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LCCI, Farmers, Others Worry Over Agric Growth Decline

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Agriculture - Investors King
  • LCCI, Farmers, Others Worry Over Agric Growth Decline

Stakeholders in the real sector including the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, agriculture commodities association and farmers have expressed dismay over the decline in the growth of agriculture in the first quarter of 2018.

In its Gross Domestic Product report for first quarter of 2018, the National Bureau of statistics disclosed that the sector grew by 5.80 per cent year-on-year in nominal terms, showing a decline of 4.01 percentage points and 4.33 percentage points from the first quarter 2017 and the fourth quarter 2017, respectively.

Four subsectors make up the agricultural sector; and they are crop production, livestock, forestry and fishery.

Crop production is expectedly the major driver of the sector, which the NBS said accounted for 85.28 per cent of overall nominal growth of the agricultural sector.

In the first quarter of 2018, agriculture contributed 17.42 per cent to the nominal GDP. This figure is lower than the rates recorded in the first quarter of 2017 and the fourth quarter of 2017 at 18 per cent and 21.93 per cent, respectively.

The NBS said the non-oil sector as a whole grew by 0.76 per cent in real terms during the review quarter. This is higher by 0.04 per cent compared to the rate recorded same quarter of 2017 and 0.70 per cent lower than the fourth quarter of 2017.

In addition to agriculture (crop production), other drivers of the non-oil sector growth were financial institutions and insurance, manufacturing, transportation and storage and information and communication.

“In real terms, the non-oil sector contributed 90.39 per cent to the nation’s GDP, lower than 91.47 per cent recorded in the first quarter of 2017 and 92.65 per cent recorded in the fourth quarter of 2017,” the bureau stated.

The Director-General, LCCI, Mr Muda Yusuf, attributed the declining growth in the agricultural sector to the impact of herdsmen and farmers clashes among other factors.

The Statistician-General of the Federation, Yemi Kale, in his recent interview agreed that the clashes in various parts of the country had affected food production and the growth of agriculture.

“Obviously, if people cannot go to the farms, it is going to be a problem,” he said, adding, “Agriculture is not just crops; cattle rearing is also part of agriculture; so the back and forth are affecting both crop production and livestock. And agriculture is the biggest part of our GDP and that is slowing down the economy.”

The National President, Federation of Agricultural Commodities Association, Mr Victor Iyama, told our correspondent that the farmers and herdsmen crisis affected operators in a very bad way, adding, “People are afraid to go to the farms.”

According to him, in addition to this, paucity of funds is a major challenge as farmers cannot have access to single-digit-interest loans.

Although the Central Bank of Nigeria had introduced the Anchor Borrowers Programme to grow the agricultural sector, stakeholders pointed out that the programme only took care of the rice sector, stressing that agriculture was not only about rice.

Iyama said it was the hope of operators that the Bank of Agriculture would receive funding soon.

While speaking during a two-day summit titled ‘Feeding Futures Africa’, the President, Farm and Infrastructure Foundation, Prof. Gbolagade Ayoola, stressed that the policy environment had to be right for the sector to thrive.

He said if private investment in agriculture was to be encouraged, the government had to put the right policies in place to make that happen.

He said that over the years, there had been absence of a legal framework supporting food security the way it was done in advanced countries.

“Nigerian government must articulate their policies to show their respect to the people’s right to food,” he said.

The President, LCCI, Mr Babatunde Ruwase, expressed worry over the impact of the declining growth of agriculture on food inflation.

During his review of the state of the economy in August 2, Ruwase said food inflation was of a great concern to stakeholders.

Citing data from the NBS which put food inflation at 12.98 per cent in June against core inflation of 10.39 per cent and headline inflation of 11.23 per cent, Ruwase warned that the planned imposition of excise duty on soap and other basic consumables by the Nigeria Customs Service might aggravate the poverty condition in the country.

Is the CEO/Founder of Investors King Limited. A proven foreign exchange research analyst and a published author on Yahoo Finance, Businessinsider, Nasdaq, Entrepreneur.com, Investorplace, and many more. He has over two decades of experience in global financial markets.

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DLM Trust Unveils DLM Single Asset Trust

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DLM Capital Group

DLM Trust, a subsidiary of DLM Capital Group is thrilled to announce the launch of DLM Single Asset Trust.

The model is a variant of the Living Trust construct that allows for a groundbreaking solution for individuals or Corporations seeking to settle assets into a trust, for the benefit of themselves and their chosen beneficiaries.

The DLM Single Asset Trust guarantees that peoples’ assets are protected and managed in accordance with their intentions by operating under the tenets of trust, security, and careful management. The DLM SAT offers a novel approach to trust services by fusing state-of-the-art technology with knowledgeable advice to enable people and families effortlessly manage their assets.

DLM SAT enables individuals, often referred to as Settlors, to create a single asset trust that will serve both their own and their designated beneficiaries’ purposes. The Trust Fund may be started using the Settlor’s assets/funds and then expanded with future contributions in accordance with the Settlor’s goals. Only authorised individuals, including the settlor, can access the trust because of its strong independent and confidentiality level. DLM Trust Company holds the Fund in trust and manages it for the benefit of the Settlor and designated Beneficiaries.

In a statement, MD of DLM Trust, Lola Razaaq commented on the introduction of the DLM Single Asset Trust, stating that it is a means of establishing a timeline for legacy preservation. “The DLM SAT is our newest offering, and we are thrilled to announce this important milestone for DLM Trust.” The aim of our organisation is to equip people and families with the necessary resources and assistance to safeguard and maintain their heritage for future generations. “Furthermore, we are transforming the concept of future planning with DLM Single Asset Trust.” she said.

