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  • Tax Reform Bills set for passage at Senate

    Tax Reform Bills set for passage at Senate

    The Senate yesterday passed two of the four Tax Reforms Bills transmitted to it last year for approval by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    The passage of the four Bills followed the presentation of the report of Senate Committee on Finance and the adoption of its recommendations by the Red Chamber during plenary.

    The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, Mohammed Sani Musa (APC, Niger East) presented the report.

    The four Bills are: Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Bill, 2025; Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, 2025; Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, 2025, and Nigeria Tax Bill, 2025.

    The two Tax Reform Bills passed by Senate are: the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, 2025 and the Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, 2025.

    The four Bills were referred to the Senate Committee on Finance for further legislative action after their second reading by the Senate on November 28, last year.

    The Bills had generated heated debates in the polity, thereby forcing the Senate to defer legislative work on them, including organising a public hearing.

    But following wide consultations by the Senate with critical stakeholders and the intervention of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), the clauses containing the proposals for Value Added Tax (VAT) collection and administration, which had generated a lot of criticism, were amended.

    The recommendations of the NGF led to the continuation of legislative work on the Bills by the Senate after a long delay.

    Among others, the Senate adopted the retention of VAT at 7.5 per cent.

    On the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, 2025, the Senate adopted the recommendations of the committee which, among others, states: “The objectives of this Bill should be amended as follows: “To provide for a legal, institutional and regulatory framework for the administration of taxes and revenue accruable to the Government of the Federation, as prescribed by the National Assembly.

    “Clauses 4 of the Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Bill 2025 – functions of the Nigeria Revenue Service – should be amended as follows:

    “Assess persons, including corporations, companies and individuals chargeable with tax, other than individuals, resident in any state of the Federation or the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    “In collaboration with the relevant Ministries and Agencies of Government, subject to the approval of the Senate, review the tax regimes and promote the use of taxation to develop, stimulate and grow economic activities;

    “Adopt measures to identify, trace, freeze, confiscate or seize proceeds derived from tax fraud or evasion, in line with the provisions of this Bill..”;

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    “Clause 7 (1a) of the Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Bill 2025 should be amended as follows:

    ‘The Chairman of the Board who shall be the President; and (b) Executive Vice Chairman who shall be the head of the Revenue Service and subject to confirmation of the Senate.’

    “Clause 13 (2) of the Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Bill 2025 should be amended as follows:

    ‘The Secretary shall be a lawyer, or a chartered accountant or a chartered secretary who shall not be less than the rank of a Deputy Director.’

    “Executive directors should be appointed to the Board of the Service. We propose that the relevant clause be amended as follows:

    “The President shall appoint six Executive Directors for the Service, each representing a geopolitical zone on rotational basis among the states in the zone in alphabetical order provided that the Executive Vice chairman and an Executive Director shall not come from the same state.

    “The timeline for reporting by the service should not exceed three months after the end of the preceding year.”

    The Senate also adopted the recommendation of its Committee on Finance on the Nigeria Tax Administration Bill with the title: “A Bill for an Act to provide for the assessment, collection of, and accounting for revenue accruing to the Federation, Federal, States and Local Governments; prescribe the powers and functions of Tax authorities, and for related matters.”

    The Red Chamber adopted the recommendation on the sharing formula for VAT which states that,”(a) 10 per cent (VAT) to the Federal Government; (b) 55 per cent to the State Governments and the Federal Capital Territory; and (c) 35 per cent to the Local Governments.

    “The amount of VAT revenue standing to the credit of states and local governments shall be distributed among them on the following basis: (a) State Governments: (i) Equality – 50 per cent, (ii) Population – 20 per cent and (iii) Place of consumption – 30 per cent; (b) Local Governments (i) Equality – 70 per cent and (ii) Population – 30 per cent.

    “Change the word ‘derivation’ to ‘place of consumption’ to provide clarity.

    “Penalties for the following offences were amended as follows: Failure to register: (a) N100,000.00 in the first month in which the failure occurs; and (b) N50,000.00 for each subsequent month in which the failure continues.

    “Failure to file returns: (a) N200,000.00 in the first month in which the failure occurs: and (b) N50,000.00 for each subsequent month in which the failure continues

    “Failure to keep books: On request by the relevant tax authority, fails to provide any record or book

    prescribed in this Act shall be liable to pay an administrative penalty of (i) In the case of a person other than a company, N10,000.00, and (ii) In the case of a company, NI00,000.00.

