Connect with us

Business

How 100,000 Monie Agents Of FirstBank Touch Lives

Published

on

FirstBank

100,000 Monie agents of Nigeria’s biggest bank, FirstBank are impacting upon society through several ways including their economic and human relationships.

If you live in Lagos, Abuja or Port Harcourt, or you reside in any of the other state capitals, you probably take for granted that you actually live in the better of the two worlds that make up Nigeria when it comes to banking.

Take Lagos, for example, you would find a bank in almost any corner you turn. You have many streets in business or commercial areas in the city that are lined up by nothing but banks in all their glory and magnificence.

If a count is taken, it could be established that there are probably more bank branches in Lagos than any other branded business outlets or branded activity centres – if street stores and religious centres are excluded.

Many people in city centres somehow assume that this situation of banks being in your face in cities is the same reality that prevails in most parts of the country.

They have no idea that there are parts of Nigeria, especially the hinterland, where people take the absence of banks for granted the same way city dwellers take the preponderance of bank branches for granted.

To get to the nearest bank, people in the hinterland who live this reality every day would have to travel many kilometres to get to their state capitals or some other large towns. These are the people living in the worse of the two worlds you find in Nigeria as far as having bank presence is concerned.

Imagine if the situation were reversed and city dwellers had to travel many kilometres to get to the nearest bank branch where they could do their transactions. It is not unlikely that such a situation would be accompanied by a ballooning of the stress levels in city dwellers, increased road rage on city highways and heightened frustration generally.

How would people who spend multiple hours in traffic on a daily basis, work longer than counterparts elsewhere for far less remuneration, enjoy less sleep on their beds and less time with family and loved ones, cope with the additional burden of walking or driving endlessly in search of a bank to do their transactions? How? Just how?

So city dwellers should indeed be thankful for their world. And while at it, they as well as people in the hinterland, who live in the other world, should not be shy to extend appreciation to those working so hard and tirelessly to bridge the gap between the two worlds in Nigeria.

The Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) financial inclusion initiative geared towards bringing the unbanked and underbanked as well as communities in Nigeria’s hinterland into the formal financial ecosystem has been key to efforts to bridge the gap.

The CBN’s mandate to ensure the availability of affordable financial products and services to all individuals and groups of people in Nigeria, regardless of location, literacy level, familiarity with technology or accessibility to modern infrastructural facilities, has been wholly embraced, supported and promoted by FirstBank.

FirstBank’s unmatched commitment to financial inclusion is informed by the bank’s undivided focus on making real impact across Nigeria. Hear Dr. Adesola Adeduntan, the Chief Executive Officer of the premier bank in West Africa and the leading financial inclusion services provider in Nigeria for over 127 years: “The key strength of our franchise is our ability to look at gaps in the society and develop products and services that [address those gaps].”

Continuing, he notes that as an integral part of the bank’s strategy, “We believe that by significantly working with the Central Bank to improve the financial inclusion index of the country, we would, as FirstBank, be assisting [the] country to address poverty, to address hunger, thereby also promoting security of life and property because when people are gainfully employed, the implication is that they think less of crime.”

It is therefore not surprising that FirstBank has driven the financial inclusion initiative much more vigorously than any other bank in Nigeria, with its Firstmonie Agent channel, which crossed the 100,000 Agents mark a few days ago, being among the bank’s many initiatives to expand financial access in the country.

The 100,000 Agents feat in itself speaks volumes about the bank’s strides in the financial inclusion space. No other bank comes anywhere close to FirstBank in terms of number and spread of agents in their agent banking networks. FirstBank’s Firstmonie Agents and the thousands of staff they employ are in all the 774 local government areas in Nigeria save two and, in 2020 alone, processed over 295 million transactions with a total value of N6.65 trillion and opened more than 196,000 accounts.

However, for FirstBank, it is not about number or competition with others or even being the largest bank-led network in Africa, but the impact the Firstmonie Agents channel it is creating, as Dr Adeduntan highlighted above. His deputy, Francis Shobo agrees, saying FirstBank is looking beyond numbers and considering impact.

