Business

Nigeria’s Remittances Hit Record $947m in July, Nearing CBN’s $1bn Monthly Target

Published

1 day ago

August 30, 2026

Preport

Nigeria recorded US$947 million in remittance inflows through International Money Transfer Operators (IMTOs) in July 2026, the highest monthly inflow ever recorded through formal channels and approaching the US$1 billion monthly target set by Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Olayemi Cardoso.

IMTO inflows reached US$3.8 billion in the first seven months of 2026 — 50.2% higher than the same period in 2025, pointing to a significant strengthening in flows through formal channels.
The increase follows a series of reforms by the CBN aimed at making formal remittance channels more competitive, transparent and accessible. These include a move to a more market-determined exchange rate, reforms to the regulatory framework for IMTOs, and the introduction of the Non-Resident Bank Verification Number (NRBVN), alongside closer engagement with IMTOs, banks, and Nigerian diaspora communities. More recently, the CBN has strengthened requirements for remittance transactions to be routed through designated settlement accounts with authorised dealer banks.
The significance extends beyond the headline figure. Increasing diaspora flows through formal channels boosts foreign-exchange liquidity and transparency, supports households and investment, and strengthens Nigeria’s external financing position.

“When we set a clear ambition to reach US$1 billion a month in remittance inflows through formal channels nearly two years ago, some people thought we were dreaming. At US$947 million in July, we are now approaching that milestone,” Governor Cardoso said.
While individual monthly figures will naturally vary, the CBN’s focus is on the broader trajectory and on sustaining the shift towards formal channels. The significant increase in inflows recorded so far in 2026 points to the growing impact of reforms designed to make formal remittance channels more competitive, accessible and transparent.

The CBN is building on this momentum by deepening engagement with Nigerian diaspora communities and financial-sector partners across key remittance corridors. As part of its wider international engagements, the Bank will continue to use opportunities in major global financial centres to engage diaspora communities, IMTOs, banks and other stakeholders to reduce friction, widen access and bring a greater share of remittance flows into formal channels.

Governor Cardoso added: “July is an important marker, but our focus is not on a single month. It is on creating the conditions for sustained growth in formal remittances. We expect to keep seeing improvement and believe Nigeria can reach and ultimately sustain monthly inflows above US$1 billion.”

The post Nigeria’s Remittances Hit Record $947m in July, Nearing CBN’s $1bn Monthly Target appeared first on Business Today NG.

Related Topics:1bn 947m CBNs hit July Monthly Nearing Nigerias record Remittances Target

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NSIA Insurance Grows Revenue by 18% to ₦33bn, Divests Life Insurance Portfolio

Published

2 hours ago

August 31, 2026

Preport

BY NKECHI NAECHE-ESEZOBOR—NSIA Insurance Limited one of Nigeria’s most recapitalised insurance company, on Monday released its financial statement for the year ended 31st December, 2025 with 18 percent growth in revenue.

The Chairman of the company, Dr. Adesegun Akin-Olugbade, disclosed this today during a press briefing that revenue grew to ₦33 billion in 2025, representing an 18 percent growth over N30.1 billion reported in the previous year.

Profit after tax stood in excess of ₦2 billion while total assets stood at ₦53 billion.

Committed to prompt claims payment, he said the company paid a total of ₦18 billion in claims in 2026, bringing its cumulative claims payout over the last four years to ₦47.9 billion.

Speaking further on just concluded recapitalization, he said “At the AGM, the shareholders ratified the capitalisation of N6 billion from retained earnings, increasing the company’s issued share capital from N9 billion to N15 billion through a bonus issue of two new shares for every three shares held, this strengthened the company’s capital base without requiring any additional investment from shareholders and ensured full compliance with the Nigerian Insurance Industry Reform Act of 2025.

This achievement according to him was driven by sustained financial performance, with shareholders’ funds growing by 74.3 percent from N13.6 billion in 2021 to 23.7 billion in 2025, supported by cumulative profit after tax of over N9.3 billion during the period.

The move he said will strengthened the company’s capital base without requiring additional investment from shareholders, while ensuring full compliance with the Nigerian Insurance Industry Reform Act of 2025.

He noted that as part of its strategic repositioning,it has transitioned to operate exclusively as a non-life insurer, enabling the company to deepen its focus on general insurance.

