President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

President Bola Tinubu has announced the division of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT) in Zaria, Kaduna State, into six regions.

Tinubu made the decision to split the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria, in order to improve its operations, as stated in the announcement.

According to the APC section in Ondo State, these six campuses will be established in different regions of Nigeria.

New campuses will be set up in Akure (South-West), Osubi (South-South), and Ebonyi (South-East), while others will be established in Ilorin (Central), Yola (North-East), and Zaria (North-West.)

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum and Governor of Bauchi State, Bala A. Mohammed, has advised the President not to display arrogance and instead listen to the people’s opinions about the negative effects of tax policies.

The governor noted that if the proposed tax laws are passed, they could pose a threat to the development of local governments and states.

Mohammed criticized Tinubu’s stance on the tax laws, calling them “undemocratic.”

He stated that even military rulers would listen to the people and address their problems.

He also condemned Tinubu’s tax policies before the National Assembly, and stated that they were designed to favor one region over another.

By Uzair Adam

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima are set to spend over N9.36 billion on local and international travels, as well as refreshments, in 2025.

Details of the expenditures are contained in the 2025 Appropriation Bill presented by the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning.

The proposed budget, totaling N49.7 trillion, was presented to the National Assembly on Wednesday under the theme: ‘Restoration Budget, Securing Peace and Building Prosperity.’

According to the proposal, President Tinubu’s travels and refreshments will cost N7.44 billion, while Vice President Shettima’s similar expenses will amount to N1.9 billion.

For the president, international travels are expected to consume N6.14 billion, while local trips will cost N873.9 million. In addition, N431.6 million has been allocated for refreshments, meals, foodstuffs, and catering supplies.

The vice president’s travel expenses include N1.31 billion for international trips and N417.5 million for local ones.

Refreshments, meals, and catering for the vice president are budgeted at N186.02 million. Between January and March 2024, President Tinubu, Vice President Shettima, and First Lady Remi Tinubu reportedly spent over N5.24 billion on travel expenses, according to data from GovSpend, a civic tech platform tracking government expenditures.

The presidency has also allocated N10.6 billion for vehicles, honorariums, and fuel. Of this amount, N4.76 billion is earmarked for vehicles, including N3.66 billion for operational vehicles and N1 billion for replacing Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs).

An additional N255.7 million is budgeted for other vehicle purchases, including SUVs for the presidential fleet. Other allocations include N5.93 billion for honorariums, fuel for generators, and the construction of offices for Special Advisers (SAs) and Senior Special Assistants (SSAs).

Notably, N2.12 billion is set aside for sitting allowances and honorariums, while N1.99 billion is for fuel expenses.

The N49.7 trillion budget has passed its second reading in both the Senate and the House of Representatives.

The appropriation bill will now proceed to the respective Committees on Appropriations for further scrutiny.

In addition, the House of Representatives approved a bill to extend the capital component of the 2024 budget to June 30, 2025, to ensure ongoing projects are completed.

Both chambers of the National Assembly have adjourned until January 14, 2025, for the yuletide recess.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

President Bola Tinubu has urged leaders in West Africa to draw inspiration from Ghana’s recent peaceful elections as a model of democratic maturity and commitment to national unity.

At the opening of the 66th Ordinary Session of ECOWAS on Sunday in Abuja, President Tinubu lauded President Nana Akufo-Addo and the people of Ghana for the resounding success of their recent presidential and parliamentary elections, setting a high standard for the region.

“I urge all of us in the region to learn from this good democratic practice and prioritise our country’s national unity to ensure political stability of the region so that this manner of peaceful transition becomes the culture of democracy not only in West Africa but also in the entire Africa continent,” he stated.

“Despite the challenges of interrupted democratic governance in some West African countries, the region has continued to record democratic gains.

Just a week ago, on December 7 2024, Presidential and Parliamentary elections took place in Ghana, the second-largest democracy in our region.

By Anwar Usman

The president of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu, will present the 2025 Appropriation Bill to the National Assembly on Tuesday.

Akpabio made this known during the announcement at the Thursday plenary on the floor of the Senate.

