Zenith Bank Plc has assured its customers of exceptional service delivery and improved customer experience following the successful completion of its Information Technology (IT) infrastructure upgrade.

In a statement made available to Vanguard, the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive of Zenith Bank Plc, Dame Dr. Adaora Umeoji, expressed her immense gratitude to all customers of the bank for their patience and support during its recent IT infrastructure migration to a new and more robust operating system.

Emphasizing the bank’s commitment to delivering unparalleled service experience, Dame Adaora said: “We undertook such an extensive endeavor in other to better position Zenith Bank Plc for improved service delivery to all our valued customers and provide memorable banking experiences at all our touchpoints,” adding that the bank now has one of the best technology infrastructure in the Nigerian banking industry, and is well positioned to ensure customers experience exceptional service delivery going forward.

Zenith Bank has continued to distinguish itself in the Nigerian financial services industry through superior service offering, unique customer experience and sound financial indices. The bank has remained a clear leader in the digital space with several firsts in the deployment of innovative products, solutions and an assortment of alternative channels that ensure convenience, speed and safety of transactions.

The bank’s track record of excellent performance has continued to earn the brand numerous awards including being recognised as the Number One Bank in Nigeria by Tier-1 Capital for the 15th consecutive year in the 2024 Top 1000 World Banks Ranking, published by The Banker Magazine.

The Bank was also awarded the Bank of the Year (Nigeria) in The Banker’s Bank of the Year Awards for 2020 and 2022; and Most Sustainable Bank, Nigeria 2023 and 2024 in the International Banker Banking Awards.

Temitola Adekunle-Johnson, the senior special assistant to the president on job creation and MSMEs, says the federal government has commenced the disbursement of N75 billion single-digit loan to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) through the Bank of Industry (BOI).

Adekunle-Johnson spoke on Wednesday during a nationwide town hall meeting to sensitise MSMEs on the presidential grant and loan scheme in Abuja.

On October 29, Olusegun Dada, special assistant to the president on social media, announced a partnership between the federal government and the BOI to support 75,000 MSMEs with N1 million loan each.

Dada said the loan comes with a single-digit interest rate.

According to Adekunle-Johnson, MSMEs can now visit any BOI branch to apply for and obtain a loan.

“We are live in Ogun, Bauchi, Enugu, Kaduna states simultaneously. In 2023, President Bola Tinubu approved some funds as palliative to cushion the effects of subsidy removal,” the presidential aide said.

“We are here today to sensitise MSMEs to the loan, which is currently open all over the country.

“MSMEs can walk into any Bank of Industry from today and apply for this loan. It is a single-digit loan, it is nine per cent, it is fixed, no hidden charges.

“This is the one and only single-digit loan you can get, and you can get up to N1 million.

“It is important for us to sensitise the people to this facility so that they don’t fall into the hands of people who will tell them to bring money before they can access it.”

He said applicants should contact the Bank of Industry directly for any required information while assuring that once applicants provide the requirements, they will get the loan immediately.

‘BOI HAS SET UP N200BN PRESIDENTIAL INTERVENTION FUND’

Also speaking at the event, Olasupo Olusi, the managing director of BOI, said a N200 billion presidential intervention fund has been set up to support MSMEs and manufacturing enterprises to drive economic growth and enhance job security.

Olusi, represented by Mabel Ndagi, the executive director, public sector and interventions of BOI, said MSMEs contribute significantly to innovation, economic growth, and job creation across the agriculture, manufacturing, and services sectors.

“Despite the immense contribution to economic growth, MSMEs struggle to access the necessary funding to reach their full potential,” Olusi said.

“In recognition of this, the Federal Government introduced the N200 billion intervention fund for MSMEs and Manufacturing Enterprises and appointed the Bank of Industry as the executing agency to implement this initiative.”

On October 3, Olusi said BOI plans to disburse N1 billion in single-digit interest loans to 140 manufacturers.

The Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) says it has settled all issues with Heyden Petroleum and withdrawn its lawsuit against the oil company.

AMCON’s management spoke in a statement on Wednesday in response to a report on the litigation between both organisations.

On November 5, an online report claimed that a federal high court in Lagos ordered an interim takeover of Heyden Petroleum Limited by AMCON over alleged bankruptcy.

Refuting the claim, the corporation said the oil and gas firm has demonstrated commitment to meeting its obligations and has been making payments accordingly.

“Our attention has been drawn to a publication in the media regarding to the pending litigation between the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) and Heyden Petroleum Limited,” the statement reads.

“We hereby notify the general public that AMCON and Heyden Petroleum Limited have settled all issues between them amicably, and Heyden Petroleum Limited has demonstrated commitment to meeting their obligations and has been making payments accordingly.”

In light of the recent development, the corporation said it has officially withdrawn its pending litigation against Heyden Petroleum Limited, particularly suit no. FHC/AMC/67/2024.

“As a responsible debt recovery agency of the Federal Government of Nigeria, it is not the practice of AMCON to engage in a media trial of obligors who are meeting their obligation,” the corporation added.

AMCON urged the general public to disregard any negative remarks regarding its relationship with Heyden Petroleum Limited.