Category: Nigerian Tribune

THE Managing Director of APM Terminals Apapa Limited, Mr. Kamal Alhraishat, has reaffirmed the company’s unwavering commitment to safety, describing it as a deeply embedded culture rather than a regulatory obligation.

He made the assertion during the commemoration of the 2026 Global Safety Day, themed: ‘We Are Safe Together.’ Addressing employees and stakeholders, Alhraishat stressed that safety goes beyond policies and procedures, stressing that it is shared responsibility to be practised daily by anyone within the terminal environment.

‘Safety is not just a checklist or a system we follow; it is a way of life at the terminal,’ he said. ‘It means working with genuine care for one another, ensuring that no one operates in isolation and that every individual has the support of a colleague. We carry a collective responsibility for everyone within our environment – from our co-workers to contractors and customers – and that responsibility must guide every action we take.’

Alhraishat highlighted the importance of vigilance and open communication in sustaining high safety standards, urging employees to speak up whenever unsafe conditions are observed.

‘In an environment where operational pressures are inevitable, we must remain steadfast in our commitment to safety,’ he noted. ‘Safety must always come before speed, and every individual must feel empowered to stop an operation if something does not feel right.’

He also called for the continuous strengthening of a workplace culture built on respect, trust, and mutual support, where employees can confidently raise concerns without fear, thereby preventing incidents before they occur.

Also speaking at the event, the Chief Executive Officer of APM Terminals Nigeria, Mr. Frederik Klinke, underscored the role of collaboration in sustaining safe operations.

Dr ‘Niyi Sunmonu is the national president of the Congress of University Academics (CONUA). He shares, in this interview with Tunbosun Ogundare, insights into the position of CONUA on some pressing national issues touching the union and broader university education in the country. Excerpts:

We observe that your renegotiation of the 2009 Agreement with the Federal Government is still inconclusive after several months. How do you react to this?

The Federal Government and CONUA have held several meetings, and significant progress has been made. Areas of disagreement have been substantially narrowed. At this stage, we expect the government to, without further delay, append its signature to the agreement already reached. Doing so will restore confidence and contribute meaningfully to stability in our universities. I don’t want to talk more on this matter.

Salaries of university lecturers are delayed these days before payment. How does this affect your financial responsibilities?

It is a fact that since the (re)migration to the GIFMIS platform, salary payments have been consistently delayed, often until the 9th or 10th of a new month. This is demoralising and disruptive to personal and family responsibilities. The government needs to urgently address whatever structural or administrative issues are responsible. CONUA has consistently maintained that prompt and accurate payment of salaries and emoluments is more important than the choice of payment platform. So, as I had said, the government should address this issue with urgency.

But, there are concerns that the Federal Government may be finding a way to shift payment of salaries to respective universities to handle. What is your view on this and its sustainability?

I do not have sufficient information to confirm that position, and it would be premature to comment definitively. However, on the surface, I do not believe this is currently the case. If such a policy is indeed under consideration, it would raise serious sustainability concerns, especially given the financial realities of many universities. However, I reiterate that I have no confirmation that this is the case.

CONUA sometime ago accused ASUU’s leadership of misrepresenting the role played by the late Professor Biodun Jeyifo, in resolving the OAU-ASUU crisis, which eventually led to the formation of CONUA. Are you still holding on to your view?

May I first note that the late Comrade Professor Biodun Jeyifo continues to rest in peace. On the issue you raised, the truth cannot be buried indefinitely; it will always resurface. The facts surrounding Professor Jeyifo’s role are well documented. Our position remains unchanged: the narrative presented by the current leadership of our sister union, ASUU, did not fully reflect the truth of his efforts in resolving the crisis at the time.

ASUU, in an interview recently, told the Nigerian Tribune about its readiness to welcome CONUA members back into its fold if they choose to rejoin, as you had claimed that ASUU’s founding fathers didn’t establish the union for division but for the unity of lecturers. How do you respond to that?