He said, “The president has made his intention known to the National Assembly to present the 2025 budget to the joint session of the National Assembly on the 17th of December, 2024.”

Akpabio said that the budget presentation will take place at the House of Representatives Chamber.

Tinubu had earlier submitted the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper for 2025–2027 to both the Senate and the House of Representatives last Tuesday.

Akpabio instructed the Senate Committee on Finance, National Planning, and Economic Affairs to consider the MTEF/FSP documents and report within one week.

Key parameters in the MTEF/FSP include a $75 oil price benchmark per barrel, daily oil production of 2.06 million barrels, an exchange rate of N1,400 to $1, and a targeted GDP growth rate of 6.4%.

These figures form the basis for consideration and approval of the proposed N47.9tn 2025 budget.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Mr Shamseldeen Babatunde Ogunjimi as the Acting Accountant General of the Federation (AGF).

His appointment is effective immediately following the pre-retirement leave of the incumbent AGF, Dr. (Mrs.) Oluwatoyin Sakirat Madein.

In announcing Madein’s successor, President Tinubu ensures a seamless transition in the administration of Nigeria’s treasury and consolidates the implementation of the present administration’s treasury policy reforms.

As a career civil servant and the most senior director in the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF), Mr Ogunjimi brings over 30 years of extensive experience in financial management across the public and private sectors.

He has held significant positions, including Director of Funds at the OAGF and Director of Finance and Accounts at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

A chartered accountant, certified fraud examiner, chartered stockbroker, and chartered security and investment specialist, Mr Ogunjimi’s academic qualifications include a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Accountancy and a Master’s in Finance and Accounting.

In a remark on the appointment, President Tinubu expresses his confidence in Mr. Ogunjimi, saying, “The Office of the Accountant General of the Federation is pivotal to our nation’s treasury management operations.

“Mr Ogunjimi’s wealth of experience and notable competence will ensure the continued effectiveness of this vital institution as we advance our economic reform agenda.”

President Tinubu commends the outgoing Accountant General of the Federation, Dr. Madein, for her dedication and selfless service to the nation.

After reaching the civil service’s statutory retirement age, Dr Madein is retiring effective March 7, 2025.

By Uzair Adam

President Bola Tinubu has instructed the Federal Ministry of Justice and the National Assembly to address concerns surrounding the proposed Tax Reform Bills.

The bills, recently transmitted to the National Assembly, have faced widespread criticism, particularly from northern governors who argue that the reforms could disproportionately affect their region and worsen the economic situation for Nigerians.

In response, Tinubu directed the Justice Ministry to collaborate with the National Assembly to resolve the contentious issues before the bills are passed into law.

This directive was conveyed in a statement by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, who clarified that the government welcomes constructive feedback.

“It is pertinent to state that the government has nothing sinister to warrant the suggestion that the process is being rushed,” Idris said.

“The Federal Government welcomes meaningful inputs to address any grey areas in the bill.”

The minister reiterated the benefits of civil discourse and urged Nigerians to refrain from injecting ethnic or regional sentiments into the debate.

He dismissed claims that the bills are designed to impoverish northern states as “fake news” and “misinformation.”

According to Idris, the fiscal reforms aim to benefit all Nigerians by enhancing critical infrastructure such as healthcare, education, transportation, and digital technology.

He assured that the reforms would not weaken any federal agencies or marginalise any state or region.

“When passed, these bills are expected to bring relief to millions of hardworking Nigerians and empower the 774 local governments for sustainable growth and development,” the statement added.

The minister concluded that Tinubu’s commitment to transparency and accountability is a sign of good outcomes in the ongoing public debates as a healthy aspect of democracy.

By Anwar Usman

The President of Nigeria Bola Tinubu on Tuesday stated that Nigeria and South Africa share a collective destiny to collaborate for the well-being of the African continent.

He noted the need for both countries to cooperate across various sectors, adding that the success of the partnership lies in the implementation, not merely the signing, of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs).

Tinubu made this statement during his opening address as he co-chaired the 11th session of the Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission alongside President Cyril Ramaphosa in Cape Town, South Africa.