DLM Trust Company Limited is registered with Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and incorporated under the Companies and Allied Matters Act to provide trust services to individuals, corporations, sub-sovereign entities. As always, strategic thinking and innovation will be combined by DLM Trust Company to offer its clients best-in-class services. Since its founding, DLM Trust has worked on a variety of creative and unique transactions, including securitizations, private and public bonds.

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Shell’s $2.4bn Asset Sale Under Close Scrutiny

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Shell

The proposed $2.4 billion asset sale by energy giant Shell to Renaissance Africa Energy has become the focal point of intense scrutiny as the Federal Government of Nigeria aims to ensure transparency and regulatory compliance in the transaction.

The deal has sparked widespread interest and raised questions about its implications for the country’s energy landscape.

Shell, a prominent British energy major with a century-long history of operations in the Niger Delta, announced in January its intention to divest its Nigerian onshore subsidiary, Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited, to Renaissance Africa Energy.

This landmark agreement, if finalized, would represent a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s energy sector dynamics.

Renaissance Africa Energy, a consortium comprising five companies, including four Nigerian-based exploration and production firms and an international energy group, has confirmed its participation in the deal.

The consortium’s involvement underscores its strategic positioning to capitalize on Nigeria’s vast energy resources and contribute to the country’s economic development.

The proposed transaction, however, is contingent upon approvals from the Federal Government of Nigeria and other relevant regulatory bodies.

To ensure adherence to regulatory protocols and safeguard national interests, the government has initiated a comprehensive due diligence process, commencing with a high-level meeting held on Monday.

Parties involved in the deal, alongside officials from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), convened in Abuja for a thorough examination of the transaction details.

Gbenga Komolafe, the Chief Executive of NUPRC, outlined the government’s objective to conclude the divestment exercise by June, underscoring the importance of timely and meticulous evaluation.

Komolafe revealed that the government has enlisted the expertise of two globally renowned consulting firms, S&P Global and the BCG Group, to facilitate the due diligence process.

These consultants, recognized for their proficiency in financial analysis and regulatory compliance, will collaborate with NUPRC to ensure that the transaction aligns with industry best practices and regulatory standards.

The due diligence meeting served as a forum to discuss the proposed divestment of Shell’s participating interests in the SPDC JV assets, which are currently operated by the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigerian Limited.

These assets, awarded as Oil Exploration Licence-1 in 1949, have played a pivotal role in Nigeria’s hydrocarbon industry, contributing significantly to the nation’s crude oil and gas output.

With an estimated total reserve of nearly 5 billion barrels of oil and extensive gas resources, the SPDC JV assets hold immense strategic importance for Nigeria’s energy security and economic prosperity.

However, as Nigeria seeks to optimize its energy sector operations, the selection of a responsible and capable successor to manage these assets remains paramount.

As discussions continue and the due diligence process unfolds, stakeholders remain optimistic about the prospects of the deal.

Representatives from Shell, Renaissance Africa Energy, and regulatory authorities expressed their commitment to ensuring a transparent and seamless transition, with the overarching goal of advancing Nigeria’s energy sector agenda.

The outcome of the scrutiny surrounding Shell’s $2.4 billion asset sale will not only shape the future of Nigeria’s energy landscape but also demonstrate the country’s commitment to fostering a conducive investment environment and promoting sustainable development in the oil and gas sector.

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POS Terminal Deployment in Nigeria Hits 2.68 Million in March 2024

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POS Business in Nigeria

The total Point of Sale (POS) terminals deployed across Nigeria have now reached 2.68 million as of March 2024.

According to data released by the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS), this represents a Year-on-Year (YoY) growth rate of 47.36% and reflects the accelerating pace of digitalization within the nation’s financial sector.

The proliferation of POS terminals signals a fundamental shift towards cashless transactions, as businesses and consumers increasingly embrace the convenience and efficiency offered by digital payment solutions.

This surge in adoption highlights the growing reliance on technology to facilitate financial transactions, driving innovation and transforming the way commerce is conducted across various sectors of the economy.

Breaking down the figures, January 2024 saw a deployment of 2.47 million POS terminals, representing a significant YoY increase of 50.61% compared to the same period in 2023.

Similarly, February 2024 witnessed a surge in deployment with 2.58 million POS terminals, marking a YoY growth rate of 54.49% compared to February 2023.

While these numbers paint a picture of rapid expansion, a closer examination reveals that there are over a million registered POS terminals yet to be deployed or taken up by merchants.

In January 2024, the number of registered terminals reached 3.44 million, rising from 2.31 million in 2023. February and March continued this trend, with registered terminals reaching 3.6 million and 3.73 million respectively in 2024.

The increase in registered POS terminals underscores the potential for further expansion and utilization within Nigeria’s digital payment landscape.

As the number of terminals continues to grow, there is a clear indication of the country’s readiness to embrace cashless transactions on a broader scale, paving the way for increased financial inclusion and efficiency.

Industry stakeholders view this surge in POS terminal deployment as a positive step towards realizing Nigeria’s vision of becoming a digital economy powerhouse.

However, challenges such as infrastructure development, regulatory frameworks, and merchant adoption still need to be addressed to fully harness the potential of digital payments in driving economic growth and development.

As Nigeria moves towards a cashless future, collaboration between the public and private sectors will be crucial in overcoming these challenges and ensuring that the benefits of digitalization are accessible to all segments of society.

With the continued expansion of POS terminal deployment, Nigeria is poised to emerge as a leader in digital payments innovation, transforming the way transactions are conducted and driving economic progress in the process.

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