National

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Senator Orji Kalu, who represents Abia North at the upper legislative chamber has revealed that the federal government made a mistake not to have carried the National Executive Council, Nigeria Governor’s Forum, and the Council of State along in its tax reform bills.

Kalu disclosed this on Monday in an interview with Arise Television on the controversial tax reform bills.

Recall that Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, the Northern Governor’s Forum, the National Economic Council, and others have openly opposed the tax reforms.

However, Orji noted that the bills are very progressive and would bring back fiscal federalism in Nigeria.

Meanwhile, he faulted the initiators of bills for not carrying key stakeholders along saying, “As I told you before, the bill is very progressive. It will bring back fiscal federalism. Many senators have not been briefed. I think the federal government made a mistake. The initiators of the bills would have briefed the National Economic Council, Governors’ forum”.

Recall tax reform bills, including the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024, the Tax Administration Bill, the Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Bill, and the Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill, were sent to the National Assembly for passage since October 2024.

The bills gained momentum last week when they secured second-reading passage at the Senate.

This comes after the Northern Governor’s Forum and National Economic Council called for the bill’s withdrawal.

Meanwhile, DAILY POST reports that economic experts have backed the tax reform bill on the grounds that it will boost Nigeria’s revenue.

However, Taiwo Oyedele, Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee had earlier in his contributions, explained why the tax bills generated so much controversy.

By Uzair Adam 

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has allocated 1,518 slots to Jigawa State for the 2025 Hajj.  

Alhaji Ahmad Labbo, Director-General of the Jigawa State Pilgrims Welfare Board, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Dutse.  

Labbo stated that 70 percent of the allocated slots have been distributed to the 27 local government areas in the state for sale to interested pilgrims. 

The remaining 30 percent is held in reserve until the initial allocation to each local government is fully utilized.  

He further revealed that intending pilgrims are required to pay a deposit of N8.4 million while awaiting NAHCON’s official announcement of the Hajj fare.  

Labbo urged prospective pilgrims to make early payments to enable the board to complete preparations for the pilgrimage.  

The Hajj, one of Islam’s five pillars, is an annual pilgrimage to Mecca undertaken by Muslims worldwide.

By Uzair Adam 

Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State has expressed strong opposition to the tax reform bills introduced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, cautioning that their implementation could significantly harm the northern region.

The controversial bills, which propose shifting the basis for Value Added Tax (VAT) distribution to the location of consumption, have sparked widespread resistance, particularly in the north. 

Key stakeholders, including northern governors, traditional rulers, and the Northern Elders Forum, have called for the withdrawal of the proposed legislation.

Speaking with BBC Hausa, Zulum criticized the rapid progress of the bills through the National Assembly, contrasting it with the protracted passage of other critical legislation, such as the Petroleum Industry Bill, which took nearly two decades to become law.

“We condemn these bills. They will set the north back and affect other regions, including some states in the South West like Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, and Ondo,” Zulum said. 

“This is not mere opposition; it is about safeguarding our future. We urge President Tinubu to reconsider. 

“He received substantial support from the north during the election, and our interests must be protected.”

Zulum warned that the financial strain imposed by the reforms could make it difficult for many northern states to pay salaries, adding, “Even if we manage to pay, it won’t be sustainable in the following year.”

When asked if the bills would exacerbate poverty and insecurity in the north, the governor affirmed, “Yes, it will. This isn’t just about the north; even Lagos is concerned. If so many regions are against these bills, why push forward without careful consideration?”

Zulum also addressed speculation about lawmakers being influenced by lobbying or kickbacks. 

“There are rumours, but we cannot be sure. What we need is patriotism. We have children, grandchildren, and relatives in rural areas. We must avoid endorsing policies that would hinder their progress.”

While emphasizing that his stance is not an act of defiance against the federal government, Zulum maintained that it calls for a more thoughtful approach. 

“We supported and voted for President Tinubu, but these bills are not in our best interest. We are simply asking for a reconsideration to protect the future of our people and the nation at large.”

