E-Financial
CSCS Grows Revenue, Profit by 31.3% & 41.4%
Central Securities Clearing System Plc (CSCS) has announced its Audited 2020 Financial Results.
Amidst unprecedented economic and financial market conditions occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Group grew total income by 31.3% year-on-year (YoY) to N12.09 billion.
With profit after tax of N6.93 billion, an incredible 41.4% year-on-year growth, translating to N1.39 earnings per share, the Group delivered 20.3% return on average equity for the 2020 financial year, compared to 15.3% in 2019FY.
Highlights:
Income Statement
-Total Income: N12.09 billion, compared to N9.21 billion in 2019FY (31.3% YoY growth).
– Investment Income: N7.44 billion, an impressive 61.4% YoY growth, compared to N4.61 billion in 2019FY.
– Operating Expenses: N4.72 billion, compared to N3.23 billion in 2019FY (46.0% YoY growth), partly reflecting investments in technology and human capital.
– Profit Before Tax: N7.39 billion, a 22.3% YoY growth, compared to N6.04 billion in 2019FY.
– Profit After Tax: N6.93 billion, compared to N4.90 billion in 2019FY (41.4% YoY growth).
– Return on Average Equity (ROAE): 20.3%, compared to 15.3% in 2019FY.
– Earnings Per Share (EPS): 139 Kobo, compared to 98 Kobo in 2019FY (41.8% YoY growth).
Balance Sheet
-Total Assets: N41.42 billion, compared to N36.61 billion as at 2019FY (13.1% YoY growth).
– Property, Plant and Equipment (plus intangibles) grew 25.0% YoY to N1.35 billion, reflecting continued investments in infrastructure to enhance operational efficiency and resilience.
– Shareholders’ Funds: N35.49 billion, up 7.9% YoY; reflecting strong capacity for organic capital growth.
Commenting on the Group’s performance, Mr. Oscar N. Onyema OON, the Chairman, Board of Directors of CSCS, said;
“It is exciting to report these stellar results. Defying the unprecedented challenges that characterised 2020 financial year, CSCS emerged stronger, delivering outstanding growth in top and bottom-lines, and executing far-reaching initiatives that would sustainably strengthen the competitiveness and resilience of the business.
“Having grown profit by over 41% in such a challenging year to deliver 20.3% return on average equity, the Board of Directors and Management are upbeat about the value accretive prospects of CSCS, and we are enthusiastic that the progress made thus far in repositioning the business to efficiently play a more active and leading role in deepening the Nigerian capital market will be sustained.
“With continuous investments in new technologies, talent, and work environment, we are optimistic on the productivity of CSCS going forward. Subject to shareholders’ approval at the upcoming annual general meeting, the Board is recommending a dividend of N5.85 billion or dividend per share of N1.17, representing a growth of 36% over the N0.86 dividend per share paid from the 2019 financial year earnings.”
While commenting on the Group’s results, Mr Haruna Jalo-Waziri, the Chief Executive Officer, said;
“Amidst the COVID-19 twin threat to lives and livelihoods, and more importantly the attendant challenges in economic and business environment, we outperformed budget, reinforcing our commitment to delivering superior value to our shareholders, irrespective of the odds.
These impressive results reflect our enhanced collaboration with different stakeholders and their unflinching support and loyalty to CSCS, as the core infrastructure for the Nigerian capital market.
Hence, my colleagues and I are excited to dedicate this performance to our esteemed participants, regulator and the Board of Directors, whose support kept us stronger through the pandemic. We would continue to invest in our collective objective of deepening the capital market and broader financial system, even as we seek new and efficient ways of enhancing our partnerships for mutual prosperity.
Having laid a solid foundation over the past three years, we are more than ever optimistic on the prospect of our business, especially as we diversify the business for enhanced resilience against macro and market volatilities.
We will sustain our disciplined cost efficiency culture, in our commitment to delivering sustainable value to shareholders over the long term. We are excited at the 39.0% cost-to-income ratio, despite the impact of exchange rate volatilities and rising headline inflation on our cost base.
“The years ahead look challenging, albeit more promising than ever, as we reinforce our commitment to leveraging best-in-class technologies and our continuous investments in human capital in delivering value to all stakeholders.”
Also commenting on CSCS’ financial performance, the Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Peter O. Medunoye noted;
“We recorded impressive double-digit growth in revenue and profitability, and more importantly recorded continuous improvement across all key performance indicators. We recorded decent growth in income from our CSD and ancillary services whilst also leveraging our ingenuity in effectively positioning the proprietary investment portfolio for growth.
