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PenCom to Allow Workers Use Pensions for Mortgage

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The National Pension Commission, has commenced approval for workers to use 25 per cent of their Retirement Savings Accounts as mortgage.

It disclosed this in a statement on Friday, titled, ‘PenCom approves guidelines on accessing Retirement Savings Account balance, for payment of equity contribution for residential mortgage by RSA holders’.

The statement said, “PenCom is pleased to inform all stakeholders and the general public, particularly RSA holders, that the commission has approved the issuance and immediate implementation of the guidelines on accessing RSA balance towards payment of equity contribution for residential mortgage by RSA holders.

“The approval is in line with Section 89 (2) of the Pension Reform Act 2014, which allows RSA holders to use a portion of their RSA balance towards payment of equity for residential mortgage.”

According to the PenCom, the guidelines cover pension contributors in active employment, either as a salaried employee or as a self-employed person.

It added that the maximum amount to be withdrawn is 25 per cent of the total mandatory RSA balance as of the date of application, irrespective of the value of equity contribution required by the mortgage lender.

Where 25 per cent of a contributor’s RSA balance is not sufficient for payment as equity contribution, it added, RSA holders may utilise the contingency portion of their voluntary contributions, if any.

To qualify as a mortgage lender for the purpose, it stated, the company must be licensed by the Central Bank of Nigeria, comply with the Contributory Pension Scheme and have valid Pension Clearance Certificate.

Eligibility, it added, are that a worker must, “Have an offer letter for the property duly signed by the property owner and verified by the mortgage lender.

“The RSA of the applicant shall have both employer and employee’s mandatory contributions for a cumulative minimum period of 60 months (five years).

“A contributor, under the Micro Pension Plan is also eligible, provided he/she has made contributions for at least 60 months (five years) prior to the date of his/her application.

“RSA Holders that have less than three years to retirement are not eligible.

“Married couples, who are RSA holders, are eligible to make a joint application, subject to individually satisfying the eligibility requirements.

“RSA holders, if registered before July 1, 2019, must have their records updated through the RSA data recapture exercise.

“Application for equity contribution for residential mortgage shall be in person and not by proxy.”


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AFC Appoints Ireti Samuel-Ogbu as Chair of Board of Directors

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Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), the continent’s leading instrumental infrastructure solutions provider, has announced the appointment of Mrs Ireti Samuel-Ogbu as Chair of its Board of Directors. She succeeds Mr. Emeka Emuwa who has completed 12 years of meritorious service to the Corporation.

Mrs. Samuel-Ogbu brings a wealth of experience spread over three decades leading and transforming the banking sector in Europe, Middle East, and Africa. Until recently, she led Citi’s institutional businesses in Nigeria and Ghana, with oversight across Banking, Markets and Services.

During this period, she steered the franchise through significant macroeconomic and regulatory headwinds, strengthening its strategic momentum and resilience.

Her international career within Citibank included senior leadership roles across over 50 countries in the Europe, Middle East, and Africa region, during which time she worked in the United Kingdom, Nigeria, and South Africa.

Mrs. Samuel-Ogbu has extensive boardroom experience including Citibank Nigeria where she was a Non-Executive Director for 6 years and Chair of the Risk Committee prior to becoming the Managing Director.

She also served on the board of CHAPS Clearing UK, the high value payment system now operated by the Bank of England and a UK-based charity, Opportunity International.

Her extensive experience and unwavering dedication to the advancement of Africa make her a valuable asset to AFC at a time when the Corporation is more committed than ever to accelerating Africa’s transformation through bold investments, innovative financing models and catalytic partnerships.

AFC recently delivered a record-breaking FY2024 financial performance, with total revenue increasing by 22.8% to US$1.1 billion, surpassing the US$1billion milestone for the first time.

This strong performance was driven by several transformational projects including acting as the Lead Project Developer for the Lobito Corridor, a transformative multi-country transport network connecting Angola, Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), financing of the expansion of the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex in the DRC — one of the world’s highest-grade, low-carbon underground copper mines and financing support for the commissioning of the Dangote Refinery, the largest in Africa.

Speaking on the appointment, Samaila Zubairu, President& CEO of AFC, said: ” We are delighted to welcome Mrs Ireti Samuel-Ogbu as Chair of the Board.

Her wealth of experience, visionary leadership and deep understanding of Africa’s financial landscape will be invaluable as we navigate our next phase of growth- expanding our impact, mobilising urgently needed capital and delivering transformative projects that enable inclusive and sustainable prosperity across the continent.”

Mrs Ireti Samuel-Ogbu commented: “I am honoured to take on the role of Chair at AFC, an institution that serves as a trusted bridge between international capital and Africa’s dynamic growth opportunities.