By Abdullahi Sulaiman

The Concerned Academics Forum (CAF) has rejected the proposed tax reform bills under consideration by the National Assembly. In a letter to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, CAF warned of the socio-economic repercussions, calling them regressive and harmful to ordinary Nigerians.

According to the letter, the proposed bills disproportionately burden low- and middle-income earners through increased direct and indirect taxes. CAF argues that this would exacerbate poverty, raise living costs, and stifle economic growth, particularly in the informal sector.

The forum expressed disappointment over the lack of adequate social safety nets to cushion vulnerable citizens from the impact of these reforms. They also criticised the government for its insufficient efforts to address tax evasion and systemic corruption, calling instead for greater enforcement of existing tax laws.

Furthermore, CAF highlighted concerns about the adverse effects the tax reforms could have on education and research, warning of reduced funding for public universities and limitations on academic progress.

In their letter, CAF outlined key recommendations, including the adoption of a progressive taxation system, stronger measures to combat tax evasion, efficient use of public funds, and prioritisation of essential public services like healthcare and education.

The forum urged lawmakers, civil society organisations, and Nigerians at large to reject the proposed reforms and advocate for a more equitable and inclusive tax structure.

CAF’s position reflects its commitment to advancing social justice and economic sustainability in Nigeria. The group has called for a consultative approach to policy formulation that engages diverse stakeholders to ensure fairness and inclusivity.

The debate over the proposed tax reforms remains contentious. Various sectors express concerns about their potential impact on the Nigerian populace.

Dear President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,

I hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits. 

I commend you, Your Excellency, for the bold reforms implemented under your leadership, including removing fuel subsidies and unifying the exchange rate. 

As you continue to lead Nigeria through a critical period in our history marked by your far-reaching reforms, I feel compelled to address a critical issue that could significantly impact our nation’s progress and economic stability. 

In recent weeks, there have been reports that certain high-ranking presidential advisers are allegedly manipulating and forcing various regulatory agencies to intimidate and harass companies in the media, oil and gas, telecommunications, financial services, banking, fintech, and FMCG sectors. 

This behaviour undermines your administration’s efforts to create a conducive business environment and threatens Nigeria’s economic recovery.

Sir, if it is true that high-ranking officials within the government who should be doing all they can to deliver on your mandate are the same people who undermine it by continuing to exploit regulatory agencies for personal gain, we risk the exit of multinational corporations, the shutdown of local businesses that struggle to comply with arbitrary regulations aimed at stifling competition, and the erosion of investor confidence, etc. 

Mr. President, your commitment to enhancing Nigeria’s economy through your different policies and initiatives is commendable. However, these efforts must be supported by a transparent regulatory framework that protects businesses from undue harassment. 

I urge you to investigate these allegations and take decisive action against any misuse of power by government officials who seek to manipulate regulatory bodies for personal gain.

Reinforcing the independence of these agencies will not only protect businesses but also restore trust among stakeholders in the Nigerian economy. Your actions in response to these challenges will significantly influence our country’s direction in the coming years. 

I trust that you will consider this matter with the urgency it deserves.

Thank you for your service, Mr President.

Sincerely,

Adeola Adepoju

Jabi, Abuja

By Zayyad I. Muhammad

The 60,000 barrel-per-day Port Harcourt refinery has officially resumed operations after years of inactivity. This marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to revitalise its oil and gas sector. As one of the country’s oldest refineries, with a history spanning 59 years, the Port Harcourt facility is now expected to load at least 200 trucks of petroleum products daily, easing supply constraints, reducing dependence on imported fuels, and introducing a new price regime to compete with the 650,000 barrels per day Dangote refinery. 

Nigeria’s four state-owned refineries have long been entangled in corruption, mismanagement, and relentless pipeline attacks by organised oil thieves. These issues have not only crippled their operational capacity but also forced the country to rely heavily on imported petroleum products, despite its status as a major oil producer.

