Business
Oluwatoyin Madein: Appraising the Apostle of Transparency By Ochonu Ochonu
Oluwatoyin Madein: Appraising the Apostle of Transparency
By Ochonu Ochonu
The Accountant General of the Federation (AGF) stands as the guardian of Nigeria’s treasury, a position established by Decree 43 of 1988. This esteemed office is reserved for exceptional individuals, handpicked by the President and entrusted with a four-year tenure. Chief Dr. Mrs. Oluwatoyin Madein is one such outstanding leader, whose appointment attests to her remarkable abilities.
Born in Iperu in Ikenne Local Government Area on the 7th day of March 1965, the distinguished goal-getter obtained a Higher National Diploma in Accountancy in 1988 from the Ogun State Polytechnic (presently Moshood Abiola Polytechnic) Abeokuta.
In a bid to improve herself educationally, Mrs Oluwatoyin proceeded to Ogun State University (now Olabisi Onabanjo University) Ago Iwoye from where she graduated colourfully with a Post Graduate Diploma (PGD) followed immediately by a master’s Degree in Business Administration in 2019.
In recognition of her exceptional intellectual prowess and commitment, the Commonwealth University conferred on her the Doctor of Business Administration (Honoris Causa).
Her quest for intellectual development, capacity building and pacesetting, invigorated her into the greater search for knowledge. She realized right in time that she needed proper equipping for the duties and responsibilities that Providence had predestined her for, as such, she proceeded to the highly prestigious Walden University, Minnesota, USA in 2020 from where she bagged a Doctor of Philosophy (P.hD) in Management Finance.
An exquisite and highly determined personality, Dr Oluwatoyin Madien, in a career spanning more than 30 years before her ascendancy to the present position, had served meritoriously in various offices within the civil service.
Her entry point was as a middle-level officer at the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC).
She also was one of the pioneering staff of both the Family Economic Advancement Programme (FEAP) and the famous National Poverty Alleviation Programme (NAPEP).
Her distinguished career also took her to the Ministry of Police Affairs, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Ministry of Works and Housing and the Ministry of Youths and Sports Development all at the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
Notably, Chief Dr Mrs Oluwatoyin Madien’s achievements did not start with sudden flight, it was a result of deliberate, resilient and determined efforts.
This is so because before joining the federal civil service, Dr. Toyin served the Ogun State Property and Investment Corporation (OPIC), Abeokuta, as an Executive Officer. The period proved very rewarding as it gave her fresh insight and knowledge of the workings of the second and third tiers of government. An experience that was to later prove extremely rewarding and indisposable.
The highly skilled professional also bagged several eminent recognitions and memberships. For instance, Dr. Toyin is a Fellow of the Association of Chartered and Certified Accountants (ACCA), UK, a Member Association of National Accountants of Nigeria and a Member Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN).
Upon assumption of office as the AGF, Chief Dr. Toyin realized that the demands of her new office were not going to be a tea party, as she was confronted with a higher call. While being in charge of the federal government’s accounting services may not look onerous, providing adequate accounting and control of all the Ministries, Extra-ministerial Departments and all arms of government proved challenging.
Her case was however a situation where preparation meets opportunity. She was not only prepared but given her stalling and distinguished intellectual and professional achievements, viewed her appointment as a task from God for humanity and country.
The fact that she is the first woman to attain such lofty office, motivated and made her determined to represent her constituency (the women folk) efficiently and effectively.
Her disposition was therefore that of demonstrated equanimity, compassion, resilience and empathy.
Within a short time, she began to prove her onions, as her devotion, commitment and determination to uphold fiscal transparency in government finance and accountability began to pay off.
In a well-thought-out plan of action, the ardent team player and resourceful advocate of fiscal transparency and responsibility conducted a forensic review of previous financial reforms embarked upon by her predecessors.
The insight gained thereafter enabled her to make hard decisions and also gave her the impetus to make resource-based fresh concepts and tactics for government financial operations and project sustainability as well as benefit delivery.
In a highly meticulous interface with IPPIS Server Providers, she was able to effectively put to rest the nagging challenges mitigating against the payment platform thereby enhancing remarkable improvement not witnessed previously.
Dr. Toyin’s deep insight, knowledge and experience in Fiscal responsibility enhanced the complete review of other financial management policies of government bringing about optimum, measurable and outstanding benefits and functionality.
It can be said that one of her greatest achievements is the demystification of the Federation Accounts and Allocation Committee (FAAC) specifics, especially as it has to do with revenue allocation to the various tiers of government.
