In secondary school, James Ene Henshaw’s “Jewels of the Shrine” was a memorable and intriguing book . Mr Okorie was looking for how to engineer a great burial for himself even though he did not have means stored for that. He tricked his two grandsons who never really liked him because they felt that he was a relic of the past.

He created an illusion that he was loaded with wealth which they could inherit. But only the person who could muster a great burial for him will get the goodies – and the key to his long lost heirloom. He designed an illusive rivalry system which ended up making the grandsons deliver a superb burial for him. But when they checked for the thrones, they discovered that grandpa had tricked them to give him a great burial. The man had nothing, factually!

That takes me to Nigeria where banks are declaring record profits and manufacturing companies are declaring record losses: “In its fiscal year 2023 performance report, Cadbury Nigeria Plc, a prominent multinational corporation operating in Nigeria, disclosed a substantial loss of N27.63 billion. This marked a significant downturn, representing a staggering 2,228% decline from the N1.30 billion pre-tax profit recorded in the previous fiscal year.”

Who is tricking who in Nigeria’s economy?

Summary:

Ndubuisi reflects on James Ene Henshaw's "Jewels of the Shrine" and draws parallels with Nigeria's economic situation, questioning the discrepancy between banks declaring record profits and manufacturing companies, like Cadbury Nigeria Plc, experiencing significant…

— Summarize (@summarizest) January 27, 2024

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Comment 1: Whenever you see stats like that though alarm bells must go off! What potential sneaky trickery lies within their financial statements and MD&A reports? What did they do? Did they change amortisation schedules? Did they right down some assets? Did they fool around with unearned revenue accounts? Unscheduled goodwill?

Financial report analysis is a skill that takes not only mathematical aptitude but some general business sense and experience and some basic common sense. Always look at the numbers with a doubting eye and examine what lies beneath the facade of numbers. The truth is often stated within the MD&A reports so take those and examine them while looking at the financial statements. Often times, trickery lies beneath the numbers.

My response: Actually, it is not complicated. I have made that point before. A bank with assets of $20m in the UK or New York can book a virtual profit of N12 billion between Jan 1 and Dec 31 2023 (delta of N415 to N1,000 per $ today). But a foreign manufacturer bringing raw materials can also book a reverse. So, Cadbury could be making profit on N415/$ but could switch to losses on N1,000 purely on FX. If they imported say $30m worth of items, multiply that by N600, you will see those losses are possible.

Cadbury Nigeria Records N27.63 Billion Loss in FY 2023

In a significant stride towards attracting foreign investments, the Nigerian Federal Government has successfully secured a substantial $7 billion investment deal from India.

The official announcement was made by Mr. Gangadharan Balasubramanian, the Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, during the 75th Republic Day celebrations on Friday night.

This development comes on the heels of India’s earlier commitment to invest $14 billion in Nigeria, pledged during the G20 Summit held in September of the previous year.

President Tinubu’s active participation in the G20 Summit proved instrumental in solidifying the $14 billion pledge aimed at bolstering the Nigerian economy and fostering stronger economic ties between the two nations.

Balasubramanian revealed that, following President Tinubu’s engagement in the G20 Summit, $7 billion of the promised investment has now been formalized through a signed agreement.

“Out of the $14 billion promised during this visit as investment into Nigerian economy, $7 billion has already been signed immediately after the visit,” he said.

During the Republic Day celebrations, the Indian High Commissioner noted the robust economic relations between India and Nigeria. He highlighted the historical and enduring ties between the two nations, dating back to before Nigeria gained independence.

“India and Nigeria enjoy strong and historical relations. With the ties dating back to before Nigeria’s independence, our bilateral relations have been nurtured by the leadership of both the countries,” he said.

Balasubramanian noted that currently, close to 150 Indian companies are operating within Nigeria, collectively contributing a substantial investment of $27 billion. This investment, primarily concentrated in the manufacturing sector, has translated into job creation, making Indian companies significant employers in Nigeria, second only to the Federal Government.

Highlighting the unique and special relationship between India and Nigeria, Balasubramanian recounted the memorable visit of H.E. Mr. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to the G20 Summit in September 2023. He said the visit played a crucial role in consolidating bilateral ties, and as a testament to the commitment made during that summit, $7 billion of the pledged investment has already been finalized.

Furthermore, the Indian High Commissioner provided insights into the ongoing efforts to deepen business relations between India and Nigeria. He mentioned the successful visit of India’s External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar for the Joint Commission meeting earlier in the week. During this visit, meaningful interactions took place with Nigerian leadership, the business community, and the Indian Diaspora, further strengthening the ties between the two nations.

Speaking on behalf of the Indian government, Balasubramanian expressed solidarity with Nigeria in their joint journey towards development. He conveyed the unwavering commitment of the Government of India to fortifying the ties and fostering mutually beneficial collaborations.

Adding depth to the economic perspective, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, shed light on the substantial trade volume between Nigeria and India. According to the minister,

Over the last two years, the trade volume reached approximately $20 billion, comprising $14.95 billion in the formal sector and around $5 billion in the informal sector, according to the minister. This economic collaboration spans various sectors, contributing significantly to the growth and development of both nations.

As of the fourth quarter of 2021, India was the main importer of Nigeria’s crude oil. The exports of crude oil to the Asian country amounted to approximately 774.5 billion naira.

However, recent data indicates a notable shift in Nigeria’s crude oil exports. The Netherlands has overtaken India as the largest buyer of Nigerian crude oil. In the first nine months of 2023, the Netherlands purchased Nigerian crude oil worth N2.5 trillion, while India’s imports were valued at N1.6 trillion.