    “Failure to remit tax deducted at source or self-account: A person who fails to comply with subsections (1) and (2), shall on conviction for any of the offences under this section, in addition to the administrative penalty, be liable to a term of imprisonment not exceeding three years.”

    Senate President Godswill Akpabio who presided at plenary, commended his colleagues for painstaking job and for staying till about 5.30pm to consider the two Bills.

    He said the Senate would consider and pass the remaining Bill which include the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Bill, 2025 and the Nigeria Tax Bill, 2025.

    In his remarks during the consideration of the report on the Bills, the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin during the consideration of the report of the Senate Committee on Finance, commended the Senate for passing the Bills despite the disagreements that greeted their introduction at the onset.

    Barau said: “It is time to congratulate the entire Senate and in particular the Committee on Finance and the Elders Committee for the wisdom and leadership that has been shown in these bills. Initially, there were disagreements and there were rancours here and there.

    “But the Senate, standing on its position as the highest assembly in the land, decided to establish this committee, Special Committee to look at all those areas of contention and hear the views of religious leaders, regional organisations and other stakeholders.

    “Now, thank God, the committee also in its wisdom sat with all, had a very robust public hearing and got to where we are now. And thank God, all these areas have been resolved.

    “This is the beauty of democracy. I’m proud to be a member of this Senate for the maturity that has been shown in dealing with this matter. Now, today we are all on the same pedestal, agreeing on this issue. Religious leaders, NGOs, Nigerian Governors’ Forum and the rest. Now we are on the same page.

    “I congratulate all of us, particularly the Special Committee. You have done a wonderful job. I’m proud of you. I’m proud of the leadership for exhibiting the wisdom to set up this committee in the first place.”

  • Military personnel, schools, religious bodies, trade unions to enjoy tax exemption

    Military personnel, schools, religious bodies, trade unions to enjoy tax exemption

    Wages and salaries of military personnel, revenues accruing to non-profit-oriented organisations like religious bodies, pension fund, schools, trade unions and cooperative societies are to be exempted from tax payment when the Tax Reforms Bills become law.

    The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) will also enjoy 50 per cent of funds accruing from the development levy contained in the Report on the bill as submitted on Thursday to the House of Representatives by its Finance Committee.

    The Senate is expected to considered and pass it’s version of the bills this week.

    Barring to the unforeseen, the bills will tomorrow go into third reading in the House for their passage.

    Those exempted from taxation are contained in Section 164 of the Tax Bill.

    The exemptions are: “(a) the profits accruing to, or gains from disposal of assets of, any person being – (i) a statutory or registered friendly society, where the profits or gains are not derived from a trade or business carried on by such society, (ii) a co-operative society registered under any enactment or law relating to co-operative societies, not being profits or gains from any trade or business carried on by that society, (iii) engaged in educational, religious or charitable activities of a public character where the profits or gains are not derived from a trade or business carried on by such person, (iv) a trade union registered under the Trade Unions Act where the profits or gains are not derived from a trade or business carried on by such trade union, (v) a Federal, State or Local Government in Nigeria, their Ministries, Departments and Agencies and other public institutions, other than profits or gains derived from trade or business or any instrumentality established for the purpose of trade or business, and (vi) a government purchasing authority established by an enactment and empowered to acquire any commodity for export or redistribution;

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    “(b) Dividend distributed by authorised collective investment scheme;

    “(c) dividend or rental income received by a real estate investment company on behalf of its shareholders, where not less than 75% of the dividend or rental income is distributed within 12 months after the end of the financial year in which the dividend or rental income was earned, provided that nothing in this subsection shall be construed to exempt a— (i) shareholder from tax on the dividend or rental income received from a real estate investment company (ii) real estate investment company from tax on management fee, profits or any other income earned for and on its own account; and (iii) real estate investment company from tax on dividend or rental income if it does not meet the conditions stipulated in this paragraph.

