In Nigeria’s political landscape, there is no name more associated with a mix of determination, audacity, and sometimes controversy than that of Nyesom Wike. His tenure as the Governor of Rivers State is remembered for his bulldog-like tenacity in implementing his policies, no matter whose ox was gored. Now, in his current role as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, he seems to have carried that same energy into the heart of Nigeria’s capital. But while his strong-willed approach to governance has earned him a reputation as a no-nonsense leader, it is crucial to remind him that there is a line between firmness and overzealousness.

Recently, Wike’s decision to demolish the Ruga settlement along Airport Road in Lugbe, Abuja, sparked outrage among residents and activists. Leading the protests, Deji Adeyanju condemned the government’s actions, accusing the FCT task force of heavy-handedness that left thousands homeless and businesses ruined. Despite the cries of the displaced residents, Wike remained resolute, insisting that no amount of protest or blackmail would halt his drive to sanitize the city.

While there is merit in enforcing regulations and addressing security concerns, it is vital to recognize the human cost of such actions. As Wike bulldozes through his ministerial mandate with uncompromising zeal, it would serve him well to remember that power is transient. The seat he occupies today is not forever, and there is a higher power above him who watches over all. There is always a tomorrow, and history has a way of humbling even the mightiest of men.

Wike’s declaration that no protest will stop the demolition exercise reflects a man who is determined to get things done. But as laudable as his intentions might be, there is a danger when a public office holder begins to perceive dissent as an affront to their authority. Governance should never be about showing who is in control or flexing political muscles to prove a point.

By declaring, “No amount of protests would stop demolition,” Wike risks coming off as someone who is disconnected from the realities of those whose lives are affected by his policies. Demolishing settlements and rendering thousands homeless in the blink of an eye is not the mark of a compassionate leader. Even if these structures were illegal, there is a humane approach to implementing urban planning without causing mass suffering.

Wike must remember that these are the same citizens who once hailed him as a hero in Rivers State for his infrastructural strides and tough stance on security. However, in his current role, he is dealing with a diverse and sensitive demographic in Abuja. This city is not just another state capital; it is the heart of Nigeria, home to people from all walks of life, many of whom have struggled for years to eke out a living. Displacing them overnight without adequate resettlement plans is akin to kicking a man who is already down.

Nyesom Wike is not the first Nigerian politician to wield power with a heavy hand, and he certainly won’t be the last. Yet, history is filled with lessons that those in power often forget. The corridors of power are littered with the echoes of past leaders who thought they were invincible until the tides turned.

As Wike bulldozes through policies with the same energy he displayed as Rivers State Governor, he should recall that even his own past battles had their limits. During his time in Rivers, he faced several political challenges, including tussles with the federal government, which nearly cost him his position. If there is one lesson to be learned from that era, it is that power is fleeting. The applauses of today can quickly turn into the jeers of tomorrow.

No matter how strong his grip on Abuja may seem right now, Wike would do well to tread carefully. His overbearing style, if unchecked, could backfire. The people whose homes he demolishes today may not forget his actions when the tables turn. Nigeria’s political history has shown that the pendulum of power swings unpredictably. One moment, a leader is untouchable, and the next, they are at the mercy of those they once scorned.

In the words of the Holy Scriptures, “The Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone He wishes” (Daniel 4:17). This is a reminder that all power is ultimately derived from a higher source. Wike must remember that his current position is not an entitlement but a privilege given to him by the President, who was elected by the people. And above all, there is a divine authority that supersedes human power.

The minister’s overzealous approach to governance, especially in a sensitive city like Abuja, may win him applauses from those who crave order. However, it is God who ultimately controls the destinies of men. As a public servant, humility should be his watchword. It is important for Wike to understand that true power does not lie in the ability to demolish homes and displace thousands but in the wisdom to balance enforcement with compassion.