“Delivering 17.7% and 20.3% return on average assets and return on average equity respectively, we are excited at the capacity of the business in generating internal capital to fund the exciting growth ahead.”
Dr. Emomotimi Agama, Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Nigeria, has said that West Africa is fast emerging as a global epicentre for virtual asset adoption, propelled by a young, tech-savvy population and macroeconomic instability.
Speaking at the West Africa Compliance Summit organised by the Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA) in Praia, Cape Verde, Dr. Agama warned that while the region’s embrace of digital currencies is accelerating, the absence of coordinated regulation leaves it vulnerable to financial crimes and illicit capital flows.
“With over 60 percent of West Africa’s population under the age of 25 and mobile-first fintech platforms thriving, the region has become a global hotspot for virtual asset adoption,” he said. “But we must act decisively. Regulation is not optional, it is an imperative.”
The summit, themed “Adapting and Thriving in a Complex and Evolving Compliance Landscape,” brought together financial regulators, compliance professionals, and security experts to explore the challenges posed by the rapid rise of virtual assets and decentralised finance (DeFi).
Dr. Agama disclosed that crypto transactions in Nigeria alone surpassed $56 billion in 2024, with citizens increasingly turning to stablecoins such as USDT and USDC to hedge against volatile local currencies. He highlighted the growing trend of “crypto-dollarisation,” noting that young professionals now demand salaries in stablecoins, while businesses are adopting platforms like Binance Pay for cross-border transactions.
“The naira’s depreciation, Ghana’s cedi weakness, and persistent forex shortages have fueled this shift,” he explained. “Traditional remittance channels charge up to 10 percent in fees, while cryptocurrencies offer faster and cheaper alternatives. Over $20 billion in remittances flowed into West Africa last year through crypto channels.”
However, he also cautioned that the same innovations driving financial efficiency are increasingly being exploited by fraudsters and criminal actors. He cited GIABA’s report of $2.1 billion in suspicious crypto-related transactions across West Africa in 2024 alone, including the use of privacy coins by terror financiers to evade detection.
“Unregulated exchanges, artificial market crashes, DeFi ‘rug pulls,’ and Ponzi schemes have wiped out billions in investor funds,” he said. “The recent collapse of the CBEX Ponzi platform is just one of many such incidents. Strong regulation and regional coordination are the only path forward.”
Dr. Agama pointed to Nigeria’s recent legislative progress, especially the enactment of the Investment and Securities Act 2025, which formally classifies virtual assets—including cryptocurrencies, stablecoins, utility tokens, and NFTs—as securities under Section 355(4) and Part I of the Second Schedule.
“Under the new law, all exchanges, wallets, and DeFi platforms must be licensed by the SEC,” he stated. “We’ve also established a Fintech and Innovation Department to facilitate ongoing dialogue with industry stakeholders and adapt our regulations to emerging realities.”
He called on West African governments to harmonise regulatory frameworks and strengthen intelligence-sharing, proposing a Unified Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) Licensing System under the ECOWAS framework.
“A crypto trader banned in Nigeria should not find safe haven in Ghana,” he asserted. “Financial crime knows no borders. Our collective future depends on our ability to secure this emerging financial frontier.”
NOVA Bank has announced its intention of a strategic shift in its operating license from a national to a regional authorisation, a move, which according to the Bank is aimed at optimising operational efficiency and deepening its impact within key markets.
The management of the Bank noted that the repositioning aligns with the Bank’s long-term vision to consolidate its strengths, streamline its services, and deploy capital more effectively within targeted regions, without compromising its commitment to innovation, customer satisfaction, and sustainable growth.
To this effect, NOVA has applied to the CBN to recategorize its operating license from a National to a Regional Commercial Banking license.
According to the Bank, NOVA maintains a strong financial position, underpinned by robust capital adequacy, liquidity ratios, and a consistent growth trajectory.
NOVA’s Acting Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mrs. Chinwe Iloghalu, explained that following the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) revised recapitalisation directive in March 2024, NOVA reviewed its growth trajectory and capital utilisation strategy.
