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There are strong indications that the National Assembly (NASS) is prepared to increase the N47.94 trillion budget for the 2025 fiscal year undergoing its legislative scrutiny.
This followed the requests by several Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government as well as the dismay expressed by the lawmakers at the ongoing budget defence sessions.
The National Assembly has been a beehive of activities during the past few days of budget defence by ministers, heads of agencies, with the government officials and lawmakers lamenting poor budgetary allocations to them by the Presidency.
Beginning from the previous week, precisely on January 9, when the minister of environment, Abbas Balarabe Lawal, appeared for the 2025 budget defence, he requested an increased allocation to the ministry in order for it to achieve its mandate.
Lawal said the total sum of N64.25 billion was proposed for the ministry in the 2025 budget out of which N58.65 billion is for capital expenditure while recurrent expenditure is N5.60 billion.
But the ministry and its agencies – the National Park Service, Environmental Health Council of Nigeria (EHCON), the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), and the Forest Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN) – on Thursday appealed to the House of Representatives to increase their budgetary allocations for 2025.
The permanent secretary of the Federal Ministry of Environment, Mahmud Kambari, highlighted the ministry’s achievements but emphasised that inadequate funding remained a critical challenge.
For his part, the conservator-general of the National Park Service, Ibrahim Goni, appealed for a N5.01 billion intervention in 2025 budget to address funding gaps, insecurity, and illegal mining.
Also, the director-general of FRIN, Zacharia Yaduma, requested increased funding, lamenting budgetary constraints and delays in fund disbursement.
Similarly, the minister of state for defence, Dr Bello Matawalle, said the N50.44 billion allocation to the ministry in the budget was insufficient to address the security needs of Nigeria.
He, therefore, called on the House Committee on Defence where he represented the minister of defence, Mohammed Badaru, on a budget defence session, to approve an additional N20 billion to enable the ministry compensate the families of military personnel who lost their lives in active service.
“We need the sum of N20 billion as an additional fund for payment to families of deceased military personnel…the budget of 2025, it is just N50 billion. We have a shortfall of N18 billion from the last year’s budget. And people expect the ministry to do wonders?
“The Ministry of Defence is supposed to provide some equipment for some of the zones but we cannot. Out of what we have in 2024, we can only provide 20 Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs). What can 20 APCs do? In Katsina alone, if we have 50 APCs, we can go inside the bush to flush out those criminals,” he said, adding: “within two months, we’ll finish the issue of banditry.”
Consequently, the committee resolved to increase the budgetary allocation of the ministry of defence when it adopted a motion by a member of the panel and deputy House spokesperson, Hon. Philip Agbese (APC, Benue) who commended the military for their efforts in addressing insecurity.
“I am moving the motion before this committee, Mr Chairman, that we should grant explicit approval to the request that he (Matawalle) has made. It is a fact that one time we saw the Honourable Minister and the Chief of Defence Staff leading our troops to the north-west to confront the bandits,” Agbese said.
In another instance, the acting comptroller general of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche, decried the N13.4 billion capital budget of the service, saying it was inadequate and appealed to the House committee on reformatory institutions to increase it to N70.4 billion.
He said if approved, the N70.4 billion will be used for the installation of modern technology-integrated systems for custodial facilities such as CCTVs, surveillance cameras and accessories in the maximum and minimum security custodial centres nationwide.
“The service will also embark on the general rehabilitation and digitalisation of inmates and personnel activities in the custodial centres nationwide; upgrading and equipping of the service’s seven training institutions for the modern ICT-compliant training centres; purchase of operational vehicles, arms and ammunition; inmate biometric scanners, security gadgets, body cameras, access control and guard tower systems and staff communication gadgets, such as walking talkies,” the CG said.
On its part, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) also faulted the N40 billion allocated to it in the 2025 and proposed N126 billion to the NASS joint committee on INEC and Electoral Matters.
The rejection of the N40 billion allocation was made by INEC chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, during a budget defence session before the joint committee recently.
In his presentation to the committee, chaired by Senator Sarafadeen Alli (APC, Oyo South), Prof Yakubu described elections in Nigeria as a huge burden that requires adequate funding.
Legislators Lament Insufficient Allocations
Meanwhile, the National Assembly Joint Committee on Livestock Development has described the N20.8 billion proposed budget for the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development in 2025 as inadequate for its effective take-off.
The government allocated N10 billion for capital expenditure and N10.8 billion for overhead costs in the 2025 budget of the newly created ministry.
But when the minister of livestock development, Idi Maiha, appeared before the committee to defend the ministry’s budget, the lawmakers said the total budgeted sum was insufficient.
The committee asked the minister to harmonise the adequate financial needs and re-present it in the form of supplementary budget, promising him prompt approval.