Tomorrow is unpredictable, and the political tides can shift in an instant. One day, Wike will no longer be Minister of the FCT. How will he be remembered? As a leader who brought positive change with compassion or as one who left behind a trail of tears and destruction? The choice is his to make, but he must remember that every action taken today is a seed sown for the future.

Good governance is about more than just enforcing rules and regulations; it is about empathy, compassion, and the willingness to listen. The residents of Ruga settlement are human beings with families, livelihoods, and dreams. They are not just statistics in an urban planning agenda. Yes, some settlements may be illegal, but there are humane ways to address these issues that do not involve rendering people homeless overnight.

Wike’s critics are not necessarily against his efforts to improve Abuja, but they are questioning his approach. The minister could take a page from his own playbook in Rivers State, where he combined firmness with dialogue. By meeting the affected residents halfway and providing alternative housing solutions, he can show that he is not just a bulldozer but a leader who genuinely cares about the welfare of the people.

As Wike continues his ministerial duties, it is important for him to remember that leadership is not a sprint but a marathon. The people who suffer today due to his policies may be the same ones whose support he will need tomorrow. A leader who lacks empathy and resorts to heavy-handedness may achieve short-term success, but history has shown that such a strategy often leads to long-term regrets.

Wike must be guided. He should recognize that there is a higher power above him, and one day, he will have to account for how he used the authority given to him. The Nigerian people are watching, and history will judge him not by how many buildings he demolishes but by how many lives he touches positively.

In fact, Wike should not let the euphoria of his newfound ministerial powers becloud his judgment. Let him be reminded that there is a God above, and tomorrow will come. Power is transient, and those who forget this often pay a steep price. Let him rule with compassion, remembering that what goes around comes around.

Nigerian investigative journalist, Fisayo Soyombo, has raised the alarm over an alleged plan to smuggle over 130,000kg of rice into Nigeria from the Benin Republic.

Soyombo, known for his in-depth investigative work, made the disclosure on his X platform (formerly Twitter) on Sunday.

Soyombo specifically accused some officers of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) of colluding with smugglers to facilitate the illegal importation of rice on Sunday night. He named Adeyemi Habeeb Abdulganiy, a prominent figure in the smuggling world, as the mastermind behind the smuggling. Abdulganiy, also known as Abuga, is reportedly orchestrating the transportation of the rice in over 2,000 cars, each carrying at least 65 bags of rice.

“Good evening, @CustomsNG. I am aware that your officers have colluded with smugglers to move well over 130,000kg of rice from Benin Republic into Nigeria tonight, Sunday, November 11, 2024,” Soyombo wrote.

He further detailed the smuggling routes, warning that the convoy of vehicles would enter Nigeria through various points, including Sango, Ifo, and the Oju-Ore-Ota route. Some of the cars were expected to drive against traffic at the toll gate near Sango, posing a risk to road users.

“Road users in Sango can expect traffic congestion early tomorrow morning unless this post prompts an about-face from the actors,” Soyombo warned.

He also alleged that soldiers from the 192 Battalion in Owode would be patrolling during the operation to prevent any resistance.

In a sharp rebuke to the Nigeria Customs Service, Soyombo suggested that the public would be skeptical of any future claims of seizures made by the authorities.

“@CustomsNG, just so you know, the people are watching; they will be hysterically laughing at you when you announce ‘seizure of one million bags of rice and 25 cartons of guns’ later this week,” he concluded.

The revelation has attracted public attention, with many awaiting a response from the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies regarding the alleged smuggling operation.

[Leadership]

Barring any unforeseen circumstance, the late Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja, would be buried in Abuja on Friday.

His immediate elder brother, Moshood Lagbaja, disclosed this in Osogbo, Osun State during a condolence visit by St Charles Grammar School Osogbo Old Boys Association (SCOBA).

He said the military could not release his remains to the family, but assured them he would be given a befitting burial in Abuja on Friday.

The delegation presented a condolence letter signed by Global President of the association, Tade Adekunle and and General Secretary, Leye Odetoyinbo, to the family.