I look forward to working closely with the board, management, and all stakeholders to advance the Corporation’s mission and strengthen its role as the leading provider of strategic, investment-driven solutions that unlock Africa’s full economic potential.”

 


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NBC Loses Appeal as Tribunal Upholds ₦190m Fine for Misleading Packaging

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Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal has rejected a proposed settlement between the Nigerian Bottling Company Limited (NBC), also known as Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited, and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), while upholding a ₦190 million fine imposed on the company for misleading packaging.

In a judgment delivered on Monday, April 28, a three-member panel led by presiding judge Thomas Okosun dismissed NBC’s application to adopt the settlement terms as judgment, describing it as an “attempt to arrest judgment.” NBC’s counsel, O. Ogunride, had informed the tribunal of a settlement agreement reached with the FCCPC, requesting its adoption as a consent judgment.

The FCCPC’s representative, Abimbola Ojenike, confirmed the existence of the settlement, stating that discussions had been finalised with Akoji Achimugu, the commission’s legal director.

However, the tribunal pointed out that the terms of settlement were filed after judgment had been reserved and both parties had submitted their final written arguments. Okosun ruled that “the notion of arrest of judgment is unknown to Nigerian law,” stressing that entering a settlement at this stage exceeded the FCCPC’s statutory authority and undermined its role as a regulator.

He further criticised the FCCPC’s acceptance of the post-judgment settlement, saying it conflicted with the commission’s regulatory obligations. The tribunal emphasized its constitutional duty to the public, asserting that it could not engage in private compromises between parties.

The panel also criticised the FCCPC’s sudden shift from its earlier position, noting that the proposed settlement declared “there is no penalty,” directly contradicting the commission’s findings from its investigation. Consequently, the tribunal rejected the settlement and proceeded to deliver its final judgment.

Upholding the FCCPC’s five-year investigation, findings, and imposed penalties, the tribunal ruled that NBC’s conduct constituted misleading practices in violation of Nigerian law.

It affirmed that the ₦190 million administrative penalty was consistent with the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) and the 1999 Constitution (as amended). NBC’s appeal was dismissed for lack of merit, and the company was ordered to pay the fine within 60 days.

The case stemmed from an August 2024 announcement by the FCCPC accusing Coca-Cola and NBC of engaging in unfair marketing tactics and misleading consumers. NBC had contested the penalty, arguing that its packaging provided clear information compliant with national regulatory requirements.

The company later acknowledged that mislabeling of its zero-sugar Limca Lime-Lemon variant resulted from a production error at its Abuja facility.

In its revised appeal, NBC maintained that the mislabelling was unintentional and argued that the FCCPC’s conclusions were unfounded and beyond its statutory powers. However, the FCCPC defended its mandate to enforce corporate and consumer protection standards and urged the tribunal to dismiss NBC’s appeal.

The tribunal ultimately ruled in favour of the FCCPC, reinforcing regulatory accountability in the consumer protection landscape.


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NCAA Tightens Regulations: Unlicensed Airports to Face Penalties in 2026

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Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has announced that local airports operating without valid permits will face sanctions beginning January 1, 2026.

Godwin Balang, director of aerodrome and airspace standards at the NCAA, made the announcement on Monday during the Airstrip Owners and Operators Stakeholders Engagement Programme held in Lagos.

“This is not a threat but a collective regulatory commitment,” Balang said. “Evolving aviation dynamics require us to update our regulatory strategies to achieve more impactful results.”

Balang revealed that out of the 92 airstrips in the NCAA database — which includes operational, non-operational, and those under construction or rehabilitation — only a few currently hold valid operational permits.

He noted that 68 of the airstrips are federal facilities managed by the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, while 24 are owned by private individuals or organisations.

“This division highlights the necessity for stronger collaboration between the NCAA and the ministry to clearly define regulatory and operational roles,” he added.

Citing section 71(3)&(4)(a) of the Civil Aviation Act 2022, Balang stressed the NCAA’s legal mandate to certify aerodrome operations and set minimum safety standards.

“We must address emerging threats while maximizing the use of airstrips to bolster Nigeria’s socio-economic development,” he said.

Chris Najomo, director-general of the NCAA, said the stakeholder engagement was organised to enhance communication and ensure compliance with the law.

“Our goal is to clarify construction, operational, and safety requirements, identify challenges, explore development partnerships, and promote adherence to global best practices,” Najomo stated.

He disclosed that the NCAA is developing new, customized regulations for airstrips. “While ICAO Annex 14 standards are international benchmarks, they are sometimes too stringent for smaller airstrips.

“Our tailored regulatory framework will support general aviation growth without compromising safety,” Najomo said.

He emphasized that the initiative aligns with the NCAA’s ease-of-doing-business principles and supports the minister’s five-point agenda to advance the sector.


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