As the old Port Harcourt refinery has resumed processing crude, with Warri and Kaduna expected to follow soon, an important question arises: Should Nigeria continue with the traditional model of absolute state control and management of its refineries? This outdated approach has proven ineffective, plagued by inefficiencies, corruption, and underperformance.

This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to revamp Nigeria’s refinery management system and introduce reforms to ensure long-term production and efficiency.

When all four state refineries are fully revived and operational, as anticipated, President Tinubu’s government has three viable options for reforming the management of Nigeria’s four state-owned refineries. One approach could involve retaining ownership of one refinery while granting it full autonomy to manage its operations independently, cover its expenses, and remit dividends to the government.

Another option is to lease one of the refineries to an oil company or a group of investors interested in petroleum product refining, ensuring it operates efficiently under private-sector expertise. Lastly, the government could fully privatise one refinery, distributing shares among the federal government, host communities, and Nigeria’s 36 states. This inclusive approach would address diverse stakeholder interests while ensuring effective management.

However, discussions about Nigeria’s refineries are incomplete without addressing the critical issue of managing the country’s extensive 5,120-kilometre oil pipeline network and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPC Ltd.). While the engagement of local communities by NNPC Ltd. has started yielding positive results, significant challenges persist.

The most pressing issues include frequent illegal tapping by oil thieves, sabotage, encroachments on pipeline rights-of-way, delays in detecting leaks, and equipment failures caused by the inaccessibility of certain locations. Compounding these problems is the reliance on outdated methods of pipeline management, which hinder the system’s efficiency and responsiveness.

To address these challenges, adopting advanced technologies is essential. Systems like SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition), Fibre Optic Cable (FOC) networks, and tools such as “go-devils,” scrapers, or smart pigs can revolutionise pipeline management. These technologies provide real-time monitoring and early warning systems, enabling swift responses to potential threats or damages, even in remote and inaccessible areas. By integrating these solutions, Nigeria can significantly enhance the security and functionality of its pipeline network, ensuring a more reliable and efficient oil and gas sector.

The revival of the Port Harcourt old refinery and the anticipated return to operation of the Warri and Kaduna refineries are commendable achievements. However, the Tinubu administration must critically evaluate and adopt a new, feasible, profitable, and masses-friendly approach to managing these refineries.

The traditional model of state absolute control has consistently failed, resulting in inefficiencies, corruption, and financial losses. It is time for a transformative strategy that ensures the refineries operate sustainably while delivering maximum benefits to the Nigerian people.

Zayyad I. Muhammad writes from Abuja, zaymohd@yahoo.com.

By Uzair Adam

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has assured that the country’s Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) remain resilient amid ongoing internal and external economic challenges.

CBN Governor Yemi Cardoso made this known on Tuesday in Abuja while presenting the communiqué from the 298th meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC).

Cardoso stated that the MPC commended the sustained stability of the banking system despite various economic headwinds.

“Key financial soundness indicators, such as the Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR), Non-Performing Loan ratio (NPL), and Liquidity Ratio (LR), continue to reflect the strength of the sector,” he said, adding that the CBN will maintain close monitoring to ensure banks adhere to regulatory thresholds and remain healthy.

The MPC also highlighted the CBN’s ongoing efforts to deepen financial inclusion, aiming to enhance the effectiveness of monetary policy transmission.

Addressing inflation, Cardoso noted that data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) revealed a rise in headline inflation to 33.88% in October, up from 32.70% in September.

On a month-on-month basis, inflation increased to 2.64% in October from 2.52% in the previous month.

Food inflation climbed to 39.16% in October from 37.77% in September, while core inflation rose to 28.37%, compared to 27.43% in the preceding month.

Despite the inflationary trend, the MPC observed a slight moderation in the prices of farm produce and commended the Federal Government’s efforts to boost productivity in the agricultural sector.

On economic growth, Cardoso disclosed that Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 3.46% year-on-year in the third quarter of 2024, driven by both the oil and non-oil sectors.