Speaking on behalf of SCOBA during the condolence visit, the leader of the delegation, who is also the 1st Vice President, Engineer Adesina Salami, described late Lagbaja as an exceptional individual, a proud Charlean, and a distinguished military leader who served the nation with unwavering dedication.

Salami said, “We mourn the loss of an exceptional individual, a proud Charlean, and a distinguished military leader who served our nation with unwavering dedication. Lt. Gen. Lagbaja’s remarkable life, selfless service, and enduring legacy inspire us.

“He made an inspiring and unforgettable impact on the Charlean Family Worldwide during his glorious lifetime.

“May the comforting presence of Almighty God surround you during this difficult time. May His peace, love, and strength sustain you as you navigate the darkness of grief.

“We pray that the cherished memories of Lt. Gen. Lagbaja’s love, wisdom, and accomplishments bring solace to your hearts and may his exemplary life continue to inspire generations to come.”

[DailyTrust]

The Labour Party, LP, presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, Mr Peter Obi, has urged Nigerian students, who want to seek greener pastures outside the country after graduation to do so.

Obi, who gave this advice while donating to two higher institutions in Anambra State, said if Nigeria is fixed, those who have migrated abroad will return.

The institutions were Peter University in Achina/Onneh and the School of Nursing Sciences, Adazi-Nnukwu both in Anambra State.

While addressing students of the College of Nursing Sciences in Adazi-Nnukwu, Obi it was his dedication to keep supporting institutions that nurture skill, professionalism, and character.

“I was here in May this year to support you, and as I had told you, the support was to be done last year, but I couldn’t come because of electioneering, so I came in May.

“This is something I do every year, and today I’m here to give you my donation for this year. Those of us in public life should be able to earn public trust, and that is why I am here to do as I said.

“I have always told the Nursing Council not to restrict you people from travelling abroad after graduation. If it is not going to work for you here, go to where it will work for you.

“We will not advise anyone to stay where it is difficult for them. If you want to seek greener pastures outside, please go. I’m sure that when we build a greater Nigeria, you will come back,” Obi said.

Earlier at Peter University, Obi urged the students to take their studies seriously, describing education as a transformative power, which can form a pillar of national development.

He also encouraged them to pursue academic excellence, emphasising that an investment in education is an investment in the future.

[DailyPost]

The Ballon d’Or is an annual football award presented by the French magazine France Football since 1956 to honour the player deemed to have performed the best over the previous season.

It is decided by votes from 100 journalists representing the top FIFA federations, including Nigeria.

A total of 22 countries awarded points to Ademola Lookman, with Nigeria giving him the highest score:

Here’s the total breakdown of countries that voted for Ademola Lookman and how many points he got.

1. Nigeria – 15 points

2.Greece – 12 points

3.Côte d’Ivoire – 7 points

4.Cameroon – 4 points

5.Gabon – 4 points

6.UAE – 4 points

7.Equatorial Guinea – 4 points

8.Jordan – 4 points

9.Portugal – 4 points

10.South Africa – 3 points

11.Ghana – 3 points

12.Ireland – 3 points

13.North Macedonia – 3 points

14.Finland – 2 points15. Mali – 2 points

16. Morocco – 2 points

17. Burkina Faso- 1 point

18. Uganda- 1 point

19. Trinidad and Tobago – 1 point

20. Senegal- 1 point

21. Ukraine- 1 point

[TheNation]

South African sensation Tyla stunned the audience at the 2024 MTV EMAs, clinching the prestigious Best Afrobeats award and triumphing over fierce competition from industry heavyweights such as Asake, Ayra Starr, Burna Boy, Rema, and Tems.

This historic win was just one of three awards Tyla took home, making her the first African artist to achieve such a feat at the MTV Europe Music Awards.

Her success not only highlights her distinctive artistry but also marks a significant milestone for African representation on the global stage.

Tyla is the first African artiste to win three awards in one night at the MTV EMAs.

