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  • Sterling HoldCo sustains growth momentum with strong Q4c

    Sterling HoldCo sustains growth momentum with strong Q4c

    Sterling Financial Holdings Company Plc (“Sterling HoldCo” or “the Group”) has sustained its growth momentum, projecting gross earnings of N149.27 billion for the fourth quarter ending December 31, 2025.

    This projection builds on the Group’s performance in the first half of the year, when profit after tax rose by 157 percent, gross earnings climbed 39.7 percent to N212.61 billion, and earnings per share rose to 89 kobo from 56 kobo. Together, these results highlight a strong year-to-date trajectory, reinforcing profitability and boosting investor confidence in the Group’s long-term outlook.

    According to the filing on the Nigerian Exchange, Sterling HoldCo expects interest income of N116.73 billion and interest expenses of N42.88 billion, resulting in net revenue from funds of N73.85 billion.

    The Group also anticipates credit impairment charges of N16.84 billion, with other income projected at N28.37 billion, bringing net operating income to N85.37 billion. Operating expenses are forecast at N67.24 billion, leaving a profit before tax of N18.13 billion.

    After accounting for a projected tax of N1.88 billion, profit after tax is estimated at N16.25 billion for the quarter. Sterling’s cash flow outlook underscores the strength of its balance sheet.

    The Group projects N13.56 billion in net cash generated from operating activities, alongside N266.16 billion in financing inflows and N187.93 billion in investing activities.

    This is expected to deliver a net increase of N91.79 billion in cash and cash equivalents, with the cash and bank balance closing at N549.90 billion by year-end, compared to N458.11 billion at the start of the quarter.

    Read Also: Sterling’s software transactions exceed 2.0b

    These forecasts build on the Group’s performance earlier in the year, reflecting the continuation of this momentum, supported by a disciplined focus on cost management, diversified income streams, and prudent balance sheet growth.

    Beyond financial performance, the outlook highlights the Group’s capacity to channel its financial strength into broader impact. Sterling HoldCo is positioned to support key growth sectors of the Nigerian economy, invest in innovation, and continue creating value for shareholders, customers, and communities.

    The Group noted that its ability to generate strong operating cashflows while maintaining significant liquidity positions provides a foundation for resilience. This strength ensures that Sterling HoldCo is not only positioned to deliver value to its shareholders but also equipped to deepen its participation in Nigeria’s growth sectors, drive innovation, and support broader economic progress.

    These projections are forward-looking and based on current assumptions about market conditions and regulatory developments. Actual results may differ materially.

  • Tax Calculator Nigeria | Free & Accurate PAYE Salary Payroll Tool

    Tax Calculator Nigeria | Free & Accurate PAYE Salary Payroll Tool

    • By Victory AkpaACIPM

    In Nigeria’s rapidly evolving business landscape, one of the biggest hurdles for both organizations and individuals is managing payroll, employee deductions, pensions, and statutory levies. What should be a transparent and straightforward process often turns into something confusing, error-prone, and frustrating—particularly for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) without the benefit of large finance or HR teams. To address this gap, HRPayHub has launched two free tools: the Tax Calculator Nigeria– Current Tax Law, covering all statutory deductions valid until December 31, 2025, and the Nigeria TaxCalculator Nigeria – New Tax Law, already updated for the reforms effective January 1, 2026. Both calculators are completely free, accurate, and tailored to make compliance easier for employees, HR professionals, accountants, and SMEs across the country.

    PAYE Calculator Nigeria: Why reliable tools matter for small businesses

    In today’s Nigerian business environment, few issues create more anxiety than payroll, pensions, and statutory deductions. What should be routine often becomes a source of errors and disputes—especially for SMEs that lack robust HR or finance structures. Even small mistakes in PAYE or pension contributions can attract penalties, disrupt cash flow, or cause disagreements with employees over take-home pay.

    Many business owners, accountants, and employees have experimented with the government’s recently released tax calculator. While it represents a positive step toward compliance, users quickly discovered its limitations. For example, it does not allow side-by-side testing for full-time staff and contractors—something critical for real-life payroll planning. Pension contributions are not handled correctly, leaving HR teams and employees with gaps in clarity. In addition, several users have reported errors when attempting to calculate taxes under the new 2025 tax law, which takes effect on January 1, 2026.

    This is where HRPayHub delivers real value. We believe Nigerian businesses deserve a payroll tax tool that is flexible, transparent, and accurate. HRPayHub’s free calculators were designed to meet that need:

    Our calculator empowers users to test deductions both as full-time employees and as contractors, while ensuring pensions and other statutory obligations are correctly applied. This makes it highly practical for employers carrying out compliance checks, accountants managing payroll, and employees who want clarity about their true net salary. Both tools are not only free but also structured to capture the full spectrum of statutory deductions—PAYE, pensions, NHF, and NSITF.

    For SMEs, this means HR managers and accountants can test multiple scenarios before payroll runs, guaranteeing compliance and accuracy. For employees, it means peace of mind, with transparent deductions displayed clearly, making it easier to plan personal and household budgets.

    Reducing Compliance Costs for SMEs

    Compliance remains one of the heaviest burdens for SMEs in Nigeria. Beyond paying salaries, businesses must manage multiple deductions, file statutory reports accurately, and stay on schedule with regulators. Large corporations typically solve this by deploying full compliance teams or costly accounting platforms, but SMEs often lack such resources.

    This is where HRPayHub’s free tax calculator becomes a genuine game-changer. By removing guesswork and reducing dependence on error-prone spreadsheets, the tool helps SMEs minimize penalties, avoid unnecessary administrative costs, and improve operational efficiency. The benefits go beyond financial savings—owners and HR staff also reclaim valuable time, which can be redirected toward growth initiatives and customer service instead of wrestling with compliance challenges.

    Beyond Tax Calculators: A Complete Business Platform

    HRPayHub’s free tax calculators are a breakthrough for Nigerian large and SMEs, but they are only the entry point. Behind the calculators is a powerful, all-in-one HR, payroll, and accounting platform built specifically for Nigerian businesses and UK pharmacies. The system combines compliance tools with broader workforce and financial management features, giving organizations a single solution that scales with their needs.

    HRPayHub includes:

    • Payroll Automation – Accurate salary calculations covering PAYE, pensions, NHF, NSITF, and WHT deductions, with instant payslip generation to give employees clarity and confidence.
    • HR Management – Tools to simplify onboarding, manage leave, maintain employee records, and run 360-degree performance appraisals.
    • Integrated Accounting – Automated VAT, WHT, profit & loss statements, balance sheets, and expense management, all linked seamlessly with payroll.
    • Remote HR Support – For SMEs without dedicated HR staff, HRPayHub provides access to remote HR professionals who can manage recruitment, compliance, and day-to-day HR tasks.

    By blending tax compliance with core HR and financial operations, HRPayHub offers SMEs a platform that grows with them—whether they’re managing five employees or five hundred.