The chairman, House Committee on Livestock Development, Hon. Wale Raji, while describing the budget allocation as inadequate, said, “There will be need for you to make special presentation on this or necessary come up with supplementary budget that will reflect the hopes of Nigerians. The budget is abysmally low to respond to the yearnings of Nigerians.”
For the chairman, Senate Committee on Livestock Development, Senator Musa Mustapha, the committee “will try our best to see how we can help the ministry achieve its mandate.”
Similarly, the House Committee on Information and National Orientation said the N8.7 billion budgetary allocation for the ministry was grossly inadequate.
The committee which raised the concern when the minister of information and national orientation, Muhammed Idris, appeared before it to defend the ministry’s 2025 budget, rejected the N1.2 billion capital component of the budget for being insufficient.
The chairman of the committee, Hon. Fatoba Olusola (APC-Ekiti State) said the amount allocated to the ministry in 2024 when the national budget was N28.7 trillion was higher than the N8.2 billion allocated in 2025 when the national budget is N47.9 trillion.
He said it was unacceptable for an agency with the responsibility of disseminating information not to get a substantial amount of the budget.
For its part, the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, decried the allocation of only N286 million to service Nigeria’s 109 missions abroad. It kicked against the federal government’s envelop budgeting system, stressing that it was not recognised by any law in the country.
The committee’s chairman, Hon. Wole Oke (PDP, Osun). said, “I have not seen anywhere in our laws where envelop budgeting is mentioned.”
He described the budget as too poor for missions that were supposed to mirror the country’s image, saying, “We’re worried that what you submitted to Mr President was not based on needs assessment, and it is at variance with the law.”
We’ve Powers To Increase Appropriation Bill, Lawmakers Assert
Commenting on the development, a member of the House Committee on Appropriation who does not want to be mentioned, said it was within the powers of the lawmakers to increase the budget at the end of defence exercise.
The ranking lawmaker told LEADERSHIP Weekend that apart from appropriations, he is also a member of many committees where requests and suggestions for increase in allocations to some MDAs were made.
He said, “There is going to be an upward review of what was proposed by the Executive arm of government.
“There is nothing too big about that. We have power on the nation’s purse and as a member of the Appropriations Committee for many years, I can tell you what the standing committees are doing with the budget defence sessions, they will submit their reports and from there we will make the final decision.
“From the happenings at the standing committees, many of which I belong to, the requests made by some ministers and chief executives of agencies are genuine and there will be every need to increase where necessary,” he said.
However, both the House spokesperson, Hon. Akin Rotimi, and his deputy, Hon. Agbese, were yet to respond to LEADERSHIP Weekend’s enquiries on the official position of the legislature at the time of this report.
Only Performance Can Justify Fresh Requests – Reps Panel
Meanwhile, the House Committee on Federal Polytechnics and Higher Technical Education has said only performance should be used to justify demands for more funds by the MDAs in 2025.
The chairman of the committee, Hon. Fuad Kayode Laguda, stated this during a presentation by the executive secretary, National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Prof. Idris Bugaje, at the 2025 budget defence session.
Laguda said there was the need for government agencies to judiciously utilise the resources available to them before asking for more, adding that their performance should determine why more resources should be allocated to them.
He said, “Performance is very key. And that is what will help us move forward in 2025. It is an acceptable and known fact that the polytechnics are poorly funded. We know. But we need to justify our need for more and show why we need more. To be honest with ourselves, have we been able to do that? That is what we should answer.
“And if we speak with each other truthfully, we know we are not doing well in that aspect. Not all of us, but most of us are not doing well in that aspect. The whole essence of this committee is to bring out the best in us. And to put corrective measures where it is needed,” he said.
Bugaje had appealed for an increase of its budgetary allocation to recruit more personnel in order to supervise the activities of over 700 Polytechnics and other institutions across the country.
NASS Has Increased Budget In 5 Years
LEADERSHIP Weekend’s investigation showed that in the last five years (2020-2024), the National Assembly has increased budgetary allocations from the estimates submitted by the Executive.
In 2020, the National Assembly increased the budget from the originally submitted figure of N10.33 trillion by former President Muhammadu Buhari to N10.594 trillion which brought an addition of N260 billion.
For the 2021 budget, the National Assembly raised the total estimates from Buhari’s proposed N13.08 trillion to N13.58 trillion, recording over N500 billion increase.
The 2022 budget was also jerked up to N17.12 trillion from the N16.39 trillion proposed by Buhari.
The situation was not different for the 2023 budget which was reviewed upwards from N20.51 trillion to N21.82 trillion, an increase of N1.31 trillion.
In the 2024 budget, the National Assembly increased the N27.5 trillion submitted by President Bola Tinubu to N28.77 trillion with a N1.2 trillion addition.
A total sum of N N1.424trn, being December 2024 federation account revenue, has been shared to the federal, state and the local governments in Nigeria.