She won the Best Afrobeats Award, Best R&B Award, and Best African Act Award at the 2024 MTV EMAs.

PUNCH Online reports that the results for the 2024 MTV EMAs were disclosed on the organisers’ official account on X.

For the show’s 30th anniversary, the MTV Europe Music Awards returned to the UK, with Manchester’s Co-op Live serving as the official venue for music’s biggest global celebration on Sunday, 10 November.

Reacting to her win, Tyla quoted a tweet from the organisers and thanked her fans, posting, “Thank you Tygers once again!  Y’all are insane!”

Earlier in July, Tyla was named Best New Artist at the BET Awards 2024, beating Ayra Starr and Asake to the award.

Tyla’s debut single, Water, catapulted her to global fame and earned her several accolades, including the inaugural Grammy Award for Best African Music Performance in February 2024.

2024 MTV EMAs biggest wins

Voting opened with Taylor Swift leading the pack with seven nominations, including Best Artist, Best Video, Best Pop, and Biggest Fans.

Ariana Grande, Billie Eilish, Charli XCX, and Sabrina Carpenter followed closely—each with five nominations across categories such as Best Song, Best Video, and Best Artist.

People reports that other top contenders with four nominations each included Ayra Starr, Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar, Lisa, and first-time nominees Chappell Roan and Tyla.

Kehlani and Tinashe were among the 19 nominees up for their first-ever MTV EMA nomination.

PUNCH Online reports that the MTV Europe Music Awards (EMAs) is an annual awards ceremony established in 1994 by MTV to celebrate and honour achievements in the music industry, specifically targeting European audiences.

The event is modelled after the iconic MTV Video Music Awards but focuses on European and global artists, recognising music across various genres and regions.

Each year, the awards are held in a different European city, making it a cultural and music highlight, with past locations including Berlin, Paris, and London.

Here is the full list of 2024 MTV EMAs winners below:

BEST SONG

• Ariana Grande – “we can’t be friends (wait for your love)”
• Benson Boone – “Beautiful Things”
• Beyoncé – “TEXAS HOLD ‘EM”
• Billie Eilish – “BIRDS OF A FEATHER”
• Chappell Roan – “Good Luck, Babe!”
• Sabrina Carpenter – “Espresso” – WINNER

BEST ROCK

• Bon Jovi
• Coldplay
• Green Day
• Kings of Leon
• Lenny Kravitz
• Liam Gallagher – WINNER
• The Killers

BEST LATIN

• Anitta
• Bad Bunny
• KAROL G
• Peso Pluma — WINNER
• Rauw Alejandro
• Shakira

BEST K-POP

• Jimin — WINNER
• Jung Kook
• LE SSERAFIM
• LISA
• NewJeans
• Stray Kids

BEST ALTERNATIVE

• Fontaines D.C.
• Hozier
• Imagine Dragons — WINNER
• Lana Del Rey
• Twenty One Pilots
• YUNGBLUD

BEST ELECTRONIC

• Calvin Harris – WINNER
• David Guetta
• Disclosure
• DJ Snake
• Fred Again..
• Swedish House Mafia

BEST HIP-HOP

• Central Cee
• Eminem — WINNER
• Kendrick Lamar
• Megan Thee Stallion
• Nicki Minaj
• Travis Scott

THE Providus Bank wrote J.Wesley Investment Limited, the profit-making company wholly owned by the Trustees of the non-profit Methodist Church of Nigeria, MCN, a love letter. It was a final demand letter dated October 29, 2024 asking the Spiritual Lords of the Church to pay an earthly sum of N2,036,567,275.74 owed the bank. In stating that this amount is “excluding interest in progress”, the bank affirmed that: “The account has not witnessed any significant inflow and all efforts at turning around the account has not been successful.”

The letter explained that the indebtedness arose from multiple loan facilities the debtors took to “part finance the construction of a 32 units (sic) residential luxurious apartment being developed by Obligor at Sinari Daranijo Street, V/I Lagos.”