He makes a bold declaration, “We are trying to make those Agents the centre of the financial ecosystem in the country.” This probably explains why Firstmonie Agents are considered by the bank as community heroes that it is planting all over the nation. And this is the sense one gets in interviews with Agents and customers across the country.

Aiyetoro is a riverine community in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State. It has no banks, according to Stephen Adeleye, a Firstmonie Agent serving Aiyetoro community. He recounts how Firstmonie has impacted his community.

Adeleye says Firstmonie has provided easy access to banking ensuring that “people in the community now have this kind of savings habit” – a reference to the growing savings culture in Aiyetoro. One of his customers, Tina Farodoye, who operates a grocery store in the community says Firstmonie has helped her business to grow. She can now buy her stock in bulk all the way from Lagos where they are relatively inexpensive (even with transport costs added) compared to her community, all because she is able to transfer funds through Agent Stephen to the wholesalers in Lagos. This has improved her business profitability by increasing the profit margin in her business.

Ephraim Osinachi, is a Firstmonie Agent in Obehie, Asa Ukwa West, Abia State. He serves customers across all ages, including the very aged, as all customers are assisted with their transactions, unlike the use of ATM where the customer is practically on their own.

He says market traders take advantage of his presence in the community to make lodgements at the end of the day’s trade. He and his staff wait until traders are done at the market (unlike your regular banks which shut their doors to customers at four o’clock, generally). The advantage this offers the people is invaluable.

He cites a case where a customer’s house was raided by robbers in their absence and all the robbers could find after ransacking the entire house was fifty naira cash and old phones valued at N3,000. His services are enabling his community to avoid keeping bulk cash at home and the consequent risk of being robbed and traumatised by men of the underworld.

Orode Hesse, Firstmonie Agent in Ubeji, Warri South, Delta State is both emphatic and ecstatic about impact Firstmonie has had on her life. She enthuses that it has really impacted and empowered her financially and enabled her to empower others, especially other women. She has six employees, five of whom are female. So she sees Firstmonie as a business or platform to employ and empower women. Interestingly, Orode is part of the 26 per cent of Firstmonie Agents that are women, a fact that points to the important role Firstmonie is playing in driving women economic empowerment.

Abubakar Aki Bolaji, is a Firstmonie Agent along Karishi Road, Orozo in FCT, Abuja. He points out that the nearest bank to his community is 15km away. He is pleased that his presence as an Agent in the community has cut out the costs of transportation his people would have continued to incur in order to access banking services. His sentiment and delight are shared by the teeming customers he serves.

This situation is very common in the North given its landmass and the dispersed nature of human settlements. Dr Adeduntan relates how a senior government official in Jigawa State highlighted how important the presence of Firstmonie Agents was when he informed him that all across a 70km stretch from Gumel, where there was the branch of a bank, there were no banks anywhere in sight. All he saw were at least two Firstmonie Agents in that long stretch of 70km, no banks. Without those two Agents, all the people in the settlements along that 70km stretch would be without access to banking services.

Another Firstmonie Agent, Mohammed Tatari, serving Tudun Wada in Bununu, Bauchi State, says his services are helping to drive commerce in his community as traders are now able to transfer funds to the wholesalers elsewhere from whom they buy. His services are helping traders to avoid carrying large cash with them given the dire security situation. He noted that the people used to travel elsewhere just to access banking service. His presence has changed all that now. He concludes that Firstmonie is changing his community (for good).

One woman who would agree with him is Halima, a housewife and petty trader in the outskirts of Abuja. She discovered Firstmonie through her co-tenant, during the recent lockdown due to COVID-19, and was excited that she could access funds at the Firstmonie Agent outlet close to her and send money to her mother in far away, Maiduguri in Borno State. She had been unable to move to Garki where her bank branch was because of the lockdown.

Besides ensuring that individuals in the suburbs do not have to travel for long hours to the city for their banking activities, Firstmonie Agents are also bridging the gap between the tech-savvy and the low-literacy clients as the Agent network represents the convenient and comfortable alternative for customers that are unacquainted with sophisticated digital channels. And as Firstmonie Agents give their best, FirstBank, on its part, has been doing everything to encourage the Agents. In its inaugural Firstmonie Agent Banking Awards, FirstBank rewarded 37 leading Agents that have promoted financial inclusion in the country. Thirty-one (31) Agents each won the sum of N250,000 at the state level while five Agents won the sum of N1,000,000 at the regional level. At the national level, the grand prize of N2,500,000 was won by Zayyanu Hassan Ishaq, an Agent from Abuja (North Central), who described it as a miracle and noted that it would spur him to work harder.

