NEWSPAPER REVIEW – 29 April, 2019
BDC THE NATION
Exch. Rate (USD) 362
Exch. Rate (Pounds) 405
Exch. Rate (Euro) 475
Inflation 11.25
Crude Oil Price $74.49
BUSINESS DAY
The journey to 80% financial inclusion by
2020
Nigerians write or cash fewer cheques these days. They’re
more likely to transact electronically via NIP, an instant
payment service that can be done over the internet, a
mobile phone or from a bank branch, POS, mobile phone
or the web. According to data from Nigeria Inter-Bank
Settlement System (NIBSS) and the CBN, the volume and
value of transactions via these channels respectively
increased by 39 and 42 percent between 2017 and 2018.
Such data is a metric to judge the gains of the central
bank’s cashless policy and the prospects of financial
inclusion.
NIP, a smorgasbord of different cashless transactions,
accounted for close to three-quarters of the total value of
transactions in 2017 and 2018. It’s not clear, however, if
most of the NIP transactions were from the confines of a
physical bank branch as the data on money sent via NIP
lumps transfers made from bank branches, the internet,
mobile phones, ATMs, POS and USSD.
To read more on this article, see page 22
THISDAY
Nigeria’s Fiscal Position Improves but there
are Issues to Resolve
Recent happenings appear to be in favor of Africa’s Most
populous country as activities both globally and locally
have improved Nigeria’s Fiscal position.
This position which gives information on the revenue and
the expenditure of the country is stronger that what it was
a few months ago due to the twin developments of rising
crude oil prices and interest saving on government debt.
To read more on this article, see page 31
First Pension school now in Abuja
The National Pension Commission (PenCom), National
Board for Technical Education (NBTE), and other
stakeholders at the weekend inaugurated Nigeria’s first
private pension tertiary institution in Abuja.
The Abuja School of Pension and Retirement Planning
(ASP), a pensions monotechnic, will specialise in pension,
retirement planning and related disciplines. It has
developed curricula in National Diploma (ND) and Higher
National Diploma (HND) in Pensions Administration and
Management.
According to the Executive Secretary, National Board for
Technical Education (NBTE), Dr. Masoud Kazaure, the
institution was set up to advance academic pursuit and
defines career roadmaps in the country’s pension industry,
in addition to assisting workers and organisations in
preparing for fulfilled retirement.
“Given the far-reaching implication of pension and
retirement planning in people’s lives and the economy, it is
time that formal training, based on a national curriculum
and conducted in accredited institutions be undertaken.
To read more on this article, see page 20
NIA urges vehicle owners to verify policy on
USSD code
The Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA) has called on
Nigerians to confirm the authenticity of their motor
insurance policy on the Nigerian Insurance Industry
Database Portal through the association’s Unstructured
Supplementary Service Data (USSD) code *565*11# on
their phone.
NIA Director-General, Mrs Yetunde Ilori, who made the call
at a media parley with newsmen in Lagos, said it is
necessary for vehicle owners not to get caught by the
authorities.
She urged vehicle owners, who buy either third party or
comprehensive insurance, to ask the insurer to upload the
policy on the NIID platform.
To read more on this article, see page 21
FAAN to shut airports over debts
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has
threatened to shut two airports in Delta State over rising
debts, it was learnt yesterday.

Seven other airports will also suffer same fate.

FAAN vowed that except payments are made for services

rendered on or before April 30, operations will be shutdown
in Asaba and Osubi airports.

According to the International Civil Aviation Organization

(ICAO) regulations, airports that lack security, aerodrome
rescue and fire fighting services will be shutdown.

DAILY TRUST

SEC to align master plan with current

economic realities

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has

disclosed plans to align the 10 Year Capital Market master
plan with current economic realities as well as ensure the
planned review is concluded in record time. A statement
from SEC said its Acting Director-General, Ms. Mary Uduk,
stated this during a meeting with stakeholders in the capital
market in Abuja, weekend.

Uduk disclosed that the review is intended to align the

master plan with current realities on macroeconomic,
political and market development fronts. On
implementation efforts so far, Uduk said over 90 initiatives
outlined in the Capital Market Master Plan, 66 commenced
since 2015 out of which 13 have been successfully
completed.

To read more on this article, see page 22