BREAKING: Zenith Bank Shareholders Approve Holdco Structure

Published

2 years ago

April 29, 2024

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BREAKING: Zenith Bank Shareholders Approve Holdco Structure—-Shareholders of Zenith Bank Plc unanimously approved the restructuring of the Bank to a holding company during a court-ordered Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) held virtually from Zenith Heights, Zenith Bank Plc, Victoria Island, Lagos, on Friday, April 26, 2024.

In accordance with the Scheme of Arrangement dated March 28 2024, pursuant to Section 715 of the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA), 2020 between the Bank and the holders of the fully paid ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each in the Bank, the shareholders voted to transfer 31,396,493,787 ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each held in the issued and paid-up share capital of Zenith Bank Plc to Zenith Bank Holding Company Plc (the HoldCo) in exchange for the allotment of 31,396,493,787 ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each in the share capital of the HoldCo in the same proportion to their shareholding in the Bank. Similarly, the shareholders approved that each Existing GDR Holder receive, as consideration for each existing GDR held, one new HoldCo GDR.

The shareholders also approved that all of the shares held by the nominees of the Bank in Zenpay Limited, a direct subsidiary of the HoldCo, together with all rights and liabilities attached to such shares, be transferred to the HoldCo. The Board of Directors were also authorised to delist the shares of the Bank and the Existing GDRs from the official list of the Nigerian Exchange and the London Stock Exchange respectively as well as re-register the Bank as a private limited company under CAMA Act 2020.

In his remarks during the EGM, the Founder and Chairman of Zenith Bank Plc, Jim Ovia, CFR, thanked the shareholders for their unwavering commitment, which has been instrumental in the Bank’s outstanding performance over the years. He expressed his delight at witnessing the transition of the Bank to a holding company, which is anticipated to position it advantageously for exploring emerging opportunities in the Fintech space while bolstering its digital and retail banking initiatives.

Also speaking during the EGM, Dr. Ebenezer Onyeagwu, the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive, lauded the Founder and Chairman, Jim Ovia, CFR, for his pivotal role in creating an institution that has consistently been a trailblazer in the nation’s financial services industry. Dr. Onyeagwu expressed his optimism about the Bank’s growth trajectory in the coming years as it transitions into a holding company structure.

According to him, “The HoldCo structure presents an opportunity for us to unlock value for shareholders in terms of opportunity in other sectors beyond banking. The first part is Fintech, where we have already received the approval and the license from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), which we are launching soon.

It is going to be focusing on an area that we know has not been touched on by anyone. So it is more like us finding an open wide space where we can begin to operate, and with a HoldCo, what that means is that we have an opportunity to diversify our investment. We can begin to look at other business verticals that were restrained by the kind of authorisation we have. So, it presents a big opportunity for us to have a wider lens and scope in terms of what we can do. It will also position us to think of opportunities beyond Africa. We will be looking at key business verticals that have the potential to enable us to create value for shareholders.”

On the recapitalisation plan of the Bank, Dr. Onyeagwu stated that the Bank is on course to receive the needed shareholder’s approval in the forthcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM) slated for May 8, 2024, which will kickstart its capital raising effort in line with the CBN directive. He expressed confidence in the Bank’s ability to raise the stipulated capital, stating that amongst its peers in the industry, Zenith was expected to raise the least amount due to its already robust capital base.

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UBA, GTCO Lose ₦2.13 billion To Fraudsters Despite Heavy Cybersecurity Investments

Published

2 weeks ago

May 12, 2026

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UBA, GTCO Lose ₦2.13 billion To Fraudsters Despite Heavy Cybersecurity Investments—-Three of Nigeria’s largest financial institutions have reported combined fraud-related losses of approximately ₦2.13 billion in their latest audited financial statements, highlighting the growing threat of cybercrime and electronic banking fraud in the country’s financial sector.

The affected institutions include Access Holdings Plc, Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc, and United Bank for Africa Plc.

