Business

TAJBank becomes first corporate to list Sukuk Bond on NGX

Published

3 years ago

February 15, 2023

Joel Ajayi

TAJBank Limited, Nigeria’s fast-growing non-interest banking services provider, yesterday on the trading floor of the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) became the first corporate to list Sukuk Bond on the bourse.

The bank listed N10 billion Mudarabah Sukuk issuance after it successfully raised over N11.4 billion under its N100 Billion Sukuk Issuance Programme.

The first of its kind in Nigeria is an Additional Tier 1 Capital Mudarabah Sukuk with loss-absorbency features designed to help TAJ Bank strengthen its capital adequacy ratio and general corporate business activities.

The Issuance received interest from both Retail and Institutional Investors, resulting in a subscription of 113.6.

The oversubscription of this Issuance demonstrates that the investment culture in the Country is still vibrant and there is sustained confidence in Nigeria’s path to economic recovery and stability.

Speaking at the closing gong ceremony in commemoration of the listing of the Sukuk issuance on the floor of the Exchange, Chairman, TAJBank, Alhaji Tanko Gwamna who was with top executives of the bank, reiterated that the listing is the first of its kind on the trading floor and it comes with non-interest bearing.

He noted that the listing of the Corporate Sukuk is what the capital market needs to enhance liquidity and further grow Nigeria’s economy.

TAJBank Boss disclosed that the financial institution is considering investing in the manufacturing and Agriculture sectors with raised funds from the Sukuk.

“Manufacturing sector is the only sector that can take most of the youth out of the street and keep them engaged. Also, we are funding agriculture production and its value chain from start to finish. These two sectors are where we wanted to fund the Sukuk issuance,” he said.

“The listing on the Exchange is for investors to trade in the Sukuk and diversify their investment,” he added.

According to him, “We are setting the trend and I’m sure a lot of corporates will come along. We are making more offerings because the market is in need of corporate Sukuk. It was a transparent exercise and people can trade with our Sukuk and it will offer more liquidity for economic growth.

He added that the financial institution very soon will be back in the capital market and raise more funds.

Speaking also, the Managing Director/CEO, TAJBank, Mr. Hamid Joda said the aim of the Sukuk listing is to give Nigeria’s investors alternative means of investment.

He noted that, “Millions of investors have been yearning for non-interest or Islamic instrument. We believe this is an opportunity for them to invest in such an instrument.

“The funds raised will be deployed into high-impact sectors that create jobs in Nigeria’s economy and in that way, it will have high-impact opportunities for millions of Nigerians.

“I believe with this move; we have inspired many other corporates in the financial space to come on board and issue Sukuk for greater development of our dear country.”

Speaking at the ceremony, the Divisional Head, Capital Markets, NGX, Mr. Jude Chiemeka commended the efforts of TajBank’s leadership and the parties to the issue: Greenwich Merchant Bank, Lead Issuing House; 117 Capital & Buraq Capital, Joint Sharia Advisers; and United Capital, Brokers, on the transaction.

“NGX will continue to support issuers by providing a platform of choice for capital raising and linking them with a diverse pool of investors.

“The Exchange is also committed to the development of Islamic financing in the Nigerian capital market and continues to implement initiatives to deepen its offerings.”

Commonly referred to as Islamic Bonds, Sukuk – a non-interest-bearing bond- has helped government diversify its sources of funding while offering ethical investors an opportunity to invest in government-issued securities. The instrument has not only helped the government achieve a higher level of financial inclusion but has served as a reference for pricing Sukuk issued by other bodies, especially the private sector.

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Business

FG, Investonaire Academy Unveil National Programme to Equip 100,000 Youths with Financial Skills, Digital Wealth Tools

Published

5 days ago

November 25, 2025

The Gleamer

By Joel Ajayi

The Federal Government, in collaboration with Investonaire Academy, has unveiled a nationwide financial literacy and wealth-building programme targeting more than 100,000 young Nigerians. The initiative is designed to equip participants with practical skills in budgeting, saving, investing, asset building, and long-term financial planning, positioning them for sustainable prosperity in a rapidly evolving economy.

Launched on Tuesday in Abuja, the Honourable Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, described financial literacy as a necessary survival tool for young people confronting today’s economic realities.

He noted that the initiative represents the foundation of a broader vision expected to extend beyond Nigeria to other African nations and global markets.

Reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting over 4,000 corps members annually, the Minister said the programme will provide platforms, resources, and skills needed for both job creation and employability.

“The young people who understand money — how to save, invest, build assets, and manage risk — are the ones who will lead Nigeria into prosperity,” he said.

A major highlight of the launch was the expansion of the Nigeria Youth Academy, a digital platform offering mentorship, training, and startup support. According to the Minister, more than 200 startups will receive empowerment through the Academy’s e-app platform before the end of the year.

He stressed the need for deeper collaboration with private organisations, innovators, and youth-focused groups, noting that government alone cannot drive youth development. He further encouraged young Nigerians to embrace skills acquisition, innovation, and digital enterprise, saying these remain critical to reducing the desire for migration and increasing self-reliance.

Outlining the Ministry’s long-term commitments, Olawande emphasized three priorities: supporting youth innovation, equipping them with growth tools, and safeguarding millions of Nigerian youths under the Ministry’s mandate.

Speaking at the launch, Sebastien Sicre, Chief Operating Officer of Investonaire Academy, said the programme was crafted to revolutionize the way Nigerian youths learn and apply financial knowledge. He highlighted the Academy’s gamified Learning Management System (LMS), which offers interactive learning tools, community forums, and real-time mentorship to make financial education engaging and accessible.

Complementing the digital platform is a new 200-square-metre physical training centre in Abuja, opposite the NNPC Towers, where in-person workshops and mentorship sessions will take place.

The curriculum covers key global asset classes — including equities, commodities, forex, and indices — ensuring participants gain a broad understanding of financial markets.

Sicre added that with Federal Government backing, the programme seeks to unlock new opportunities, strengthen youth participation in the digital economy, and reward outstanding participants through a $1 million funding pool to support new and existing ventures.

International Programme Director of Investonaire Academy, Dr. Enefola Odiba, explained that the initiative aims to bridge long-standing gaps in financial education among Nigerian youths. While schools teach many subjects, he said, essential financial skills are often missing.

“Many people can earn money — earning money can be easy. The real challenge is retaining, managing, and growing that money,” he noted.
Referencing the Central Bank of Nigeria’s definition of financial literacy, Odiba stated that implementation remains a major national challenge. He said the initiative brings together government agencies, youth groups, academic institutions, and private-sector partners to translate strategy into measurable impact.

The programme’s curriculum covers budgeting, saving, investing, and financial planning — areas where many young people struggle. By offering practical training, real-world insights, and guided mentorship, the initiative aims to build a generation of financially empowered youth capable of driving innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable economic growth.

With this partnership, the Federal Government and Investonaire Academy share a common goal: to empower young Nigerians with the financial intelligence and digital tools needed to build wealth, grow businesses, and transform the nation’s economic future.

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