    The Complete Solution for Growing SMEs

    While free calculators address one urgent pain point—compliance—most SMEs in Nigeria struggle with a bigger challenge: integrating HR, payroll, and accounting without expensive consultants or software.That’s why we built the most affordableHR, payroll and accounting software in Nigeria. HRPayHub is designed to solve this challenge.

    With HRPayHub, SMEs can:

    • Automate payroll deductions for PAYE, pensions, NHF, NSITF, and WHT.
    • Manage employee onboarding, leave, and performance appraisals in one system.
    • Connect payroll directly to accounting modules, ensuring VAT and WHT filings are accurate.
    • Eliminate the need for multiple vendors or disconnected tools, saving time, reducing costs, and cutting down on errors.

    For small businesses running lean teams, HRPayHub simplifies compliance and administration, freeing owners and managers to focus on growth, customer relationships, and strategy.

    Read Also: Naira rallies on sustained forex growth

    Smarter HR for Modern Businesses

    Payroll compliance is only one side of people management. The other is ensuring employees are effectively managed, supported, and appraised. HRPayHub makes this possible with its affordable andNigeria-focused HR software, replacing spreadsheets, paper files, and scattered emails with a central platform.

    Businesses can:

    • Onboard new employees quickly while storing contracts and records securely.
    • Track leave and absence automatically, with data flowing into payroll to prevent overpayments.
    • Conduct 360-degree performance reviews with input from managers, peers, and staff for fair and transparent appraisals.
    • Keep all employee records in a secure, accessible digital platform.

    The result is simplified HR management that is affordable, easy to use, and aligned with Nigerian labor and compliance rules.

    Payroll Without Stress

    Many SMEs in Nigeria still process payroll manually, using spreadsheets and calculators. The risks are high—delayed salaries, wrong deductions, and missed deadlines with regulators. HRPayHub removes this risk by automating the entire payroll cycle through its reliable payroll app in Nigeria.

    Key payroll features include:

    • Automatic PAYE, pensions, and statutory deduction calculations.
    • Support for both full-time employees and contractors.
    • Instant payslip generation for employee transparency.
    • Alerts for remittance deadlines, ensuring filings with FIRS and state tax agencies are never missed.

    With HRPayHub, payroll shifts from a stressful monthly chore to a predictable, accurate, and compliance-ready process that builds trust with employees and regulators alike.

    Accounting That Works for SMEs

    True compliance goes beyond payroll—it requires accurate accounting. HRPayHub includes an SME-focused accounting software in Nigeria built to simplify financial reporting and reduce dependency on consultants.

    Businesses can:

    • Automate VAT and WHT remittances with confidence.
    • Generate real-time profit & loss statements and balance sheets.
    • Track expenses, budgets, and cash flow all in one place.
    • Sync payroll data directly with accounting records for accurate reporting.

    Instead of scattered financial records and last-minute panic before audits, SMEs get a system that organizes everything and keeps them regulator-ready. For many businesses, this transforms compliance from a burden into an enabler of sustainable growth.

    A Free Tool With a Bigger Purpose

    DelonApps, the creator of HRPayHub, introduced its free tax calculators not just as compliance aids, but as part of a broader mission to empower Nigerian businesses, professionals, and the wider economy. As one of Nigeria’s leading outsourcing company in Nigeria, DelonApps goes beyond delivering software—it plays an active role in shaping the future of work, compliance, and digital transformation across multiple industries.

    Breaking Down Barriers to Compliance

    For many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), compliance has always been a costly and confusing burden. The high price of payroll and tax tools, combined with the complexity of ever-changing regulations, often pushes businesses into accidental non-compliance. By lowering these barriers with free, accurate, and easy-to-use calculators, HRPayHub ensures SMEs can stay on the right side of regulators while freeing up financial resources to hire more staff, expand operations, and focus on growth.

    Driving Job Creation Across All Skill Levels

    But HRPayHub’s impact goes far beyond compliance. DelonApps has committed to creating sustainable jobs across different skill levels in Nigeria. Through its outsourcing division, the company provides employment for hundreds of entry-level workers in telesales, customer service, and operational roles—helping to tackle unemployment while supporting businesses that need reliable talent. At the same time, DelonApps invests heavily in upskilling and digital transformation programs for banks, corporates, and SMEs. These programs prepare mid-level and senior professionals for high-demand careers in software engineering, cybersecurity, data analytics, and other critical areas.

    Empowering Nigeria’s Digital Future

    This **dual-track approach—supporting both low-skill and high-skill segments of the workforce—**means that the benefits of Nigeria’s digital transformation are more evenly distributed. Entry-level workers gain opportunities to earn income and develop soft skills, while high-skilled professionals access the training and tools they need to thrive in a global economy.

    By aligning compliance tools with job creation and professional development, HRPayHub demonstrates that even something as simple as a free tax calculator can be part of a larger vision: building stronger businesses, supporting workforce development, and accelerating Nigeria’s digital and economic growth.

    Getting Started WithHRPayHub’s Free Nigeria Tax Calculator

    One of the biggest advantages of HRPayHub’s tax calculators is their simplicity. Many tools in the market overwhelm users with clunky interfaces or confusing steps, but HRPayHub was designed with clarity and ease of use in mind. Whether you are an HR professional, an accountant, or an employee trying to understand your payslip, the process is straightforward and intuitive. In just a few clicks, you can calculate statutory deductions, pensions, and net pay with accuracy.

    Here’s how it works:

    1. Visit HRPayHub.com
      From the homepage, select the Tax Calculator menu. Two options will be displayed:
      • Nigeria Tax Calculator – Current Tax Law
      • Nigeria Tax Calculator – New Tax Law
    2. Select the Right Version
      If you are running payroll under today’s rules, use the Current Tax Law Calculator. If you are planning ahead for the 2026 reforms, switch to the New Tax Law Calculator to preview how salaries will be affected.
    3. Enter Annual Gross Salary
      Input the gross salary figure and walk through the other flexible options available.
    4. Get Instant Results
      With a single click, the system generates a clear breakdown of deductions, pensions, and net salary. For SMEs, this enables quick compliance checks. For employees, it provides much-needed clarity on actual take-home pay.

    By cutting out unnecessary complications, HRPayHub has made tax and payroll planning accessible to everyone—not just accountants and finance professionals.

    Why HRPayHub Outperforms the Government’s Tax Calculator

    The Nigerian government deserves credit for publishing its own calculator—it shows a commitment to transparency. However, many who tried it quickly realized its limitations. Users found the interface rigid, outputs unclear, and certain calculations inaccurate, especially under the upcoming 2026 law.