While previous AGFs were confronted with subterfuge, Dr Toyin’s impeccable character and strong personality coupled with a firm knowledge of her profession were. Brought to bear on her schedule of duty as she consistently kept Nigerians properly informed about government revenue transactions, and performance relative to revenue inflows at all levels.
Her unwavering conviction that government can only thrive if the citizens are carried along in the management of public funds is not only a landmark, but has led to an enviable demonstration of accountability, transparency, and genuine commitment to serving the interest of not only Nigerians but foreigners, thereby making the populace aware of the inflows and expenditures of government.
This feat has led to immense confidence building and trust in government activities and enabled effective comparison of the revenue collected monthly, juxtaposed with developments on the ground thereby ascertaining compliance and strengthening the overall performance of the government.
Chief Dr. Mrs Oluwatoyin has in several practical ways proved her empathy, forthrightness and clear unambiguous understanding and knowledge of the nexus between government actions and the realities faced by the citizenry and those living in Nigeria.
Her prudent and faithful management of finances has over time proved not unique but innovative, creating synergy, balance and sustainable relationships with all tiers of government and even the international community.
It is necessary to note that this has also significantly reduced the incidences of conflicts and contradictions at FAAC meetings.
Dr. Toyin’s prioritization of prudence, transparency and accountability over even her professional reputation and the maintenance of her statutory obligations has led to the efficient delivery of national interest. It can be said that her major and overarching priority is the welfare of the people of Nigeria.
The detribalized trailblazer, the woman of substance, who has the empathy of a mother, understands the challenges faced by Nigerians as is consistently reflected in her daily activities.
With an efficient and collaborative approach to the fiscal decision-making process, Dr Toyin’s tenure can predictably be adjudged as not only the most distinguished, outstanding and beneficial to Nigerians but also pacesetting, and proactive with demonstrably keen observance of the feelings and interests of average Nigerians.
Her principle of cost-effective alternatives has drastically reduced Nigeria’s financial burden and generated revenue.
When all is said and done one practical area of her greatest achievements will be the stoppage of payments for projects yet to be awarded, this will save in no small measure, the country from huge embarrassment and prevent her from incurring unnecessary interest on funds that are yet to be deployed.
It can be said without contradiction that Chief Dr. Mrs Oluwatoyin Madien through her foresight, a combination of strict adherence To bureaucratic protocols and practices, and a thorough and painstaking assessment of each step taken, to mitigate waste combined with strict adherence to government policies has proved what responsible governance can achieve in a country when you have a round peg in a round hole.
Ochonu wrote this piece from Minna, Niger State.
Business
BUA Foods Records 91% Surge in Profit After Tax, Hits ₦508bn in 2025
BUA Foods Records 91% Surge in Profit After Tax, Hits ₦508bn in 2025
By femi Oyewale
Business
Adron Homes Unveils “Love for Love” Valentine Promo with Exciting Discounts, Luxury Gifts, and Travel Rewards
Adron Homes Unveils “Love for Love” Valentine Promo with Exciting Discounts, Luxury Gifts, and Travel Rewards
In celebration of the season of love, Adron Homes and Properties has announced the launch of its special Valentine campaign, “Love for Love” Promo, a customer-centric initiative designed to reward Nigerians who choose to express love through smart, lasting real estate investments.
The Love for Love Promo offers clients attractive discounts, flexible payment options, and an array of exclusive gift items, reinforcing Adron Homes’ commitment to making property ownership both rewarding and accessible. The campaign runs throughout the Valentine season and applies to the company’s wide portfolio of estates and housing projects strategically located across Nigeria.
Speaking on the promo, the company’s Managing Director, Mrs Adenike Ajobo, stated that the initiative is aimed at encouraging individuals and families to move beyond conventional Valentine gifts by investing in assets that secure their future. According to the company, love is best demonstrated through stability, legacy, and long-term value—principles that real estate ownership represents.
Under the promo structure, clients who make a payment of ₦100,000 receive cake, chocolates, and a bottle of wine, while those who pay ₦200,000 are rewarded with a Love Hamper. Payments of ₦500,000 attract a Love Hamper plus cake, and clients who pay ₦1,000,000 enjoy a choice of a Samsung phone or a Love Hamper with cake.
