The Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) has achieved a significant operational milestone by surpassing its fourth-quarter (Q4) 2025 financial inclusion targets. During a high-level performance assessment of the Presidential Priorities and Ministerial Deliverables held in Abuja, the bank revealed an actual performance of ₦48.4 billion in housing-related financing. This figure significantly exceeds the ₦25 billion benchmark established by the Central Results Delivery Coordination Unit (CRDCU), marking a nearly 100% over-performance in the quarter.

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The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has announced a rigorous enforcement drive to recover outstanding Ground Rent, Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) charges, and other land-use fees. Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, confirmed the directive on 15 January 2026, stating that the administration will no longer tolerate the non-payment of statutory dues by property owners within the capital city.

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, has indicated that a cycle of interest rate cuts may be on the horizon if Nigeria's inflation continues its current downward trajectory. Speaking during an interview at the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, Edun noted that such a shift would significantly lower debt-servicing costs and provide much-needed fiscal breathing room for the federal government. The signal follows a period of aggressive monetary tightening by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), which has successfully reined in the record-high inflation levels seen in late 2024.

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The Nigerian economy faces a complex array of global macroeconomic shifts in 2026, ranging from volatile commodity prices to evolving monetary policies in advanced economies. Analysts identify international crude oil demand, geopolitical tensions in Eastern Europe and the Middle East, and the shifting investment appetite of the Federal Reserve as the primary external drivers that will dictate Nigeria’s fiscal stability and exchange rate performance throughout the year.

As the Federal Government of Nigeria pursues a $1 trillion Gross Domestic Product (GDP) target, the interplay between domestic reforms and global headwinds remains a critical focal point for policymakers and investors.

Nigerian mid-tier banks have accelerated merger and acquisition (M&A) discussions as the industry enters the final quarter of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) two-year recapitalisation window. With the 31 March 2026 deadline approaching, several lenders that have yet to secure the required minimum paid-up capital are exploring strategic combinations to avoid regulatory sanctions or license downgrades.

In March 2024, the CBN announced a significant upward revision of minimum capital requirements: ₦500 billion for banks with international authorisation, ₦200 billion for national banks, and ₦50 billion for regional institutions. While Tier-1 lenders like Access Bank, Zenith Bank, and GTBank have already crossed these thresholds through rights issues and public offers, smaller players face a more challenging path due to market concentration and rising operational costs.

The Federal Government of Nigeria has clarified that the proposed alterations to the country’s tax framework are corrective measures rather than wholesale changes, ensuring the core integrity of existing tax laws remains intact. Officials stated on Thursday, 15 January 2026, that the legislative refinements currently under review are intended to streamline administration and eliminate ambiguities without disrupting the broader fiscal landscape or significantly altering the tax burden on businesses.

The clarification comes as the National Assembly evaluates the Tax Reform Bills, which have sparked debate regarding their potential impact on sub-national revenue sharing and corporate compliance requirements. The executive branch maintains that these "minor changes" are essential to modernise the system and align it with global best practices in digital economy taxation and transparency.

The Lagos State Government, through the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), shut down 244 establishments across the state in 2025 for various environmental and regulatory infractions. The affected entities include hotels, churches, mosques, bars, and industrial facilities that failed to comply with state laws regarding noise pollution and environmental standards.

According to official data released by the agency, the enforcement actions were part of a year-long campaign to ensure adherence to the Lagos State Environmental Management and Protection Law. The government maintains that these measures are necessary to safeguard public health and restore environmental order within the metropolitan area.

_{^{Produced by: Amarachi Okeke}}