Business
Experts Blame Non-Passage Of Budget For Liquidity Crisis
Some financial market operators on Monday called on the National Assembly to fast track the passage of the 2017 Budget to boost liquidity in the economy and ensure its effective implementation.
They told newsmen in Lagos, Monday, that budget approval was necessary to stimulate the economy through government spending.
Head Research, SCM Capital Ltd., Mr Sewa Wusu, called for the quick passage of the budget to stimulate economic activities, noting that non-passage of the budget was affecting various sectors of the economy.
Wusu said that the late passage would affect the budget implementation, especially the capital budget.
He said that the budget approval should be hastened for government to hit the ground with implementation as the highest spender in the country.
Wusu, however, attributed the zigzag performance at the stock market to low confidence of both local and foreign investors.
He said that investors were still weary of market outlook due to macro economic development.
Wusu attributed foreign investors’ lack of confidence in the market to foreign exchange issues, noting that they were yet to be convinced of the Forex supply side in spite of the apex bank’s regular intervention.
He said that investment in the market, with the turn of events, was for investors with high risk appetite.
A Professor of Economics, Sheriffadeen Tella of the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, said that budget approval delay would affect the multiplier effects on sectoral expansion and employment generation.
Tella said that the stock market had failed to respond to some impressive results declared so far.
According to him, this is because people have low income which is largely devoted to meeting basic needs than investment in the face of rising prices.
He added that Nigerians were generally risk averse and were yet to overcome the negative effects of loss of fund in the protracted economic crisis of the recent past.
Reports say that a turnover of 1.31 billion shares worth N10.32 billion were exchanged by investors in 13,042 deals last week against 1.03 billion shares valued at N7.98 billion exchanged hands in 13,441 deals in the preceding week.
The Financial Services industry, when measured in volume terms, led the activity chart with 1.14 billion shares worth N6.03 billion traded in 7,518 deals.
It contributed 87.01 per cent and 58.39 per cent to the total equity turnover volume and value.
The Consumer Goods sector followed with 71.21 million shares, valued at N2.31 billion transacted in 2,261 deals.
The third place was occupied by Services Industry, with a turnover of 29.39 million shares worth N24.59 million in 258 deals.
The NSE All-Share Index and market captialisation depreciated by 0.77 per cent and 0.80 per cent to close the week at 25,454.93 and N8.807 trillion respectively against 25,653.16 and N8.878 trillion achieved in the previous week.
Lafarge Africa led the gainers’ table for the week in percentage terms, improving by 13.92 per cent or N5.01 to close at N41.01 per share.
Fidson Healthcare followed with a gain of 13.48 per cent or 12k to close at N1.01, while Livestock Feeds increased by 10.94 per cent or 7k to close at 71 per share.
On the other hand, Guinness led the losers’ chart in percentage terms, dropping by 9.77 per cent or N6.50 to close at N60 per share.
Seplat trailed with a loss of 9.73 per cent or N38.72 to close at N359.28, while Diamond Bank shed 8.51 per cent or 8k to close at 86 per share.
Kolomoni Microfinance Bank has awarded grants to five female entrepreneurs to boost their businesses as part of its commitment to promoting women in business.
The initiative, organized to mark International Women’s Day, was themed “Accelerate Her Growth.”
According to the bank, the decision to support women was inspired by World Bank data, which shows that 41 percent of Nigeria’s micro-businesses are owned by women.
Delivering the keynote address, business strategist, Ebun Akinwale, emphasized that entrepreneurship requires resilience, creativity, and passion.
She illustrated this by recounting her own business challenges and highlighting the critical role passion plays in overcoming obstacles.
The event underscored Kolomoni’s mission to empower women and support small businesses in Nigeria.
Other speakers at the occasion were Odunayo Oyebolu, a seasoned entrepreneur; Victori Ajiboye, a marketing strategist with global experience; and Simi Ojumu, a finance expert.
The beneficiaries said the financial support was a validation of their hard work and a boost of confidence towards scaling through in their businesses.
The winners were selected after sharing their entrepreneurial journeys and presenting business proposals for financial assistance from the bank.
