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Tinubu Flags Off N73bn Customs Project in Ogun

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has commissioned a N73 billion Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) operational complex in Iperu, Ogun State, in a move aimed at strengthening trade facilitation, enforcement, and revenue generation.

The facility, located in Ijebu North Local Government Area, will serve as the new base for the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘A’. It spans 142 buildings across a 100-hectare site and is designed to deliver international-standard capacity for customs operations, particularly within Lagos and the wider South-West corridor.

Speaking at the inauguration, Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi said the complex would significantly enhance operational efficiency, improve officers’ welfare, and strengthen enforcement capabilities. He noted that the expansion is expected to support growing trade volumes while improving compliance and monitoring systems.

Adeniyi disclosed that the project is currently about 45 per cent complete and appealed for a review of aspects of the initial approval to ensure full completion within the current administration’s tenure.

He explained that all FOU operations in Lagos would eventually relocate to Iperu, citing the limitations of the long-standing Ikeja command and the need for a more strategic and spacious operational environment.

The new complex is expected to centralise enforcement and logistics operations across land, sea, and air channels. It will also house a customs training college, warehouse facilities, and other supporting infrastructure to strengthen institutional capacity.

According to Adeniyi, customs officers have already been deployed to the Ogun airport to manage cargo operations following recent federal approvals.

He commended Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, for providing land for the project, and acknowledged former Comptroller-General Ahmed Alli for initiating the development.

Background

The commissioning comes amid rising revenue performance by the Nigeria Customs Service. Data shows that the Ogun II Area Command generated over N15 billion between January and April 2025, marking a 40 per cent increase from the N9 billion recorded in the same period of 2024.

At the national level, the NCS recorded N1.75 trillion in revenue in the first quarter of 2025, exceeding its target of N1.645 trillion by N106.5 billion. This represents a 29.96 per cent increase compared to N1.35 trillion recorded in Q1 2024.

A breakdown of the figures shows that January 2025 revenue stood at N647.88 billion, surpassing its target by 18.12 per cent and posting a 65.77 per cent year-on-year increase. February collections reached N540.11 billion, exceeding projections and recording a 19.97 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2024.

The development underscores ongoing efforts by the Federal Government to decentralise key operations and strengthen trade infrastructure outside congested urban centres.

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Business

VFD Group posts twofold jump in half-year profit amid higher investment income

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Investment company VFD Group recorded a twofold increase in net profit for the first half of the year, supported by a significant improvement in investment income, its unaudited report for the period issued Friday showed.

VFD Group is proprietary and investment-focused, meaning it invests in target companies for direct market gain, unlike investment banks, which invest on behalf of others.

It has investments in companies as diverse as the Nigerian Exchange Group, Veritas Kapital Assurance, NASD Plc and CSCS Plc, according to information on its website.

Revenue advanced to N53.7 billion from N41.2 billion a year ago, deriving strength largely from investment income, which was up by 102.8 per cent. Net investment income expanded by 19.8 per cent to N42 billion from N35 billion.

The company logged a sharp increase in other income, which surged more than sevenfold to N3.8 billion after earning N3.9 billion in fair value gain in investment property, unlike a year earlier when no such income was recorded.

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It cut back provision for impairment of financial assets, especially loans and advances, by nearly half to N657.5 million.

“The first half of 2026 performance demonstrates the value of disciplined execution in a market that continues to reward thoughtful execution,” said Managing Director Nonso Okpala in a statement.

“Profit grew more than three times faster than revenue because we remain focused on deploying capital only where risk-adjusted returns justify,” he added.

The company earned N79.1 million in share of profit from associate, compared to N22 million one year prior, boosting pre-tax profit.

EBIT margin, a parameter that gauges the operating profitability of a company, stood at 62.5 per cent, slightly weaker than the 66 per cent recorded in the same period of 2025.

Profit before tax climbed 98.4 per cent to N12 billion, while after-tax profit increased to N10.1 billion from N5 billion.

READ ALSO: Aradel’s half-year profit grows far less than revenue as galloping costs bite

In a separate announcement on Friday, the board of directors declared an interim dividend of N0.24 per share, translating into a potential payout of N3 billion.

“We enter the second half of the year with the strongest capital position in the group’s history, a materially lower cost of funding, and a portfolio of high-quality earning assets,” Folajimi Adeleye, the executive director for finance, said.

“Our priority now is straightforward: ensuring that every naira of new capital consistently generates returns that exceed the cost of the debt it replaced,” he said further.


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Guinea Insurance Surpasses Minimum Capital Requirement with Successful Capital Raise

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BY NKECHI NAECHE-ESEZOBOR—Guinea Insurance Plc has taken a major step toward solidifying its market position after successfully executing a ₦12.6 billion capital raise, putting it well on track to meet NAICOM’s recapitalisation requirements.

In an official statement, Company Secretary Chinenye Nwankwo confirmed that both the Rights Issue and Private Placement achieved full regulatory compliance and earned the complete approval of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Through these capital raising initiatives, the Company successfully raised a total sum of approximately ₦12.6 billion.

When aggregated with the Company’s existing paid-up capital, this positions the Company above the ₦15 billion minimum capital requirement prescribed for non-life insurance companies under the ongoing industry recapitalisation framework, subject to final regulatory capital verification.

 “This milestone represents a significant step forward in the Company’s recapitalisation journey and underscores its commitment to strengthening its financial position, enhancing underwriting capacity, and delivering long-term value to stakeholders.

“The Company wishes to express its sincere appreciation to its shareholders, investors, regulators, and professional advisers for their continued support and confidence throughout the capital raising process.

“The results of the allotment in respect of both the Rights Issue and the Private Placement will be published in the national dailies on or before 6th August 2026, in line with regulatory requirements

Guinea Insurance Plc remains committed to completing the recapitalisation process and will continue to keep stakeholders informed of further developments, including the outcome of the capital verification exercise.”

The post Guinea Insurance Surpasses Minimum Capital Requirement with Successful Capital Raise appeared first on Business Today NG.

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