    Here’s how HRPayHub fills the gap:

    • Accuracy: Reflects all statutory deductions exactly as outlined in Nigerian tax laws.
    • Flexibility: Allows users to simulate multiple employment types, such as contractors versus full-time employees.
    • Transparency: Provides a line-by-line breakdown of deductions, unlike the lump-sum approach of the government tool.
    • Ease of Use: Designed for everyday users, from HR officers to small business owners, without requiring advanced finance skills.

    In short, HRPayHub’s calculators don’t just meet compliance standards—they make payroll planning usable, reliable, and trustworthy.

    Empowering Employees With Clarity

    Employees are often the most affected by opaque payroll systems, yet their voices are rarely heard in compliance conversations. HRPayHub changes this by giving employees direct access to accurate payroll calculations.

    1. Understand Your Take-Home Pay
      Many Nigerians are left wondering why their salaries seem smaller than expected. By entering their gross pay, employees can see exactly how much goes to PAYE, pensions, NHF, or NSITF.
    2. Plan for the Future
      With clear visibility into deductions, employees can budget more effectively—whether for rent, education, savings, or investments.
    3. Build Trust With Employers
      When both employers and employees rely on the same calculator, transparency improves. This reduces disputes, strengthens workplace relationships, and ensures fairness in compensation practices.

    Helping SMEs, HR Teams, and Accountants Stay Ahead

    For Nigerian SMEs, payroll and tax compliance are not just legal requirements—they are survival issues. Errors in calculations, regulatory fines, or disputes over salaries can cripple a small company. HRPayHub was built to prevent those problems.

    1. Instant Compliance Checks
      The calculator aligns with Nigerian tax laws, giving SMEs the confidence to run quick simulations before payroll processing.
    2. Cost Savings
      Instead of relying on consultants or paying for expensive software, SMEs can access a reliable compliance tool for free.
    3. Smarter Payroll Planning
      Accountants and HR professionals can test different payroll scenarios in minutes. For example, they can evaluate the impact of hiring a contractor versus a full-time employee on net salary and overall cost.
    4. Error-Free Reporting
      Because HRPayHub accounts for all key statutory deductions—PAYE, pensions, NHF, and NSITF—the risk of missing critical filings is minimized.

    The Bigger Picture: HRPayHub as Nigeria’s Compliance Partner

    While HRPayHub’s free tax calculators have gained attention for their accessibility, they represent just the beginning. The platform is designed as a comprehensive compliance partner for SMEs, helping them simplify operations, reduce costs, and remain competitive in a challenging economy.

    Beyond calculators, HRPayHub provides a full suite of business-critical tools:

    • Payroll Software: Automates PAYE, pensions, NHF, NSITF, and payslip generation to eliminate errors and delays.
    • HR Software: Manages onboarding, leave requests, performance appraisals, and secure employee record-keeping.
    • Accounting Software: Streamlines VAT, WHT, profit & loss statements, expense tracking, and financial reporting.
    • Remote HR Support: Offers SMEs without dedicated HR departments access to affordable HR professionals for recruitment, compliance, and staff management.
    • Flexible Pricing Plans: From Bronze to Platinum tiers, ensuring businesses of all sizes can afford a tailored solution.

    This approach shows that HRPayHub is not just giving away a free calculator—it is offering SMEs a gateway into full business compliance. Many organizations begin with the tax calculator but soon realize they also need payroll automation, HR support, or accounting tools. HRPayHub is uniquely positioned to provide all of these services under one roof.

    Why Accessible Compliance Tools Matter Today

    Nigeria’s business environment is undergoing rapid change. The removal of fuel and foreign exchange subsidies has significantly increased living costs, placing pressure on both businesses and employees. In this climate, compliance is no longer optional—it is essential.

    Yet compliance remains expensive for many SMEs. Without affordable tools, they risk errors, penalties, and operational setbacks. HRPayHub’s decision to provide its calculators for free directly addresses this gap, leveling the playing field so that even the smallest businesses can comply without spending a fortune.

    DelonApps, the parent company of HRPayHub, has extended this mission beyond compliance by investing in job creation and career support. Through DelonJobs, Nigeria’s trusted tech job platform, the company provides:

    • Free job postings for SMEs.
    • A free applicant tracking system to help businesses manage CVs and candidates.
    • Training programs and career resources for job seekers, particularly in technology.

    This dual commitment—**helping businesses remain compliant while creating job opportunities—**makes HRPayHub’s contribution more than just technical; it is social and economic.

    Preparing for the Future of Payroll and Tax in Nigeria

    Payroll and tax compliance will only grow more complex as Nigeria prepares for new reforms taking effect in January 2026. SMEs that fail to prepare risk falling behind. HRPayHub’s vision is clear:

    1. Free Tools for Accessibility: Keep providing SMEs and employees with free tax calculators and compliance support.
    2. Automation for Accuracy: Expand payroll automation to minimize human error and regulatory risk.
    3. Education and Training: Provide SMEs with resources to understand evolving tax frameworks.
    4. Affordable SaaS Solutions: Ensure access to low-cost HR, payroll, and accounting tools that scale with business needs.

    By combining free tools with professional SaaS offerings, HRPayHub aims to cement its role as Nigeria’s most trusted compliance partner.

    Why Payroll Transparency Strengthens the Economy

    Nigeria’s informal economy remains vast, with millions of workers outside formal payroll systems or under-declared for tax purposes. This not only reduces government revenue but also deprives workers of statutory benefits such as pensions, NHF, and insurance.

    Tools like HRPayHub’s free tax calculators bridge the trust gap. When employees clearly see how deductions are calculated, disputes reduce, workplace transparency improves, and compliance becomes the norm. Over time, this builds a stronger, more sustainable financial system that benefits both businesses and workers.

    The Compliance Challenges SMEs Face

    While large corporations can afford tax consultants and enterprise software, SMEs often struggle with:

    • Manual Errors: Payroll processed on spreadsheets frequently results in mistakes.
    • Hidden Costs: Relying on external accountants is expensive and unsustainable.
    • Regulatory Risk: Missed remittances expose businesses to penalties from FIRS and state tax agencies.
    • Employee Frustration: Salary disputes and unclear deductions reduce morale and retention.

    By making payroll compliance simple, transparent, and free, HRPayHub allows SMEs to focus on growth and innovation instead of red tape. The platform doesn’t just solve compliance problems—it empowers businesses to operate with confidence in an uncertain economy.

    Building a Compliance Culture in Nigeria

    A long-term goal for Nigeria’s economy must be the development of a strong compliance culture. Businesses should not view tax authorities with fear but with confidence that they are supported by accessible tools and clear frameworks. Free calculators, digital filing systems, and payroll automation are some of the most effective ways to bridge this gap.

    HRPayHub’s initiative directly aligns with this vision by enabling businesses to comply effortlessly—without incurring extra costs. By making compliance simple, transparent, and affordable, HRPayHub encourages SMEs to embrace digital transformation as a natural part of doing business.