Ordinarily, there should be no issue in a creditor banging the gates of a debtor even if the latter is a religious organisation. It is also no news that such organisations engage in buying and selling. This has been the case since pre-Christian times. Matthew 21:12 recorded the case of Jesus going into the temple of God and chasing out all those buying and selling in it. He was so angry that He disrupted trade, including overturning the tables and chairs. Today, He would have been charged with disorderly conduct, causing bodily harm or even terrorism. But trading in the name of God is not the issue here for, as we used to say as kids in Lagos: “There is nothing new under the sun”. In fact, indebtedness is not an issue; even ‘big’ men like Donald Trump are indebted as are big countries like Nigeria.

What makes the MCN-Wesley-Providus imbroglio worthy of public attention are the threats by the bank “to commence foreclosure on mortgage property”. Now, the said property is on school lands not those of the debtor MCN!

The lands in question are those of the Methodist Boys High School, MBHS, at 11, Sinari Adaranijo Street, Victoria Island, Lagos. They were procured for the school and, in the name of the school by an Old Boy of MBHS, Chief Tunde Fanimokun. The then Governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Jakande on October 14, 1983 signed the certificate of occupancy, C-of-O, which specifies that the allocated land is for education purposes.

Unfortunately, 2.4 hectares of the new school lands were stolen, leaving MBHS with a balance 3.3 hectares. Lands on Victoria Island are perhaps the costliest in the country, and tragically, the Trustees of the MCN decided to help themselves to the school lands. They surreptitiously, procured a different C-of-O on February 6, 2012 for the same school land! But unfortunately for them, the original C-of-O given to the School 19 years earlier, subsists and they had no way of erasing it from the records.

It was when the MCN Trustees in 2012 invaded the school lands trying to build private flats for profit that the Old Boys led by a banker, Mr Toyin Amusan, awoke to what was afoot. They produced the original C-of-O and stopped the privatisation. The Church Trustees beat a tactical retreat and agreed to talks ostensibly to find an amicable solution. But the MCN Trustees made another cynical move. They signed a deed of assignment purporting to have sold 8,235.98 square metres of the priced school lands to John Wesley Investment for the sum of One Naira (N1).

The MCN Trustees who signed the deed on behalf of the church were the then Church Prelate, Dr Sunday Ola Makinde, who owned N3.5m of the total N10m shares of the same Wesley company and, Dame Helen .O. Adenusi who owned N500,000 of the company shares. Another prominent shareholder was former MCN Prelate, Dr Sunday Coffie Mbang. In other words, the revered MCN Trustees sold the school lands to themselves!

When the scandal broke, the Trustees sued for peace, and Makinde’s successor, His Eminence Samuel Chukwuemeka Kanu Uche, asked that the Old Boys pay off the N30 million the Church had allegedly expended on the illegal property construction as a condition to hands off the school lands. The Old Boys agreed. However in a November 18, 2021 letter signed by the Right Reverend Michael. O. Akinwale, the MCN claimed that the N30m demanded by Prelate Uche “was a mistake” and asked the Old Boys to pay the church N390m which the latter rejected.

The stalemate continued until August 31, 2023 when the Trustees, this time under Prelate Oliver Ali Abah, again invaded the school lands. Later, the MCN Trustees brought armed thugs to attack the Old Boys. Meanwhile, in the last dozen years, the loans taken by the Trustees have topped N2 billion and the Providus Bank is now demanding its money.

The MCN has also resorted to religious blackmail. For instance, Archbishop Adegbemi Atanda Adewale of the Ile Aderinoye, Otileta House of Owu has circulated a message claiming that Chief Fanimokun, “a Muslim”, is trying to “control” church property. A pathetic low for the MCN.

The pitiable situation of the MCN is like that of a dog that has swallowed a big bone and is unable either to swallow or spit it out.

