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NAFDAC Clarifies Reopening Of Onitsha Drug Market

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The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has announced that the medicine market at Bridgehead, Onitsha, was reopened on March 7, following a shutdown for comprehensive sanitisation.

The NAFDAC director for Southeast, Dr Martins Iluyomade, confirmed this in a chat with newsmen on Monday.

 

The agency had closed the Ogbo Ogwu and three adjoining markets from February 10 to March 7 to sanitise the medicine distribution system.

 

Iluyomade explained that there were administrative conditions every shop owner had to fulfil before their shops, previously sealed during the operation, could be unsealed.

He said that the process was put in place to prevent the recurrence of the issues that led to the market’s closure.

 

He highlighted that pharmaceuticals were highly regulated due to their impact on public health and national security, adding that NAFDAC’s mandate, under the NAFDAC Act, was to regulate and control the sales and distribution of drugs.

 

Iluyomade also clarified that the market had not been closed, contrary to reports from some media outlets.

He said that the process underway was focused on documenting and regularising the shops, ensuring that no shop would be unsealed without completing the necessary clearance procedures.

 

He said NAFDAC had set up a special desk to facilitate this process efficiently.

 

Iluyomade thanked the market leadership and the Anambra state government for their cooperation and understanding.

 

He further stated that the agency was not aware of any internal conflicts within the market. (NAN)

 

-Leadership

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Fidelity Bank to Host Virtual Masterclass on New Tax Law

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Fidelity Bank Plc, a leading financial institution, will host a free virtual training on the Nigeria Tax Act 2025 (NTA) as part of its commitment to helping small businesses prepare for the upcoming legislation.

 

 

 

The masterclass is scheduled for 10:00 AM (Nigerian time) on Friday, 12 December 2025. It will provide participants with clear insights into changes in the tax framework, the impact on income and business operations, and practical steps to avoid penalties in 2026. Attendees will also learn strategies to stay ahead in an evolving regulatory environment.

 

 

 

The Nigerian government enacted major tax reforms on 26 June 2025 when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu signed four tax bills into law. These Acts will take effect on 1 January 2026 and represent a significant overhaul of the country’s tax system. The reforms aim to modernize and harmonize Nigeria’s tax framework, improve revenue generation, broaden the tax base, and create clearer rules for individuals, businesses, and government agencies.

 

 

 

“Our decision to host this masterclass reflects our commitment to empowering businesses with the right information ahead of the commencement of the new tax regime. Information is money and a well-informed business owner is already steps ahead in the race to success. This is why we are bringing experts to provide accurate details and demystify the tax act,” said Osita Ede, Divisional Head, Product Development, Fidelity Bank Plc.

 

 

 

Interested participants can register via https://bit.ly/2026TaxLawMasterclass .

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Fidelity Bank Reaffirms Support for Indigenous Oil, Gas Development

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Fidelity Bank Plc has restated its commitment to advancing Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, with a strong focus on supporting indigenous operators. This was highlighted by the bank’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe,OON, during a first oil presentation event for Emadeb Energy at Fidelity Place, the bank’s corporate headquarters in Lagos.

At the event, Emadeb Energy’s Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Adebowale Olujimi, expressed appreciation for the bank’s role in enabling the company’s progress.

“What makes Fidelity Bank unique is its willingness to take calculated risks. Many banks prefer to work with companies only after they have achieved first oil because they want already-established customers. Fidelity Bank reviewed our proposal thoroughly, including legal, technical, financial and character assessments. We met these requirements and that is why they supported us,” Olujimi said.

Dr. Onyeali-Ikpe congratulated Emadeb Energy on its milestone and reaffirmed Fidelity Bank’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s energy sector.

“At Fidelity Bank, we are dedicated to supporting indigenous companies in developing oil and gas assets that enhance energy security and promote sustainable growth. Our interventions include financing Nigeria’s first privately built and operated onshore crude export terminal in over fifty years at the Otakikpo Marginal Field in Rivers State.

“We also led funding for the Pinnacle Oil and Gas Terminal in Lekki, Lagos, which improves petroleum product distribution and reduces costs. In addition, we part-financed the production of a 23,000-cubic-meter Liquefied Petroleum Gas carrier for Temile Development Company Limited, which supports cleaner energy use and strengthens local maritime participation,” she said.

Emadeb Petroleum Exploration and Production Company Limited, operator of Petroleum Prospecting License (PPL) 236, recently achieved first oil from the Ibom Field, a milestone regarded as a significant breakthrough in Nigeria’s upstream sector.

“Our next phase will be exciting. We plan to drill two additional wells and increase production to 12,000 barrels per day by the end of 2026. After that, we aim to expand our gas business and raise oil output to 30,000 barrels per day,” Olujimi added.

 

L – R: Executive Director -South, Mrs. Pamela Shodipo; Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe,OON (both of Fidelity Bank Plc); Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Adebowale Olujimi; Group Executive Director, Mrs. Olugbesoye Olujimi (both of Emadeb Energy); Executive Director -Lagos and South West, Fidelity Bank Plc, Dr. Ken Opara; and Group Executive Director, Finance/Strategy, Emadeb Energy, Mr. Tosin Adewuyi; at the First Oil presentation event by Emadeb Energy at the Fidelity Bank headoffice in Lagos recently.

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Q3 2025: Fidelity Bank Grows Interest Income by 33%, Fee Income by 47%

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Fidelity Bank Plc, a leading financial institution, has released its unaudited financial statements for the third quarter ended September 30, 2025. The results show impressive performance across key income lines and operational metrics.

 

According to the statements published on the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX) portal on November 21, 2025, the Bank reported Gross Earnings of ₦366.1 billion for Q3 2025. This represents an 8 percent increase from the ₦338.9 billion recorded in Q3 2024. The growth was driven by strong interest income and sustained momentum in fee-based revenues.

 

Interest Income, calculated using the effective interest rate method, rose by 33 percent to ₦285.6 billion in Q3 2025, compared to ₦214.7 billion in Q3 2024. Other Interest Income more than doubled, rising from ₦13.0 billion in the corresponding period of 2024 to ₦34.2 billion. This underscores significantly improved returns from non-core lending activities.

 

Year-to-date, the Bank achieved a major milestone with Gross Earnings surpassing ₦1.1 trillion, the highest in its history. This is an increase from ₦772.5 billion in Q3 2024. The Bank’s total assets also crossed the ₦10 trillion mark, driven by robust growth in cash, customer loans, and investment securities; this compares to ₦8.8 trillion in Q3 2024. Net Interest Income for the nine-month period reached ₦565.3 billion, while fee and commission income totaled ₦84.5 billion. The respective figures for Q3 2024 were ₦470.5 billion and ₦56.3 billion.

 

Credit Loss Expenses moved to ₦900 million from ₦32.8 billion in Q3 2024; however, Net Interest Income remained flat at ₦144.8 billion, compared to ₦143.7 billion in Q3 2024. This reflects improved asset quality and effective risk management practices. Fee and Commission Income grew by 47.2 percent to ₦31.1 billion, up from ₦21.1 billion in Q3 2024, driven by increased transaction volumes and digital banking adoption. Foreign currency revaluation gains contributed ₦14.1 billion to Non-Interest Revenue, while other Operating Income rose to ₦1.1 billion from ₦447 million in Q3 2024.

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