    “(d) compensating payments, which qualify as dividends under section 5(2)(c) of this Act, received by a lender from its approved agent or a borrower in a Regulated Securities Lending Transaction;

    “(e) compensating payments, which qualify as dividends or interest under section 5(2)(c) of this Act, received by an approved agent from a borrower or lender on behalf of a lender or borrower in a Regulated Securities Lending Transaction;

    “(f) consular fees received on behalf of a foreign State, or by a consular officer on behalf of the State, and the employment income of such officer, other than income in respect of any trade, business, profession or vocation carried on by the officer or in respect of any other employment exercised by him in Nigeria, provided that this exemption shall not apply to the income of an employee engaged in domestic duties, or where the officer or employee ordinarily resides in Nigeria and is not a national of the foreign State.

    “(g) an income in respect of which tax is remitted or exempt under the provisions of the Diplomatic Immunities and Privileges Act or of any enactment, order or notice continued in force or effected by that Act.

    “(h) pension funds and assets created pursuant to the Pension Reform Act;

    “(i) pension, gratuity or any retirement benefits granted in accordance with the Pension Reform Act;

    “(j) wound and disability pensions granted to members of the armed forces or of any recognised national defence organisation, or to a person injured as a result of enemy action;

    “(k) a sum received by way of death gratuities or as consolidated compensation for death or injuries;

    “(l) subject to the provisions of part VIII of chapter two of this Act, redundancy lump sum payment and other compensation of capital nature for loss of employment;

    “(m) gains accruing from the disposal of assets by an angel investor, venture capitalist, private equity fund, accelerators or incubators with respect to a labelled startup provided the assets have been held in Nigeria for a minimum of 24 months

    “(n) income earned from bonds issued by a State or the Federal Government of Nigeria.

    “(o) emoluments of any person serving as other rank and other personnel serving in combat zones, hazardous areas or in designated operations, provided that where any other income accrues to the person, not being income by way of personal emoluments, that income shall be liable to tax under chapter two of this Act.

    “(p) income generated by companies engaged in agricultural businesses including crop production, livestock, aquaculture, forestry, dairy, and such other businesses as described in the Fourteenth Schedule to this Act, for the first five years upon commencement of business.

    “(q) dividend received from investments in wholly export oriented businesses

    “(s) profits of a company engaged in sporting activities.”

    “(t) dividend, interest, rent or royalty derived from outside Nigeria and brought into Nigeria through approved channels

    “(u) income of a person from an employment where such person earns gross income of National Minimum Wage or less from such employment.

    “(v) wages and salaries of military officers.”

  • Tax Reforms Bills: FG targets July 1 for take-off

    Tax Reforms Bills: FG targets July 1 for take-off

    • Expect speedy passage after govs’ backing – Senate spokesman
    • Worst of economic challenges behind us, says Oyedele

    The federal government plans to begin in July the implementation of its tax reforms contained in the four bills now awaiting consideration by the National Assembly, Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, said in Lagos yesterday.

    The committee is the brains behind the tax reforms which received the backing of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) only last week after months of high wire negotiation and consultations.

    The Senate yesterday described the NGF endorsement of the bills as a great boost towards the passage of the bills, but said this would not preclude it from receiving more input on the legislation from the public.

    The Senate is due to resume sitting on January 28 after a short break.

    Oyedele, speaking at an event, The Platform, in Lagos, said the bills would be passed not later than March while further preparations for the reforms implementation would be done in the second quarter.

     “We expect the tax reforms to be approved, particularly the tax reform bills in 2025,” he said.

    “Our expectation is before the end of Q1 and therefore we can give notice to taxpayers to prepare themselves with capacity and begin to implement around 1st of July.”

    He described the reforms as transformational.

    Continuing, he said: “They keep me excited.

     “The reason why I have the energy to keep going is because of the possibilities I see in those reforms, which haven’t been done since independence.

    “Structurally, those reforms will help Nigeria. They will reduce the pressure even on the policy authorities.”

    He said his committee has no objection to the amendment made to the Value-Added Tax (VAT) sharing formula component of the bills by the Governors’ Forum.

    The governors proposed 50 per cent based on equality, 30 per cent on derivation and 20 per cent based on population as against the 20 per cent on equality, 60 per cent based on derivation, and 20 per cent on population suggested by the Tax Reform Committee.

    But Oyedele conceded yesterday that reforms anywhere in the world are not only about what is technically correct but also about political considerations.

     “You also need to consider other things, including political considerations, and so once the governors proposed their formula for sharing the VAT revenue we have no objections to that, because, at the end of the day, if you need to move one kilometre, you don’t have to move all of that at once; you can’t even jump one kilometre at once.