That position can be described as ‘being clever by half.’ The same ASUU leadership is fully aware of the actions taken in the past, including the formal expulsion of members who eventually formed CONUA. These were not informal occurrences. They were documented and formally communicated. At this stage, the focus should be on mutual co-existence. This is not unusual; labour centres like the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) co-exist effectively, and similar plural arrangements can work within the university system, also. So, CONUA has come to stay by the grace of God.

What is your assessment of the government’s solar power intervention for universities under the Band ‘A’ tariff?

While advancements in solar energy are commendable, they cannot fully address the energy needs of universities, especially if we aim for global competitiveness. The intervention is helpful, but it will only address part of the electricity problem in the university system. CONUA, for example, had earlier proposed that universities should be granted a special energy status. Reliable and sustainable power supply remains critical to improving our global standing. We are using this medium to call on the Federal Government to do the electrification projects as promised in some pilot universities without delay.

If education is considered central to economic growth, why does Nigeria still struggles socio-economically, despite parading many scholars?

The major issue is the disconnection between the university system and the broader society. Our curricula must better integrate theory with practical application, in line with global best practices. Additionally, government must demonstrate confidence in local expertise by actively engaging and utilizing Nigerian scholars in national development initiatives. By these, things will get better.

What is the CONUA position on your three and a half months’ salaries withheld during the ASUU strike under the previous administration?

For CONUA, the withheld salaries cannot simply be written off. The government justified the withholding on the basis of strike action. However, our members neither declared nor participated in that strike. Therefore, their salaries should not have been withheld in the first place. This position is supported by relevant provisions of the Trade Disputes Act.

What are the three major priorities CONUA would want President Bola Tinubu to attend to?

First, the immediate payment of the withheld three and a half months’ salaries owed to our members. The second is the prompt signing and full implementation of the FGN-CONUA agreement, along with CONUA’s inclusion in the implementation monitoring framework. This will remove current uncertainties, address parity concerns, and support uninterrupted academic calendars, which CONUA strongly advocates. Third is institutional support for union pluralism to reduce marginalization and encourage healthy competition that ultimately strengthens the university system.

As a Nigerian, what do you think the government is not getting right?

There is a need to move away from a consumption-driven fiscal model heavily reliant on borrowing. This approach undermines long-term investments in infrastructure, health, education, and productivity. Security challenges also remain a major concern, as persistent insecurity continues to affect lives, economic growth, and investor confidence. Finally, education must be treated as a strategic national investment. If properly prioritized, it will produce graduates who are competitive and relevant in a 21st-century economy.

Nigeria is edging closer to attaining the 2.5 million barrels per day crude oil production target set by the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), following sustained improvements in pipeline security and increased stakeholder collaboration in the Niger Delta, Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL) has said.

The assurance was given by the General Manager, Community and Stakeholders Relations of PINL, Mr. Akpos Mezeh, during the company’s monthly stakeholders’ meeting with Bayelsa communities in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.

Mezeh expressed optimism that the country’s oil and gas sector could meet the OPEC production benchmark, attributing recent gains to the effectiveness of surveillance operations and the commitment of host communities, traditional rulers, security agencies, and other critical stakeholders.

He said that Nigeria has now achieved 99.2 percent of OPEC’s daily crude oil production standard, reflecting a 7.58 percent increase compared to figures recorded in March.

He said reports as of May 5, showed encouraging progress in the oil and gas industry, noting that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) recorded a Profit After Tax of N276 billion in March, while national crude oil production continued to rise alongside notable growth in gas output.

Providing details on production performance, Mezeh disclosed that the country recorded a peak production of 1.85 million barrels per day in April, while the lowest output for the month stood at 1.46 million barrels per day.

He further revealed that there has been no recorded attempts to disrupt oil pipelines within the Bayelsa, Adebawa and Biseni axis in the last one month, describing the development as a major contributor to the increase in production.