    Payroll as the Gateway to Digital Transformation

    Globally, payroll is often the first function SMEs choose to automate, because it directly affects employee trust and financial stability. In Nigeria, however, digital adoption has been slower due to cost concerns and limited awareness.

    By launching a free and accurate entry-level tax calculator, HRPayHub lowers the barrier to digital adoption. Businesses may begin with the calculator but often expand into payroll automation, HR management, and accounting within the same affordable platform. This step-by-step adoption path ensures SMEs can modernize at their own pace while building a culture of accuracy and compliance.

    HRPayHub’s Complete Ecosystem of Services

    The free tax calculators are only one piece of a much larger puzzle. HRPayHub delivers a full ecosystem of tools and services that simplify compliance and workforce management for Nigerian SMEs:

    • HR Software: Onboarding, leave management, employee records, and 360-degree performance appraisals.
    • Payroll Software: Automated PAYE, pensions, NHF, NSITF, payslips, and timely remittances.
    • Accounting Software: VAT, WHT, expense tracking, P&L statements, and financial reporting.
    • Remote HR Support: On-demand HR professionals for SMEs that cannot afford full-time HR staff.
    • Flexible Packages: Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum plans tailored to startups, growing SMEs, and large businesses.

    This means HRPayHub is not just a tax calculator provider—it is a pathway to full compliance, efficiency, and growth for Nigerian businesses.

    Policy Implications: Government and Private Sector Collaboration

    The Nigerian government can amplify private-sector innovations like HRPayHub by:

    • Endorsing reliable free tools to encourage voluntary compliance.
    • Offering tax incentives to SMEs that adopt digital payroll and HR solutions.
    • Providing open APIs so payroll software can integrate directly with tax authorities for real-time remittances.

    Such steps would reduce errors, expand compliance, and boost revenue collection—without placing additional burdens on small businesses.

    Preparing for 2026 and Beyond

    With new tax reforms taking effect on January 1, 2026, Nigerian businesses need to prepare early. Payroll systems must adapt to reflect the new rules, and employees need clarity on how changes will impact their take-home pay.

    HRPayHub addresses this transition with two calculators:

    • Current Tax Law Calculator (valid until December 31, 2025).
    • New Tax Law Calculator (updated for reforms starting January 1, 2026).

    By planning with these tools, employers can budget more effectively while employees gain confidence in their financial planning.

    Beyond Tax: Supporting Nigerian Businesses

    The Free Nigeria Tax Calculator is only the entry point. HRPayHub’s broader mission is to reduce compliance stress for SMEs, HR professionals, and accountants by providing an all-in-one HR, payroll, and accounting platform.

    With HRPayHub Payroll Software, businesses can:

    • Automate PAYE, pensions, NHF, and WHT with zero manual intervention.
    • Instantly generate digital payslips for transparency.
    • Remit statutory deductions to regulators on time, avoiding penalties.
    • Manage contractor and full-time payroll side by side—something government calculators don’t support.

    This automation saves SMEs time, cuts operational costs, and allows them to focus on scaling their businesses rather than struggling with compliance bottlenecks.

    Why Free Tools Enhance Adoption

    Some may ask: Why give away a free calculator if most users may never pay? The answer lies in Nigeria’s compliance gap. Many SMEs avoid compliance because tools are too costly. By offering Nigeria’s #1 Free Tax Calculator, HRPayHub removes that financial barrier.

    • Employees gain clarity on net salary and statutory deductions.
    • HR teams gain confidence that calculations are accurate.
    • Accountants reduce the risk of filing errors.
    • SMEs get a head start on compliance without upfront costs.

    Even if only a small fraction of free users later upgrade to HRPayHub’saffordable HR and payroll services and software in Nigeria, the contribution to Nigeria’s compliance culture and workforce trust is enormous.

    Private Innovation vs. Government Systems

    Government calculators and platforms play an important role, but they face challenges—slow updates, limited user testing, and less emphasis on usability. Private platforms like HRPayHub complement these efforts by:

    • Updating faster when laws change, as seen with the 2025 Nigeria Tax Calculator.
    • Offering flexible features such as contractor vs. full-time simulations.
    • Designing with user experience in mind, tested with real SMEs and HR professionals.
    • Ensuring accuracy and transparency in every update.

    This isn’t about replacing government tools—it’s about working alongside them to make compliance practical, affordable, and widely adopted.

    Payroll and HR: Connecting the Dots

    Payroll doesn’t stand alone. For SMEs, the biggest challenge is integrating payroll with HR and accounting. HRPayHub solves this by offering a connected system where:

    • Leave management syncs automatically with payroll.
    • Onboarding/offboarding integrates with records and compliance workflows.
    • 360-degree performance reviews are housed in the same platform.
    • Payroll entries flow directly into accounting for VAT, WHT, P&L, and audits.

    Instead of managing multiple spreadsheets and disconnected tools, businesses get a single platform that handles everything.

    Making Compliance Affordable for Every SME

    One of HRPayHub’s strongest value propositions is affordability. Many SMEs assume HR and payroll automation is reserved for large corporations, but HRPayHub proves otherwise.

    With flexible HR, payroll and accounting plans(Bronze to Platinum), businesses of all sizes—from startups to established enterprises—can access payroll automation, HR tools, tax compliance features, and employee self-service portals. No SME is left behind.

    VAT, WHT, and Accounting Integration

    Compliance extends beyond payroll. Nigerian SMEs also need to manage VAT, WHT, expenses, and financial reporting. HRPayHub’s Accounting Software provides:

    • Automated VAT and WHT remittances.
    • Expense tracking and reconciliation.
    • Instant P&L statements and balance sheets.
    • Seamless alignment with Nigerian tax rules.

    This ensures that SMEs have a single source of truth for compliance across HR, payroll, and accounting.

    Why Compliance Builds Trust

    At its core, compliance is about trust. Employees need payslips they can understand. Employers want confidence that their businesses are audit-ready. Regulators need assurance that deductions are accurate and remittances timely.

    HRPayHub builds that trust by combining transparency, accuracy, and affordability. When businesses adopt such tools, they not only avoid penalties but also improve employee satisfaction, reduce turnover, and project professionalism to partners and investors.

    Global Reach: Supporting UK Pharmacies With Compliance

    HRPayHub’sinnovation extends beyond Nigeria. The platform also supports compliance for independent pharmacies in the UK, showcasing its reliability and ability to compete successfully on a global scale.

    This global reach demonstrates that HRPayHub is not just a local Nigerian platform, but a trusted compliance partner that adapts to different markets while maintaining affordability and accuracy.

    By serving both Nigerian businesses and UK pharmacies, HRPayHub demonstrates that homegrown technology can compete successfully on a global stage. Beyond payroll and compliance in Africa and Europe, our group also extends its expertise to the U.S. healthcare sector through DelonHealth. We provide specialized medical billing services for nurse practitioners and mental health providers in the United States, with a strong presence in Massachusetts. Our solutions cover end-to-end revenue cycle management, claim submission, payer follow-up, and compliance support—helping independent practitioners and clinics maximize reimbursements while focusing more on patient care. This seamless connection between HR, payroll, and healthcare billing illustrates our commitment to delivering reliable, world-class services across industries and continents.