    “Maybe sometimes you need to just move gradually. You know, you take a breather. You reflect, have more data, and then you move again.”

    He said the proposed VAT-sharing formula would affect all sectors of the economy particularly agriculture and manufacturing as well as industries.

     “So I’ll say even if you’re not going to look at everything in that bill, go and find that section where we have those sectors.

    “It’s a pointer to you about where the government wants to redirect the incentive regime.”

    Addressing the economic challenges in the country, Oyedele said the economic reforms of the Tinubu administration were beginning to yield good results.

    He said the worst was over as far as the economy challenges were concerned.

    His words: “Removing subsidies is the best decision we made as a country. And we can now say that for once, subsidy is gone.

    “We were living on window-dressed realities. If you look back to about two years ago, naira exchange rate was N450 depending on who you asked. But was our exchange rate really N450?

    “If you wanted to buy petrol, it was under N200 per litre. But was it really under N200 per litre?

    “There wasn’t band A at the time.

    “A country can afford to sell petrol at N200 per litre if you can afford it. But there is everything wrong if you cannot afford it.

    “I am a parent and will like to send my kids to school. If I can afford a school of N200 million per term, no problem. But if I cannot, they will do just first term and won’t be able to continue their education.

    “Maybe they should go to a school of N200, 000 per term.

    “So, Nigeria was doing worse than it ought to, and then we had this sense of “our economy was not doing great”. We thought that our economy was the largest in Africa.

    “Our GDP was around $450 million. We thought our per capita income was about $2, 000 per person but it was not up to that.

    “Nigeria used all its revenue to service debts. We were not paying debts back. We were just servicing it. In order words, everything we did, from paying salaries to fighting Boko Haram, we were just borrowing.

    “When Nigeria borrowed, we borrowed high digits and those were the funds we were using to run the economy and service debts.

    “If anybody was not losing his sleep with just that alone, then he must be from another planet. The outcome of what was happening was predictable. It was a Sri Lanka happening to us. It was a Venezuela.

    “In those countries you would hold money and you wouldn’t be able to get fuel to buy. In Sri Lanka that you couldn’t drive your car every day of the week because there was no fuel.

    “Our GDP growth rate was very low. Over the past 10 years, less than 10 per cent. If you do it in real-time, it is negative.

     “Ways and Means was high. We were printing money to spend. We couldn’t borrow abroad because they said lending to us was risky. We didn’t have cash flow. And the capacity to borrow locally was low. So we were printing money to spend, and that is even dangerous.

    “We printed close to N40 trillion naira plus interest. And we were surprised there was inflation. Nigerians don’t realise that the invisible controls the visible. And that is because the removal of subsidies is not seen physically. It is not something you can touch.

    “Even some airlines stopped flying to Nigeria because of the backlog of FX debt to foreign airlines.

     “There is nothing wrong with Nigeria. But maybe there is something wrong with the people ruling Nigeria.

    “In America, people get killed every day by gunmen. But have you ever heard Americans say ‘may America never happen to you?’

    “Let’s stop saying ‘May Nigeria never happen to you’. Maybe we can turn it into ‘May Nigeria work for me’.

    “Going by available data, I personally believe that the worst is behind us.”

    Govs’ endorsement of tax reform bills a great boost, says Senate spokesman

    Speaking yesterday on the fate of the bills in the National Assembly now that the governors have endorsed them, Chairman, Senate Committees on Media and Public Affairs, Adeyemi Adaramodu, said it was an impetus for the Senate to proceed with the work it has started on the legislation.

    “We are continuing with our processes now. We have already committed it to the committee on Finance after it scaled through the second reading,” Adaramodu told The Nation on the phone.

    “So, it is already there and then we allowed the consultations to be on too. So the Governors Forum’s endorsement is a boost for the consultation process of the Federal Government.”

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    He said the Committee on Finance has a deadline to report back to the Senate after holding public hearings on the bills.

    He said: “But due to the exigency of the Appropriation Bill which we have to make sure that we pass before the end of this month, that’s why it seems as if work is very slow on it.

    “The Governors Forum’s endorsement of the reform bills, it is a very great boost because they are a critical sector that the federal government must have their own buy into it too and then it’s in the spirit of the consultation which everybody has been asking for in Nigeria concerning the tax reform bills.