‘Behind every increase in production lies the sacrifices and cooperation of communities, surveillance teams, traditional rulers, security agencies and other stakeholders,’ Mezeh stated, urging stakeholders and surveillance personnel to remain vigilant.

The PINL official also disclosed that the company has fulfilled all its financial obligations to host communities within its operational areas, reaffirming its commitment to strengthening relationships with oil-bearing communities.

A major highlight of the meeting was the presentation of empowerment dummy cheques worth N250,000 each to 1,000 women as part of the firm’s corporate social responsibility initiative aimed at supporting women in oil-producing communities across the Niger Delta.

One of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Love Theophilus, expressed gratitude to the company, describing the gesture as a significant financial breakthrough.

She prayed for continued success for the management of PINL, and encouraged fellow beneficiaries to invest the funds in profitable ventures.

Other beneficiaries: Nurse Ozogu and Abowei Dimiekumo, commended the initiative and called on other oil firms to emulate the company’s example.

Fresh controversy has erupted over the conduct of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Ondo North Senatorial primary following the rejection of the exercise by one of the aspirants, Alexander Ajipe, who alleged widespread irregularities and vote allocation.

Ajipe, who addressed journalists in Owo on Wednesday, described the primary held on Monday as a charade and an assault on internal democracy, insisting that the declaration of Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye as winner did not reflect the will of party members.

The APC chieftain alleged that the exercise in the four Akoko local government areas was manipulated, claiming that party officials directed members to record results on plain sheets of paper with promises that the figures would later be transferred to official result sheets.

According to him, the officials allegedly disappeared before the process was concluded.

‘What happened in the four Akoko local governments was not an election. It was a vote allocation. There was no proper accreditation, no proper voting process and no lawful collation before the exercise abruptly ended,’ Ajipe said.

He further claimed that before the alleged disruption of the exercise, he was leading in Akoko South East, while former lawmaker, Hon. Ade Adeogun, was ahead in Akoko South West.

He also alleged that Hon. Jide Ipinsagba was leading in Akoko North West and ran closely with Elegbeleye in Akoko North East.

Ajipe accused the leadership of the party in the state of compromising the process by allegedly handing control of the primary to political loyalists.

‘The committee split into factions and ceded the process to the governor’s camp. When the party’s own panel is compromised, there can be no fairness,’ he alleged.

Despite his criticism of the exercise, Ajipe commended the Minister of Interior for allegedly helping to maintain peace during the process.

He said, ‘We appreciate the Minister of Interior for standing for justice and helping to calm tensions during the process. His intervention showed that there are still leaders in the party who value fairness over imposition.’

The aggrieved aspirant warned that the alleged manipulation of the primary could negatively affect the APC’s fortunes ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Ajipe also praised supporters across Owo and Ose local government areas for remaining peaceful amid the controversy, saying the demand for the return of the Senate seat to the Owo axis after about two decades reflected a united position of the people.

‘In 2015, without an APC governor in Ondo State, the party won overwhelmingly. In 2019, with an APC governor, the party lost. If this injustice is allowed to stand, the President may again become the biggest victim in 2027.

‘For the first time in years, Owo sons and daughters at home and abroad spoke with one voice that the Senate seat should return to Owo axis after two decades. The overwhelming support from Owo and Ose demonstrated that clearly.’

He expressed confidence that the APC Appeal Panel and the party’s National Working Committee would review the conduct of the primary and ensure justice.

The Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan has adjourned the murder trial of Mukaila Lamidi, former chairman of the Oyo State Park Management System (PMS), to June 24, 2026.

Justice Oyeyemi Ajayi adjourned the case after the defence counsel failed to file its final written address within the time stipulated for adoption by the court.

Lamidi is facing a one-count charge of murder filed by the Oyo State Government. He is accused of causing the death of Wonuola Ayinde after allegedly knocking her down with his vehicle.

The incident reportedly occurred on September 23, 2023, at about 4:30 p.m. in the Government Reservation Area (GRA), Agodi, Ibadan.