The revenue was shared at the January 2025 Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) meeting held in Abuja.
The N1.424trn total distributable revenue comprised distributable statutory revenue of N386.124 billion, distributable Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue of N604.872 billion, Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL) revenue of N31.211 billion and Exchange Difference revenue of N402.714 billion.
A communiqué issued by the FAAC indicated that total gross revenue of N2.310 trillion was available in the month of December 2024. Total deduction for cost of collection was N84.780bn while total transfers, interventions and refunds was N801.175bn.
According to a statement from accountant-general’s office showed that gross statutory revenue of N1.226trn was received for the month of December 2024. This was lower than the sum of N1.827trn received in the month of November 2024 by N600.988bn.
Gross revenue of N649.561bn was available from the VAT in December 2024. This was higher than the N628.973bn available in the month of November 2024 by N20.588bn.
From the N1.424trn distributable revenue, the FG received N451.193bn, while states got N498.498bn. All the LGAs got N361.754bn while the sum of N113.477bn was shared to benefiting states as 13 percent for mineral resources.
On the N386.124bn distributable statutory revenue, the central government received N167.690bn; states: N85.055bn; local governments received N65.574bn, with N67.806 billion (13 percent of mineral revenue) given to particular states as derivation revenue.
From the N604.872bn distributable VAT revenue, the federal government received N90.731bn, state governments received N302.436bn and the LGAs received N211.705bn.
The sum of N4.682bn was received by FG from the N31.211bn revenue from ectronic money transfer levy for the month. The state governments received N15.605bn while the LGAs received N10.924bn.
From the N402.714bn exchange difference revenue, federal government received N188.090bn; states: N95.402bn; local government areas, N73.551bn; while the sum of N45.671bn was given to the benefiting states as value of 13 percent mineral revenue).
[STATEHOUSE PRESS STATEMENT] President Tinubu Commends Nigerian Governors For Supporting Tax Reform Initiatives
Admin![[STATEHOUSE PRESS STATEMENT] President Tinubu Commends Nigerian Governors For Supporting Tax Reform Initiatives](/media/k2/items/cache/da7c9ed50562c0938aac6204c0860bc3_M.jpg)
President Bola Tinubu expresses his appreciation for the Nigeria Governors' Forum following their unanimous endorsement of the four Tax Reform Bills currently under consideration by the National Assembly.
President Tinubu lauds the governors for their bold leadership and commitment to fostering unity among leaders nationwide, transcending regional, ethnic, and political barriers to advance Nigeria's development.
Thursday's productive consultation between the Nigeria Governors' Forum and the Presidential Committee on Tax and Fiscal Policy is a commendable example of cooperation between the Federal and State governments.
He extends special commendations to the Chairman of the Governors' Forum, Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq, for successfully galvanising support among his peers for these transformative tax bills to rejuvenate the national economy and enhance Nigeria's investment climate.
He also commends the Progressive Governors Forum, the Northern Governors Forum, and all other groups that made the bipartisan resolution of the controversy stirred by the tax bills possible.
President Tinubu underscores that the primary aim of the Tax Reform Bills, which is pro-poor, is to promote national interests, improve the competitiveness of Nigeria's economy, and attract both local and foreign investments.
He said updating the country's outdated tax laws is essential to this endeavour.
The President notes that the dialogue between the NGF and the Presidential Committee on Tax and Fiscal Policy Reform highlights the power of constructive conversation in resolving differences.
President Tinubu regards the governors as vital contributors to nation-building and affirms his commitment to partnering with them to promote economic growth, national harmony, peace, and stability.
He also encourages other stakeholders with ideas and suggestions for refining the Tax Bills to engage with the ongoing legislative process at the National Assembly.
Finally, President Tinubu urges the National Assembly to expedite the legislative process for these crucial bills so that the country can swiftly reap the benefits of the reforms.
Bayo Onanuga
Special Adviser to the President
(Information and Strategy)
The Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, has ruled that Julius Abure remains the National Chairman of the Labour Party.
A three-member panel of the appellate court, in a judgment delivered on Friday by Justice Hamma Barka, upheld its earlier judgment of November 13, 2024, which recognises Abure as National Chairman. The court confirmed that this decision has not been overturned by any other court.
Justice Barka made this declaration in the ruling on two separate appeals filed by Senator Esther Nenadi Usman, the caretaker committee, and the Independent National Electoral Commission.
The Court of Appeal stated that it did not address the issue of Labour Party leadership, as such matters are not justiciable.
The court further ruled that any action taken outside of jurisdiction is null and void. As such, the judgment delivered by the Federal High Court on October 8, 2024, by Justice Emeka Nwite, was deemed ineffective as it was delivered without jurisdiction, and the court proceeded to strike it out.