The 8th edition of the Nigeria Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) Summit and Awards (Nigeria SMEAwards) is set to take place in Lagos for the first time in its history, marking a significant milestone for this prestigious event.
Endorsed by the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), the annual awards celebrate the entrepreneurial spirit driving Nigeria’s economy.
The visionary convener of NigeriaSMEAwards 2025, Adedayo Olalekan, said, “Governors from Zamfara, Sokoto, Ebonyi, Borno, Enugu, Ekiti, Benue, and Kaduna States have all implemented transformative initiatives that have greatly benefitted local enterprises.
“Their contributions will serve as a beacon of inspiration for the nation.”
Speaking at a recent press conference in Lagos, Olalekan emphasised that the event would introduce a fresh and unique approach, moving away from tradition.
“Despite economic challenges, Nigerians continue to show an unwavering commitment to progress”, he said.
He noted that the awards will not only honor outstanding individuals, but also recognise the critical role state governments play in nurturing vibrant SMEs.
“State governments have been instrumental in fostering a supportive environment for SMEs, which in turn benefits both the awardees and the larger economy.
“With major banks like Providus, Access, and First Banks competing for top honors, the 8th NigeriaSMEAwards promises to be a night of celebration, recognising exceptional contributions to Nigeria’s SME landscape”, Olalekan added.
Amid global challenges such as inflation, geopolitical instability, and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Nigerians continue to show remarkable resilience.
Their efforts, according to reports, have contributed to job creation, economic growth, and overall prosperity, with SMEs at the forefront of this success.
This year’s awards will recognise governors who have made significant strides in advancing the SME sector within their states.
Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) consultants in Rivers State have called on entrepreneurs to be focused and avoid distractions.
The experts, who were speaking on the recent developments about the change of leadership in the state, said entrepreneurs need to put more efforts in their businesses in order to break even in the present situation in Rivers State.
Speaking in a chat with The Tide, an international SMEs consultant, Amb. Larry Goodwill Ajiola, said the political moves is capable of distracting SMEs who are not grounded in their businesses, adding that “the serious minded business men and women would utilise the opportunity to increase their revenues”.
Amb Ajiola, who is the President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Rumuomasi Co-operative and Credit Society Limited, Port Harcourt, said, “Rugged entrepreneurs look out for business opportunities in situations around them, whether good or bad”.
He reiterated that the loan facility given to 3,000 SMEs in the state revived and expanded businesses, adding that the empowered businesses should continue to push, no matter the situation.
“credit is a powerful tool for achieving financial security.
“We can only keep imagin the economic value that the over 3,000 MSMEs would add to the positive economic dynamics of Rivers State and the Local Government Areas in terms of Gross Domestic Prooduct (GDP), increased tax returns, employment creation, income distribution, and production of goods and services”, he said.
Another SMEs Expert, a business consultant and SMEs trainer, Mr. Chisom Sam-Orji, in his advice, noted that every SME in the state should realize that change is the only constant thing.
He said SMEs should also know that “tough times never last, but tough people do”, adding the need for every entrepreneur to stay focused on creating value and remain resilient.
“This is not the time to be distracted by every noise around your space, but to maximize every time you have to focus on the essentials and keep creating value.
“For some people, it may just be the time to diversify, create new products and services to serve a new or existing market. But this must be based on the facts available to you via research and market surveys”, he said.
The SMEs expert also said the present time in the life of an entrepreneur is a time to cut off unnecessary excesses that surround one’s business.
“Those extra costs that may hamper your growth in this season and beyond, and focus on just essentials.
“SMEs should find certain leverages that are available to aid their business growth. This could be in form of grants, knowledge, and other leverage tools.
“Collaboration is one big way to grow in this season. Finding ways to collaborate with like minds instead of competing could enable a product or service gain advantage in the market and beyond.
“They should also find ways to sustain and grow their customer relationship as this is key to sustaining business flow. They must seek new and efficient ways to serve their customers and gain their loyalty”, he stated.
He further called on every entrepreneur to keep building capacity and never take their eyes off their visions, adding the need to muster every courage it takes to keep building and moving forward.
Lilian Peters