    “So we are continuing with our processes, and as soon as possible, the public hearing will still hold and then all other stakeholders will still be called; those ones that are interested, those ones who want to appear in person, those ones who want to submit memoranda, we are still going to consider that and then put them together to inform our collation of all the shades of opinions and contributions and then suggestions on the tax reform bills.

    Responding to a question on whether the governors’ endorsement has removed obstacles to the passage of the bills, Adaramodu said: “The National Assembly is not looking at obstacles. We are looking at executive bills that were given to us, and if we are looking at obstacles, we will not allow them to pass through the first reading and second reading.

    “We are not looking at obstacles in that wise and then the governors were no obstacles.

    “They were talking about the need to consult wider and I am very sure that the drafters of the bills that were passed to us had more engagements with the Governors’ Forum, and they (governors) have now come out after maybe looking at everything and then they have endorsed it.

    “So, the National Assembly, ours is to make laws. Ours is to look at the bills, either private bills or executive bills, and then do the needful, allowing the bills to pass through the crucible of legislative procedures.

    “So, that is where we are. That is what we are going to do. But the endorsement of the bills by the Governors’ Forum is a great boost, as I said, because the governors are a very critical sector in our body polity, economically, socially and politically, because even when the tax bills become laws, then definitely the governors are the ones that are going to execute at the sub national.

    “So their coming into it makes it very, very easy and almost hitch-free because we will still go into the public hearing and then we are going to engage other stakeholders who are interested, who want to come over to the National Assembly in order to present papers, present opinions and present their stand too.”

    On whether the processes towards the passage of the Bills would be fast-tracked after the passage of the 2025 budget by the National Assembly, he said: “Exactly.”

    “Then we expect that the Committee on Finance would have been doing a lot on it and we are very convinced that immediately after the passage of the budget when we resume after January 28, then the public hearing will still come up.

    “But the Nigeria Governors’ Forums endorsement of the Bills is a great elixir that will assist the smooth passage of the Bills into law. But despite that, we will still expect other stakeholders to file in their own contributions.”

  • Tax Reforms Bills: In defence of opponents

    Tax Reforms Bills: In defence of opponents

    The rejection of President Tinubu’s tax reform package of four main bills: the Nigeria Tax Bill, the Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, and the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Tax Reform Bill” by predominantly northern political leaders, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the Northern Governors Forum and some 73 members of the National Assembly, has once again brought the past to pain by reminding us of our intractable crisis of nation-building.

    Predictably, while the bill received the blessing of Ohanaeze, the Igbo socio-cultural group, Afenifere, its Yoruba counterpart and N/Central geopolitical zones who believe the bills represent a transformative opportunity for the rejuvenation of SMES, it was roundly rejected by its northern opponents in spite of the capacity of the bills to “simplify the tax landscape, reduce the burden on small businesses, and streamline tax collection processes”.

    But as we say in this business, the medium is the news. Precisely because attack on the opponents of the four bills are coming from southern politicians and social media assailants who hardly understand the issues at stake, I cannot but sympathise with those opponents of the bills who have come under intense stress and strain these past two weeks. They are, in my opinion, the only set of politicians who know what they want out of Nigeria and how to fight for it. They have an unwavering commitment to their demand no matter how sectional or parochial since “Nigerian nationalism became fractured by the dynamics of power politics, or the struggle for the so-called national cake”. (Mogwugo Okoye, African Guardian, Dec 27, 1993).

    Many have long concluded that the problem of Nigeria politics is the problem of the dominant ethnic groups, who insist that no one gets what they cannot get, their hypocritical educated elites and their political parties. Of the three competing dominant groups, the confused Yoruba who seem not to know what they want out of Nigeria, is most guilty. It is on record that while the more conservative elements among their celebrated leaders such as Bode Thomas, SLA Akintola and Rotimi Williams, wanted regionalism to protect their Yoruba nation from the reign of one-eyed king, their leader, Obafemi Awolowo, was an unrepentant federalist. This many have argued was because the Yoruba are by nature federalist. Others have also argued that it was because federalism guarantees unity in diversity in deeply divided societies following “the purgatory of two world wars in the 20th century” when federal revolution was regarded “as the only safeguard for peace and stability in a rapidly changing world.” (Daniel Elazer). The less charitable have argued that Awolowo was a victim of his ambition to rule Nigeria having blamed Awolowo for developing  a messianic complex believing he could replicate the giant strides he made in the West. The question northern hegemonic powers who detested Yoruba arrogance, according to Professor Banji Akintoye who recently narrated his encounter with a northern colleague, has always been “who told Awolowo, northern youths wanted free education?”