In striking out the suit, the Appeal Court reaffirmed its previous judgment from November 13, 2024, which declared that “Abure remains National Chairman of the Labour Party.”
Details later…
![[PRESS STATEMENT] And So What Even If Governor Sheriff Oborevwori Moves To APC?](/media/k2/items/cache/fba5c61ffce7c2ad9a29c79037e799ea_M.jpg)
As a Patriot and Political Leader in Delta State, I here wish to fully express support for my dear Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, if indeed he seeks to move from PDP to APC or any registered Political Party in Nigeria, as long as any such move helps him to fully actualise his Patriotic Vision and Mission for the good people of Delta State. After all, Delta State with over four million people is made up of people who freely belong to PDP, APC, LP, PRP and other registered Political Parties; moreover, many of the founding leaders of PDP in the State have since moved on to join other Political Parties which have brought more Dividends to our State and People.
What is of paramount interest and importance to the good people of Delta State is the very urgent provision of massive Infrastructural Revolution in terms of Roads, Bridges, Flyovers, Underpasses, Hospitals, Schools and other important Public Buildings, all of international standards like the ongoing flyovers being constructed by Julius Berger in the State under the leadership of the Governor.
In addition, I must remind Deltans that all registered Political Parties in Nigeria today do not have distinct Ideologies but only serve as platforms for States or individual in Politics to maximise what can be got from a Centralized Federal Government of Nigeria. The secret of Lagos State getting all the benefits it attracts from the Centralised Federal Government is the fact that its Political Leader, now President Tinubu, understood very clearly the need to politically align and realign with the Power at the Centre in order to actualise the Vision he set out for Lagos State.
As a result, today, Lagos State has grown and developed to be the forth largest Economy in Africa and boasts of Annual Budget of over three trillion naira. Let it be made clear also that Lagos State never at any time since May 29, 1999, played a blind and unwise Opposition Politics, contrary to what many are misled to believe.
The case of my Delta State has been a very sad story of steady retrogression despite being the leading Petroleum Producing State of Nigeria. The International Oil Companies (IOCs) that were once based in the Oil Cities of Warri and Effurun, have all relocated to Lagos State that is a non-Petroleum Producing State, taking along with them, huge Revenues from Taxes that belonged to Delta State. Thousands of our people employed by these IOCs lost their jobs as a result of the relocation to Lagos.
This sad situation happened because political leaders of Delta State failed to understand the importance of politically aligning and realigning with the Centralised Power at Abuja in order to protect and advance the general interests of our people of Delta State.
In conclusion, I stand firmly with Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, if he decides to align with the current Federal Government at the Centre for the overriding interest and good of the people of Delta State.
Comrade (Engr) Igbini Odafe Emmanuel
Former three times Governorship Candidate of Peoples Redemption Party, PRP, Delta State (2007 - 2012)
Federal lawmakers on Thursday engaged in a heated argument at the National Assembly Complex during the 2025 budget defence by the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
Trouble began when Egbetokun was providing a breakdown of funds allocated for the construction of five zonal police headquarters across the country.
The police chief had barely started his presentation when a member of the House of Representatives, Mark Esset, from Akwa Ibom, stopped him in track, questioning why the details being read by the IG were not contained in the documents circulated among lawmakers.
Events took a new turn when Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi, a member of the All Progressives Congress, said as a senator, he ought to have the appropriate copy of the document the IG was presenting.
Nwebonyi, who represents Ebonyi North Senatorial District said, “We are here to serve Nigerians, and Nigerians should see us as a very serious institution.
“We are not against the presentation of the IG. But I, as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, should have what the IG is reading.”
Efforts to clarify his point were fruitless as the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Police Affairs, Abubakar Yalleman, overruled Nwebonyi’s Point of Order, allowing the IG to continue his presentation.
Angered, Nwebonyi packed his belongings and left the budget defence session. As he exited, he exchanged heated words with several House of Representatives members who jeered at him.
Yusuf Gagdi, a member of the House of Representatives representing Panshin/Kanam/Kanke Federal Constituency of Plateau State, expressed disappointment at the incident.
He explained that the committee’s decision to allow the IG to continue speaking was in line with established parliamentary procedures.
Gagdi added that it was inappropriate for lawmakers to interject when they did not have the floor.
When order was restored, Egbetokun resumed his presentation, pointing out that the police require adequate funding.
He also called for an end to the envelope budgetary system.
On recruitment, Egbetokun disclosed that President Bola Tinubu has increased the yearly recruitment quota from 10,000 to 30,000, a move he said would significantly enhance the Force’s performance.
He urged the National Assembly to assist the police in delivering on their mandate, stressing that “Otherwise, we are entirely dependent on budgetary allocations.
“We are glad that this committee has recognised the gross underfunding of the police.”
