Economy

CBN Bows to Pressure, reviews Cash Withdrawal Limits

Published

9 months ago

December 22, 2022

The Central Bank of Nigeria has increased the maximum weekly limit for cash withdrawals across all channels by individuals and corporate organisations to N500,000 and N5 million, respectively.

The directive is contained in a circular issued by the bank on Wednesday and signed by the director of banking supervision department, Haruna Mustafa.

The development is coming two weeks after the CBN reduced the weekly over-the-counter cash withdrawal limit for individuals to N100,000 and that of corporate organisations to N500,000.

The PUNCH reports that the apex bank also reduced withdrawals at Automated Teller Machines and point-of-sale terminals to N20,000 daily.

The policy had generated mixed reactions among Nigerians, with the House of Representatives also wading into the matter.

In the Wednesday circular, the apex bank said it made the upward review based on feedback received from stakeholders.

“The CBN hereby makes the following reviews: (1) the maximum weekly limit for cash withdrawal across all channels by individuals and corporate organisations shall be N500,000.00 and N5,000,000.00 respectively.

“2. In compelling circumstances where cash withdrawal above the limits in (1) is required for legitimate purposes, such requests shall be subject to a processing fee of three per cent and five per cent for individuals and corporate organisations, respectively.

“Further to (2) above, the financial institution shall obtain the following information from the customer, at the minimum, and upload same on the CBN portal created for the purpose: valid means of identification of the payee (national ID, international passport, or driver’s license), bank verification number of the payee, tax identification number of both the payee and the payer, and an approval in writing by the MD/CEO of the financial institution authorising the withdrawal.

“Third party cheques above N100,000 shall not be eligible for payment over-the-counter, while the extant limit of N10 million on clearing cheques still subsist.”

The CBN also said monthly returns on cash withdrawal transactions above the specified limits should be rendered to the banking supervision department, other financial institutions supervision and payments system management departments.

It added, “Compliance with extant AML/CFT regulations relating to the KYC, ongoing customer due diligence and suspicious transaction reporting etc. is required in all circumstances.

“Customers should be encouraged to use alternative channels (internet banking, mobile banking apps, USSD, cards/POS, eNaira, etc.) to conduct their banking transactions.

The apex bank noted that it recognised the vital role that cash played in supporting underserved and rural communities and would ensure an inclusive approach as it implemented the transition to a more cashless society.

“All banks and OFls are to note that aiding and abetting the circumvention of this policy will attract severe sanctions,” CBN said.

“The above directives supersede that of December 6, 2022 and take effect nationwide from January 9, 2023,” the CBN said.

Economy

Senate Confirms Nomination of Yemi Cardoso as CBN Governor

Published

3 days ago

September 27, 2023

Sunrise Nigeria

The Senate on Tuesday confirmed the nomination of Dr Olayemi Michael Cardoso as the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN.

This is as questions are being raised as to the legal status of suspended CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele whose sack or resignation hasn’t been confirmed by the Federal Government.

According to the CBN Act, the President requires the endorsement of 2/3 majority of the Nigerian Senate to remove the Governor. There are other conditions that may lead to his removal, none of which has been established.

Cardoso was screened alongside four nominees for the positions of CBN Deputy Governors, to steer affairs of the apex bank in the next five years.

The deputy governors include: Mrs. Emem Nnana Usoro, Mr. Muhammad Sani Abdullahi Dattijo, Mr. Philip Ikeazor, and Dr. Bala M. Bello.

Recall that last week, Cardoso resumed as the CBN governor in an acting capacity pending his screening and expected confirmation by the Senate.

Meanwhile, the Senate has also scheduled the screening of two additional ministerial nominees by President Bola Tinubu for Tuesday, October 3, 2023.

The President, while the National Assembly was on break, appointed the duo of Dr. Jamila Ibrahim and Ayodele Olawande as Minister of Youths and Minister of State for Youths respectively.

Economy

Cost of Living: Kogi, Lagos and Rivers Dwarf Other States in NBS Report

Published

2 weeks ago

September 16, 2023

Sunrise Nigeria

By Elizabeth Okwe
…

The Nigeria Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has revealed that Kogi, Lagos, and Rivers are the most expensive states to live in, based on inflation rates for August 2023.

In its latest Consumer Price Index data released on Friday, the NBS said on a year-on-year basis, Kogi led the way with the highest all-items inflation rate at 31.50 per cent, followed closely by Lagos at 29.17 per cent and Rivers at 29.06 per cent.

In contrast, Sokoto recorded 20.91 per cent, Borno 21.77 per cent, and Nasarawa 22.25 per cent, recorded the slowest rise in headline inflation on a year-on-year basis.
When examined on a month-on-month basis, the trend continued, with August 2023 seeing the highest increases in Kwara at 6.07 per cent, Osun at 4.36 per cent, and Kogi at 4.35 per cent.

While Sokoto recorded 1.38 per cent, Borno at 1.73 per cent, and Ogun at 1.89 per cent recorded the slowest rise in month-on-month inflation.
Specifically for food inflation, the figures for August 2023 showed a similar pattern, with Kogi again taking the lead with the highest year-on-year basis food inflation rate at 38.84 per cent. Lagos followed closely at 36.04 per cent, and Kwara at 35.33 per cent.
On the other hand, Sokoto 20.09 per cent, Nasarawa 24.35 per cent, and Jigawa 24.53 per cent recorded the slowest rise in food inflation on a year-on-year basis.

On a month-on-month basis for the same period, Rivers at 7.12 per cent, Kwara at 5.89 per cent, and Kogi at 5.80per cent recorded the highest increases, while Sokoto recorded 0.50 per cent, Abuja at 1.30 per cent, and Niger at 1.40 per cent experienced the slowest rise in food inflation.
The report noted that the surge in food inflation can be attributed to the significant price hikes in various essential food items, including oil and fat, bread and cereals, fish, fruit, meat, vegetables, potatoes, yam, and other tubers, vegetables, milk, cheese, and eggs.

Economy

Tinubu Nominates Olayemi Cardoso to Replace Emefiele as CBN Governor

Published

2 weeks ago

September 15, 2023

Sunrise Nigeria

Cardoso

By Elizabeth Okwe and Ojone Grace Odaudu
…
President Bola Tinubu has nominated Dr. Olayemi Michael Cardoso to serve as the new Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), for a term of five (5) years at the first instance, pending his confirmation by the Nigerian Senate.

A statement issued on Friday by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, said the directive is in conformity with Section 8 (1) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007, which vests in the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the authority to appoint the Governor and Four (4) Deputy Governors for the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), subject to confirmation by the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Currently Chairman of the Board of Directors of Citibank Nigeria, Dr Yemi Cardoso is a financial and development expert with over thirty years’ experience in the private, public and not-for-profit sectors.

Furthermore, President Bola Tinubu has approved the nomination of four new Deputy Governors of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), for a term of five (5) years at the first instance, pending their confirmation by the Nigerian Senate, as listed below:

Glo
(1) Mrs. Emem Nnana Usoro

(2) Mr. Muhammad Sani Abdullahi Dattijo

(3) Mr. Philip Ikeazor

(4) Dr. Bala M. Bello

“In line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda, the President expects the above listed nominees to successfully implement critical reforms at the Central Bank of Nigeria, which will enhance the confidence of Nigerians and international partners in the restructuring of the Nigerian economy toward sustainable growth and prosperity for all”, the statement added.