    Conclusion

    The Free Nigeria Tax Calculators are only the starting point. HRPayHub remains committed to making compliance transparent, affordable, and accessible for every type of business. Whether you are an employee seeking clarity on your take-home pay, an SME striving to stay compliant, or a UK pharmacy managing payroll abroad, HRPayHub has built solutions tailored to your unique needs.

    By combining free compliance tools with Nigeria’s most affordable all-in-one HR, payroll, and accounting software, HRPayHub is reshaping the way businesses view compliance. Instead of being a heavy burden, compliance becomes a driver of trust, growth, and sustainability—empowering organizations to focus on what matters most: building their people and scaling their businesses.

  • Why crypto trading is low risk business – Most followed trader in Nigeria, Ahmed XM

    Why crypto trading is low risk business – Most followed trader in Nigeria, Ahmed XM

    Nigeria’s most followed cryptocurrency trader in Nigeria, better known as Ahmed XM, has shared insights into some unknown truths about cryptocurrency trading. 

    Ahmed XM, who is also a forex trading expert and founder of the biggest cryptocurrency trading academy in Africa, XM Trading Academy, started out in the business in 2018 in a most inspiring circumstances, stemming from passion to succeed and attain financial freedom.

    Born on July 7th, 1997, the indigene of Bauchi who obtained a bachelor’s degree in Education from Bauchi state University, 

    has six years down the line become a mystery, combining wizardry with skills to build a globally-recognised virtuoso cryptocurrency profile.

    Ahmed Saifullah Yusuf has made serious financial breakthrough as a professional cryptocurrency trader. However, despite the gains and profitability in the business, most Nigerians have conceived certain myth about the enterprise, one of which is believing the  risk of losing trading capital is high.

    “No, Infact Trading is a low risk business, because you have total control over your money, Ahmed XM said while dispelling the notion.

    ” You determine how much you are willing to expose to the market. (Knowledge of risk management).”

    Apart from monitoring trading graphs on his computer sets, plotting next trading moves and dedicating time to his mentees on his XM Trading Academy, the largest crypto trading community in Africa, the social media is another paradise for Ahmed XM. The 28-year-old explains why he posts his successes on social media. 

    Read Also: Solvicks Trenor Review 2025: Legit Or Scam Crypto Trading Platform? – Facts!

    “It is to inspire other traders and upcoming traders, posting lifestyle on social media motivates other traders that are not yet profitable,” he argued.

    Ahmed XM, who is from a nuclear family of six and the first son, reveled how he accidentally stumbled on cryptocurrency trading while searching for a profitable business after his father, whom he descried as his “role model”, turned down his request for money to meet a need.

    “In 2018, I was motivated by my father’s complaints about my numerous financial requests, this stirred my curiosity to find ways to be financially independent. I googled top 10 ways to make money online and trading was among them. This birthed my journey into trading the financial market (Forex and Crypto),” Ahmed XM.stated. 

  • Four new millionaires emerge in season 10 of FCMB Millionaire promo

    Four new millionaires emerge in season 10 of FCMB Millionaire promo

    A mechanic in Lagos, a computer technician in Osun, a retired civil servant in Abuja, and a wood merchant in Imo are the latest everyday Nigerians to become millionaires through First City Monument Bank‘s (FCMB) ongoing Millionaire Promo Season 10.

    Yusuf Abdulrasak, an automobile mechanic; Taiwo Adeagbo, a computer technician; Victor Ifeachor, a retired civil servant; and Kingsley Nnadi, a wood merchant, each received ₦1 million at the sixth draw of the promo, held nationwide on August 13, 2025. The promo rewarded an additional 1,000 customers who received up to ₦50,000 in cash prizes.

    For Taiwo, the prize is an opportunity to grow his business and empower others.

    “With the ₦1 million, I hope to expand my computer repair services and offer training to young people interested in technology. This will sustain my business and empower the youth in my community,” he said.

    Yusuf, the Lagos mechanic, sees it as a turning point:

    “This ₦1 million is a blessing and a stepping stone. I look forward to upgrading my workshop and acquiring new tools to serve my customers better,” he explained.

    Kingsley called his ₦1 millionprize “a dream come true”, adding that the money will help him stock more wood and expand his reach.

    Victor, the retired civil servant, described it as “timely relief during challenging times” and urged more Nigerians to bank with FCMB.

    Adetunji Lamidi, Divisional Head of Personal Banking at FCMB, said:

    “The Millionaire Promo is about people. It is about supporting our customers’ dreams, helping them grow their businesses, and creating opportunities to thrive. Seeing loyal customers like Yusuf, Taiwo, Kingsley, and Victor plan to use their prizes to expand their businesses and improve their lives reflects the true purpose of this promo.”

    The FCMB Millionaire Promo Season 10, which runs until September 2025, is open to new and existing savings account holders. Dormant accounts can also be reactivated for participation. Customers qualify by increasing their savings balance by at least ₦10,000 and maintaining it for 30 days. Every additional ₦10,000 increases their chances of becoming millionaires or receiving cash prizes in the monthly draws.

    Since the promo kicked off in December 2024, 16 customers have become millionaires, while thousands of others have received different cash rewards. The grand finale draw holds in October.

  • The invisible commodity: Why Charcoal is not on Nigeria’s economic map

    The invisible commodity: Why Charcoal is not on Nigeria’s economic map

    When the Federal Government at the 2025 Forest Economy Summit announced plans to unlock $2 billion from Nigeria’s forest economy, it sounded like progress. The Vice President, Kashim Shettima, called for urgent action, warning that over 90% of our original forest cover is gone. 

    Yet, I believe there is a contradiction at the heart of this initiative: while preaching a sustainable forest economy, the same government is quietly placing  restrictions on charcoal export , a forest product that can  yield more export potential. It’s like discovering  treasure but blocking the path leads to it. We can’t talk “trees into trillions” and sideline the one product most tied to them.”

    Yes, the federal government lifted the charcoal export ban in mid‑2023, but it was conditional not a full repeal. Customs released Circular No. 8 directing that all charcoal exports now require approval letters from the Ministry of Finance and identification support from forest officers at ports. If exporters fail these conditions or if Nigeria misses the EU’s December 2025 deadline for non-deforestation sourcing it could mean another full ban. In other words, it’s not freedom, it’s regulation by exclusion.

