Government’s move for Islamic financing reaches advanced stage

The #Nigerian government’s move for sukuk has reached an advanced stage. As work continues on the process of the planned sovereign sukuk, the size of the possible deal has not been determined. The Debt Management Office (DMO) had opened its door for expression of interests from entities, including banks and issuing houses, needed in the process, with deadline for bids submission slated for January 9, 2017. This came a few days after the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, was elected Chairman of the International Islamic Liquidity Management Corporation (IILM). His mandates include the facilitation of effective cross-border liquidity management instruments. Meanwhile, the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) has approved the $250 million loan for the Federal Government for the development of a youth-oriented initiative called ENABLE Youth Nigeria. According to the bank, the scheme would contribute to job creation, food security and nutrition, rural income generation and improved livelihoods for youths.