As further encouragement and to promote the business activities of Firstmonie Agents, the bank announced the provision of loan facilities of up to N1,000,000 to the Agents. This new credit scheme, which they can access 24 hours a day, can be processed in less than two minutes.

The scheme means more empowerment and business expansion for Firstmonie Agents. And the expansion can go beyond Nigeria as Dr Adeduntan says FirstBank is looking beyond Nigeria to other African countries where FirstBank operates, like Ghana and DRC – a country with over 80 million people – to promote financial inclusion and begin to address poverty on the African continent through the Firstmonie platform.

Send Us A Press Statement Advertise With Us Contact Us

 And For More Nigerian News Visit GWG.NG

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Comments

Business

Why Google Blocked 5.5bn Adverts

Published

on

By

US-based multinational technology corporation Google has blocked over 5.5 billion adverts and suspended 12.7 million others for violating its policies.

The search engine giant also said on Wednesday that it had removed adverts from over 2.1 billion pages.

https://gwg.ng/2024/03/28/see-the-pastor-that-charges-n1-7m-to-teach-people-how-to-perform-miracles/

“Billions of people worldwide rely on Google products to provide relevant and trustworthy information, including ads. That’s why thousands of people are working around the clock to safeguard the digital advertising ecosystem. Today, we are releasing our annual Ads Safety Report to share the progress we’ve made in enforcing our advertiser and publisher policies and to hold ourselves accountable in maintaining a healthy ad-supported internet,” it said.

https://gwg.ng/2024/03/28/man-jailed-6-months-for-stealing-car-battery/

In 2023, it said scams and fraud across all online platforms were on a steady rise.

“Bad actors constantly evolve tactics to manipulate digital advertising to scam people and legitimate businesses. To counter these ever-shifting threats, we quickly updated policies, deployed rapid-response enforcement teams and sharpened our detection techniques”, it added.

https://gwg.ng/2024/03/28/what-i-experienced-in-detention-firstnews-editor-narrates/

Millions of content creators across the globe, including Nigeria, rely on Google Ads to drive revenue.

Send Us A Press Statement Advertise With Us Contact


 And For More Nigerian News Visit GWG.NG

Continue Reading

Business

Amidst Rumours, Naira Exchanges ₦1,371.170/$1 At Parallel Market For March 28

Published

on

Naira dollar exchange for March 28

The Naira is today, Thursday, March 28 2024 exchanging 1,371.170 Naira to 1 US Dollar at the parallel market (black market) in Nigeria according to Naira rate’s Official X handle on Thursday. This means that you can get 1,371.170 Naira for every 1 Dollar that you exchange.

The black market rate signifies the value at which individuals can trade their dollars for Naira outside the official or regulated exchange channels..

Note that the Black Market Exchange rate is typically higher than the official exchange rate because it is not regulated by the government.

Today, March 28 exchange, indicates that the naira appreciated against dollar with ₦26 difference compared to yesterday, when naira exchanged $1 to ₦1,345.300.

GWG.ng reports that the value of any nation’s currency is determined by aggregate supply and demand.

The forces of Supply and demand are themselves influenced by a number of factors, including interest rates, inflation, capital flow, and money supply.

The most common method to value currency is through exchange rates. The two main exchange rate systems are fixed rate and floating rate systems.

Investors and participants closely monitor these parallel market rates for a more immediate reflection of currency dynamics.

Send Us A Press Statement Advertise With Us Contact Us

 And For More Nigerian News Visit GWG.NG

Continue Reading

Business

Naira Appreciates To N1,350/$ In Parallel Market

Published

on

By

The Nigerian currency, the naira, experienced a notable appreciation in value, reaching N1,350 per dollar in the parallel market, a sharp rise from N1,430 per dollar on Monday.