    Charcoal, though seen as controversial, is a biofuel, an export asset, and a rural livelihood. In a nation grappling with climate change, there’s a clear paradox: Nigeria’s forests are disappearing, and yet a key product, charcoal, remains invisible in our national policy. By refusing to give charcoal a formal commodity status, we are missing an opportunity to regulate its production, create an export framework, and establish price benchmarks. Our forest cover continues to shrink, a direct result of decades of unsustainable practices and the complete absence of a regulatory framework for products like charcoal. I think we need to move from damage control to sustainability. That means supporting solutions like afforestation, reforestation, and creating policies that recognize forest-based livelihoods and not erase them. Because when we ignore the systems that keep rural communities alive, we lose more than trees; we lose people too. 

    “I see the shift from seeing forest products like charcoal as threats, to treating them as assets, managed responsibly, regulated wisely, and integrated into a greener economy that works for everyone, especially the next generation as strategic and forward thinking.”

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    Charcoal Is Powering Other Economies; Why Not Ours?

    Take Namibia, a nation with about 3 million people and a semi-arid landscape that has managed to turn its natural resources into a significant economic asset.  In 2023 alone Namibia exported 270,000 tonnes of charcoal worth $80.5 million. Now, consider Nigeria; with a far larger population and more extensive forests, our official data for the same year shows we exported just 443 tonnes that year; valued at $119,470. About $54,000 of that went to the UAE; the rest to Europe in small amounts. Let that sink in: a country six times smaller than Nigeria is earning hundreds of times more from a single forest product. 

    This isn’t a problem of production; it’s a stark illustration of a crippling policy gap. 

    Nigeria has significantly higher reserves, better climatic advantage, and international demand especially from UAE, EU, and parts of Asia. Yet we don’t regulate it, don’t protect it, and don’t price it. We are not just missing out, we are watching income leak away through informal channels and black-market trading. 

    The UAE, for instance, only allows a handful of natural exports from Nigeria. Charcoal is one of them, yet due to weak documentation systems, we have many undocumented charcoal shipments. While our neighbours formalize the trade, we let our own operate in disguise.

    According to industry research, the global charcoal market is expected to reach $11.4 billion by 2030. Nigeria loses over 99% of potential revenue because there is no official export policy or commodity designation for charcoal.

    This policy vacuum has a domino effect where Producers are vulnerable to exploitation and underpricing. No tax income is generated from a booming informal export sector. No climate finance or carbon credits are accessible because the industry isn’t tracked. Local communities suffer, even though over 70% of charcoal collectors are women and youth, especially in the north-central and southwest regions.

    Rather than impose tighter restrictions, I believe Nigeria must formally recognize charcoal as a valuable commodity,  a key driver in the government’s $2–3 billion forest economy agenda.

    The Federal Government’s recent forest economy summit signals renewed interest in land use and non-oil income. But unless charcoal is brought into that conversation as a registered, regulated, and priced commodity, it  becomes counterproductive.We’re producing the resource, but our policy gap is killing its potential. We need to do better.

    The solution is not to prohibit, but to formalize. I propose that we recognize charcoal as a legal commodity in our trade and forest policies. We must establish clear export frameworks with sustainability protocols to meet global demand, and empower local producer cooperatives with training and market access. To attract climate finance, we should also implement digital monitoring to regulate harvesting.

    Charcoal is more than fuel; it’s a source of revenue, jobs, and foreign exchange. As the world moves toward sustainable biomass, the answer isn’t restriction, it’s smart regulation. It’s time to build a smart and sustainable policy.

    Mr. Ebenezer Akarah, CEO/Founder, Bricks to Crib Group of Companies.

  • Strengthening credit governance critical to microfinance banks, FITC declares

    Strengthening credit governance critical to microfinance banks, FITC declares

    Continuous education of microfinance bank leaders to strengthen credit governance and strategic resilience has been described as a boardroom imperative.

    This, according to the Financial Institutions Training Centre (FITC), is hinged on the fact that the realities of today’s financial landscape are unambiguous and credit risk is evolving faster than traditional oversight models can adapt.

    The centre noted in a statement yesterday that with borrower defaults surging, inflationary pressures eroding portfolio quality, and technology-enabled lending creating unprecedented exposure, the ability of boards to anticipate, mitigate, and strategically manage credit risk had become a decisive determinant of institutional survival and competitive relevance.

    The centre stated that it was in response to these dynamics, that FITC, a foremost governance, risk, and leadership capacity-building institution for the financial services sector, hosted the 2025 edition of its Continuous Education Programme (CEP) to equip boards and executive management of microfinance banks with the foresight, frameworks, and tools required to lead in an era of complex credit risk.

     It recalled that the event held from July 2 to 3, 2025 in Lagos, brought together 43 senior decision-makers from 16 microfinance banks, represented by board chairpersons, managing directors/CEOs, non-executive directors, legal advisers, and functional heads, describing the representation as a mix reflecting the reality that effective credit governance required seamless board–management collaboration.

    The event, the statement noted, was delivered in collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the National Association of Microfinance Banks (NAMB), whose contributions complemented FITC’s leadership in programme design and delivery.

    FITC noted that it had become necessary to continually remind players in the sector to embrace and entrench the lessons taught and learnt, always remembering that the 2025 CEP was designed to address one of the most pressing issues facing the microfinance sector: the urgent need for boards to move beyond procedural compliance toward active strategic stewardship of credit risk.

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    The statement urged players in the sector to always be guided by the very fundamental lessons offered in the goodwill message delivered by the FITC’s Managing Director/CEO, Dr Chizor Malize, which highlighted FITC’s tailored director-level programmes and its Board Evaluation Services, which MFBs could use to maximise the benefits of FITC’s research, advisory, and capacity-building offerings.

    Malize had stressed the need for operators for operators to be guided by the views expressed by experts, particularly contributions from the Executive Secretary of NAMB, Mr Eddy Orok, who in his keynote address, underscored continuous education of board and senior management, noting that the programme by FITC was of strategic value in shifting credit profiles, governance expectations, and rising digital threats in the microfinance

    The statement also reminded players of the need to continually refresh their knowledge in lessons learnt in Advanced Credit Risk Diagnostics, Strategic Loan Restructuring, Digital Credit Risk Oversight, and Inclusive Credit Governance, among others.

    The statement also reminded players of the need to always reflect on some decisions taken at the 2025 CEP event, which stressed the necessity to always: Define and review credit risk appetite regularly; implement robust early-warning systems for timely risk identification and intervention; formalise Loan Restructuring Policies; establish remedial credit units, among others.

  • Nexim Bank MD to engage youths on wealth creation

    Nexim Bank MD to engage youths on wealth creation

    The Managing Director of the Nexim Bank, Abubakar Abba Bello, will on Tuesday  September 2 by 9am address a gathering of young entrepreneurs and business owners especially in the agriculture and non-oil production value chain as part of effort to drive foreign exchange into the Nigerian economy.

    Bello  will be speaking at a Breakfast event organised by the Youth Wing of the ruling party, APC under the leadership of the National Youth Leader (NYL), Hon Dayo Israel. 