If the Providus Bank did not carry out due diligence search before giving its money to the Trustees of the Methodist Church, that would be its fault, not that of the children in MBHS, Lagos. The bank cannot visit the sins of the adults in MCN on the school children of MBHS. The bank should take on the MCN for size and, if necessary, sell its headquarters, rather than take on the hapless children of MBHS and try to deprive them and future generations of their school lands.

If Providus Bank realises that it has been deceived into accepting a controversial C-of-O to provide loans to the MCN and its subsidiary Wesley business arm, what it should do is recover its money from both earthly entities who have identifiable directors. Providus must take notice that if it thinks it can visit the sins of the father MCN on the children in the school, it will be mistaken. The students, parents and the Old Boys of MBHS could not have fought the MCN over the years only for Providus to assume it can seize the same lands.

If need be, we are prepared to fight the bank for decades. The MBHS Old Boys are replenished annually by graduates from the school; so we will have generations which will replace our generation in the battlefield until predators hands-off the MBHS school lands. It would make more business sense for Providus to auction off MCN assets than sell the school lands. This serves as caveat emptor: purchase MBHS, Lagos school lands, you purchase litigation and trouble.

Joao Pereira will take over from Manchester United-bound Ruben Amorim as head coach of Sporting Lisbon, the Portuguese champions announced on Monday.

The 40-year-old will step up from his role as reserve-team boss following Amorim’s departure to Old Trafford.

Sporting staged a dramatic fightback from two goals down to win 4-2 at Braga on Sunday in Amorim’s final match in charge and maintain their 100-percent record in the Primeira Liga this season.

Pereira, a former Portugal right-back who enjoyed three spells at Sporting as a player, will hold his first press conference as boss later on Monday, Sporting said on social media.

Amorim left to take over at Man United following the sacking of Erik ten Hag after a golden spell in the Portuguese capital, taking Sporting to their first league title in 19 years in 2021 before regaining the trophy last season.

They also sit second in the Champions League table after thumping Manchester City 4-1 last week in Amorim’s last home game as coach.

[Vanguard]

“We cannot continue to tax poverty when we are supposed to promote prosperity” – President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

Senator Alli Ndume. Controversial. Outspoken, brilliant and engaging. Of all his attributes I did not find a place for ‘willful ignorance’ as one of his attributes or did I miss something? His Channels Television Interview was at once interesting and absurd coming from a person of his status : ranking Senator of the Federal Republic.

If his attack of Tinubu Tax Bills now before the Parliament was understandable, his open admission that he has not read the Tax bill he was so vehemently opposed to is unpardonable.

In plain sight Senator Ndume displayed his ignorance. That ignorance will be best cured by facts and not bluster. The Tax bill is not dead on arrival. The tax bill is well and alive and that is why we are having this conversation.

Despite the consensus that a fair, equitable and business-friendly taxation regime is pivotal to Nigeria’s drive for economic growth and sustainable development, the requisite will to pursue the reforms needed for achieving this has, unfortunately, either not been there on the part of the leadership, or where efforts have been made, it has not produced significant results.

Nigeria has consistently ranked as one of the countries with the lowest revenue-to-GDP ratios in the world, which, according to Il Jung, “makes its fiscal position vulnerable to shocks”.
This from the IMF staff who prepared Nigeria’s revenue mobilisation report 2023. President Tinubu understands this clearly.

Such is the situation that “general government revenue in Nigeria was 7.3 percent of GDP for 2021—less than half of the average in countries belonging to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and nearly a third of the average of countries in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA)—and ranked as 191st out of 193 countries in the world.”

At 9.4% in 2023, Nigeria’s tax revenue to GDP ratio was not only among the lowest in the world but also on the continent, according to Axel Schimmelpfennig, the IMF mission Chief for Nigeria. To Il Jung, “Nigeria’s low tax revenue has been mainly driven by the narrow bases of its indirect taxes, low tax compliance, large amount of tax exemptions as well as low rates. Tax compliance and tax morale are still very low. Nigeria’s VAT collection efficiency (C-efficiency ratio)—the ratio of actual revenues to potential revenue—is the lowest among peer African countries.” The result is “…that the government has too few resources for social and development spending on health, on education, on infrastructure, etc.,” Schimmelpfennig says.