He disclosed that its proposed transfer of its life insurance portfolio will be to CHI Consolidated Hallmark CHI Life Assurance Limited, and this, he said has received approval in principle from National Insurance Commission,(NAICOM), and will be completed upon the conclusion of the remaining legal and regulatory processes.

Looking ahead, he reassured that NSIA remains committed to disciplined underwriting, digital innovation, superior customer service, and sustainable value creation for its customers, shareholders, and the Nigerian economy.

Also, managing Director/CEO, of the company, Moruf Apampa, explained the company’s decision to divest its life insurance portfolio to CHI Life Assurance Limited.

According to him the decision was deliberate and designed to eliminate distractions that could hinder growth in the general insurance segment.

“We’ve decided to have a more focused strategy to drive our general business. By doing so, we’re able to scale better than before because there’s no distraction — we’re focused on driving the numbers,” he said.

He disclosed that a key part of the company’s strategy is to achieve deep household penetration across the country, targeting what he described as an “NSIA family” in every Nigerian home.

“For every householder in Nigeria, we must have an NSIA family. That’s very strategic for us, and it’s deliberate. That’s where we believe we can scale, and that’s what we intend to do deliberately over the next five years,” he said.

Highlighting the company’s strength in motor insurance, he said NSIA has built a claims process designed for speed, with dedicated teams inspecting claims and, in many cases, processing payment on the same day.

“When I say motor, I can conveniently tell you that if you report a claim today, we have a team that will inspect that same claim and give you feedback that same day. If possible, once you sign, you also receive your benefit that same day,” he said, adding that this reflects the kind of institution NSIA aims to be.

He stressed that the company prioritizes customers over profit, arguing that insurers should not celebrate strong profits while shortchanging policyholders on claims.

“We’re not putting profit before the customer — we’re putting the customer before the profit. How would you feel if we came here to announce a ₦3 billion profit, but only ₦2 billion was paid out as claims, while customers outside are complaining?” he asked.

According to him, consistent delivery of value to customers is what builds trust and repeat business in the insurance industry.

“It’s usually about the message, not the messenger, and the message is always right. By delivering value to the customer, that’s when they gain the confidence to come back, repeat their purchase, and tell others that insurance actually works,” he said.

The post NSIA Insurance Grows Revenue by 18% to ₦33bn, Divests Life Insurance Portfolio appeared first on Business Today NG.

Business

PZ Cussons Nigeria to pay shareholders N9.9 billion dividend after four-year pause

Published

10 hours ago

August 31, 2026

Preport

Pixelcut export 32 1 e1725086727600.jpeg

PZ Cussons Nigeria is ending a three-year lull in dividend payment to distribute N9.9 billion to shareholders as its retained earnings swung back to positive for the first time since taking a hit in 2023.

In a corporate disclosure on Monday, the local subsidiary of Manchester-based consumer goods producer PZ Cussons detailed a proposal to pay a N2.50 dividend per share for the year ended 31 May 2026, fixing the qualification date for 9 October and payment for the 30th of the same month.

The compensation package also offers an alternative of receiving shares instead of dividends to those who prefer increasing their existing holdings in the company to taking immediate cash rewards.

Either way, both options require shareholders’ assent at the next annual general meeting in October for the board to further the plan.

“The reference share price for the purpose of determining the number of shares due to qualifying shareholders who elect for the share option will be a ten-day trading average of the company’s share price on the floor of” the NGX starting on 12 October, PZ Cussons said in the document.

The company last paid a dividend in 2022, having been largely incapacitated by a sweeping foreign exchange loss that tipped its accounts into a N90.3 billion net loss in 2024.

READ ALSO: PZ Cussons’ annual profit quickens by 298% as asset disposal boosts earnings

That year, PZ Cussons, like many manufacturers in Nigeria that rely on raw material imports for most of their operations, reported an FX loss of N157.9 billion after major devaluations of the naira, beginning from 2023, wore away over 70 per cent of its value, compared to the dollar.

Retained earnings, from which companies pay dividends, have been in the red since 2024, only turning positive in the year under review, thanks to a 349 per cent surge in profit to N45.2 billion.

Proceeds from asset disposal totalling N38.7 billion drove the profit rise.

Turnover in the review period scaled up by 22.5 per cent to N260.5 billion on account of improved sales from its home and personal care products division.