The Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has announced it will pay a maximum of N5 million to each depositor of Heritage Bank, following the revocation of the bank’s operating license by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The CBN revoked the license on Monday due to the bank’s inability to improve its financial performance, which has raised concerns about the stability of the banking sector.

In a notice to depositors, the NDIC explained that the stipulated maximum payment is in line with extant laws in case of license revocation. The NDIC, appointed as the liquidator, will take the necessary steps to wind up the bank’s affairs in accordance with sections 55 (1) (2) and 56 (3) of the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation Act, 2023.

“Defunct Heritage Bank operated as an insured institution under the provisions of the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation Act, 2023. The Corporation will pay all its depositors their insured deposits up to the statutory maximum of N5,000,000.00 per depositor for Deposit Money Banks (DMBS)/mobile money subscribers,” the NDIC stated.

Compensation and Claims Process

Depositors with funds exceeding the insured amount will be paid as the assets of the closed bank are realized. The NDIC mentioned that depositors would soon be notified via national dailies about the commencement of insured deposit payments. For further clarifications, depositors can contact the NDIC directly.

The NDIC also provided a step-by-step process for depositors and creditors to reclaim their funds.

In-Person Claims: Visit the nearest branch of the bank with proof of account ownership, verifiable means of identification such as a driver’s license, permanent voter’s card, or National Identity Card, together with their alternate account and Bank Verification Number (BVN) for verification and subsequent payment of insured sums.

Online Claims: File claims online by visiting the NDIC website claims page at www.ndic.gov.ng/claims/claims, download and fill the claims forms, and upload the required documentation.

The NDIC reassured the public of its commitment to safeguarding depositors’ funds in all licensed banks.

“The NDIC wishes to assure the entire banking public of its commitment to the continued safety of depositors’ funds in all licensed banks. As such, depositors are urged to continue their banking businesses without fear as banks whose licenses have not been revoked remain safe and sound,” the statement concluded.

Experts, Depositors, Express Concerns

The revocation of Heritage Bank’s license has sparked significant debate among economists and depositors. Economist Evans Osabuohien, head of the Department of Economics at Covenant University, described the revocation as shocking.

He suggested that acquiring the bank by another investor would have been a better option than outright revocation, which might lead to job losses and increased tension among customers.

“CBN says that withdrawing the license was the last option. If not, one would have expected a merger or acquisition, if only for the good of the economy,” Osabuohien said. He urged the CBN to re-strategize and strengthen its regulatory framework to prevent similar crises in the future.

The liquidation of Heritage Bank has raised fresh questions about the safety of depositors’ funds with banks, given the N5 million maximum insurance cover provided by the NDIC. Many have expressed the view that view that a depositor should not have more than N5 million with a bank, to avoid losing the rest if the bank suffers liquidation.

A depositor, whose funds were trapped in the liquidation, expressed frustration over the N5 million insurance cap.

“I am a young lawyer and law-abiding citizen practicing in Nigeria. My N17 million may have gone down the drain in Heritage Bank. NDIC’s insurance is a joke. They say they are offering us N5 million maximum statutory insurance payment. This means that poor Nigerians and small businesses would lose whatever amount they have if they are given N5 million,” he lamented.

Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate from the last election, has urged the federal government and the NDIC to fully reimburse depositors of Heritage Bank immediately.

Obi said on Monday the closure of the bank will have “a far-reaching impact” on the economy, adding that anything short of full and immediate repayment of these funds will only worsen the economic situation of the depositors.

“The latest CBN’s revocation order on Heritage Bank’s operating license and subsequent appointment of NDIC as liquidator of its assets though affirmed by the regulators as necessary at this point to enhance financial stability, has a far-reaching impact on the bank’s depositors,” he said.

“Given the harsh economic realities in the country now, I will urge the federal government via NDIC to ensure immediate payment of all depositors in Heritage Bank in full to help alleviate the prevailing hardship the people are going through in the country.”

In response to escalating food inflation, the Nigerian Federal Government is contemplating the approval of paddy rice importation for millers via an Executive Order.

This measure is part of a broader strategy to address the country’s food security crisis, as outlined in the recently submitted draft Accelerated Stabilization and Advancement Plan (ASAP) by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun.

The ASAP document, delivered to President Bola Tinubu, recommends several executive orders aimed at mitigating current economic challenges. These include actions to reduce inflation, generate employment, promote non-oil exports, ensure prudent financial management, and consolidate tax information.

The document’s recommendations for tackling inflation include:

• Suspension of import duty and VAT on specified items
• Importation of paddy rice by millers
• Pegging the import duty exchange rate

Additionally, the plan emphasizes supporting individual and commercial farmers by proposing immediate approval for the importation of rice and maize seeds. Specifically, it suggests importing 10,000 metric tons (MT) of rice seeds to cover 100,000 hectares and 10,000 MT of maize seeds to cover 500,000 hectares. The goal is to onboard two million farmers across four value chains to enhance productivity and sustainability.

