Connect with us

Business

Buhari Orders CBN To Stop Forex For Food Items, Fertiliser

Published

on

 

President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) not to provide forex for the importation of food items or fertilizer.

Speaking on Thursday at a meeting of the National Food Security Council at the State House in Abuja, the president urged private businesses bent on food importation to source their foreign exchange independently, saying “use your money to compete with our farmers, instead of using foreign reserves to bring in compromised food items to divest the efforts of our farmers”.

“We have a lot of able-bodied young people willing to work and agriculture is the answer. We have a lot to do to support our farmers,” a statement by Garba Shehu, a presidential spokesman, quoted Buhari to have said.

“From only three operating in the country, we have 33 fertilizer blending plants now working. We will not pay a kobo of our foreign reserves to import fertilizer. We will empower local producers.”

He also directed that blenders of fertilizer should convey products directly to State governments so as to skip the cartel of transporters undermining the efforts to successfully deliver the products to users at reasonable costs.

The President in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, advised private businesses bent on food importation to source their foreign exchange independently, saying ”use your money to compete with our farmers”, instead of using foreign reserves to bring in compromised food items to divest the efforts of our farmers.

”We have a lot of able-bodied young people willing to work and agriculture is the answer. We have a lot to do to support our farmers.”

The statement further noted that the meeting which was chaired by the President with other key members of the Council in attendance was briefed on the food security situation prevailing in the country.

Notably, the Vice Chairman of the council and Governor of Kebbi State, Atiku Bagudu, the Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari and a Governor from each of the six geo-political zones – Jigawa, Plateau, Taraba, Ebonyi, Lagos and Kebbi, made presentations.

It said, “The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Dr Zainab Ahmed, outlined measures introduced by the administration to tackle the unprecedented challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic on the nation as contained in the Nigerian Economic Sustainability Plan (NESP).

“Among others, the Minister highlighted that the government will facilitate the cultivation of 20,000 to 100,000 hectares of new farmland in every State and support off-take of agro-processing to create millions of direct and indirect job opportunities.

“She also listed the creation of 774,000 direct jobs for a minimum of 1,000 young Nigerians in each local government, the construction of 300,000 homes every year to give a boost to jobs through the construction industry, as well as the connection of 25 million new users of electricity with the installation of Solar Home System (SHS) targeting 5 million households.

“Dr Ahmed also briefed on the joint investment with the World Bank to provide intervention fund to States to improve health infrastructure.

“She said to ease existing financial hardships among the people, the government is also coming up with low-interest loans for mechanics, tailors, artisans, petty traders and other informal business operators.

“The Minister added that the Federal Government will equally provide support to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to help them keep their employees and boost local manufacturing.

“Dr Ahmed explained that from the recently approved N2.3 trillion stimulus recommended by the NESP, there will be expansion of broadband connectivity to boost job opportunities in the digital economy, a planned expansion of the National Social Investment Programmes including increase in the number of beneficiaries such as the cash transfer beneficiaries, N-Power Volunteers, the Market Moni and Trader Moni schemes.”

In his presentation, the Minister of Agriculture, Alhaji Sabo Nanono told the Council that the nation expects a bumper harvest of food items despite floods in the north and drought in the south.

He quoted the latest market surveys to show that the recent hike in the price of commodities is being reversed.

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Business

NAICOM Issues New Licenses To SanlamAllianz After Merger

Published

on

By

The National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) today handed over new licenses to SanlamAllianz Life and General Insurance Nigeria Limited in Abuja.

Commissioner for Insurance, Mr. Olusegun Omosehin, emphasised the ccommission’s commitment to supporting the growth of insurance entities in the country, while ensuring strict compliance with regulatory requirements.
He urged the companies to prioritize good corporate governance, stability, and timely claims settlement processes.

The Commissioner reiterated NAICOM’s dedication to removing unnecessary bottlenecks and improving the insurance industry’s overall performance.
He expressed confidence that the merger would enhance the companies’ capabilities and contribute to the industry’s growth.