The National President of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, Festus Osifo, has projected that the cost of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) may rise soon if crude oil continues to increase in price.
Osifo said this at the PENGASSAN’s National Executive Council Meeting on Thursday in Lagos.
He called for better exchange rate management, warning of potential price hikes as crude prices rebound.
“The crude price rose to $80 per barrel today. Without exchange rate improvements, PMS prices will increase in the coming weeks,” Osifo stated.
He also pointed out that the exchange rate collapse was behind high fuel prices nationwide, despite the commencement of the operations of domestic refineries, though not at full capacities.
He dismissed misconceptions about refining processes, emphasising that achieving a quality Premium Motor Spirit requires multiple refining stages.
Osifo, said, “The old Port Harcourt refinery is functional, and there is significant progress at the Kaduna and Port Harcourt refineries. Refineries globally engage in blending operations; it is a normal part of the process.”
On the high cost of PMS in Nigeria, the PENGASSAN official said it was due to the fluctuations in the exchange rate, stressing its impact on Nigeria’s economy.
“The price of PMS is directly linked to our weak naira. If the exchange rate improves to below N1,000 to a dollar, PMS could sell for N500–N600 per litre,” he noted.
Comparing Nigeria to countries like Venezuela and Zimbabwe, he highlighted the critical role of currency management.
“The oil and gas business is conducted in USD (United States dollar), from equipment to expatriate salaries. Weak currency translates to higher costs, including PMS,” he added.
He also debunked claims that local refining would drastically lower prices, explaining that cost margins are essential.
“Producing locally does not mean selling below cost. Even farmers calculate their production costs before adding margins,” Osifo emphasised.
In another development, Osifo criticised Nigeria’s 2025 budget of ₦49tn (approximately $30bn), labelling it insufficient to address the country’s challenges and inadequate for a nation of over 230 million people.
“The budget of $30bn is abysmally low for a country like Nigeria, especially when you compare it with nations like South Africa, which has a population of about 60 million but operates on a budget of over $120bn,” he stated.
Osifo emphasised the need for Nigeria to harness its abundant natural and mineral resources to expand its revenue base and reduce dependence on loans.
The Central Bank of Nigeria has unveiled two digital innovations—the Document Flow System and the Ministries, Departments, and Agencies Naira Payment Solution—at an event held on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, at its headquarters in Abuja.
A press statement released on Thursday described the projects as part of the “Digital First” transformation initiative launched by the Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, in December 2023.
The statement read: “The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr Olayemi Cardoso, has launched two transformative initiatives, the Document Flow System and the Ministries, Departments, and Agencies Naira Payment Solution.”
Cardoso, in his remarks, stressed the significance of the DocFlow system in overhauling document management processes within the Bank.
He explained that the system aims to digitise operations, reduce paper use, and streamline approval workflows to enhance efficiency.
He also described the MDAs Naira Payment Solution as a vital tool for automating cash withdrawal processes for MDAs, noting its potential to improve service delivery and client support.
Cardoso praised the in-house development of both systems, citing the associated cost savings and their contribution to sustainability through technological progress.
The Deputy Governor of Operations, Emem Usoro, said the launch highlighted the Bank’s commitment to innovation and operational excellence.
She highlighted the MDAs Naira Payment Solution’s benefits, including improved service delivery, reduced errors, and stronger measures against fraud.
The Acting Director of the CBN’s Information Technology Department, Mrs Jide-Samuel, stated that the MDAs Naira Payment Solution had been successfully tested with several MDAs and aligns with the Bank’s goal of “Excellence in Central Banking Operations.”
The statement added, “The MDAs Naira Payment Solution is considered a game-changer in the CBN’s financial transaction management. It is projected to improve payment turnaround time by 70 per cent and further enhance Nigeria’s financial ecosystem.”
![[PRESS RELEASE] Lagos Govt Reiterates Commitment To Women's Empowerment, Financial Inclusion](/media/k2/items/cache/77cfda104d86bdfa184d296d790f566d_S.jpg)
•Office of SDGs, HCD Africa, others educate Epe women on financial literacy
The Lagos State Government on Wednesday restated its commitment to women's empowerment and financial inclusion in hard-to-reach communities for them to be independent and self-reliant.
The Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Sustainable Development Goals, SDG, Dr. Oreoluwa Finnih, spoke on Lagos State Government's commitment during an advocacy programme for over 100 women at Odomola in the Eredo Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of the Epe area of Lagos State.
Speaking at the event held at the Aimasiko Compound, Alasko Hospital Bus Stop in Odomola, Finnih advised women to ensure they are engaged in one business or the other, no matter how small, to be financially empowered, with a call on them to imbibe saving culture.
Dr. Finnih, represented by her Technical Assistant, Dr. Oluwunmi Akinlade, said the advocacy programme in partnership with Human Capital Development (HCD) Africa was to increase advocacy for women's financial inclusion in hard-to-reach communities as well as increase awareness of data's role in delivering better HCD outcomes.