He said, “Our successive governments on both sides have recognised our shared history of collaboration and cooperation. We must ensure that the spirit of collaboration and cooperation between our two leading countries in Africa intensifies and deepens under the leadership of our respective nations. This is not a matter of choice but of destiny, which includes a historical responsibility to the African people.”

The Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission, established in 1999, aims to strengthen the ties of friendship and cooperation between the two nations. The first Heads of State-level session took place in Pretoria in October 2019.

However, Tinubu noted that this year’s meeting coincides with the 25th anniversary of the Commission, and he revealed that Nigeria and South Africa have signed about 36 MoUs that reflect their friendship and cooperation.

He stressed that MoUs alone do not constitute success and must be backed by consistent implementation.

He revealed on strengthening the relationship between the youth populations of both countries, explaining that Nigeria and South Africa, with their large youthful demographics, can significantly boost their economic development.

The President also assured Ramaphosa of Nigeria’s readiness to strengthening the partnership between the two nations and warned against external forces that might be threatened by the alliance between Africa’s two largest economies.

He also urged South Africa’s support for Nigeria’s bid to gain full membership in the G20, BRICS, and the BRICS New Development Bank, adding, “Nigeria would like to join South Africa and the African Union in the G20.”

On his part, the South African President Cyril Ramaphosa highlighted Nigeria’s role as a host for several South African companies and reaffirmed his country’s openness to Nigerian businesses, citing numerous investments and operations in South Africa.

By Anwar Usman 

The Senate has approved President Bola Tinubu’s loan request of $2.2 billion to partially finance the ₦9.7 trillion budget deficit for the 2024 fiscal year. 

The approval followed the presentation of a report by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts, Aliyu Wamakko, during plenary session. 

While leading the session, Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau commended the committee for its swift action and thorough examination of the loan request. 

In a letter presented during the Senate and House of Representatives plenaries on Tuesday, Tinubu explained that the loan was integral to his administration’s fiscal strategy for the coming year. 

“The Presidential request for $2.2 billion, equivalent to ₦1.77 trillion, is already stated in the external borrowing plan for the 2024 fiscal year,” Senate President Godswill Akpabio stated while reading the letter. 

He further instructed the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts to expedite its review of the request and present a report within 24 hours. 

“The Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Loans should, therefore, give the request expeditious consideration and report back within 24 hours,” Akpabio said.

Although the deadline was passed on Wednesday, the committee submitted its findings during Thursday’s plenary, leading to the loan’s approval. 

Details later…

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini 

President Bola Tinubu has hailed the creation of the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty, championed by President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of Brazil. 

Tinubu described the alliance as pivotal in the global fight against hunger and poverty. He made this statement on Monday at the 19th G20 Leaders Summit opening session in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.  

He lauded the initiative and described it as the right step to address one of the world’s most significant challenges.  

“This bold and visionary step underscores Brazil’s leadership in addressing one of the most urgent and persistent challenges facing our world today.  

“The creation of this Alliance marks a significant milestone in our global efforts to eradicate hunger and poverty, and it also sends a powerful message of solidarity to vulnerable populations around the globe. 

“By fostering collaboration between governments, international organisations, and civil society, this initiative offers a comprehensive approach not only to addressing immediate needs but also tackling the structural causes of hunger and poverty,” he said. 

President Tinubu compared this global initiative to one of the eight priority areas he outlined at his inauguration 18 months ago, expressing Nigeria’s eagerness to adopt international best practices to advance its economic development. 

According to President Tinubu, Nigeria’s endorsement of the declaration of commitment to join the Global Alliance is a significant step in its efforts to address hunger and poverty by leveraging international cooperation and resources to bolster domestic strategies. 

He added that by supporting the initiative, Nigeria also demonstrates a solid commitment to realising the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 1, which focuses on eradicating poverty, and SDG 2, which aims to achieve zero hunger. 

“These goals are at the core of Nigeria’s development agenda, and the Alliance offers a platform to accelerate progress towards them.  

“By collaborating with international partners, Nigeria aims to leverage best practices, innovative solutions, and financial support to enhance its efforts to combat poverty and hunger. The endorsement reinforces Nigeria’s role as a key player in global efforts to promote sustainable development and improve the quality of life for all its citizens,” President Tinubu said.