Continue Reading

Business

Leadway Health HMO Wins Award Again

Published

on

By

Leadway Health HMO has been honoured with the Health Maintenance Organisation (HMO) of the Year award at the Nigerian Healthcare Excellence Awards (NHEA) for the third consecutive year.
This achievement affirms Leadway Health HMO’s position as a consistent leader in delivering innovative, accessible, and customer-focused healthcare solutions across Nigeria. Leadway Health HMO set a new record, one that has never been achieved in the 15-year history of the NHEAwards.
The award, presented in Lagos recently, 2025, celebrates the organisation’s excellence in service delivery, technology integration, unmatched service delivery, and its expanding provider network.
Speaking on this achievement, Chief Executive Officer, Leadway Health HMO, Dr. Tokunbo Alli, stated, “Receiving the HMO of the Year award for the third consecutive year is a deeply meaningful milestone for us at Leadway Health HMO. It is more than an accolade; it is a resounding validation of our commitment to transforming healthcare delivery in Nigeria, Africa, and the world at large.
“In a country where fewer than one in ten people have access to health insurance, we recognise the immense responsibility we carry. Through our investment in digital innovation, operational efficiency, and inclusive health plans, we are not only improving access to quality care but also setting new benchmarks for service excellence within the industry. This recognition reflects the trust our customers place in us and the unwavering dedication of our team and partners who make our vision a reality every day.”
Alli added, “We will continue to scale our hospital partnerships, enhance claims transparency, and leverage technology to deliver even more accessible, affordable, and customer-centric healthcare solutions. This award strengthens our resolve to be at the forefront of Nigeria’s health transformation journey—driving meaningful change, one life at a time.”
Leadway Health HMO’s triple win comes at a time when trust and performance in the HMO sector are under scrutiny. With a growing population, rising healthcare costs, and a national goal of achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by 2030, the company’s performance positions it as a crucial stakeholder in driving Nigeria’s health transformation agenda.
The Nigerian Healthcare Excellence Awards, founded in 2014 by Global Health Project and Resources in collaboration with Anadach Group USA, is the industry’s most respected recognition platform. This year’s edition was themed “Collaborating for Impact: Strengthening Health Systems through the SWAP Approach”, emphasising unified efforts to drive change.

Continue Reading

Business

NAICOM Wants Nationwide Conversation About Power Of Insurance

Published

on

By

By Sola Alabadan

The National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) has enjoined insurance operators to ensure that they ignite a nationwide conversation about the power of insurance as the inaugural edition of Insurance Week holds across the country.

The Commissioner for Insurance and Chief Executive of NAICOM, Olusegun Omosehin who spoke in Lagos on Monday, affirmed that the Insurance Week is designed to raise national awareness about the vital role of insurance in Nigeria’s growth and development.

To truly secure Nigeria’s future, he pointed out that “we must educate the public on the benefits of insurance, develop products that meet the needs of all Nigerians, wnsure prompt and transparent claims processing, as well as invest in talent and technology to drive innovation and trust.

At NAICOM, he said the regulatory body is committed to building a strong, inclusive, and globally respected insurance industry, and has been driving reforms to strengthen consumer protection, promote digital innovation, ensure capital adequacy and sound governance, while expanding access to underserved communities.

On why insurance matters, he stated that “In today’s fast-changing world, risks are everywhere—economic shocks, natural disasters, health crises, and more” adding that these uncertainties can disrupt lives and derail national progress.

“Insurance is our shield. It helps individuals, businesses, and governments manage these risks, recover from losses, and build resilience.
Without insurance, your economy would be more vulnerable, and our people less secure. That’s why this year’s theme, “Insurance for All: Securing Nigeria’s Future,” is both timely and essential” he emphasised.

Omosehin maintained that “The future of Nigeria depends on how well we manage risk. Every decision—whether by individuals, businesses, or government—carries uncertainty. Insurance provides the tools to navigate these uncertainties and protect our collective future.”

The NAICOM boss further urged the nsurance operators to renew their commitment to building an industry that serves the people and supports national development and use every platform—media, schools, communities, and workplaces—to spread the message that insurance is not a luxury; but a necessity.

Continue Reading