*** Jaiz Bank pledges ₦10bn annual MSME support
By Tony Obiechina, Abuja
The Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) says it has an approved work plan comprising fifteen (15) strategic projects with projected revenue of ₦189.1 Billion for 2026, reflecting its deliberate effort to contribute meaningfully to fiscal consolidation, reduce reliance on debt financing and support capital expenditure priorities of Government.
This just as it contributed the sum of N185 billion to the Federal Government Treasury in 2025, supporting macroeconomic stability which is a prerequisite for sustained Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth.
Speaking on Wednesday at the Annual General Meeting of the Finance Correspondents Association of Nigeria (FICAN), Director-General of BPE, Ayodeji A. Gbeleyi, said the 2026 portfolio includes the proposed commercialisation of two from the ten (10) National Integrated Power Plants (NIPPs), public listing of shares of a Disco on the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX), concession of Oyan Dam, and assets optimisation initiatives in the oil and gas sector.
Represented by the Director, Industries and Services, BPE, Mr. Toibudeen Oduniyi, the BPE boss said Nigeria’s solid minerals sector presents significant opportunity for export diversification and value-chain development. Adding that ongoing initiative by the Bureau in leasing out four (4) coal blocks is aimed at moving from a dormant asset holding to productive exploitation and supporting Mr. President’s economic diversification agenda and the expansion of non-oil GDP.
Gbeleyi said beyond revenue, these transactions are structured to enhance operational efficiency, unlock stranded value, attract domestic and foreign investments, deepen the capital market and stimulate job creation.
In addition, he said the Bureau continues to drive other reform initiatives such as the Distribution Sector Recovery Programme (DISREP) towards bridging the country’s metering gap and strengthen distribution network infrastructure, and the development and upgrading of strategic infrastructure through Public-Private Partnership (PPP).
Noting that these reforms are foundational to improving service delivery, strengthening sector governance and accelerating inclusive growth.“We are equally focused on resolving legacy disputes that have historically constrained asset performance and investor confidence.
“Through sustained engagement with the Office of the Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation and other relevant institutions, the Bureau has achieved significant progress towards the resolution of arbitration matters and longstanding litigations.
“The adoption of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms has yielded measurable financial and relational benefits, further reinforcing policy stability,” he added.
The BPE boss said in the broader strategic context, the Bureau recognises that Nigeria faces a substantial infrastructure gap and that sustainable economic transformation requires robust private sector participation.
“Accordingly, we are working with key stakeholders across Government and development finance institutions to develop a pipeline of catalytic PPP projects in energy, transport, agriculture, housing, ICT and other productive sectors.
“Our approach is anchored on policy predictability, legal and regulatory clarity, commercial viability, stakeholder alignment and long-term value optimization,” he said.
While submitting that the journey towards a US$1 trillion economy demands fiscal discipline, institutional strengthening, improved asset performance, and a vibrant private sector, Gbeleyi said the Bureau remains committed to delivering reforms that are transparent, accountable and aligned with national development priorities.
He noted that accurate and responsible financial journalism strengthens market confidence, promotes accountability, educates investors and fosters informed public discourse, therefore encouraging continued collaboration between the Bureau and the Association in advancing transparency around reform, privatisation, commercialisation and PPP initiatives.
Meanwhile Jaiz Bank has reaffirmed its commitment to the growth of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Nigeria, announcing an approved annual portfolio limit of ₦10 billion dedicated to the sector.
The announcement was made by the Managing Director of Jaiz Bank, Sirajo Salisu, who was represented by the Group Head of Corporate Communications, Halima Ishaq, during the 2025 Financial Correspondents Association of Nigeria (FICAN) Annual General Meeting held in Abuja on Wednesday.
Speaking on the bank’s strategic focus for the year, Ishaq noted that the ₦10 billion allocation is subject to periodic review to ensure it meets the evolving needs of small businesses.
The bank’s intensified support for the sector recently culminated in its appointment as the Stockley Manager for GrowFund. This initiative aims to provide affordable capital to approximately 6,132 MSMEs across the federation.
”This intensification of support explains why Jaiz Bank was recently appointed to manage this scheme,” Ishaq stated. “It is designed to expand access to capital for thousands of businesses nationwide.”
In a gesture of continued partnership, the bank also announced a financial donation toward the successful hosting of the FICAN AGM. Ishaq noted that the contribution underscores the bank’s belief in the vital role financial journalists play in the economic ecosystem.
Despite the bank’s growth, the spokesperson issued a gentle appeal to media partners and the public regarding the bank’s visual identity. Following a rebranding exercise in August 2024, the bank noted that its old logo is still frequently used in media reports and on social media.
”The old logo is gone,” Ishaq emphasized. “We have noticed that despite rebranding last August, some of our assets are still represented by the old logo. This often causes confusion online.”
The bank urged journalists and digital content creators to update their databases to reflect the current brand assets to ensure consistency and professional representation.
In another development, NEXIM Bank said it disbursed about N179.79 billion to exporters In 2025.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Bank, Abubakar Bello disclosed this on Wednesday, at the 2025 Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Finance Correspondents Association of Nigeria (FICAN) in Abuja.
Represented at the event by a Senior Manager in the Strategic Planning Department, Dr. Babagana Musti, the NEXIM bank boss said by empowering the Nigerian Exporter, the bank is aggressively providing targeted, low-interest funding and guarantees.
He noted that the goal was to ensure that a ‘Made in Nigeria’ label is synonymous with global quality, adding that by de-risking the export business, the bank is ensuring that local businesses—from Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to large conglomerates—could compete and win in the international marketplace.
Bello said to reach a $1 trillion Gross Domestic Product (GDP), the mathematics is simple, but the execution is rigorous, saying that Nigeria must diversify.
“We cannot float a trillion-dollar economy on the back of a single commodity. The cornerstone of this vision lies in the Non-Oil Export Sector,” he said.
Bello said “at NEXIM Bank, this isn’t just a policy statement; it is our daily mandate. We see the $1 trillion target as a call to arms to unlock the untapped potential in our solid minerals, agriculture, and creative industries. We are moving from a ‘resource-based’ mindset to an ‘export-led’ growth model.”
He said the NEXIM Bank is practically moving the needle toward the $1 trillion milestone by ensuring that Nigeria not only participates in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), but also leads it.
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“We are facilitating trade across borders, helping Nigerian businesses navigate new markets from Accra to Cairo, ensuring that our wealth is generated through a robust intra-African trade network,” he said.
The MD said the bank is also working towards achieving the $1 trillion target by removing bottlenecks in the system. This, he said was being done through its Sealink project.
“We recognise that high logistics costs are the ‘silent killers’ of trade. Through our Sealink Project, we are supporting the development of maritime and inland waterway infrastructure. By reducing the cost and time of moving goods, we are making our economy more efficient and more attractive to foreign direct investment,” he said.
Bello called on the journalists, especially those under the umbrella of FICAN, to build confidence required to hit that $1 trillion mark through their effective reportage of the sector.
“We recognise that for the public and the international community to truly appreciate the milestones on this road to $1 trillion, we need you. There are over 200 finance journalists and editors represented in this body—that is a massive intellectual engine.
“NEXIM Bank remains committed to an Open-Door Policy. As an official sponsor of this AGM, we are reaffirming our pledge to transparency. We want you to scrutinise our programs, share our success stories, and provide constructive feedback that keeps us on our toes.
“When you report accurately on the growth of the non-oil sector, you aren’t just filing a story; you are building the global investor confidence required to hit that $1 trillion mark,” he noted.