    Of course Awo paid for his audacity. Shortly after Sardauna, Tafawa Balewa and Michael Okpara had mooted the idea of a preventive detention system in the country, Balewa declared state of emergency in the West on May 29, 1962 while Isaac Boro’s Ijaw uprising and Benue/Jos uprising that were suppressed by the military by force of arms did not attract declaration of state of emergency.

    Balewa went on to illegally inaugurate Coker Commission of Inquiry to look into the operations of Western Region’s corporations. In case that failed, Balewa also inaugurated treasonable felony probe which later jailed Awo and his supporters. Ahamdu Bello, according to Trevor Clark, “saw an opportunity to do in Awolowo, while the NCNC saw an opportunity to destroy AG and Western Region”. (Trevor Clark: Balewa the Right Honorable Man,  pages (550-554).

    The Igbo of the east are perhaps the best at the game of ostrich playing – hiding their heads in the sand believing no one sees them. Their goal, like that of the hegemonic power in the north, is the control of Nigeria. Zik as an Ibo jingoist gave this away in his presidential address to the Ibo Federal Union in 1949 when he declared: “It would appear that God of Africa has specially created the Ibo nation to lead the children of Africa from the bondage of the ages…” In 1948, another Ibo leader and member of the legislature had said the domination of Nigeria by the Ibo is a question of time.

    The game plan was promotion of a unitary system in a multi-ethnic society, or in the alternative, splitting the country into unwieldy 17 states that could not sustain themselves and where federating states have no power to eject criminals who import fake drugs into their states or armed immigrant herdsmen who illegally occupy federating states’ reserved forests.

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    Zik like Awo was also humbled. He allowed northern elite to root for the status quo because it has given them so much in addition to entrenching their hegemony in the nation in spite of creation of smaller state out of the huge former northern region. The north and its political elite have demonstrated that they are by far more astute politicians and more shrewd bargainers. Unlike the Yoruba and Ibo adept at playing the ostrich, they have never pretended about their goal which is Nigeria that would serve as home to stateless Fulani across West Africa.

    The north could not have asked for a better supporter than the British colonial masters who in an effort to protect her neo-colonial interest in Nigeria, encouraged and actively aided our northern ruling elite to betray Nigeria. Britain easily acceded to the 1951 northern three points demand: i.e. 50% of membership of the Legislative Council as against 25 for each of the regions,  revenue allocation based on per capita and retaining the boundaries especially between the north and west. (The 1951 census exercise was based largely on assumptions. With the rejection of the 1962 figures by northern leaders, a new census held in 1963 discovered additional 8.5 million people in the north bringing the northern population to 31m).

    And just as the 1951 allocation of 50 percent of the total seats in the House of Representatives to the Northern Region meant that only laws acceptable to the region would be passed by the house, today’s opponent of Tinubu’s tax bill are counting on their numerical strength to decide the fate of the bill.

    Another demonstration of British support for the north was James Robertson’s decision to call on Balewa to form government on December 15, 1959 with voting returns showing  that NPC was trailing the two other parties by 116  to 150, a decision that rendered the final result of NPC 150 seats  to  the other two parties 162 seats and independent 8, that came later on the December 19 just ‘a force majeure’.

    Ahmadu Bello rather than deny that Britain aided the north to hold the nation hostage, explained on page 33 of his book, My Life: The Sardauna of Sokoto that “The British were the instrument of destiny and were fulfilling the will of God in the way they did it all”.

    While Zik and Awo kept on playing the ostrich long after the death of nationalism, Prime Minster Balewa who had earlier described Nigeria as a British intention” insisted revenue must be based on need rather than derivation of resources”.

    In an answer to those who challenged him to act as a patriot, he had said ‘we are trying to build a mighty house on a foundation of straw … the question I have always asked: do we want Nigeria to be a happy place for everybody or a hell to the masses and a paradise for the few? North would very much like to march with the rest of Nigeria just at a reasonable speed, not at an impossible speed for the north”.