“Given the Bank’s current stage of growth, we have chosen the prudent route to optimise what we need, grow efficiently, and scale sustainably. This is a major strategic positioning that will ensure continued efficiency in the deployment of assets and resources,” she said
Mrs. Iloghalu further stated “Indeed, our shareholders have shown strong commitment to ensuring full capitalisation through rights issue by injection of additional 24 billion before end of 2025 to exceed the prescribed capital for regional Banks well ahead of the 2026 CBN deadline”.
In a further affirmation of its strength and stability, Global Credit Rating (GCR) recently reaffirmed NOVA Bank’s BBB rating with a Stable Outlook, citing the Bank’s healthy liquidity profile, improving earnings, and sound asset quality.
The Bank’s audited 2024 financials validate the effectiveness of its growth strategy, recording over 200% year-on-year growth in profit before tax (PBT), alongside improvements across all key financial indicators.
NOVA is set to launch three new branches in the coming weeks, including Owerri, Port Harcourt, and Abuja, to enhance physical access and customer service, while strengthening its digital banking infrastructure to ensure customers continue to enjoy secure, seamless, and convenient banking experiences, anywhere, anytime.
The Chairman of the Board, Mr. Phillips Oduoza, noted that NOVA remains committed to its vision and is thankful for the continued trust of its customers, shareholders, and regulators.
“Every decision we make is deliberate and strategic, guided by sound governance and market insight. Transitioning to a regional license is a recalibration, giving us room to grow optimally, build capacity, and position ourselves for a full national rollout in the next 36 months.” Said Oduoza
West Africa is fast emerging as a global epicentre for virtual asset adoption, propelled by a young, tech-savvy population and macroeconomic instability, according to Dr. Emomotimi Agama, director-general, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Nigeria.
Dr. Emomotimi Agama, DG, SEC
Speaking at the West Africa Compliance Summit organised by the Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA) in Praia, Cape Verde, Dr. Agama warned that while the region’s embrace of digital currencies is accelerating, the absence of coordinated regulation leaves it vulnerable to financial crimes and illicit capital flows.
“With over 60 percent of West Africa’s population under the age of 25 and mobile-first fintech platforms thriving, the region has become a global hotspot for virtual asset adoption,” he said. “But we must act decisively. Regulation is not optional, it is an imperative.”
The summit, themed “Adapting and Thriving in a Complex and Evolving Compliance Landscape,” brought together financial regulators, compliance professionals, and security experts to explore the challenges posed by the rapid rise of virtual assets and decentralised finance (DeFi).
Dr. Agama disclosed that crypto transactions in Nigeria alone surpassed $56 billion in 2024, with citizens increasingly turning to stablecoins such as USDT and USDC to hedge against volatile local currencies.
He highlighted the growing trend of “crypto-dollarisation,” noting that young professionals now demand salaries in stablecoins, while businesses are adopting platforms like Binance Pay for cross-border transactions.
“The naira’s depreciation, Ghana’s cedi weakness, and persistent forex shortages have fueled this shift,” he explained.
“Traditional remittance channels charge up to 10 percent in fees, while cryptocurrencies offer faster and cheaper alternatives. Over $20 billion in remittances flowed into West Africa last year through crypto channels.”
However, he also cautioned that the same innovations driving financial efficiency are increasingly being exploited by fraudsters and criminal actors.
He cited GIABA’s report of $2.1 billion in suspicious crypto-related transactions across West Africa in 2024 alone, including the use of privacy coins by terror financiers to evade detection.
“Unregulated exchanges, artificial market crashes, DeFi ‘rug pulls,’ and Ponzi schemes have wiped out billions in investor funds,” he said. “The recent collapse of the CBEX Ponzi platform is just one of many such incidents. Strong regulation and regional coordination are the only path forward.”
Dr. Agama pointed to Nigeria’s recent legislative progress, especially the enactment of the Investment and Securities Act 2025, which formally classifies virtual assets—including cryptocurrencies, stablecoins, utility tokens, and NFTs—as securities under Section 355(4) and Part I of the Second Schedule.
“Under the new law, all exchanges, wallets, and DeFi platforms must be licensed by the SEC,” he stated.
“We’ve also established a Fintech and Innovation Department to facilitate ongoing dialogue with industry stakeholders and adapt our regulations to emerging realities.”
He called on West African governments to harmonise regulatory frameworks and strengthen intelligence-sharing, proposing a Unified Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) Licensing System under the ECOWAS framework.
“A crypto trader banned in Nigeria should not find safe haven in Ghana,” he asserted.
“Financial crime knows no borders. Our collective future depends on our ability to secure this emerging financial frontier.”
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