According to the prosecution, the offence contravenes Section 325 of the Criminal Code Laws of Oyo State, 2000.

Lamidi has pleaded not guilty to the charge. The court had earlier dismissed a no-case submission filed by the defence.

FOR turning what should have been a straightforward investigation into a case of alleged housebreaking and theft into a morally indefensible and legally dubious arrest and detention of a teenage girl, 16-year-old Esther Aransiola, the Kwara State Police Command has a case to answer. The alleged housebreaking and theft of a generator in the Arandun community in the Irepodun Local Government Area (LGA) of the state was first reported at the end of last month and the police immediately went looking for the alleged culprit, one Timothy Aransiola, who incidentally had been on the State Police Command’s watchlist.

So far, so good.

Where things went off the rails was the reaction of the police when they realised that Mr. Aransiola, having got wind of his impending arrest in connection with the alleged crime, had taken flight. Mr. Aransiola was not an unknown quantity to the law, and the police could have bided their time while they set a trap for him. But that was not what they did. Instead, the police arrested his sister Esther- an underage who had not been accused of any crime- and locked her up for days until the community staged a protest over her unlawful detention and demanded her immediate release.

The contradictory (and potentially self-indicting) official statement released by the State Police Command shows that it was not oblivious of the unjustifiability of its action. The Command admitted in the statement that indeed they were looking for Timothy Aransiola, but had arrested his underage sister instead because she had apparently aided and abetted her sibling’s escape. At no time did the Command provide evidence that Esther had facilitated Timothy’s escape, nor did it explain why it needed three days in order to execute a supposed attempt to take a statement from her ‘in line with established procedures.’

The Kwara State Police Command did three things wrong, as follows: it arrested a relative in lieu of an alleged culprit, thus making nonsense of the idea of personal responsibility; it illegally detained and held on to an underage girl whose connection to the crime in question it failed to establish; and finally, having arrested her, the Command went ahead and detained her in terrible conditions. Part of the tragedy here, as the average Nigerians knows all too well, is that all of this is par for course for the police in Nigeria.

If the Kwara State Police Command has a case to answer, members of the Arandun community deserve credit for the promptness and with which they mobilised to stage a protest against police misconduct. But for their courage, Ms. Aransiola might still be in detention.

The Command should allow an investigation into the circumstances that led to the arrest of Ms. Aransiola and punish whichever officers are deemed to have been involved. For their part, the family should file a complaint against the police for abusing the fundamental rights of their daughter.

The Special Adviser on Religion (Islam) to the Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Dr Abdullahi Jebe, has disclosed that the Lagos State Government upgraded the accommodation of its pilgrims at Mina in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Tent B plus to ensure comfort and a stress-free Hajj exercise.

Jebe, who also serves as chairman of the state ad hoc committee on the 2026 Hajj, made this known during an interview with Nigerian journalists on Wednesday at the state’s hotel accommodation in Misfala, Makkah, while giving an overview of this year’s Hajj exercise.

He stated that Lagos State had consistently remained a model for Hajj operations in Nigeria, noting that several other states often adopt its operational methods.

According to him, Sanwo-Olu was continuing the Hajj legacy established by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during his tenure as Lagos State governor between 1999 and 2007.

Jebe explained that Tinubu standardised Hajj operations in Lagos State and ended the practice of private agents transporting pilgrims from the state to Saudi Arabia despite the existence of the Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board since 1975.

‘There is no way we want to talk of Hajj without talking of Mr President because he was the one who refined Hajj in Lagos during his time as governor.

‘The Lagos State Muslim Welfare Board was enacted in 1975 but they brought their pilgrims through agents until 1999 when Tinubu came on board.

‘He directed that pilgrims should come through their various local government councils instead. That has been the tradition we have been using since then. He now refined it that we should have ulamas (clerics), we should have Hajj guides to educate, enlighten and guide the pilgrims during the Hajj exercise,’ Jebe said.