    Like their forbears, this is the same message northern critics of Tinubu’s tax bills are passing. The joke is on southern politicians including  Zik, the foremost Nigerian nationalist and celebrated intellectual who told reporters in London in 1957 that he and Ahmadu Bello’s position on the minority issue was taken in the interest of Nigerian unity. Sixty four years after, Nigerians are haunted by the echoes of Zik’s October 1, 1960’s “we are today no more a geographical expression” to deride Awo, his more discerning opponent.

    For all his pains, the celebrated Zik of Africa became a titular president, an onlooker while Balewa exercised all powers by virtue of the September 19, 1963 Republican Constitution which abolished the Judicial Service Commission, replaced the Privy Council in London with the Supreme Court as the highest court of appeal, and  the  enactment of  a Preventive Detention Act to restrain personal liberty.

    Today, the consolation for Nigerians who love our country is that President Tinubu by his ongoing efforts at walking the tight rope understands the imperative of addressing the national question.

  • JUST IN: South-south senators endorse Tinubu’s Tax Reforms Bills

    JUST IN: South-south senators endorse Tinubu’s Tax Reforms Bills

    All senators from the south-south geopolitical zone in the 10th Senate have endorsed the tax reform bills currently under consideration by the National Assembly.

    In a communiqué released in Abuja, the senators also expressed unwavering confidence in Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

    Their support for the Tax Bills came amid resistance from certain quarters calling for their withdrawal by the presidency. 

    However, the south-south senators emphasised that their backing stems from a shared commitment to boosting national revenue and driving economic growth.

    The communiqué was signed by Senator Seriake Dickson (Chairman), Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe (Secretary), Senator Barinada Mpigi, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, Senator Neda Imasuen, Senator Munir Ned Nwoko, Senator Thomas Joel-Onowakpo, Senator Aniekan Bassey, Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, and Senator Allwell Onyeso.

    Other signatories include Senator Ipalibo Banigo, Senator Benson Agadaga, Senator Konbowei Benson, Senator Eteng Jonah Williams, Senator Ekong Sampson, and Senator Ede Dafinone.

    The communique reads in part: “After a meeting held on the 4th of December, 2024, we, the Senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria from the South-South Geopolitical Zone, met on Wednesday, December 4, 2024, to deliberate on key National issues and the role of the Senate in advancing the collective interest of the Country. After extensive discussions, the following resolutions were made:

    “The South-South Senators unanimously agreed and passed a vote of confidence in the Senate President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    “We reaffirm our unwavering commitment to standing by him and supporting his leadership in steering the Senate toward its constitutional mandate of making laws that serve the best interests of the nation and its citizens.

    “We pledge our full support to the Senate President and the leadership of the National Assembly in their efforts to ensuring the effective and timely passage of legislation aimed at promoting good governance, national unity, and economic development.

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    “Recognizing the importance of tax reforms in enhancing national revenue and fostering economic stability, we resolved to support the Tax Reforms Bills.

    “This support will be anchored on a comprehensive study and thorough evaluation of the content of the Bills to ensure they align with the overall interest of Nigerians, particularly the well-being of the South-South region.

    “The Caucus calls for restraint on the part of those bent on introducing sentiments, whether regional, ethnic or tribal to a national dialogue and looks forward to robust interactions and consultations as already commenced by the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    “We remain committed to working collaboratively with our colleagues across the Senate and all stakeholders in fostering a legislative agenda that guarantees the peace, prosperity, and progress of our beloved nation.”

  • Northern youths defend Barau, condemns misrepresentation of Tax Reforms Bills 

    Northern youths defend Barau, condemns misrepresentation of Tax Reforms Bills 

    The Northern Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has condemned the misrepresentation of Deputy Senate President Sen. Barau Jibrin’s stance on the proposed tax reform bills, describing it as unjust.

    The tax reform bills currently before the National Assembly include the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024, which outlines the country’s fiscal framework for taxation, the Tax Administration Bill for streamlining tax processes, the Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Bill to replace the Federal Inland Revenue Service Act, and the Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill, which proposes a tax tribunal and ombudsman.

    During a press conference in Kaduna, NYCN President Isah Abubakar urged Nigerians to examine the bills thoroughly before forming opinions. 