This age-long challenge of narrow revenue base, huge debt burden and high demand for social and development spending, which successive administrations have been confronted with, is what President Bola Ahmed Tinubu decided to tackle head-long through a Root Cause Analysis in order to identify and resolve underlying issues in Nigeria’s tax system to enable it proffer appropriate solutions. President Tinubu had been upfront about tackling this challenge before assuming office, and in his inauguration speech, he assured local and foreign investors that his “government shall review all their complaints about multiple taxations and various anti-investment inhibitions.”

Less than 2 months in office, he announced the setting up of the Presidential Committee on fiscal policy and tax reforms, headed by former Fiscal Policy Partner and Africa Tax Leader at PricewaterhouseCoopers, Taiwo Oyedele, comprising of experts from both the private and public sectors to undertake comprehensive law reforms, fiscal policy design and coordination, harmonization of taxes, and revenue administration. At the inauguration of the committee in August last year, the President restated his commitment to reforms to ensure a more enabling environment and relief for small businesses and those at the bottom of the pyramid. “We cannot continue to tax poverty when we are supposed to promote prosperity,” he said.

The President’s vision and clear mandate is evident in what the Fiscal policy and tax reforms Committee delivered as recommendations to the government, and became a part of the Economic Stabilisation Bills (ESB) approved by the Federal Executive Council in September, as part of the Accelerated Stability and Advancement Plan (ASAP) of the government. The ESB which seeks to amend about 15 different tax, fiscal, and establishment laws to facilitate economic stability and set the country on the path for sustained inclusive growth, has as some of its objectives: inflation reduction and price stability; complementing monetary policy measures with appropriate fiscal interventions to strengthen the naira and sustain exchange rates convergence; promotion of fiscal discipline and consolidation; enhancement of job creation and poverty alleviation; as well as export promotion and diversification.

It was in furtherance to a realisation of these objectives that President Bola Tinubu sent a letter to the 2 chambers of the National Assembly, requesting for the approval of 4 tax reform bills, which are: “The Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill”, “The Nigeria Tax Bill”, “The Nigeria Tax Administration Bill,” and “The Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Bill.” These Bills seek to provide a consolidated fiscal framework for taxation in Nigeria, a clear and concise legal framework for the fair, consistent and efficient administration of all the tax laws to facilitate ease of tax compliance, reduce tax disputes and optimize revenue, among others.

While investors and the business community have welcomed this development, there has been a pushback from some quarters from those who have apparently not familiarised themselves with the contents of the Bills. The concern by the Northern Governors Forum about the proposed amendment in one of the bills is the distribution model for Value Added Tax (VAT) which has been addressed by Mr Taiwo Oyedele, Chairman of the Fiscal Reforms Committee. He assured them that the aim of the proposal is “to create a fairer system by devising a different form of derivation which takes into account the place of supply or consumption for relevant goods and services whether they are zero rated, exempt or taxable at the standard rate”.

The surprise, though, is the response from Senator Ali Ndume who has declared that the bills “will be dead on arrival”, even as he confessed that he is yet to read the bills, which we presume should be available to him, having been received by the National Assembly, as the Senate President announced on the floor of the Senate. I refuse to believe that any Senator, and definitely not one of Senator Ndume’s standing will say, “We don’t need to study the bill”, as he was quoted to have said. Senator Ndume can’t be that flippant, as the legislative business is serious business.

For the benefit of Senator Ndume and others who might be of the mind that they do not need to study a document before speaking to it, here are some of the changes proposed in the bills:

1.Changes to the income tax laws to facilitate remote work opportunities for Nigerians in Nigeria within the global business process outsourcing. This will empower our youths to play a key role in the digital economy space.