He added that Tinubu also bought sacrificial rams for Lagos pilgrims throughout his tenure and ensured they were fed on the Day of Arafat.

The governor’s aide said the standard set by Tinubu was sustained by successive governors in Lagos State, adding that Sanwo-Olu had further improved the welfare package for pilgrims.

‘Sanwo-Olu has gone further by upgrading our tent (at Mina) from Tent D where Nigerian pilgrims normally stay to Tent B plus, which has all the necessary comfort,’ he said.

Jebe further disclosed that the governor remained committed to ensuring that Lagos pilgrims enjoyed a comfortable stay in Saudi Arabia during the Hajj exercise, noting that the state government consistently provided additional support for them.

According to him, ‘If you pay money, the governor will now put another package to it to make it robust and make the Hajj convenient and comfortable for the pilgrims,’ he said, adding that Sanwo-Olu deserved commendation for the initiative.

Speaking on the relationship between Lagos State and the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Jebe described it as cordial and productive, noting that the commission remained the central coordinating body for Hajj operations in Nigeria.

‘The synergy with NAHCON has been good and very, very cordial, because we do whatever they wanted we do.

‘Whenever they give an instruction, we follow it. NAHCON is the arrowhead of Hajj when you are talking about Nigeria, because no state is recognised. All the states have to come through NAHCON.

‘Whenever we are talking about Hajj in Nigeria, we talk about National Hajj Commission, which used to be Directorate of Pilgrims Affairs under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,’ he said.

He also expressed satisfaction that the current NAHCON Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Ambassador Ismail Abba Yusuf, was among those involved in establishing the commission in 2003.

Jebe urged Lagos pilgrims to remain good ambassadors of the state and Nigeria throughout the Hajj exercise, while also calling on all Nigerian pilgrims to obey Allah’s regulations and continue praying for peace, security and development in the country.

His only sin was that he woke up and went to work, something he had been doing for years. If he had known what that fateful day had in stock for him, he would have stayed in bed. But he did not. He had no way of knowing that the monster we thought lived only in the forests of the north had finally built a hut in the south west.

Michael Oyedokun a schoolteacher left his house in Oyo State to go to work. He did not carry a gun. He was not a soldier marching to a battlefield. He was not a criminal fleeing justice. He was not a politician with enemies or political detractors.

He was a simple teacher, a man who carried books instead of bullets. His daily assignment was to help shape young minds and help children find a future brighter than the present darkness surrounding Nigeria. He taught mathematics, a major subject needed to birth the next generation of engineers and pilots, doctors and nurses, tech pros and climate change experts.

But before the day ended, terrorists reportedly captured him and hours later, ended his life in the most gruesome manner. The darkness of Nigeria consumed him, leaving all of us bewildered.

Mr Oyedokun’s only offence was going to work.

That single sentence alone should break the heart of every decent human being.

In sane societies, teachers are protected because they build civilization. Nations honour teachers because they prepare the next generation. Didn’t we all grow up in communities that respected them because every doctor, lawyer, engineer, journalist, governor and president once sat before a teacher in a classroom?

But today’s Nigeria is beheading its teachers. Today’s Nigeria is not safe, not for pupils or their teachers. How did we arrive at this cruel, sorry pass, this evil junction of blood where a man can leave his home in the morning to educate children and never return alive? What kind of people does that make us?

As far as this girl is concerned, this is no longer just insecurity. It is organized cruelty. It is the systematic destruction of human dignity. It is evil in human form. Those we call criminals are demons, monsters. Or is it not beyond frightening wickedness that there human beings who can hold another human being down for his head to be severed head as though his life meant absolutely nothing? Doesn’t that level of brutality belong in nightmares, in horror films? Why then has it become a recurring reality in Nigeria?

It is easy to call out President Tinubu.