The non-oil sector expanded by 3.37%, while the oil sector recorded a 5.17% growth.

Additionally, Nigeria’s external reserves increased to $40.88 billion as of November 21, up from $40.06 billion at the end of October, providing enough to finance 17 months of imports.

By Uzair Adam

The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission has uncovered warehouses where federal government palliative rice, marked as “not for sale” and bearing the image of President Bola Tinubu, was being re-bagged for potential resale.

The operation, led by the commission’s chairman, Muhuyi Magaji Rimingado, revealed the illicit handling of approximately 28 trucks of 50kg rice, valued at over N1.4 billion, around the Kano Western Bypass.

“This is a serious case of mismanagement and diversion of public goods. These palliatives were meant for the poor and vulnerable, but some individuals are profiting from the people’s suffering,” Rimingado stated during the raid on Tuesday.

One suspect has been apprehended, and investigations are underway to identify others involved in the scheme.

The commission pledged to recover the diverted palliatives and ensure their proper distribution to intended beneficiaries.

Rimingado assured the public of the commission’s commitment to holding those responsible accountable, stating, “We will leave no stone unturned in bringing those behind this act to justice.”

The incident has sparked outrage among residents, with many condemning the misuse of resources meant for the less fortunate.

A community leader in Hotoro, Garba Isah, described the act as “shameful and heartless,” adding, “People are struggling, yet some individuals are stealing from the poor. We commend the anti-graft agency for their swift action.”

The commission has urged citizens to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities involving government relief materials.

It reaffirmed its dedication to transparency and accountability in addressing corruption and ensuring public resources reach the vulnerable.

By Anwar Usman

Dr. Victor Okhai, a seasoned filmmaker and critic in Nigeria, decried that cultural imperialism has made people forget about Indigenous films, which has caused a significant setback in the local film industries.

This was made known during the Kano Indigenous Languages of Africa Film Market and Festival (KILAF) conference, which was held on Monday at the Faculty of Communications, Bayero University, Kano.

He explains that ” one thing about indigenous film is that it contains a variety of activities. One can see how a particular culture operates, their way of life, and other things contained within that particular culture that people cannot know without being portrayed in a local movie.”

Dr Okhai further added that people mainly rely heavily on American movies. As such, they ignore their own heritage and embrace the Western way of life, which later cultivates them and makes them behave in a particular way the filmmakers want.

He also asserts that “through local films, individuals within a particular culture can be able to know their roots, what their forefathers have done which they might not necessarily know.”

“Indigenous film serves as an important medium of explaining cultural heritage, an avenue for generating revenue and an important tool for entertainment,” Okhai stated.

By Ibrahiym A. El-Caleel

Dr. Dikko Umaru Radda won the 2023 Katsina State gubernatorial elections and has since taken office. However, he seems to struggle with the transition from CEO of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) to his new role. He keeps lecturing the youths on entrepreneurship, telling them that there are no jobs. He would always tell them why being a worker is a misfortune in today’s world. Surprisingly, he is never caught on tape talking about the key role of the government in entrepreneurship.

This society has normalized throwing jibes at salaried workers. People who despise salaried employees behave as if they are the next smartest people on earth since Albert Einstein while in reality, there is nothing spectacular in this. It is a tepid argument, and when Nigerian leaders do it, it reflects their reluctance to take responsibility for the economic challenges we face.

One significant reason for the current suffering of Nigerians is the systemic push of workers into poverty. Despite advancements in technology, automation, and artificial intelligence, no national economy thrives without the contributions of workers. Even if entrepreneurs automate production and supply chains, consumption remains a human necessity. Who will buy the products? Machines? No, it is people- primarily workers- who drive consumption. So, when anyone is throwing jibes at these employees, I usually imagine what planet they come from.