The rewards become increasingly premium as commitment grows. Clients who pay ₦5,000,000 receive either an iPad or an all-expenses-paid romantic getaway for a couple at one of Nigeria’s finest hotels, which includes two nights’ accommodation, special treats, and a Love Hamper. A payment of ₦10,000,000 comes with a choice of a Samsung Z Fold 7, three nights at a top-tier resort in Nigeria, or a full solar power installation.
For high-value investors, the Love for Love Promo delivers exceptional lifestyle experiences. Clients who pay ₦30,000,000 on land are rewarded with a three-night couple’s trip to Doha, Qatar, or South Africa, while purchasers of any Adron Homes house valued at ₦50,000,000 receive a double-door refrigerator.
The promo covers Adron Homes’ estates located in Lagos, Shimawa, Sagamu, Atan–Ota, Papalanto, Abeokuta, Ibadan, Osun, Ekiti, Abuja, Nasarawa, and Niger States, offering clients the opportunity to invest in fast-growing, strategically positioned communities nationwide.
Adron Homes reiterated that beyond the incentives, the campaign underscores the company’s strong reputation for secure land titles, affordable pricing, strategic locations, and a proven legacy in real estate development.
As Valentine’s Day approaches, Adron Homes encourages Nigerians at home and in the diaspora to take advantage of the Love for Love Promo to enjoy exceptional value, exclusive rewards, and the opportunity to build a future rooted in love, security, and prosperity.
Business
Why Nigeria’s Banks Still on Shaky Ground with Big Profits, Weak Capital
*Why Nigeria’s Banks Still on Shaky Ground with Big Profits, Weak Capital*
*BY BLAISE UDUNZE*
Despite the fragile 2024 economy grappling with inflation, currency volatility, and weak growth, Nigeria’s banking industry was widely portrayed as successful and strong amid triumphal headlines. The figures appeared to signal strength, resilience, and superior management as the Tier-1 banks such as Access Bank, Zenith Bank, GTBank, UBA, and First Bank of Nigeria, collectively reported profits approaching, and in some cases exceeding, N1 trillion. Surprisingly, a year later, these same banks touted as sound and solid are locked in a frenetic race to the capital markets, issuing rights offers and public placements back-to-back to meet the Central Bank of Nigeria’s N500 billion recapitalisation thresholds.
The contradiction is glaring. If Nigeria’s biggest banks are so profitable, why are they unable to internally fund their new capital requirements? Why have no fewer than 27 banks tapped the capital market in quick succession despite repeated assurances of balance-sheet robustness? And more fundamentally, what do these record profits actually say about the real health of the banking system?
The recapitalisation directive announced by the CBN in 2024 was ambitious by design. Banks with international licences were required to raise minimum capital to N500 billion by March 2026, while national and regional banks faced lower but still substantial thresholds ranging from N200 billion to N50 billion, respectively. Looking at the policy, it was sold as a modern reform meant to make banks stronger, more resilient in tough times, and better able to support major long-term economic development. In theory, strong banks should welcome such reforms. In practice, the scramble that followed has exposed uncomfortable truths about the structure of bank profitability in Nigeria.
At the heart of the inconsistency is a fundamental misunderstanding often encouraged by the banks themselves between profits and capital. Unknown to many, profitability, no matter how impressive, does not automatically translate into regulatory capital. Primarily, the CBN’s recapitalisation framework actually focuses on money paid in by shareholders when buying shares, fresh equity injected by investors over retained earnings or profits that exist mainly on paper.
This distinction matters because much of the profit surge recorded in 2024 and early 2025 was neither cash-generative nor sustainably repeatable. A significant portion of those headline banks’ profits reported actually came from foreign exchange revaluation gains following the sharp fall of the naira after exchange-rate unification. The industry witnessed that banks’ holding dollar-denominated assets their books showed bigger numbers as their balance sheets swell in naira terms, creating enormous paper profits without a corresponding improvement in underlying operational strength. These gains inflated income statements but did little to strengthen core capital, especially after the CBN barred banks from using FX revaluation gains for dividends or routine operations. In effect, banks looked richer without becoming stronger.
Beyond FX effects, Nigerian banks have increasingly relied on non-interest income fees, charges, and transaction levies to drive profitability. While this model is lucrative, it does not necessarily deepen financial intermediation or expand productive lending. High profits built on customer charges rather than loan growth offer limited support for long-term balance-sheet expansion. They also leave banks vulnerable when macroeconomic conditions shift, as is now happening.