2.Zero rated VAT and other incentives to promote exports in goods, services, and intellectual property.

3.Tax exemptions for small businesses including WHT, VAT, and 0% CIT.

4.Exemption from personal income tax for minimum wage earners and reduced tax burden for over 90% of private and public sector workers

5.VAT at 0% for food, education, health, and exemption for rent and public transportation. These items constitute an average of 82% of household consumption and nearly 100% for low-income households to ameliorate the rising cost of living for the masses.

6.Introduction of the Tax Ombudsman to advocate for improved tax system and protect vulnerable taxpayers

7.Reduction of corporate income tax rate from 30% to 25% over the next 2 years and elimination of earmarked taxes on companies to be replaced with a harmonised single levy at a reduced rate.

8.Elimination of minimum tax on loss-making companies and those with low margins

9.Grant of input VAT credit to businesses on assets and services to reduce cost of investment and improve competitiveness

10.Redesign of the personal income tax band and rates, VAT and Capital Gains Tax to be progressive while protecting the poor

11.Changes to permit the payment of taxes on foreign currency denominated transactions in naira to reduce the pressure on the exchange rate and simplify compliance for businesses.

12.Proposal to repeal over 50 nuisance taxes and levies, and harmonise the remaining taxes to a single digit

13.Equitable basis for VAT revenue sharing to ensure that states without many headquarter companies are fairly treated and recognised for their economic contributions

14.Rationalisation of tax incentives to reduce uncertainty and provide a level playing field for all investors

15.A new National Fiscal Policy to set the framework for fair taxation, responsible borrowing and sustainable spending.

Without a doubt, these Tax-reform Bills have been thoughtfully and carefully designed in alignment with President Tinubu’s agenda to remove all obstacles impeding business growth in the country, promote small businesses and the poor, it is strange that Senator Ali Ndume, who purports to be speaking for the people will stand in opposition to them, even when he confessed to having not read them. If he has not read the bills, I doubt that he read a newspaper editorial, which quoted the Chairman of the Reforms Committee to have explained that “the reforms are geared towards correcting the structural imbalances in the tax system which has seen the poor overburdened with taxes while the elite and middle class routinely evade, avoid, or underpay taxes”.

Senator Ndume might need to familiarise himself with what is driving the reforms and the proposals that have been laid out, which include consolidating the different ‘nuisance taxes’ taxes and levies, which some have put at 62 official and 200 unofficial taxes into a streamlined system of 8 taxes to eliminate unnecessary financial strain on citizens while ensuring a more efficient revenue collection process. The committee is also pushing for a constitutional amendment to limit the total number of taxes on individuals and businesses to a single-digit.

The objective, it says, to provide greater financial stability and predictability for taxpayers, fostering a more conducive business environment. Apart from that are the amendments to the withholding tax regulation, with businesses earning below 50 million Naira exempted from this tax, to provide relief for small companies and reduce the tax burden on emerging enterprises to engender growth of SMES, which play a central role in providing employment and the development of the economy.

Estimates from the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) a few years back had it that out of 70 million taxable adults in Nigeria, only 14 million pay tax, with 96 percent of those who do so through the Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) system, which is an indication that most of those outside the formal system don’t pay tax. Yet, a report listed Nigeria as home to almost a thousand billionaires (computed in naira), out of which only 214 pay taxes of N20 million and above. If any proof is needed for allegations of evasion and gross underpayment of personal income taxes, that must be it.

President Tinubu’s bold decision to resolve the challenges that confront the tax administration system to improve Nigeria’s tax-to-GDP ratio, increase non-oil revenue generation, attract investment, support businesses and strengthen the economy deserves all the support it can get, especially from the Governors and the National Assembly. Senator Ndume will do well to rally support for the bold initiatives of President Tinubu, study the Tax Reform Bills and work with his colleagues for speedy passage so that Nigerians can take advantage of the opportunities they are designed to unlock.

Sunday Dare is the special adviser to the president on public communication & orientation