Let us return to Dr Radda and other Arewa leaders who always want to deliver free lectures on entrepreneurship. It is crucial to note that no business thrives in a commercially toxic environment. How have these Arewa leaders been able to create a conducive environment for business? They have always been in the business of blame games and never taking leadership responsibility seriously. This is exactly why it is easy today for President Tinubu and his Tax Boys to tell them they are rejecting his proposed VAT sharing formula because they have lazied around for too long, earning more Federal Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) than they actually deserve.

We have vast fields of arable land, yet companies like Nestle who need maize and soya beans prefer to set up their factories in Lagos. We have cattle that FrieslandCampina and Promasidor would ordinarily obtain fresh milk from through modern animal farming processes. However, these companies are based in Lagos because the north is either faced with farmers-herders clash on Monday, or fighting bandits on Tuesday, or discovering Lakurawa by Wednesday. Which multinational company will waste its time, energy and resources building a business in such an environment? This is why they prefer to be based in South-West, then buy these raw materials from up north and transport them for processing and ship some of it back to the north for consumption.

I will not discuss why 19 northern states believe they are okay with this type of poor electricity supply over the years. Your Kano and Kaduna textiles are dead; reptiles now live where we had textile machines and very many workers running shifts. Even on the planet Saturn, they are aware that no development happens without electricity in this modern age. But since Arewa leaders know an alternative way to do this, let us keep waiting for the miracle. I am sure it is very close to happening. Sokoto is just an inch away from advancing like South Korea, since Kaduna is already competing with Silicone Valley!

The other day, Dr Radda’s tape was virally circulated. He was still talking about workers, and how an Indomie Joint vendor earns better monthly income than them. The irony is that on 23 November, 2024, Daily Trust wrote a report that this type of business is crumbling. They cited that the astronomical rise in the prices of egg, milk, noodles and bread is telling on the business. Nigerians can no longer afford this. These food items have become a luxury to the who used to consume them. It is a pointer to the fact that people are getting poorer.

This was not always the case in Nigeria. Workers began suffering after Buhari did his trial and error economics for eight solid years, and now Tinubu is here to shut down the economy finally so that everyone can go and rest in their graves. Otherwise, ten years ago (2014 to be specific), a salaried worker on a minimum age of N18,900 could afford to buy a 50kg bag of foreign rice at N7,500 which he could feed his family for at least three months. He would still have the remainder of this salary which will at least cover his transportation to work. The political class destroyed this. The same political class which Katsina state governor belongs to.

In my opinion, the governor should realize that it is no longer the SMEDAN days. All Nigerians cannot be entrepreneurs. In every real national economy, the workers are always far more than the entrepreneurs. The earlier he and members of his social class come together to chart a sustainable economic plan for the north, the better for all of us. The South-West governors who have created economically viable environment are not begging their citizens to go into entrepreneurship. The citizens are identifying the opportunities already. When you put your house in order, you don’t need to tell anyone to start a business. People will naturally see the opportunities. This is why the South-West is ahead. It is not magic. They are deliberate about developing their environment, and this is a good one. Had other leaders developed their regions in a similar manner, we would not be fighting over the VAT sharing formula.

Arewa’s economic recovery starts from reviving the New Nigeria Development Company (NNDC) Limited to be what the Sardauna of Sokoto, Sir Ahmadu Bello meant it to be. Arewa governors should give politics a break and focus on governance by revitalizing the NNDC and truly investing in that company. NNDC was a big dream to save this region from the economic mess it has found itself today.

Sardauna was visionary and NNDC actually delivered on its objectives for decades before the Arewa governors class of 1999 to date decided to watch it die a slow and painful death, folding their arms and waiting for oil royalties from the newly found Kolmani oil in Gombe or Bauchi State. Arewa leaders should wake up and save this region. It is their responsibility. It is not the responsibility of Tinubu or FG or anyone. But your Excellency, please, allow workers to face their predicament. They were never in this situation until your political class decided to make them poor through extreme taxation and careless policies that spiked inflation to all record high. Therefore, if you cannot help them, you do not need to add insult to their injury.

El-Caleel writes from Kaduna State