She said it was important to educate women on financial literacy to empower them.
"Our advice to women is to make sure that they save. We want every woman to be able to fend for herself. We want women to be financially independent. We don't want them to depend solely on any man. We don't want to depend on other people, especially if we have children. We want to take care of our children and make sure that we have enough money to do whatever we want," she said.
Also speaking, representatives of the Lagos State Residents Registration Agency (LASSRA), Mr. Kayode Yusuf, and the National Identification Management Commission (NIMC), Mr. Saheed Adebayo, while educating the women in Epe on the importance of data for development, urged the women to ensure they are captured for the exercise.
Yusuf said LASSRA registration is very important for Lagos residents because it helps the State Government to plan on how to meet the community needs in terms of planning and provision of amenities, while Adebayo said NIN is important for every citizen of Nigeria.
Speaking during the event, some of the beneficiaries, especially those who were captured for NIN and LASSRA as well as those who opened bank accounts with some financial institutions on the ground, commended the Lagos State Government, HCD Africa, and other partners for coming to their communities for the advocacy programme which they noted has changed their orientation on financial inclusion and the importance of data.
Mrs. Oyinade Ilesanmi, Halimot Abiodun, and Alaba Oshin, among others who spoke to journalists during the event, said they learnt a lot of things on how to manage, invest, and spend their money.
They also commended the organisers for providing an avenue for them to open accounts with some financial institutions and doing NIN and LASSRA registrations.
Commending the Lagos State Office of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Human Capital Development (HCD) Africa and other partners, the CDC Chairman of Eredo LCDA, Mr. Yakubu Akingbade, said the programme will have a positive effect on the women.
He said: "We appreciate the Lagos State Government, particularly the Office of SDGs and other partners for the advocacy programme. It is an empowering programme and I believe they will make good use of everything they learnt to improve their businesses. I want to urge the government to give them soft loans to empower them more in their businesses."
The advocacy programme tagged “Promoting Human Capital Development through Advocacy for women’s financial inclusion in hard-to-reach communities” is organised by the Office of SDGs in collaboration with HCD Africa, Pay Business (Opay), Cowrywise, Lagos State Resident Registration Agency (LASRRA), and National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).
The programme is aimed at equipping women in underserved areas across 12 Local Government Areas and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in Lagos State with essential financial literacy, entrepreneurship training, and access to vital financial services.
Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, on Wednesday said the recent military airstrike in the North-Western state was not intentional.
Lawal stated this during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he commiserated with the families of the incident.
“It was not intentional. It was in the process of fighting these bandits (that) they were struck,” he said.
“The Chief of Air Staff has set up a committee to commiserate with the state government as well as the people that were affected. They also went there yesterday to do on the spot assessment to see who was involved and what happened to guide against future occurrence.”
He said he was aware of the military operation before the tragedy occurred, saying that he personally invited the Air Force to neutralise some bandits who were attacking the area.
During the programme, he expressed hope that the military has all the capacity to tackle bandits activities within one month.
The governor said the days of notorious bandits leader, Bello Turji, are numbered, saying he would soon be eliminated just as other top bandits have been neutralised.
On January 11, over 16 residents were killed after a military air strike tore through the Tungar Kara community in the Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
Worried by the situation, the Nigerian Air Force deployed a fact-finding team deployed to investigate the recent military air strikes tragedy in the state.
The team met with Governor Lawal on Tuesday at the Government House in Gusau.
Security operatives have been battling bandits have been terrorising north-west and central states. The bandits raid villages, burn homes and kill and abduct residents for ransom.
Several accidental air strikes have occurred in recent months including a Christmas Day attack that killed at least 10 civilians in neighbouring Sokoto state.
In 2023, at least 85 civilians, mostly women and children, attending a Muslim religious gathering at a village in Kaduna state were killed after they were mistaken for bandits.
In January 2017, at least 112 people were killed when a jet struck a camp housing 40,000 people who had been displaced by jihadist violence in a town near the Cameroonian border.
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The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has remitted ₦10 trillion to the federation account, making it the highest taxpayer in the country and remains the only company in Nigeria that publishes 100% of its account statements annually.
This is according to the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO), Malam Mele Kyari, who stated this on Wednesday during a presentation on NNPCL’s 2024 revenue performance and 2025 projections to the National Assembly’s joint committee on Finance.
The NNPCL boss also called for a forensic audit of the funds spent by NNPCL on fuel price stabilization and ensuring uninterrupted petrol supply between January and September 2024.
“Until October 1, 2024, NNPCL, as mandated by the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), acted as the supplier of last resort for fuel supply,” he said.
