E-Financial
Senate Queries N5.6Bn to AMCON, Says Company is a Failure
The Senate yesterday, lamented the failure of the Asset Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON) and demanded a probe of the N5.6 trillion pumped into the Company by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) since inception.
This is coming on the heels of the recent call by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Nigeria to wind down AMCON.
The senators who alleged ineffective use of the huge sum sunk into the company, also said, that AMCON has failed to live up to its objective of recovering toxic debts owed by some commercial banks after some three years in business.
The Senators waxed worriedly during the consideration of a bill to amend the AMCON Act, which scaled second reading in the Senate yesterday.
The Bill tagged “Act to Amend Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria Act 2010,” among others, seeks to establish a corporate entity with a well constituted Board of Trustees drawn from CBN, eligible financial institutions, National Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) and Ministry of Finance to make regulations for the supervision and management of AMCON fund..
But the Senate mandated its Committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions chaired by Senator Bassey Otu, to find out the exact amount CBN had pumped into AMCON and how effectively it was used in the execution of its mandate as well as how much it has recovered so far.
Senator Ita Enang, chairman, Rules and Business Committee, said the sum exceeded Nigeria’s yearly budget with the allegation that since the company commenced operations, it has failed to recover up to 15 per cent of the entire money.
He advised the committee to examine the functions and operations of AMCON, adding that it was “disheartening that the organisation appeared to be failing because the amount committed to it by CBN was not free money but a loan meant to be paid to the Federation Account.”
Leading the debate, Senator Otu, said the bill seeks to prohibit any board member or an employee of AMCON from being directly or indirectly involved in the purchase of assets acquired by the corporation.
He also said the amendment bill sought to empower AMCON to acquire assets that are already subject to litigation if there is no valid court order restraining it from doing so.
David Mark, Senate president, noted that if the toxic debt that AMCON was mandated to manage was not yielding any fruitful result and the Federal Government was now asked to subsidise it, those found culpable in the fruitless exercise must be punished.
The committee is expected to report back to the Senate in two weeks.
FCMB Capital Markets Ltd. successfully led the issuance of GLNG Funding SPV Plc’s ₦11.85 billion 10-Year Series 2 Senior Guaranteed Fixed Rate Infrastructure Bond, which closed in February. This milestone underscores investor confidence in Nigeria’s clean energy transition.
The bond, issued by GLNG Funding SPV Plc and sponsored by Green Liquified Natural Gas (GLNG) as part of its capital-raising plans, is a key step in financing the construction of a mini-LNG plant with a liquefaction capacity of 200,000 standard cubic meters of gas per day.
The facility will help bridge Nigeria’s power supply gap and offer industries a cleaner, cost-effective alternative to diesel.
The issuance was backed by InfraCredit, an AAA-rated infrastructure credit guarantee firm, and is expected to generate over 500 direct and 2,000 indirect jobs, supporting Nigeria’s sustainable economic growth.
“FCMB Capital Markets remains committed to financing projects that drive clean energy adoption and long-term economic impact,” said Ikechukwu Omeruah, Managing Director, FCMB Capital Markets Limited.
“We appreciate the trust placed in us by GLNG and the invaluable role played by InfraCredit and investors in enabling the successful conclusion of this transaction.”
As gas adoption accelerates in Nigeria, a 2022 Clarke Energy report estimates that manufacturers could save up to 30% by switching to gas from the grid and as much as 80% compared to diesel.
FCMB Capital Markets, a part of FCMB Group, has been instrumental in raising over ₦3 trillion in debt and equity capital for leading corporate organizations in Nigeria over the past five years, reinforcing its position as a key player in the country’s capital markets.
Nine leading Nigerian banks collectively generated N14.26 trillion in interest income in 2024, reflecting a 119.55% increase from N6.49 trillion in 2023.
This surge is attributed to the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Monetary Policy Committee raising benchmark interest rates to combat inflation, which reached 34.80% by the end of the year.
Among the banks, Zenith Bank recorded the highest actual income increase, while First Holdco led in percentage growth. Access Holdings, UBA, GTCO, Stanbic IBTC, FCMB Group, Fidelity Bank, and Wema Bank also reported significant gains.
However, a portion of this income was derived from non-performing loans, raising concerns about the sustainability of these earnings.
In contrast, the manufacturing sector faced operational costs of N2.5 trillion, with high interest and energy expenses straining growth. Industry leaders have called for a halt to further rate hikes, warning of potential risks to the real sector’s recovery.
This financial dynamic underscores the contrasting fortunes of Nigeria’s banking and manufacturing sectors. What are your thoughts on these developments?
In a bid to woo global capital and enhance investor’s confidence, Nigeria’s top financial leaders presented a unified front at a strategic investment forum hosted at the Nasdaq MarketSite in New York.
The event was organised by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in collaboration with Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX Group), JPMorgan, and the African Private Capital Association (AVCA).
The exclusive gathering brought together leaders from the Nigerian diaspora, global investment institutions, and corporate executives for insightful dialogue on the country’s evolving financial landscape and its readiness to attract global capital for sustainable growth.
Governor of the CBN, Olayemi Cardoso in a fireside chat with Nobel Prize-winning economist Dr. James Robinson, outlined Nigeria’s monetary policy direction, growth prospects, and efforts to deepen its financial markets.
He reaffirmed the CBN’s commitment to disciplined policy management, market-friendly reforms, and enhanced transparency to foster a stable, investor-friendly environment. Cardoso also stressed the importance of strong collaboration between regulators like the CBN and market operators such as NGX Group, describing it as critical to building a resilient financial system and mobilising long-term investments.
Temi Popoola, Group Managing Director/CEO of NGX Group, moderated an engaging discussion on how Nigeria’s reforms are repositioning the country as an increasingly attractive destination for global capital.
“Today’s dialogue marks a pivotal step in reshaping global perceptions of Nigeria’s investment story,” said Popoola. “The candid engagement between policymakers, market operators, and investors reflects the real progress Nigeria is making. NGX Group remains committed to supporting reforms that strengthen market structures, drive innovation, and accelerate economic growth.”
While investors welcomed Nigeria’s reform agenda, they emphasized that sustained confidence will require consistent FX policies, lower transaction costs, reduced regulatory friction, clearer direction on non-oil revenue reforms, an improved ease of doing business, and continued transparency in monetary and fiscal communication.
The forum ended on an optimistic note, with participants expressing strong confidence in Nigeria’s economic prospects and its potential for deeper integration into global financial markets, provided reform momentum continues.
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