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2025 Budget Faces Setback As Oil Price Drops By $10

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Nigeria’s 2025 budget is facing fresh funding challenges due to the recent drop in global crude oil prices.

 

The budget was set with a benchmark oil price of $75 per barrel, but recent prices have fallen below this mark.

 

The decline, driven by US President Donald Trump’s tariffs of at least 10 percent and potential countermeasures, have deepened the selloff, sending Brent futures down $10.05 to settle at $64.9 per barrel on Friday.

 

This decline poses a threat to the government’s revenue projections, potentially leading to increased borrowing to meet financial obligations.

 

The drop in oil prices not only affects government revenue but also impacts oil production targets.

 

“We see this level of tariffs and a looming trade war as bearish for the global economy and oil demand and thus bearish for Platts Dated Brent,” said S&P Global Commodity Insights analysts in a report..

 

Eight OPEC+ member countries agreed to gradually ease voluntary output reductions totaling 2.2 million barrels per day (bpd), increasing their combined production quotas by 411,000 bpd starting in May, the cartel said in a statement following a meeting to assess global oil market dynamics.

 

Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu’s 2025 budget is anchored on a benchmark oil price of $75 per barrel and an ambitious production target of 2.06 million barrels per day, a target that now seems unachievable.

 

Oil accounts for approximately 90 percent of Nigeria’s export earnings and 60 per cent of government revenue. A drop in oil prices directly affects the nation’s ability to fund critical infrastructure projects and social programmes. The government may face increased pressure to borrow funds, further deepening the country’s debt crisis.

 

The timing could not be worse as Nigeria is grappling with inflation, persistent naira depreciation, and an over N1.2 trillion monthly petrol import bill following the removal of fuel subsidies.

 

 

Despite being the largest oil-producing country on the continent, Nigeria has struggled to ramp up production due to pipeline vandalism, oil theft, and underinvestment.

 

According to OPEC data, Nigeria has consistently produced below its 1.5 million barrels per day (bpd) quota, with recent output hovering around 1.47 million bpd.

 

 

This means Nigeria is not only selling crude at a lower price, but also selling less of it, an unwelcome double blow to an economy that relies on oil for the majority of its foreign exchange earnings and over half of government revenues.

 

 

Nigeria’s oil output has been below the budgeted 2.06 million barrels per day, further complicating budget execution. Analysts warn that if oil prices remain low, it could severely constrain the government’s ability to fund capital projects and might necessitate budget cuts. The situation underscores the vulnerability of Nigeria’s economy to fluctuations in the global oil market.

 

-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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