Business
CBN Fines Nine Banks N1.35bn for Not Having Cash at ATMs During Festive Season
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has imposed hefty fines on nine Deposit Money Banks for failing to ensure cash availability through their ATMs during the festive season.
The total fines amount to N1.35 billion, with each bank penalized N150 million for breaching the CBN’s cash distribution guidelines.
The affected banks include Fidelity Bank, First Bank, Keystone Bank, Union Bank, Globus Bank, Providus Bank, Zenith Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA), and Sterling Bank.
According to a statement by CBN’s acting Director of Corporate Communications, Mrs Hakama Sidi Ali, the sanctions reflect the apex bank’s zero-tolerance stance on cash flow disruptions, especially during high-demand periods.
Spot checks conducted on the banks’ branches revealed their non-compliance with guidelines aimed at ensuring the seamless availability of naira notes across ATMs during the yuletide season.
Business
Government Pledges Support for Women in Livestock Development Says Minister Maiha
Idi Mukhtar Maiha, Minister of Livestock Development, has revealed the government’s intention of placing women in the livestock transformation agenda that they have in store for Nigeria.
During a recent event, he praised women, describing them as the backbone of the country, and shared that the country will keep on needing their support, hence the inclusion of the agenda team.
He also praised the First Lady for the impact she has made in the country so far and her advocacy for women’s empowerment.
Business
“Minimum Wage Can Buy a Bag Now” — User Claims Rice Price Falling in Nigeria
Nigerians react as a user claims and shares that the price of rice in Nigeria is already reducing.
“Rice prices are finally dropping, minimum wage can buy a bag now. Step by step, we’re getting there. Nigeria will work in our lifetime.”
It can be noted that rice was sold at ₦85k to ₦90k, however, according to a market survey, the price of rice has dropped to ₦56k to ₦62k.
Business
New Telecom that Allows Minutes Instead of Airtime for Calls Launches in Nigeria
Nigerians now have a new choice when it comes to making calls and browsing the internet. A new telecom company called LEBARA has launched in the country with a new idea. Instead of the usual airtime system that most networks use, this company is offering something different, subscribers will now buy call minutes and data directly.
What makes this different is that customers will only pay for what they actually use. If you buy 100 minutes, those minutes are yours until you use them up. If you make a call that lasts only 30 seconds, the rest of your time remains, leaving you with 99 minutes and 30 seconds. Nothing is taken away without your knowledge, and every second is accounted for.
The company is rolling out its services with the new 0724 number series, and it already has connections with all the major networks in Nigeria. This means subscribers will be able to call friends, family, and business contacts across MTN, Airtel, Glo, 9mobile and others without any problems. They have also been licensed as a Tier 5 Mobile Virtual Network Operator, which is the highest category approved by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
Company officials explained that the goal is to give Nigerians more freedom, fairness, and transparency. For years, people have raised concerns about airtime being deducted too quickly or without clear explanation. By introducing a minutes-based model, the new operator wants to end that problem once and for all. Subscribers can clearly see what they paid for, how much they have used, and what is left.
