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Analysis: Is First Bank’s acquisition of Heritage Bank and Polaris Bank a game changer?

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Age they say is nothing but a number but not when you are 126 and still relevant. FirstBank Ltd, Nigeria’s oldest bank has in so many ways stood the test of time.

If there is any bank you can reference for experience when it comes to transformation and innovation from the second industrial revolution to what many see now as the fourth, then it is perhaps this bank. Innovate or die as they say.

Last week, news reports suggest the bank was considering an acquisition of Polaris and Heritage Banks respectively. The bank promptly issued a press release neither affirming nor denying that a deal was under consideration.

However, it said enough to warrant a review of the consequences of taking yet another bold step in the bank’s ageless journey in survival.

Heritage Bank which began operations in 2012 after acquiring the license and structure of the old Societe Generale Bank of Nigeria is not new to controversy.

In 2014 Heritage Bank did the unthinkable, it was announced by the Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) as the winner of the bid for the acquisition of the defunct Enterprise Bank.

Since then, reports about the bank’s ability to remain as a going concern have dominated the news. Polaris Bank, on the other hand, was created by the CBN after it took over the hugely mismanaged Skye Bank Plc.

The bank is yet to publish its financials and the impression out there is that the bank is on life support on the instruction of the CBN.

So, why could FirstBank or indeed any bank be interested in these banks? Last January, the CEO of Heritage Bank Mr. Ifie Sekibo revealed that it will soon receive fresh capital injection from yet to be disclosed investors, a development that is expected to push up the bank’s capital base and by so doing, drive growth.

This was the first official indication that the bank needed capital to survive and remain competitive. FirstBank’s position as the largest bank by total assets and deposits was also usurped by Access Bank following its acquisition with Diamond Bank.

To wrestle the bank, it’s position at the top, First Bank will have to consider both organic and inorganic means. Thus, an acquisition with Heritage Bank is logical. Heritage Bank also recently launched its digital banking business, Octopus putting it at the forefront of the FinTech driven future of banking.

FirstBank potential acquisition with Polaris is one that is hard to decipher from a value proposition. Thus, a possible deal will have to exclude liabilities for it to make sense.

To be fair, Polaris bank has reinvented itself over the last couple of years despite its legacy challenges and ability to attract deposits. From rebranding to launching new products it has struggled to remain relevant as AMCON continues its search for a buyer.

Last year, the bad loan bank announced it will step up a sale of the bank after the 2019 general elections.

Is this a good move for First Bank? First Bank has its own fair share of challenges and is currently undergoing a transformation. The bank is reining in on its notoriously high cost to income ratio and has also reduced its non-performing loans ratio. It has also led the sector in terms of financial inclusion and is also tech conscious with its very impressive banking app and associated services.

The race to scale driven dominance in the banking sector will likely hinge heavily on inorganic growth such as mergers and acquisitions. For a Holdco like FBNH, First Bank’s parent company, the structure allows target driven acquisitions which could solidify the bank’s position as a leading financial services supermarket.

But the risks are obvious and real. An acquisition is not just a combination of balance sheets, it can be a clash of cultures and an explosion of costs. Recent banking acquisitions have not really resulted in the so-called dominance it touts or cost synergies it hopes to optimize.

Nigeria’s largest banks by profits and market capitalization remain Zenith Bank and GT Bank and both avoided mergers and acquisitions during the Soludo driven banking consolidation race.

If FirstBank is to cut a deal to swallow both Polaris and Heritage Banks respectively, then it needs thorough due diligence and must avoid carrying on liabilities and costs that often weigh down on consolidation gains.

In 2017, we got a chance to ask the CEO of the bank, Dr Adesola Adeduntan if the bank could win the race to get to trillions in gross revenue. In response, he took a deep breath and remarked that First Bank was in it to win it. This acquisition may just be a chance to nick it.

Source: Nairametrics

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Senator Gbenga Daniel Celebrates Aare Adetola EmmanuelKing at 50

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Senator Gbenga Daniel Celebrates Aare Adetola EmmanuelKing at 50

The distinguished Senator representing Ogun East Senatorial District and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Navy, His Excellency, Otunba Engr. Gbenga Daniel, has extended warm congratulations to Aare Adetola EmmanuelKing, Chairman/CEO of Adron Group, on the occasion of his 50th birthday.

In a heartfelt message, Senator Daniel praised Aare Adetola EmmanuelKing for his outstanding dedication and immense contributions to the Nigerian housing sector. He described the celebrant as a shining example in the business community, whose passion and commitment have left an indelible mark on the real estate industry across Nigeria.

“You are indeed a source of inspiration to your generation and a shining example within the business environment. There is no doubt that you had written your name in an indelible ink across Nigeria and most especially among the real estate developers,” he wrote.

Senator Daniel also acknowledged Aare Adetola EmmanuelKing’s conferment as the ‘Otun-Asiwaju of Remo Christians’ by the Ogun State branch of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), as a reflection of his God-fearing nature, philanthropic spirit, and commitment to humanity.