It is convenient to blame this on Governor Seyi Makinde. But let us ask ourselves, who are the people providing cover, funding and guns for these demons? Somewhere, as you read this, someone is leaking, selling sensitive information to kidnappers. Someone is selling them daily supplies. Someone is making tons of money from this evil enterprise. They know people will die, blood will be shed, yet they don’t care.

What kind of darkness possesses man that makes him comfortable spilling innocent blood? What happened to mercy? What happened to conscience? What happened to humanity?

Teacher Michael was someone’s son, a husband, a father, a breadwinner, a family’s hope until his head was taken to prove a point.

This is the kind of tragedy Nigeria now produces with such frightening regularity and we are gradually becoming emotionally numb, exhausted. Every week comes with fresh horror.

A farmer goes to his farm and never returns.

A trader’s blood is splattered on her wares in the market.

A nursing mother is abducted.

Students disappear on highways.

Youth Corp members are kidnapped in busloads.

Worshippers are shipped off in the middle of church service.

Villages are invaded in the middle of the night.

Children watch helplessly as their parents are slaughtered before them.

Entire communities sleep with fear wrapped around their throats.

And now, a teacher has been beheaded simply because he went to work.

The dead are almost never the powerful.

They are ordinary Nigerians struggling honestly to survive.

The victims are the people who still believe in hard work. People who wake up every morning hoping to feed their families legitimately. People who still believe dignity can come from labour instead of crime.

But in today’s Nigeria, honesty itself seems endangered. What are we going to do?

The tragedy of this latest killing becomes even heavier when one remembers how poorly teachers are already treated in the country. Many work under terrible conditions. Poor salaries. Broken classrooms. Leaking roofs. Inadequate teaching materials. Yet they continue showing up every morning because they have to, someone has to .

Society hands children over to teachers daily with one request: help shape the future.

And this is how Nigeria rewards one of them.

By allowing him to become another corpse in the growing cemetery of national sorrow.

Somewhere sadly as you read this, Teacher Michael’s wife is staring blankly into darkness, unable to understand how life changed so brutally, so quickly. The children are waiting for a father who will never walk through the door again. Somewhere, his relatives are crying and asking questions nobody can answer.

How does one explain this kind of death to a child? How does the Oyedokun family recover from this horror?

How do communities heal after repeated exposure to terror? The emotional destruction caused by terrorism goes far beyond the bodies left behind. Violence destroys the invisible structures holding us together. It destroys confidence. It destroys trust. It destroys peace of mind. It destroys hope.

Some weeks ago, I alerted us about the steady movement of these demons towards the South through Kwara state. I wrote about the less than two-hour drives and 90-minute journey between horror and once-upon-a-time safe places. The Kwara abductions frightened me sh-tless, I must confess. I told a friend the name of the town these monsters may be headed. He laughed. Well, he is not laughing now, trust me. This thing has finally gotten out of hand. Don’t bother telling me anything different. The monster is ready to go shopping in the open. It is daring us, all of us, from President Tinubu to my youngest grandchild. We must wake up and kill it, this monster. There is no second option.

The fear we live with is too much, devastating, debilitating fear. Enough is enough. Fear has now become one of Nigeria’s most dominant national emotions.

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has activated preventive measures across Nigeria’s international airports following renewed concerns over the spread of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in parts of Central Africa.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, FAAN said it had intensified health surveillance and passenger monitoring procedures in collaboration with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), Port Health Services and other relevant agencies to prevent any possible importation of the deadly virus into the country.

According to the statement signed by FAAN’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Henry Agbebire, screening operations have been strengthened at all international terminals, particularly for passengers arriving from high-risk regions.

Agbebire said travellers are currently undergoing enhanced health checks aimed at identifying symptoms associated with Ebola, while suspected cases will immediately be isolated for further examination in line with established national and international health safety protocols.

Assuring that the authority remains fully prepared to respond swiftly to any potential health emergency within the nation’s airports, Agbebire explained that beyond passenger screening, FAAN has also upgraded emergency response procedures, intensified staff sensitisation programmes and strengthened coordination among airport stakeholders to ensure rapid containment measures if required.