Analysts attribute this shift to sanctions related to the Ukraine conflict, compelling India to seek discounted Russian oil and subsequently reduce its demand for Nigerian crude.

The $7 billion investment deal with India marks a substantial achievement for Nigeria in its ongoing efforts to attract foreign investments and fortify economic ties with strategic partners. This significant financial commitment will undoubtedly contribute to Nigeria’s economic growth and development, fostering a deeper and more resilient partnership with India.

In its fiscal year 2023 performance report, Cadbury Nigeria Plc, a prominent multinational corporation operating in Nigeria, disclosed a substantial loss of N27.63 billion. This marked a significant downturn, representing a staggering 2,228% decline from the N1.30 billion pre-tax profit recorded in the previous fiscal year.

Despite this financial setback, the company reported a commendable 46% increase in revenue, reaching N80.38 billion in 2023 compared to N55.21 billion in 2022. The revenue growth was primarily propelled by the performance of its refreshment beverages segment, featuring flagship products such as Bournvita and 3-in-1 Hot Chocolate.

However, economic headwinds, particularly the Naira revaluation that occurred in mid-2023, took a toll on Cadbury Nigeria’s bottom line. The finance costs surged significantly, with interest expenses on borrowings rising by 170% to N1.36 billion.

Furthermore, the company incurred a substantial N36.93 billion due to exchange rate differences in 2023. These currency-related challenges denote the vulnerability of multinational corporations to monetary policies.

In response to the negative equity of N15.08 billion recorded in 2023, reflecting a 213% decrease from the previous year, Cadbury Nigeria has proposed a strategic move to address its financial structure. The company plans to convert its outstanding $7.7 million loan payable to its major shareholder, Cadbury Schweppes Overseas Limited, into equity. This initiative is aimed at fortifying the company’s financial position and navigating the uncertainties posed by economic fluctuations.

Despite the substantial loss before tax, Cadbury Nigeria demonstrated operational efficiency by achieving a surge in operating profit. This positive market response is evidenced by a 39% increase in the company’s share price since the announcement of the debt-to-equity proposal on January 9, reflecting investor confidence in the company’s strategic initiatives to address economic challenges.

Beyond Cadbury Nigeria’s individual challenges, the financial report indicates broader economic headwinds affecting multinationals in the country. Among several economic factors impacting the operations of multinational corporations in Nigeria are:

Exchange Rate Volatility: Multinationals grapple with the volatility of the Naira exchange rate, impacting financial statements involving foreign currency-denominated transactions.

Inflationary Pressures: Persistent inflationary pressures affect the cost of goods, services, and overall operational expenses for multinational corporations operating in Nigeria.

Policy and Regulatory Changes: Changes in government policies and regulations introduce uncertainties and challenges for multinationals, necessitating adaptability and strategic adjustments.

Infrastructure Challenges: The state of infrastructure in Nigeria, encompassing power supply and transportation, poses operational challenges for multinationals, impacting production costs and logistics.

Market Demand Fluctuations: Consumer behavior and purchasing power, influenced by economic conditions, affect the demand for products and services offered by multinationals.

Cadbury Nigeria’s fiscal year 2023 report, which serves as a barometer for the economic realities faced by multinationals in Nigeria, underscores the importance for the government to redesign its economic policies to enable a business-friendly environment.

However, while multinationals wait on the government to change the current business climate – particularly – the exchange rate crisis, the resilience and ability of business entities to navigate these complex economic factors will remain pivotal for sustained economic growth.

The literacy rate in China is now 99.83%. In other words, out of every 100 people above 15 years, 99 can read and write. In 2022, the gross enrollment rate in tertiary education (university, polytechnic, etc) in China reached 59.6%.

The literacy rate in Russia is 99.70%. In Russia, about 56% of adults hold a tertiary degree, and that number is the second highest attainment rate after Canada of all OECD and partner countries, and 19% points more than the OECD average. OECD countries include the UK, US, Germany, etc. In the United States, the percentage of people with bachelor’s degrees or higher is about 37.7%.

In Abia State, we go to school and attend universities just as other states and nations. But we want to borrow something big from some of these countries: put the best money on young people, not just on the post-secondary school level.  Yes, that includes developing and investing in world-class vocational education that will produce the best tilers, plumbers, electricians, etc for Nigeria and Africa in general. Our young people are literate – one of the highest in Nigeria at above 94% – but our translation into opportunity has not been properly unlocked. The new budget of the state government is designed to enable that redesign.

Capital Expenditure took the lion’s share, claiming 84% of the total budget, while 16% was allocated to Recurrent Expenditure. This allocation pattern signifies a considerable commitment to boosting infrastructure and growth in the state. Notably, 20% was allocated to education and 15% to healthcare, underlining the government’s dedication to these critical sectors.

I admire what they do in Togo and Chad on vocational education. You may be surprised that those nice mansions you see in Lagos, Abuja and everywhere in Nigeria would not have looked great without Togolese who are masters in tiling. Yes, we import those skills into Nigeria. 

If you run a vocational school, my state of Abia has opportunities here. We would like to have you come to Abia State. Note that with the demand of these skills, you can train and empower young people who will have gainful employment. The state has support mechanisms.

Hello Togolese, Chadians, etc and proprietors in this craft trade…please connect; come to Abia and set up a school. We will provide tons of support because we want to have working ABIA YOUTH.

The literacy rate in China is now 99.83%. In other words, out of every 100 people above 15 years, 99 can read and write. In 2022, the gross enrollment rate in tertiary education (university, polytechnic, etc) in China reached 59.6%.

The literacy rate in Russia is 99.70%. In… pic.twitter.com/7CHcNka1io

— Ndubuisi Ekekwe (@ndekekwe) January 27, 2024