However, this proposed plan appears to conflict with President Tinubu’s earlier stance on food imports. Earlier this year, the President declared his administration’s intention to minimize food imports, aiming to transform current challenges into future opportunities. This position was reiterated by the Minister of Information in communications with state governors earlier this year.

Furthermore, President Tinubu had instructed the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) to enforce the Export Prohibition Act strictly, halting food exports to ensure a steady domestic supply. Targeted food items included rice, maize, beans, and millet.

The Context of Nigeria’s Food Security Crisis

Nigeria is grappling with a severe food security crisis, with food inflation reaching 40.5%. Projections indicate that about 31 million people could face severe food insecurity during the lean season in August.

Over the past year, prices of staple foods, especially grains, have surged by over 100%. For instance, the price of rice rose by approximately 169%, peaking at nearly N90,000 per bag around March and April before dropping by nearly 20%.

Rice millers are struggling with an insufficient supply of rice for processing, and the proposed approval to import rice paddy could significantly boost the supply to markets, potentially reducing prices. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State previously highlighted the shortage of rice paddy at the Imota rice mill, which has hampered significant production. He indicated plans to request federal government approval for paddy rice importation to address this shortfall.

While the proposed importation plan aims to provide immediate relief from soaring food prices, it stands at odds with the President’s earlier vision of reducing dependency on food imports.

Government’s Inability to Tackle Insecurity in the North, Culpable

The Nigerian Federal Government’s struggle to address rampant insecurity in the northern regions has significantly contributed to the country’s escalating food crisis.

Insecurity in the northern states of Nigeria, driven by the activities of Boko Haram, bandits, and herdsmen conflicts, has severely disrupted agricultural production. These regions, traditionally known as the breadbasket of Nigeria, have witnessed a significant decline in food production.

Farmers have been forced to flee their homes and farmlands due to incessant attacks and kidnappings, resulting in mass displacement. This displacement has led to a sharp decline in farming activities, significantly reducing overall agricultural output. Abandoned farmlands, left uncultivated out of fear of attacks, have left vast areas of arable land unused. Additionally, these disruptions have severely impacted supply chains, exacerbating the crisis in the agricultural sector.

The combined effects of reduced agricultural production and disrupted supply chains have led to a notable increase in food prices and a heightened state of food insecurity. Key staple crops such as rice and maize have seen significant price hikes due to the shortage of locally produced goods. Insufficient domestic production resulted in high demand, thereby escalating food inflation.

President Bola Tinubu has directed the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, to present a template for a new minimum wage. This directive was confirmed by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris after a Federal Government delegation met with the President in Abuja on Tuesday.

Idris stated, “The President has directed the Minister of Finance to do the numbers and get back to him between today and tomorrow so that we can have some figures ready for negotiations with Labour. Mr President is determined to go with what the committee has set. He is also looking at the welfare of Nigerians.”

However, it remains perplexing why the government has not yet developed a minimum wage template, especially given the prolonged standoff with organized labour groups.

The Federal Government delegation, including key officials like Idris, Edun, Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume, Labour Minister Nkiruka Onyejeocha, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning Atiku Bagudu, Chief of Staff to the President Femi Gbajabiamila, and the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited Mele Kyari, has been involved in the discussions.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Organised Labour suspended its nationwide strike, which had commenced at midnight on Monday. Akume emphasized the President’s commitment to a national minimum wage above N60,000, saying, “The tripartite committee is to meet every day for the next one week with a view to arriving at an agreeable national minimum wage.”

The strike had significantly impacted various sectors, including businesses, airports, universities, hospitals, and power supply. Labor leaders from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) had insisted that the current minimum wage of N30,000 is insufficient for the average Nigerian worker. They also pointed out that not all governors adhere to the current salary, which expired in April 2024, five years after the Minimum Wage Act of 2019 was enacted by former President Muhammadu Buhari. This Act mandates a review every five years to align with contemporary economic conditions.

Labour had set a deadline of May 31 for the government to establish a new minimum wage. However, with no agreement reached by that date, Labour commenced a nationwide strike on June 3, 2024, in protest of the government committee’s failure to agree on a new wage and the reversal of the electricity tariff hike.

The ongoing dispute stems from the government’s removal of fuel subsidies and the liberalization of Nigeria’s forex market, which have intensified economic pressures on workers. Labor groups have rejected multiple government proposals, including the recent offer of N60,000, insisting on a new minimum wage of N494,000. This deadlock raises questions about the government’s preparedness and strategy in handling the wage review process.

Against the president’s last-hour directive to the Finance Minister, financial experts argue that the government’s failure to draft a comprehensive minimum wage template is a significant oversight, considering the protracted negotiations and Labour’s firm stance.

The government has been called upon to use this opportunity to develop a concrete plan to address the wage demands and ensure the welfare of Nigerian workers. This, many believe, will prevent the labor unions from embarking on another strike.

The labor unions said they’re relaxing the strike for only seven days, giving a window for the government to come up with an acceptable proposal. To relax the strike, the government had promised to increase the minimum wage to more than N60,000.