“A forensic audit is needed to determine the financial obligations of NNPCL and any owed entities. Our transactional accounts are transparent and published annually, reinforcing our status as the top taxpayer and the highest contributor of royalties and dividends.”
Regarding the company’s 2025 revenue projections, Kyari indicated that a definitive figure would be provided after the upcoming board of directors meeting in two weeks. He assured the committee that the parameters for the 2025 budget were both realistic and achievable.
In a related development, the National Assembly raised the 2025 projected revenue for the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to ₦1.75 trillion, underscoring the need for increased revenue generation across key government agencies.
The federal government has proposed a 30-60% increase in telecom tariffs to sustain the critical telecommunications sector while ensuring affordability for Nigerians.
The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, who disclosed this in an interview on Channels Television yesterday, stated that recommendations from independent consultants, including KPMG, had been received.
Rejecting demands by operators for a 100 per cent hike, Dr. Tijani explained that the government was considering a more moderate increase to strike a balance between affordability for consumers and the sustainability and continued growth of the sector.
He said: “The telecommunications sector contributes over 16 per cent to our GDP, employs thousands of Nigerians, and is essential to the nation’s digital economy. However, it is crucial to ensure that services remain accessible while maintaining the sector’s viability.”
Announcing key updates from the ministry, Dr. Tijani emphasized that the tariff review would prioritize consumer interests and sector sustainability.
He said the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, was overseeing the process, with recommendations based on data-driven analysis.
On rural connectivity investments, he said: “To address connectivity challenges in underserved areas, the government is deploying 90,000 kilometers of fiber-optic networks and building telecom towers in remote regions through Special Purpose Vehicles, SPVs.”
Dr. Tijani also addressed Nigeria’s leadership in global telecommunications infrastructure resilience, citing recent efforts to manage submarine cable disruptions.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to harmonizing taxes and declaring telecom infrastructure as critical national assets.
Assuring Nigerians of improved service delivery, the minister said operators would be held accountable for disruptions.
“We are implementing measures to ensure swift resolutions to service interruptions and better experiences for consumers.
“We are committed to ensuring meaningful connectivity for all Nigerians—25 Mbps in urban areas and 10 Mbps in rural areas—while fostering a sustainable environment for private and public investments,” he said.
![[PRESS RELEASE] We Don't Need Sanusi's Stamp Of Approval For Our Laudable Policies](/media/k2/items/cache/725e8e862ef7caf752227936b6fba754_XS.jpg)
The Federal Government notes the recent remarks by His Highness, Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II, regarding the economic reforms introduced under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration, at a public event in Lagos.We note the emir's acknowledgement of the noble initiatives which, he said, he could explain away but for his decision "not to help the government".
First, we acknowledge that Sanusi, and indeed any Nigerian, has the inalienable right to express opinion either in form of commendation or criticism on how the government is being ran. However, we find it amusing that a leader, more so one from an institution that ennobles forthrightness, fairness, and justice would publicly admit to shuffling off saying the truth because of personal interest hinged on imaginary antagonism.
It is pertinent to state that Nigeria is at a pivotal juncture where bold and decisive actions are necessary to tackle entrenched economic challenges. This administration has implemented transformative reforms not because they are easy, but because they are essential for securing Nigeria’s long-term stability and growth, as Emir Sanusi had consistently advocated.
The temporary pains currently experienced from these inevitable decisions, as Sanusi himself acknowledged, are "necessary consequence of decades of irresponsible economic management" more than anything else.
These reforms are already delivering measurable progress. The unification of exchange rates has bolstered investor confidence, which has contributed to increased foreign reserves and strengthened Nigeria’s ability to shield itself from external economic shocks. The removal of the fuel subsidy has freed up significant resources, allowing for greater investment in critical sectors such as infrastructure, education, and healthcare. Projections from respected institutions, including the World Bank, show an upward trajectory in Nigeria’s GDP, signaling that our economy is firmly on the path to recovery. Additionally, by addressing inefficiencies, the country has reduced its debt service-to-revenue ratio, creating a more sustainable fiscal framework for future generations.
It is deeply disappointing that reforms widely recognized as essential by global experts—including by Emir Sanusi II himself—are now being subtly condemned by him because of shift in loyalty. His Highness, given his background in economics, has a unique responsibility to contribute constructively rather than undermine reforms aimed at collective progress because he feel estranged from his "friends" in government.
We urge the Emir to rise above personal interests and partisan undertones and prioritize the greater good of Nigerians.
Rebuilding Nigeria requires unity, focus, and sacrifice from all stakeholders. As a government, we urge esteemed leaders to refrain from rhetorics that undermine public trust. Instead they owe it a duty to champion the collective goal of a prosperous Nigeria. This is a critical time for our country, what is needed is collaboration, not unnecessary distractions.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration remains resolute in its mission to lead Nigeria towards economic inclusivity, sustainability, and shared prosperity. The challenges we face demand courage and collective effort, not divisive narratives. This administration is open to constructive dialogue with all well-meaning stakeholders, while remaining steadfast in putting the interests of Nigerians above all else.