This trend was mirrored in the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NAFEM), where the naira strengthened to N1,382.95 per dollar, up from N1,408.04, as reported by FMDQ data.

https://gwg.ng/2024/03/27/why-i-dont-win-awards-yemi-alade/

This development has resulted in an increased gap between the parallel market rate and the NAFEM rate, which has expanded to N32.95 from the previous N21.96.

The naira’s value has been on an upward trajectory, with an 18.28 percent increase recorded since February 23, 2024, when it hit a low of N1,665.50.

Analysts attribute the naira’s recent gains to a series of foreign exchange reforms implemented by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

These reforms, aimed at streamlining the foreign exchange system, include consolidating exchange rate windows, liberalizing the FX market, and clearing foreign exchange backlogs for banks and airlines.

https://gwg.ng/2024/03/27/son-of-ex-president-jailed-in-us/

The CBN’s introduction of a Price Verification System (PVS), revised limits on banks’ Net Open Position, removal of the daily cap on remunerable Standing Deposit Facility (SDF), and the restructuring of the Bureau De Change (BDC) sector, are steps towards fostering a more transparent and efficient market.

Further measures to enhance market dynamics include adjusting margin limits for International Money Transfer Operator (IMTO) remittances, implementing a two-way quote system, and thorough reforms in the BDC segment.

These initiatives are designed to improve market stability, transparency, supply, and price discovery in the Nigeria Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market.

In a recent move, the CBN has set the sale rate of dollars to BDC Operators at N1,251, directing them to offer foreign currency to eligible customers at a margin not exceeding 1.5 percent above this rate.

Send Us A Press Statement Advertise With Us Contact


 And For More Nigerian News Visit GWG.NG

Continue Reading

Business

See The Lastest Price Of Petrol (Per Litre) In Nigeria For Today

Published

on

By

One of the most essential commodities in the country and all over the world is petrol, also known as Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), as it powers various aspects of the economy and daily life.

However, the price of petrol has been fluctuating over the years, due to various factors such as global oil prices, exchange rates, subsidy policies, and supply and demand.

Current Price of Petrol in Nigeria

According to the regulator of petrol price in the country, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), the official pump price of petrol (PMS) in Nigeria is N617 per litre.

https://gwg.ng/2024/03/27/why-delta-state-assembly-reverses-sack-of-accountant-after-24-years/

This was after the federal government removed a subsidy on the commodity, which led to a significant increase in the price from N195 per litre.

However, due to logistics and other factors that vary by location, the actual price of petrol may differ across the country.

Naija News understands that petrol presently goes for prices ranging from N600 to N700 per litre across the country, while the over-the-country average price of petrol is presently N630 per litre.

https://gwg.ng/2024/03/27/why-i-granted-full-autonomy-to-local-government-councils-governor-alia/

The table below shows the petrol prices in all 36 states and FCT in Nigeria as of March 27, 2024, as released by NNPCL.

StatePrice (N)
Abia687.50 Per Litre
Abuja632.12 Per Litre
Adamawa671.40 Per Litre
Akwa Ibom677.00 Per Litre
Anambra680.00 Per Litre
Bauchi650.00 Per Litre
Bayelsa673.00 Per Litre
Benue632.84 Per Litre
Borno657.27 Per Litre
Cross River663.33 Per Litre
Delta665.63 Per Litre
Ebonyi638.71 Per Litre
Edo662.00 Per Litre
Ekiti651.33 Per Litre
Enugu673.87 Per Litre
Gombe703.00 Per Litre
Imo687.00 Per Litre
Jigawa679.67 Per Litre
Kaduna670.00 Per Litre
Kano678.27 Per Litre
Katsina680.40 Per Litre
Kebbi796.67 Per Litre
Kogi626.79 Per Litre
Kwara614.90 Per Litre
Lagos663.05 Per Litre
Nassarawa629.32 Per Litre
Niger624.04 Per Litre
Ogun653.11 Per Litre
Ondo653.02 Per Litre
Osun658.77 Per Litre
Oyo662.53 Per Litre
Plateau670.00 Per Litre
Rivers674.55 Per Litre
Sokoto664.80 Per Litre
Taraba704.11 Per Litre
Yobe675.55 Per Litre
Zamfara771.43 Per Litre

Please note that these prices are subject to changes in different stations across the country.