The authority stressed that there is currently no confirmed case of Ebola in Nigeria, but noted that vigilance remains critical given increasing international travel and the need to protect public health infrastructure.

FAAN further urged passengers to remain calm and cooperate fully with health officials during screening exercises at airports nationwide. Travellers experiencing symptoms linked to Ebola were also advised to promptly report to health authorities for immediate medical attention.

In the same vein, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) had on Tuesday directed airlines, airport operators and other aviation stakeholders to intensify public health surveillance measures following the outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda.

A business may be properly registered on paper, but until its bank account is fully verified, many owners still face restrictions in receiving payments, accessing corporate banking services, or integrating online payment platforms.

Across Nigeria, small business owners frequently visit bank branches with Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) documents, only to encounter delays caused by minor discrepancies such as address mismatches, missing Tax Identification Numbers (TIN), or incomplete director details. These issues can stall account activation for days or even weeks.

Many entrepreneurs are often surprised to learn that presenting a CAC certificate alone is not sufficient. Banks now carry out independent verification through the CAC database before activating corporate accounts, ensuring that all submitted information matches official company records.

The process of linking CAC registration details to bank accounts in Nigeria has also become more stringent under the Central Bank of Nigeria’s corporate Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements. From fintech startups and retail businesses to logistics firms and consultants, operators are expected to maintain accurate and consistent corporate data before their accounts can be fully operational.

Account activation for corporate entities also plays a key role in determining access to payment gateways such as Paystack and Flutterwave, enabling transactions under registered business names, and qualifying for loans, merchant services, and other financial products.

Tribune Online outlines the required documents, steps for bank submission, common reasons CAC documents are rejected, and key preparations business owners should make before opening or activating a corporate account.

Why banks require CAC verification before account activation

Banks are under strict obligations to verify all corporate entities operating accounts in Nigeria. The requirement is part of the anti-money laundering and Know Your Customer (KYC) compliance rules issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria.

Under these regulations, financial institutions must confirm that every business account belongs to a legally registered entity and that the directors or proprietors operating the account are legitimate.

Documents required to link CAC certificate bank account Nigeria

One of the most important documents required during account opening is the original CAC certificate issued after business registration. Banks usually request the original copy for sighting while photocopies are retained for documentation purposes. The certificate confirms that the business exists legally under Nigerian law.

Most banks also request a CAC Status Report because it contains updated information about the business, including the proprietor’s details, registered address, and nature of business activities. Financial institutions now prefer this document because it provides more detailed information than the certificate alone.

A valid Tax Identification Number, popularly known as TIN, is also required for most corporate accounts. Banks use the TIN to verify tax registration and compliance records connected to the business. Without it, some businesses may experience delays during account activation.

Applicants are equally expected to provide a valid means of identification such as a National ID card, driver’s licence, permanent voter’s card or international passport. The bank compares the identification details with the information registered under the business name.

Utility bills are another critical requirement because banks use them to verify addresses. Most financial institutions insist that the address on the utility bill matches the address registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission. Where discrepancies exist, applicants may be asked to provide additional clarification.

Some banks also request passport photographs and completed KYC forms signed by the business owner or authorized signatories. These documents form part of the compliance records maintained by the bank.

Step-by-step branch submission process

Step 1: Request for account opening package

The process usually begins when the business owner visits their preferred bank branch to request a corporate or business account opening package. Bank officials then provide the necessary account opening forms and explain all supporting documents required for the application.

Step 2: Submission of required documents

After filling out the forms, the applicant submits important documents such as the CAC certificate, Status Report, TIN, utility bill, and valid means of identification. At this stage, compliance officers review the documents carefully to ensure that the information provided is accurate and consistent.

Step 3: Internal verification and CAC search

The bank then uploads the submitted documents for internal verification. Most banks also conduct independent searches on the CAC portal to confirm the authenticity of the business details. This is regarded as one of the most critical stages because approval largely depends on whether the submitted records match successfully.