Let history record this moment as a turning point—when leaders and citizens alike choose to prioritize the nation’s destiny over personal gain. Together, we will deliver on the promise of renewed hope and a better Nigeria for all.
Mohammed Idris, fnipr
Honourable Minister
The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, on Wednesday, criticised the handling of the economy by President Bola Tinubu’s administration, asserting that things are not being done correctly.
He also posited that the government lacked persons of pedigree to articulate its policies for Nigerians to understand.
Sanusi, however, said unlike in the past when he offered economic advice to the Federal Government, he would not do the same for the Tinubu’s administration because the government had not acted like a friend to him.
The former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria spoke in Lagos at the 21st Memorial Lecture of Chief Gani Fawehinmi organised by the Nigerian Bar Association, Ikeja branch.
He chaired the lecture with the theme “Bretton Woods and the African Economies: Can Nigerians Survive Another Structural Adjustment Programme?”
The Tinubu-led Federal Government has faced intensed criticisms over its decision to remove fuel subsidy and float the naira, leading to mounting inflation and widespread economic hardship in the country.
Positing that the Federal Government had not handled the economy well, Sanusi remarked, “Is everything being done correctly? No. When I’m ready to discuss the economy, I will.”
Elaborating on his decision on his position not to offer economic advice to the government, Sanusi said, “I can provide insights into the challenges we face, how they were predictable, and even avoidable. But I won’t. I’ve chosen not to comment on the economy, reforms, or anything that could benefit this government. They are my friends, but if they don’t act like friends, I won’t act like one either.”
Sanusi was in 2020 deposed as the Emir of Kano by ex-governor Abdullahi Ganduje, who is now the National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress.
Ganduje banished Sanusi and replaced him with Aminu Ado Bayero.
However, the incumbent Kano Governor, Abba Yusuf, sacked Bayero last year and reinstated Sanusi.
The development sparked a crisis in the ancient city, snowballing in court cases as Bayero refused to step down. He moved to a smaller palace where he enjoyed security protection, indicating he had federal support.
On Wednesday, Sanusi critised the government’s image makers, saying they lacked pedigree.
“They don’t even have people with the pedigree to articulate their policies to the public. Let them explain to Nigerians why they are implementing these measures. I started out helping, but I’ve stopped,” he said.
He attributed the current economic struggles partly to years of poor governance. “What we’re experiencing today is, at least in part, the result of decades of irresponsible management. People warned about the consequences of our actions, but those in power ignored them,” he noted.
Sanusi hinted that he might address the economy in the future but emphasised that now was not the time.
Efforts to get the reaction of the Presidency were unsuccessful as the presidential spokesmen, Bayo Onanuga, Sunday Dare and Daniel Bwala, could not be reached. Calls placed to their mobile lines were not picked up and they had yet to respond to text messages as of the time of filing this report.
In addition to his comments on governance, Sanusi urged Nigerian lawyers to emulate the integrity and virtues of the late Gani Fawehinmi, a renowned human rights activist and legal icon.
He lamented the decline of ethical standards in the legal profession, describing Fawehinmi as a symbol of good character and moral excellence.
Also speaking at the event, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, (SAN), lauded the enduring legacy of the late Fawehinmi, describing him as a symbol of courage and justice.
Keyamo, who was represented by a Director in the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, Mr. Henry Agbebire, in his goodwill message, praised the organisers for ensuring Fawehinmi’s ideals remain a cornerstone of national discourse.
“The late Chief Gani Fawehinmi left an indelible mark on human rights advocacy, public service, and the legal profession. His legacy inspires us all with its courage, resilience, and unwavering commitment to justice for the common man,” he said.
Reflecting on his own legal journey, Keyamo acknowledged Fawehinmi’s mentorship as pivotal in shaping his activism and career.
“As someone whose human rights activism began under the mentorship of Gani Fawehinmi, I take pride in the continued relevance of issues he championed, including citizens’ rights, accountable governance, and equitable public policy. These principles guide my work today,” he remarked.
Keyamo also commended the lecture’s focus on Nigeria’s economic challenges, expressing confidence that the discussions would generate ideas to promote sustainable development and social justice.
“I trust the deliberations will offer solutions that can guide our nation towards economic progress and fairness,” he added.
While expressing regret for his absence, the minister assured attendees of his commitment to initiatives that uphold the values of justice, human rights, and socio-economic advancement.
Other prominent guests at the event were the NBA President, Afam Osigwe (SAN); Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Mr Lawal Pedro (SAN), and human rights lawyer, Mr Femi Falana (SAN), amongst others.