The senator offered prayers for good health, greater accomplishments, and many more remarkable years ahead for the business mogul.

He concluded by affirming his highest regards and admiration for the celebrant

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From Loss to Land: CBEX Victim Gifted Plot in Ibeju Lekki by Swedish Follower

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From Loss to Land: CBEX Victim Gifted Plot in Ibeju Lekki by Swedish Follower

CBEX Crash Sparks Outrage, Tears and Unexpected Kindness: Swedish Fan Gifts Nigerian Investor a Plot of Land

 

The dramatic crash of the CBEX investment platform has triggered a wave of public outrage and heartbreak across Nigeria and beyond, with scores of users lamenting the loss of millions in life savings, business capital, and retirement funds.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), along with the Internet Fraud Unit, has reportedly launched a probe into the circumstances surrounding the platform’s sudden collapse. The investigation comes amid mounting pressure from angry investors demanding justice and restitution.

As thousands take to social media to share their personal experiences and financial devastation, one story has stood out—not for its tragedy, but for the unexpected act of generosity that followed.

In a recent Facebook post, Nigerian digital creator Ivan Eagle shared that a Swedish follower, deeply moved by his emotional account of the CBEX fallout—originally reported by Legit.ng—gifted him a full plot of land in Lagos.

“A follower in Sweden just gifted me a FULL plot of land in Lagos after reading my CBEX story on Legit.ng,” Ivan wrote.

He revealed that the property is a 600-square-meter plot in Ibeju Lekki, one of Lagos State’s fastest-growing residential hubs, where land prices under reputable developers like PWAN reportedly start at ₦30 million.

“For those of you who live in Lagos, you all know how Lagos is gradually evolving into Ibeju Lekki, and how residential regions covered by reputable real estate firms in the area have been SOLD OUT,” Ivan added.

A Silver Lining Amid a Financial Storm

The CBEX collapse has left a bitter taste in the mouths of thousands of investors, many of whom believed they were participating in a credible digital asset investment scheme. Online forums and Telegram groups have since been flooded with screenshots of losses, emotional breakdowns, and desperate calls for recovery.

However, Ivan Eagle’s story has become a rare glimmer of hope, showcasing the unexpected humanity that sometimes arises in the aftermath of financial tragedy.

As investigations deepen, questions remain over CBEX’s regulatory compliance, investor protections, and whether its operators will face legal consequences. For now, the EFCC remains silent on the details but has urged victims to submit official complaints through its designated reporting channels.

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Prof Lawan Bala Buratai Appointed Vice Chancellor of Nigerian Army University Biu

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Prof Lawan Bala Buratai Appointed Vice Chancellor of Nigerian Army University Biu After Rigorous Selection

 

In a significant leadership transition at one of Nigeria’s foremost military-civilian academic institutions, Professor Lawan Bala Buratai has been appointed as the new Vice Chancellor of the Nigerian Army University Biu (NAUB).

Prof Lawan Bala Buratai Appointed Vice Chancellor of Nigerian Army University Biu

The appointment was announced following an intensive and merit-based selection process conducted by the Governing Council of NAUB at the Armed Forces Officers Mess and Suites, Asokoro, Abuja. The Council, under the chairmanship of Dr. Awwal Moriki, concluded its deliberations and formally presented the letter of appointment to Prof Buratai in a brief but momentous ceremony.

 

Dr. Moriki, while congratulating the new helmsman, described the selection as the culmination of a transparent and rigorous process aimed at identifying a visionary academic leader who embodies the university’s core values of excellence, discipline, and innovation.

With this appointment, Prof Buratai succeeds Professor Kyari Mohammed, whose single five-year tenure is widely credited with laying a strong foundation for the university’s academic and structural growth.

 

The Nigerian Army University Biu (NAUB) was established in 2018 as a unique public institution owned by the Nigerian Army and designed to serve both military personnel and civilians. Located in Biu, Borno State, the university was conceived as a strategic response to the security and developmental challenges facing Nigeria and the wider Sahel region.

NAUB is focused on entrepreneurship, innovation, defense studies, and technology-driven research. It offers undergraduate and postgraduate programs in diverse fields ranging from engineering and environmental sciences to social sciences, computing, and military history.

 

What sets NAUB apart is its civil-military partnership model, which aims to foster mutual understanding and collaboration between Nigeria’s armed forces and the general populace. The university plays a key role in developing indigenous solutions to security challenges while also contributing to national capacity building and economic resilience through education.

 

With increasing national and international recognition, NAUB continues to attract scholars and partnerships across Africa and beyond, committed to transforming it into a world-class institution in security and development research.

 

Professor Lawan Buratai, a respected scholar and administrator, is expected to lead the university into its next chapter—deepening academic standards, expanding infrastructure, and strengthening NAUB’s role in national transformation.

His appointment signals a continuity of vision with a renewed focus on excellence, innovation, and service to the nation.

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