Send Us A Press Statement Advertise With Us Contact


 And For More Nigerian News Visit GWG.NG

Continue Reading

Business

Eno Neutralises Sharks In Akwa Ibom With N1.5bn Interest-Free Loans

Published

on

By

Akwa Ibom interest-free loans

Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom on Tuesday announced a N1.5 billion interest-free loans to Akwa Ibom traders.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the loans are to be managed by the Ibom Fadama Micro Finance Bank.

Eno also launched the free-food voucher programme for the vulnerables at the popular Itam market in Itu Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.

“I have heard of how some of you go to some places to get loans with very high interest rates and that has made the cost of food to go up, and before you finish paying the loans, you cannot meet up with your market or trading obligations anymore.

“I have come to tell you not to take such loans again, Consequently, we are releasing N500 million interest-free loans to each of the three senatorial districts making a total of N1.5 billion to help your businesses,” Eno said.

Besides the interest-free loans, the Akwa Ibom governor also promised to construct a car park, provide solar panel light, modern toilet facilities at Itam market for better convenience of the traders.

The Governor, therefore, directed the Transition Chairmen of the remaining 29 councils, excluding Itu and Uyo LGAs, to ensure they launch the free-voucher food programme by April 2.

The free food voucher for the vulnerable, is a key element of the Bulk Agency Bill that was signed into law a week ago, and the Board, equally inaugurated by the Governor, last week.

The key responsibility of the Agency is to provide free staple food items such as Garri, rice and beans to the most vulnerable through the Social Register. (NAN)

Send Us A Press Statement Advertise With Us Contact

 And For More Nigerian News Visit GWG.NG

Continue Reading

Business

Former DSS Chief, Dennis Amachree: Nigeria Shouldn’t Expel Binance Traders

Published

on

Dennis Amachree Binance

Dennis Amachree, a former Assistant Director of Nigeria’s Department of State Services (DSS), has stepped into the fray regarding the pursuit of individuals trading on the Binance cryptocurrency platform. His stance is coming against the backdrop of controversies surrounding the escape of Binance executive Nadeem Anjarwalla from custody, an event that has stirred widespread discussion and concern within the country.

Amachree’s argument revolves around the idea that targeting individual traders on the Binance platform lacks a justifiable basis. Instead, he contends that regulatory and investigative efforts should be directed towards scrutinizing the platform itself and its executives. To illustrate his point, Amachree draws an analogy with the banking sector, explaining that if a bank like UBA were implicated in a crime, authorities would focus on the management responsible for the bank’s operations rather than targeting its customers. He asserts that similar logic should apply to Binance and its users.

The escape of Anjarwalla from a guest house in Abuja, where he was being held alongside colleague Tigran Gambaryan, has raised serious questions about the efficacy of security measures and decision-making processes within the involved authorities. Amachree criticizes the apparent lax security that facilitated the escape, suggesting that Anjarwalla should have been detained by more secure and appropriate agencies such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) or the DSS.

This incident has ignited demands for accountability from the security personnel responsible for overseeing the custody of the Binance executives. Amachree’s remarks underscore the need for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the escape, as well as the enforcement of more stringent security protocols to prevent similar occurrences in the future. The escape has cast a spotlight on the competence and integrity of Nigeria’s security apparatus, prompting calls for swift and transparent action to address any shortcomings and restore public confidence.

In the wake of these developments, the Nigerian public awaits further updates on the investigation and hopes for decisive measures to ensure the accountability of those involved.

Send Us A Press Statement Advertise With Us Contact

 And For More Nigerian News Visit GWG.NG

Continue Reading

Business

CBN Ups Fight Against Inflation, Raises MPR

Published

on

By

CBN MPR

In a move apparently aimed at curtailing inflation, the Monetary Policy Committee, MPC of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN on Tuesday, to hike its benchmark Monetary Policy Rate, MPR by 200 basis points.

The decision came after the two day deliberations of the MPC for the month of March. It was the second time that the MPC now headed by CBN governor Yemi Cardoso and the second time that it would hike the MPR.

