the company’s formation.
Sovereign Trust is an equal opportunity employer of labour with an uncompromising stance on high ethical standards and astute professionalism. The Head of Human Resources and Capital Development equally used the opportunity to wish every Nigerian worker and workers globally, a happy celebration on Workers’ Day come May 1, 2025.

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Insurance Meets Tech Applauds NIA’s Effort To Ease Claims Process

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Insurance Meets Tech (IMT) has commended to the Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA) for its proposed collaboration with financial technology (fintech) firms to significantly enhance the speed and transparency of insurance claims payment.
IMT is a conference and collaborative platform dedicated to fostering the intersection of insurance and technology in West Africa.
The NIA Chairman, Mr. Kunle Ahmed, recently disclosed plans to invite fintech companies to pitch innovative solutions to revolutionise the claims process. This is part of NIA’s efforts to rebuild public trust and accelerate insurance penetration across Nigeria.
Ahmed highlighted the critical need for improved ease and timeliness in claim settlements, describing it as essential for sector sustainability and public confidence, even after the industry paid out N536.5 billion in claims in 2023.
Insurance Meets Tech has served as a vital multi-sector discourse platform for the past four years, successfully converging leaders and experts from the insurance, insurtech, cybersecurity, tech, fintech, and financial sectors. Our inaugural edition 2022 brought together over 300 C-Suite executives to call for partnerships and technology adoption to expedite Nigeria’s insurance penetration. IMT 2023 served as a crucial nexus connecting early-stage insurtech startups with funding partners and mentors, empowering them with tools and resources for growth.
The third edition in 2024, themed “Insurance and Tech: Beyond Collaborations,” continued to drive conversations and actions, focusing on innovation and creativity to engage tech-savvy young Nigerians, including Millennials and Gen Zs, through initiatives like the Collaborative Showcase and an immersive experience redefining insurance as a lifestyle protection tool.
As a platform established to drive synergetic collaborations and impact positive narratives within these ecosystems, IMT Conferences views the NIA’s move to adopt fintech solutions for claims payment as a direct and powerful alignment with the platform’s core objectives of driving future innovation and deepening insurance penetration within the Nigerian insurance sector.
Commenting on the announcement, Odion Aleobua, CEO of Modion Communications and Convener of Insurance Meets Tech, stated, “The NIA’s commitment to leveraging fintech to fast-track claims payment is precisely the kind of decisive action the industry needs. Claims are the ultimate moment of truth for policyholders. Injecting convenience, speed, technology and transparency into this process is not just an operational upgrade; it’s a fundamental step towards rebuilding trust and making insurance more relevant and accessible to the average Nigerian. This initiative validates the critical conversations and strategic partnerships that IMT has been championing, moving ‘Beyond Collaborations’ to tangible technological integration that benefits insurers and the insured. We are thrilled to see the NIA taking this bold leap.”
As the planning for the 4th edition of the Insurance Meets Tech conference for 2025 takes shape, IMT is specifically looking at delving deeper into understanding the insurance sector through the lens of technology to explore predictive market techniques and further unlock growth opportunities.
IMT is enthusiastic about the potential for collaboration with the NIA on this and future initiatives. IMT remain dedicated to providing the premier platform for dialogue, knowledge exchange, and partnership formation that supports such transformative initiatives within the West African insurance sector, ultimately driving insurance penetration through technology and innovation.

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