Step 4: Account approval and activation

Once the verification process is completed and approved, the account is activated. Depending on the bank, the customer may then receive account details, internet banking access, ATM cards, or security tokens for transaction authorization.

Why banks reject CAC documents during verification

Many business account applications are delayed because applicants submit documents containing conflicting information. According to a corporate account officer at a commercial bank in Abuja, address inconsistency remains one of the biggest reasons for rejection.

The officer explained that many customers submit utility bills carrying addresses different from what was registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission. In some cases, applicants also provide outdated Status Reports that no longer reflect the latest business information.

Banks may also reject applications when there are spelling differences between names appearing on CAC records and names appearing on identification documents. Even minor discrepancies sometimes trigger additional compliance checks because banks are expected to confirm identity accuracy before approving accounts.

Another common issue involves invalid or unverifiable TIN records. Financial institutions typically cross-check tax information before completing the verification process. Where records cannot be confirmed, customers may be asked to regularize their tax registration before proceeding. Expired identification cards, poor-quality photocopies, suspicious utility bills and inconsistent signatures are also among the reasons some applications experience delays or outright rejection.

Importance of TIN for Nigerian business accounts

The Tax Identification Number has become an important requirement for Nigerian business banking because it connects businesses to the national tax system. Banks use the TIN to confirm that the business has legitimate tax registration records and complies with financial regulations.

Beyond banking requirements, the TIN is also useful for accessing government contracts, payment gateway verification, loan applications and several other corporate transactions. Many fintech companies now request TIN details during merchant onboarding processes. Business owners without TIN registration may therefore encounter difficulties when attempting to scale operations or integrate professional payment systems into their businesses.

How payment gateways depend on business account verification

For online businesses and digital entrepreneurs, properly completing the process to link CAC certificate bank account Nigeria can determine whether payment systems function smoothly. Platforms such as Paystack and Flutterwave usually request verified business account details before approving merchant profiles.

The reason for this requirement is to reduce fraud and confirm that the account receiving customer payments belongs to a legitimate registered business. Verified corporate accounts also improve customer confidence because payments reflect the business name instead of personal account names. Many entrepreneurs who continue using personal accounts for commercial transactions eventually experience payment restrictions, transaction limits or verification delays when attempting to upgrade their payment systems.

How long the verification process takes

The duration of account verification usually depends on the bank’s compliance process and the accuracy of the documents submitted by the applicant. Where all records match successfully, some banks complete verification within 24 to 72 hours.

However, delays may occur if the bank encounters problems while verifying the CAC records, TIN information or utility bill details. In situations where additional clarification is required, the process may extend to several days or more than one week. Business owners are therefore advised to submit complete and accurate documentation to reduce the chances of delays.

Cost implications business owners should know

Most Nigerian banks do not charge separate fees specifically for linking CAC documents to business accounts. However, entrepreneurs may still spend money obtaining updated CAC Status Reports, passport photographs or other supporting documents required during verification. Businesses that have not completed registration may also need to budget for CAC registration costs before beginning the account opening process.

Corporate account opening procedures in Nigeria are guided largely by compliance regulations supervised by the Central Bank of Nigeria.

These regulations require banks to identify account owners properly, verify business legitimacy and maintain accurate customer records. The rules were introduced to strengthen financial transparency, reduce fraudulent transactions and improve accountability within the banking sector. Banks that fail to comply with these obligations risk regulatory sanctions and penalties.

FAQs

Can I open a business bank account without a TIN?

Some banks may begin preliminary processing without a TIN, but most financial institutions require valid tax registration before completing full account activation.

How long does CAC verification take in Nigerian banks?

Verification may take between one day and one week depending on the bank’s compliance checks and the accuracy of submitted documents.

Can I use a personal account instead of a business account?

Yes, but many payment gateways and corporate financial services require verified business accounts registered under the official business name.