    According to the NYL: “if we are to create more local jobs and attract foreign exchange into Nigeria, we must increase our export in particular non-oil export. 

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    “We must provide information to entrepreneurs on how to access funding and technical support, we must support our businesses to compete globally especially in the African continent leveraging on opportunities created by AFCTA. 

    “This is why we are excited about the engagement with the MD of Nexim Bank to create an interface between these entrepreneurs and our number 1 Export czar”.

    Speaking further, Israel, reiterated that it will be a busy week at the Youth House because we will be having back-to -back sessions and activities to shape the progressive minds of our youths and further leverage of the Renewed Hope Agenda of  President  Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

  • Why Understanding Customer Values Could Make or Break Your Online Business

    Why Understanding Customer Values Could Make or Break Your Online Business

    By Helen Kayode

    In Nigeria’s fast-growing e-commerce space, getting people to notice your product is one thing. Getting them to buy it — and come back for more — is another. The real question for every online seller is simple: what truly matters to customers?

    Here’s the truth — people don’t just buy products; they buy how those products make them feel.

    When someone gives a product five stars, it’s often because it ticked more than one box. Yes, it worked well (functionality). But did it also make them feel good? Did it boost their confidence? Did it earn them compliments or save them time and stress? These are the questions that matter.

    Let’s break it down. Nigerian online shoppers — like shoppers everywhere — care about:

    1. **Functionality**: Does it do what it says it will do?
    2. **Emotional value**: Does it make me feel better, happier, proud?
    3. **Social value**: Will people notice me? Compliment me?
    4. **Economic value**: Is it worth the money?
    5. **Curiosity value**: Does it offer something new or interesting?

    Most sellers focus heavily on pricing or fancy branding. But what many don’t realise is that **functionality is the foundation**. If the product doesn’t work well, nothing else matters.

    But functionality alone isn’t enough anymore. Today’s customers also want to feel something. Products that connect emotionally — whether by making someone feel stylish, smart, or satisfied — leave a lasting impression. And in a world where reviews drive purchases, impressions matter.

    Here’s what this means for Nigerian business owners:

    – **Make your product solid**. Let it work — every time.
    – **Tell a story**. Let your product marketing show how it improves someone’s daily life, solves a pain point, or makes them feel seen.
    – **Use social proof**. Showcase real people, real reviews, and real joy.
    – **Don’t just chase trends** — understand your customer’s values and meet them there.

    The market is full of options. What makes someone choose *you* — and stick with you — is how well you understand what they truly care about.

    In today’s economy, where trust is earned one review at a time, businesses that put customer values at the centre of their decisions will always stand out. Sell more than a product. Sell value. That’s what keeps them coming back.

    E-commerce operates in a world of intense market competition which shows no signs of letting up. Thousands of products become accessible to customers through scrolling and clicking functionality that allows them to make instant comparisons. Their loyalty? Fragile. Their attention? Even shorter.

    To thrive in the market what is the best strategy for an online business? The essential truth shows that people make purchases based on the life-enhancing value which products provide.

    The Hidden Drivers of Customer Loyalty

    Great businesses have learned through market observations that understanding customers extends past their product specifications and pricing details. The process of making buying choices depends on both functional and emotional values which customers identify in products.

    Five distinct “customer values” often drive these decisions:

    Functional Value – Does the product work, and does it work well?

    Emotional Value – Does it spark pride, happiness, or satisfaction?

    Social Value – Does owning it enhance my image or earn me recognition?

    Epistemic Value – Does it satisfy my curiosity or offer something new?

    Economic Value – Does it feel worth the money I’ve spent?

    Why Functionality is the Foundation — But Not the Whole Story

    The most essential rule of business requires sellers to focus on delivering products that function as promised because non-functional items will destroy their business operations. A discount along with an influencer campaign will not save products that perform poorly.

    The Nigerian market requires customers to have absolute confidence in functional reliability because they are knowledgeable and vocal about their opinions. The delivery of perfect-fitting garments and flawless gadgets along with fresh food service creates immediate trust with customers.

    Excellent businesses differentiate themselves through their ability to add emotional and social value to their functional offerings.

    Expert stitching of a dress leads to exceptional results when it helps customers feel confident while earning admiration which enables them to confront challenges with determination. A technology device performs flawlessly on its own yet its position as market leader emerges when designers add fashionable aesthetics and prestige elements to its design.

    The Sweet Spot: Emotion + Social Proof

    The combination of emotional and social value enables customers to build narratives about your brand. Today’s review-driven economy uses those stories as monetary exchange.

    When customers are satisfied they will purchase again along with sharing their positive experiences through posts and recommendations to others. The continuous stream of positive reviews and unprompted Instagram photos serves as social validation which draws additional potential buyers to the brand. Strong functional performance combined with emotional connection makes brands achieve leadership status in their respective industries.

    What This Means for Nigerian Businesses

    The growing e-commerce industry in Nigeria faces intense competition because the market has expanded rapidly. Nigerian consumers fastly honor brands that succeed in their deliveries yet swiftly criticize brands that fall short of their expectations.

    Nigerian businesses selling online must follow these steps to capitalize on customer values for growth:

    Make your product dependable. Deliver on your promise every time.

    Tap into emotions. The marketing strategy should focus on emotions which create feelings of pride and joy alongside confidence and relief.

    Read Also: Investing in Nigeria’s mining sector highly profitable, says Alake

    Showcase real experiences. Authentic reviews alongside real customer testimonials along with genuine images of actual customers should be displayed.

    Anticipate change. Your feedback system should enable you to detect changing customer preferences and perform swift adjustments.

    Why This Approach Works Everywhere

    These principles show strong relevance for the Nigerian market yet they apply universally throughout all markets. People in markets ranging from London to Lagos and New York to Nairobi share a common truth which is that they seek reliability combined with emotional connection and social meaning in their purchasing decisions.

    The universal consumer trust language consists of these values that any entrepreneur must master before expanding their business beyond borders. When you match your product with these values you establish both customer relationships and loyal supporters who will advocate for your brand.

    The Big Picture

    The true market differentiator in an overabundant online marketplace exists where your product establishes a profound connection with your customers’ personal values.

    By creating a bond with customers you shift from being an item vendor to becoming a solution provider who offers emotions and identities. People return to and recommend and discuss such offerings that solve problems while creating emotional connections and personal identities. Global brands emerge from Nigerian entrepreneurs who master these values for their business growth.

    Entrepreneurs in Nigeria who aim to expand globally should understand and fulfill these values because they create serious brands that gain international respect.

    When you contemplate increasing sales you should refrain from asking “How can I sell more?” Instead ask your customers “How can I become more important to them?” Companies that solve this question effectively will both survive and emerge as market leaders.