GWG.ng reports that the MPC at the end of today’s meeting elected to hike the MPR by 200 basis points.

The Committee voted as follows: Raise the MPR by 200bps to 24.75 from 22.75 per cent

Increase the asymmetric corridor to +100bps/-300 basic points.

Retain the Cash Reserve Ratio of Deposit Money Banks at 45 per cent and Adjust the CRR of Merchant banks from 10 per cent to 14 per cent.

The CBN retained a liquidity ratio of 13 per cent.

GWG.ng reports that the decision of the CBN to raise the MPR could be seen as being overtly cautious as many stakeholders had expected the apex bank to further monitor the steep rate hike it introduced last month.

Send Us A Press Statement Advertise With Us Contact

 And For More Nigerian News Visit GWG.NG

Continue Reading

Business

Pressure Mounts On Hoarders To Sell Off Dollars As Naira Rebounds

Published

on

CBN on dollars

Individuals and businesses holding on to dollars are facing renewed pressure to offload the excess foreign currency in thier possession as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) continues to implement policies that are shoring up the value of the currency.

GWG.ng reports that the Nigerian naira, which recently experienced a significant slide selling up to N1,9000 against the dollar due to heightened demand and outstanding forwards, rebounded and sold below N1,3000 last Monday.

Read also

According to Mallam Yakubu Salisu, a BDC operator, there’s a heightened willingness among people to exchange their dollars amidst fears of further depreciation.

The decision of CBN to sell 20,000 dollars worth of foreign exchange to eligible BDC operators across the nation marks a significant shift, especially after the suspension of such sales three years prior.

Out of the 5,690 registered BDC operators nationwide, approximately 1,373 have been screened for allocation, with specific allocations delineated for various regions including Abuja, Awka, Kano, and Lagos.

The recent circular issued by the CBN reinstating the sale of forex to BDC operators aims to rectify distortions in the retail forex market and bridge the exchange rate gap. The allocated rate of N1,301/$ reflects the lower band rate of executed spot transactions at the Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market.

Send Us A Press Statement Advertise With Us Contact Us

 And For More Nigerian News Visit GWG.NG

Continue Reading

Business

Why FIRS Filed Charges Against Binance

Published

on

By

Binance charges

The Federal Government has initiated criminal charges against Binance, a cryptocurrency exchange platform for failing to pay statutory taxes to the government of Nigeria.

The charges were filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, the Special Adviser (Media) to the Chairman of Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Mr Dare Adekanbi, revealed Monday.

The lawsuit, designated as suit number FHC/ABJ/CR/115/2024, implicates Binance with a four-count tax evasion accusation.

Joining the crypto company as second and third defendants in the suit are Tigran Gambaryan and Nadeem Anjarwalla, both senior executives of Binance currently under the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The charges levied against Binance include non-payment of Value-Added Tax (VAT), Company Income Tax, failure to file tax returns, and complicity in aiding customers to evade taxes through its platform.

In the suit, the Federal Government also accused Binance of failure to register with FIRS for tax purposes and contravening existing tax regulations within the country.

One of the counts in the lawsuit pertains to Binance’s alleged failure to collect and remit various categories of taxes to the federation as stipulated by Section 40 of the FIRS Establishment Act 2007 as amended.

Section 40 of the Act explicitly addresses the non-deduction and non-remittance of taxes, prescribing penalties and potential imprisonment for defaulting entities.

The charges further detailed specific instances where Binance purportedly violated tax laws, such as failing to issue invoices for VAT purposes, thus obstructing the determination and payment of taxes by subscribers.

“Any company that transacts business in excess of N25 million annually is deemed by the Finance Act to be present in Nigeria.

“According to this rule, Binance falls into that category. So, it has to pay taxes like Company Income Tax (CIT) and also collect and pay Value Added Tax (VAT).

“But Binance did not do this properly. So, the company broke Nigerian laws and could be investigated and taken to court for this infraction,” Adekanmbi said.

He added that the Federal Government remained resolute in its commitment to ensuring compliance with tax regulations and combating financial impropriety within the cryptocurrency sector.

Send Us A Press Statement Advertise With Us Contact

 And For More Nigerian News Visit GWG.NG

Continue Reading

Trending