According to details contained in the banks’ 2025 financial reports, fraud incidents linked to the three lenders totalled approximately ₦10.29 billion. However, through recoveries, transaction reversals, and security interventions, the banks were able to prevent or recover about ₦8.16 billion, leaving actual losses at approximately ₦2.13 billion.

Among the banks, Access Holdings recorded the highest direct loss to fraudsters, losing an estimated ₦1.24 billion within the financial year.

United Bank for Africa reported over 26,400 fraud-related incidents, with actual losses totalling approximately ₦621.57 million, while Guaranty Trust Holding Company recorded approximately ₦269.44 million in losses tied to fraudulent activities.

Industry analysts say the figures reflect the increasing sophistication of cybercriminals targeting Nigeria’s rapidly expanding digital banking ecosystem.

Most of the fraud cases were reportedly connected to electronic banking channels, including unauthorised transfers, mobile banking compromise, phishing schemes, identity theft, and other forms of digital payment fraud.

The development comes as Nigerian banks continue to accelerate the country’s transition toward a cashless economy through mobile banking platforms, internet banking services, agency banking networks, and digital payment systems.

Despite the losses, the financial institutions significantly increased investments in technology infrastructure and cybersecurity measures during the year under review.

Collectively, the banks reportedly spent over ₦280 billion on technology upgrades, fraud monitoring systems, customer authentication processes, and transaction security enhancements aimed at reducing cyber threats and protecting customer funds.

Meanwhile, the Central Bank of Nigeria has also intensified regulatory efforts to curb financial fraud across the banking industry.

The apex bank recently introduced stricter compliance measures requiring financial institutions to strengthen fraud detection systems, improve transaction monitoring, and respond more rapidly to suspicious activities and customer complaints.

Financial experts have warned that as digital banking adoption continues to rise across Nigeria, banks and customers alike must remain vigilant against increasingly advanced cybercrime tactics targeting the financial sector

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BREAKING: Dangote Refinery Hikes Petrol And Diesel Prices Amid Economic Strain

Published

3 months ago

March 9, 2026

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BREAKING: Dangote Refinery Hikes Petrol And Diesel Prices Amid Economic Strain—-Dangote Petroleum Refinery has revised its ex-depot prices, increasing the gantry price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), or petrol, to ₦1,175 per litre, while Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), commonly known as diesel, has been raised to ₦1,620 per litre.

The latest revision marks the fourth consecutive price review in less than two weeks amid global market volatility, according to a report by Petroleumprice.ng.

Quoting industry sources, the report noted that the new pricing template has been communicated to marketers, following earlier adjustments this month.

Under the revised structure, the ₦1,175 per litre petrol price reflects a significant jump from the previous ₦995 per litre, while diesel has surged sharply from its prior ₦1,430 per litre level, underlining the continued upward trend in domestic fuel pricing.

The development is likely to have a ripple effect across Nigeria’s downstream petroleum market, as depot operators and fuel marketers adjust supply costs in response to the revised prices announced by the country’s largest refining facility.

The refinery had yet to issue an official statement on the development as of the time of filing this report.

Oil prices soared 30 per cent today on fears about supplies from the Middle East, as the US-Israeli war against Iran continued into a second week with no sign of letting up.

Fears grew that the Middle East conflict could last for some time after US President Donald Trump said only the “unconditional surrender” of Iran would end the war.

He added at the weekend that the spike in prices was a “small price to pay” to eliminate Iran’s nuclear threat, reiterating the White House’s insistence that the rise is temporary.

Since the beginning of the war, WTI is up more than 75 per cent and Brent more than 60 per cent.

Attacks on oilfields were reported in southern Iraq and in the northern autonomous Kurdistan region, which forced a US-run oilfield to cease production, while the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait have started reducing output.

That came with maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz — through which a fifth of global crude and gas passes — halted since the war began on February 28.

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