  • Zacch Adedeji’s push and Nigeria’s revenue future

    Zacch Adedeji’s push and Nigeria’s revenue future

    • By Yushau A. Shuaib

    Yunusa Abdullahi, consummate writer, analyst, and author of “Live Before You Leave” and “The Nigeria of My Dream,” often spoke glowingly of his boss at the National Sugar Development Council (NSDC). A former media aide to a governor, Yunusa later became the pioneer editor of PRNigeria before moving on to the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) as spokesperson.

    He once invited me to a media session with Mr. Zacch Adedeji, who within one year as NSDC Executive Secretary, introduced democratic leadership, innovative reforms, and people-centered policies. He respected predecessors’ legacies, built on existing structures rather than dismantle; enhanced staff welfare, created a positive work environment, advanced sugar self-sufficiency, and ensured industry compliance with the Nigerian Sugar Master Plan and its Backward Integration Programme.

    So, when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appointed Adedeji as Revenue Adviser in 2023, Yunusa penned an insight on the chartered accountant who graduated with First Class honours in Management and Accounting, earned a Master’s degree from Obafemi Awolowo University, and completed an executive programme at the Harvard Kennedy School. Achievements, especially as Oyo State’s Commissioner for Finance where he boosted internally generated revenue, positioned him as a technocrat well-suited to strengthen Nigeria’s fiscal discipline.

    Barely three months later, Adedeji appeared to have faced his toughest challenge when he was appointed Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS). However, from the outset, he wasted no time in proposing bold and aggressive tax reforms that immediately sparked nationwide debate.

    Among them was the replacement of FIRS with a new National Revenue Service (NRS) designed to centralize all government revenue collection—including oil, customs, and port revenues. The goal was to streamline processes and eliminate leakages, but critics feared it would concentrate excessive power in one institution, rivaling the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC).

    Northern governors resisted the proposed Value Added Tax (VAT) formula that allocated revenues based on company headquarters rather than consumption. They argued that the policy would benefit Lagos and Rivers States disproportionately while hurting northern states with high consumption but few corporate head offices.

    Small and medium enterprises (SMEs), particularly in the South-East, raised concerns over compliance burdens despite the reforms raising the threshold for company income tax from ₦25 million to ₦50 million. Social media further fueled misinformation, prompting clarifications that the new regime would protect low-income earners and foster fairness.

    Although the National Economic Council (NEC) advised that the bills be withdrawn for wider consultations, President Tinubu opted to proceed with legislative review and public hearings to incorporate feedback. To many observers, Adedeji was aloof and combative. While criticisms mounted, he refrained from public quarrels, instead quietly engaging stakeholders behind the scenes, often through trusted intermediaries.

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    I witnessed some of these Chatham House-style sessions, including the one hosted by Taiwo Oyedele, the Chairperson of Nigeria’s Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, where stakeholders’ fears were addressed. Adedeji emphasized that the reforms were not designed to stifle businesses but to simplify taxation, plug loopholes, and ensure equity. The strategy was plain but profound: build understanding first and legislate later.

    This approach contrasted sharply with previous reform attempts, where stakeholders were often kept in the dark until policies were rolled out. Adedeji chose the harder but wiser path—nationwide consultations. He interacted with business leaders, tax professionals, policymakers, the organised private sector, and adjusted policies accordingly.

    As Olayinka Akintunde, a former Economic Confidential editor, told me, proactive engagement engenders trust: “Adedeji demystified the tax reforms, showing that reform was about creating a fair, transparent, and efficient system, not imposing burdens.”

    Adedeji also recognised that taxation can not thrive without security. For businesses to operate and taxpayers to comply, stability is essential. This understanding informed his outreach to the military and security agencies. Meetings with the Chief of Defence Staff General Chris Musa and other security chiefs underscored the need for safe environments where businesses and taxable activities can flourish.

    Equally strategic was the collaboration with the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) under Comptroller General Bashir Adewale Adeniyi. Since customs duties, levies, and trade operations are integral to revenue administration, harmonising FIRS and NCS functions became indispensable. Adedeji’s push for alignment was aimed at eliminating duplication, facilitating trade, and boosting efficiency at the borders.

    What sets Adedeji apart is his ability to promote cordial relations, visible in partnerships with policymakers and businesses, revenue authorities and enforcement agencies, the government and citizens. In an era of widespread distrust of government, he demonstrates that engagement is strength, not weakness, and that sustainable reform comes from consensus, not coercion.

    With the tax bills now signed into law by President Tinubu, Adedeji’s journey enters a new phase as the real test of reform lies not in its passage but in implementation. Tax policies, no matter how well designed, fail if they are not accepted and supported by stakeholders. Thus, the revenue chief’s dialogues and collaborations are commendable. Nigeria’s revenue future rests not only on bold policies but also on leaders who can build bridges and inspire collective ownership of reforms.

    By January 2026, it is expected that the outcomes of Zacch Adedeji’s leadership will begin to unfold—through wider acceptance of reforms, higher compliance rates, sustained institutional cooperation, and improved revenue generation. If his bridge-building strategy holds, even reluctant businesses will gradually embrace compliance.

  • Lagos Mainland Trade Fair set to take place

    Lagos Mainland Trade Fair set to take place

    Lagos Mainland Trade fair is set to ignite economic growth and business opportunities. The vibrant city wide event designed to connect communities with businesses, services and institutions that will drive value and economic growth, takes place on 6th and 7th of September at Yard 158, Kudirat Abiola Way, Ikeja Lagos.

    A press statement signed by Monalisa Abimbola Azeh, a lawyer turned entrepreneur, whose company Mona Matthews, curated the event, and Olori Janet Afolabi, Collaborator in the event, who is a CNN award winning journalist and Queen of Apomu Kingdom, said the dynamic and innovative event aims at boosting economic growth and entrepreneurial excellence.

    The Trade Fair promises to be one of the most vibrant shopping and networking experiences of the year.
    More than 100 versatile vendors representing fashion, food, lifestyle, technology, services beauty etc, will showcase their products and services

    Also, there will be food courts, lentertainment, and raffle giveaways.

    The fair will provide networking opportunities, connecting entrepreneurs with potential partners, customers and investors. It is also an opportunity for entrepreneurs to explore new business opportunities, boost sales and brand awareness.

    For the buyers , they will discover new products/ services, interact directly with manufacturers, get discounted prices and exclusive deals.

    According to Azeh, the event will be ” a game-. changer for many businesses and entrepreneurs.It is not just a shopping affair.It is an innovation, discovery and encouraging entrepreneurial strength in Lagos by providing a platform for business to thrive and communities to flourish.”

    Olori Janet Afolabi said the Trade Fair is “a gateway to business opportunities.The collaboration reflects our shared commitment to support local businesses and entrepreneurs through initiatives like this.Together we will create a lasting impact and provide opportunities for growth and expanding accessibility beyond the physical venue.”

    The event will bring together thousands of Lagos residents, SMEs and brands.It is going to be a dynamic market place experience as there will be exclusive bargains, one-of-a- kind brands and a thrilling weekend outing for families.