Indeed, the recapitalisation exercise coincides with a turning point in the monetary cycle. The extraordinary conditions that supported bank earnings in 2024 and 2025 are beginning to unwind. Analysts now warn that Nigerian banks are approaching earnings reset, as net interest margins the backbone of traditional banking profitability, come under sustained pressure.
Renaissance Capital, in a January note, projects that major banks including Zenith, GTCO, Access Holdings, and UBA will struggle to deliver earnings growth in 2026 comparable to recent performance.
In a real sense, the CBN is expected to lower interest rates by 400 to 500 basis points because inflation is slowing down, and this means that banks will earn less on loans and government bonds, but they may not be able to quickly lower the interest they pay on deposits or other debts. The cash reserve requirements are still elevated, which does not earn interest; banks can’t easily increase or expand lending investments to make up for lower returns. The implications are significant. Net interest margin, the difference between what banks earn on loans and investments and what they pay on deposits, is poised to contract. Deposit competition is intensifying as lenders fight to shore up liquidity ahead of recapitalisation deadlines, pushing up funding costs. At the same time, yields on treasury bills and bonds, long a safe and lucrative haven for banks are expected to soften in a lower-rate environment. The result is a narrowing profit cushion just as banks are being asked to carry far larger equity bases.
Compounding this challenge is the fading of FX revaluation windfalls. With the naira relatively more stable in early 2026, the non-cash gains that once flattered bank earnings have largely evaporated. What remains is the less glamorous reality of core banking operations: credit risk management, cost efficiency, and genuine loan growth in a sluggish economy. In this new environment, maintaining headline profits will be far harder, even before accounting for the dilutive impact of recapitalisation.
That dilution is another underappreciated consequence of the capital rush. Massive share issuances mean that even if banks manage to sustain absolute profit levels, earnings per share and return on equity are likely to decline. Zenith, Access, UBA, and others are dramatically increasing their share counts. The same earnings pie is now being divided among many more shareholders, making individual returns leaner than during the pre-recapitalisation boom. For investors, the optics of strong profits may soon give way to the reality of weaker per-share performance.
Yet banks have pressed ahead, not only out of regulatory necessity but also strategic calculation.
During this period of recapitalization, investors are interested in the stock market with optimism, especially about bank shares, as banks are raising fresh capital, and this makes it easier to attract investments. This has become a season for the management teams to seize the moment to raise funds at relatively attractive valuations, strengthen ownership positions, and position themselves for post-recapitalisation dominance. In several cases, major shareholders and insiders have increased their stakes, as projected in the media, signalling confidence in long-term prospects even as near-term returns face pressure.
There is also a broader structural ambition at play. Well-capitalised banks can take on larger single obligor exposures, finance infrastructure projects, expand regionally, and compete more credibly with pan-African and global peers. From this perspective, recapitalisation is not merely about compliance but about reshaping the competitive hierarchy of Nigerian banking. What will be witnessed in the industry is that those who succeed will emerge larger, fewer, and more powerful. Those that fail will be forced into consolidation, retreat, or irrelevance.
For the wider economy, the outcome is ambiguous. Stronger banks with deeper capital buffers could improve systemic stability and enhance Nigeria’s ability to fund long-term development. The point is that while merging or consolidating banks may make them safer, it can also harm the market and the economy because it will reduce competition, let a few banks dominate, and encourage them to earn easy money from bonds and fees instead of funding real businesses. The truth be told, injecting more capital into the banks without complementary reforms in credit infrastructure, risk-sharing mechanisms, and fiscal discipline, isn’t enough as the aforementioned reforms are also needed.
The rush as exposed in this period, is that the moment Nigerian banks started raising new capital, the glaring reality behind their reported profits became clearer, that profits weren’t purely from good management, while the financial industry is not as sound and strong as its headline figures. The fact that trillion-naira profit banks must return repeatedly to shareholders for fresh capital is not a sign of excess strength, but of structural imbalance.
With the deadline for banks to raise new capital coming soon, by 31 March 2026, the focus has shifted from just raising N500 billion. N200 billion or N50 billion to think about the future shape and quality of Nigeria’s financial industry, or what it will actually look like afterward. Will recapitalisation mark a turning point toward deeper intermediation, lower dependence on speculative gains, and stronger support for economic growth? Or will it simply reset the numbers while leaving underlying incentives unchanged?
The answer will define the next chapter of Nigerian banking long after the capital market roadshows have ended and the profit headlines have faded.
Blaise, a journalist and PR professional, writes from Lagos and can be reached via: [email protected]
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