    He argued that labeling the reforms as anti-north is a politically motivated narrative pushed by opponents seeking to tarnish Jibrin’s reputation.

    Abubakar highlighted that government policies evolve based on prevailing circumstances, urging citizens to engage constructively rather than misinterpreting intentions for political gains.

    He criticised Sen. Mohammed Ndume’s presentation on the floor of the house, which allegedly presented Senator Jibrin in a wrong light.

    “Senator Ali Muhammad Ndume have unlimited access to the Deputy Senate President and should have spoken to him than unnecessary rising an eyes brow.

    “Senator Jibrin is as a committed leader of the North, who has demonstrated exceptional leadership skills and raised the bar of leadership in Northern Nigeria.

    “His achievements include facilitating the creation of the North West Development Commission and attracting numerous opportunities for the region’s development.

    “We at the Northern Youth Council of Nigeria are calling for a correction of the narrative surrounding Senator Jibrin’s stance, which we believe is politically motivated and aimed at destroying his hard-earned reputation.

    Read Also: Arewa youths laud Senate over passage of Tax Reforms Bill for second reading

    “We must come to the reality that things must change. Northern governors must look inwards and become creative around turning things around for good. they must change the way they use public funds for personal business and concentrate on building infrastructure,” Abubakar said.

  • Tax Reforms Bills pose no threat to government agencies, says FIRS boss

    Tax Reforms Bills pose no threat to government agencies, says FIRS boss

    Government agencies got an assurance from the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Zacch Adedeji, that the four tax bills being discussed in the National Assembly will neither hurt their operations nor affect the jobs of their employees.

    The FIRS boss gave the assurance yesterday in Abuja during a meeting with the chief executives of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND).

    Adedeji’s clarification was in response to worries that the proposed name change for FIRS to Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) could result in the merging of various federal agencies.

    He, however, explained that the changes outlined in the bills are intended to improve the efficiency of these agencies rather than diminish them.

    “There is nothing in the bills that will reduce your funding or effectiveness. Instead, these provisions will help build a strong foundation for your sustainability,” Adedeji said.

    He restated the Federal Government’s commitment to improving its financial outlook to support all agencies.

    Read Also: Makinde approves N80,000 minimum wage for Oyo workers

    According to him, the goal of the proposed bills is to enhance tax efficiency and simplify the tax process for everyone involved.

    Adedeji pointed out that once these bills become law, agencies will be able to concentrate on their specific roles rather than worrying about collecting revenue.

    He also mentioned that the current tax laws are outdated and overlapping, which creates confusion.

    The aim of the ongoing reforms, he nother, is to help Nigeria become a more attractive place for investment.

    “To convince business people worldwide that Nigeria is their best choice for investment, we need to make our tax system more streamlined and efficient,” Adedeji said.

    Reps Finance backs Service

    Also yesterday, the House of Representatives Committee on Finance lauded the FIRS for its impressive progress and achievements, pledging unwavering support to the agency.

    The committee gave its support during its members’ oversight visit to the Abuja headquarters of the agency.

    Led by James Faleke, the Committee members inspected the agency’s permanent headquarters currently under construction in the Central Business District (CBD).

    In a statement issued by Dare Adekanmbi, Special Adviser on Media to the FIRS Chairman, Faleke expressed satisfaction with the transformation under Adedeji.

    Noting the agency’s strides in increasing tax revenue and the ongoing infrastructural development, the statement reads: “For us, we can only commend the staff and management of FIRS and of course the contractors, for a job well done.

    “We have seen the quality of work being done. They have designed it very well, and when we asked questions, they provided satisfactory answers. We are impressed.

    “We visited the temporary building where FIRS currently operates and engaged with directors and staff. It is evident that chairman Adedeji has settled well into his role, and the staff are pleased with his leadership.”

    Faleke further said: “Once the Nigerian Revenue Service bill is passed, we anticipate launching it in this new building, which will boost revenue generation for Nigeria.  “We have always supported FIRS. Our committee is pivotal. If we withdraw our support, it would destabilize the system. It’s not about encouragement; it’s about fulfilling our duty to do what is right.”

    Adedeji assured that FIRS would continue its collaboration with lawmakers to advance Nigeria’s development.

    He said: “Our focus remains on ensuring efficient tax administration to generate revenue that supports national growth. We appreciate the Committee’s oversight and commitment to strengthening our operations.”