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Nigeria’s VAT collection, lowest in Africa – Abbas
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The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has described Nigeria’s Value Added Tax collection as the lowest in the African continent.
This was as the Speaker attributed the development to what he referred to as significant inefficiencies in the nation’s tax system.
According to the Speaker, the House would continue to do its part to assist the Federal Government’s drive to reposition the nation’s economy.
Mr Abbas stated this on Tuesday in Abuja, while delivering a keynote address at the opening of a two-day retreat for members of the House.
The legislative retreat on economic transformation and development was organised by the House in collaboration with the Federal Inland Revenue Service and the Konrad Adenauer-Stiftung Foundation.
Speaking on the theme, “Navigating change: Legislative strategies for economic transformation”, Abbas noted that the House made a deliberate decision to focus on tax reforms and modernisation as well as a review of the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Reform Act (2021).
He said, ”Comparatively, Nigeria’s efficiency in collecting Value Added Tax is the lowest among its African peers, indicating significant inefficiencies in its tax system.
“This trend of low tax revenue, coupled with a continued dependency on the increasingly unstable oil revenue, presents a major risk to Nigeria’s fiscal sustainability. It also highlights an important area for potential reform to boost revenue and stabilise the country’s economic framework.
“The lack of growth in non-oil revenue sources and the volatile nature of oil income underscore the urgent need for Nigeria to diversify its revenue base and enhance its fiscal management to ensure economic stability and growth.”
The Speaker also expressed delight that the legislative retreat was taking place “at a point in our nation’s economic landscape when the current administration is diligently implementing policies and initiatives to steer our economy towards recovery, growth, and sustainable development.”
He continued, “As a critical arm of government, the legislature has a crucial role in shaping our nation’s economic transformation and development.
“Part of our law-making powers is the authority to enact tax reforms and strengthen resource governance mechanisms. By designing and implementing progressive tax policies, we strive to ensure a fair and efficient tax system that boosts revenue while fostering economic growth and equity.
“This involves not only broadening the tax base and simplifying tax codes but also enhancing compliance and minimising loopholes that benefit only the wealthy.
“Furthermore, the legislature’s oversight function is central in the governance of natural and financial resources. It ensures transparency and accountability in the exploitation and management of resources, which is essential for sustainable development.
“By holding government and private sectors accountable, the legislature helps prevent the mismanagement and corruption that can often undermine economic progress.”
While stating that Nigeria’s tax revenue struggles are primarily due to narrow bases for indirect taxes, low compliance rates among taxpayers, substantial tax exemptions, and generally low tax rates, the Speaker maintained that the situation was compounded by “a lack of enthusiasm and morale for tax compliance, contributing to the nation’s underwhelming fiscal performance.”
Speaker Abbas noted that several empirical studies had shown that Nigeria has the potential to further increase revenue if priority tax reforms are implemented. He stated that “the House stands ready to support the Executive to achieve its overall goal of reversing the negative trend.”
Another area of focus at the retreat, Speaker Abbas said, was the potential of digitalisation and technology to transform tax administrations by enhancing the efficiency, transparency, and fairness of tax systems. He said these advancements enable tax authorities to collect, process, and utilise information more effectively, leading to improved operational capacities.
For taxpayers, he stressed that integrating digital tools could simplify compliance, making it a more seamless part of everyday personal and business activities, thereby reducing friction and increasing ease of engagement with tax systems.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Ex-Minister of Information, Prof. Jerry Gana, on Saturday collected the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Certificate of Return on behalf of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan during the party’s National Convention in Abuja.
The certificate was handed over by the PDP Interim National Working Committee led by Kabiru Turaki, SAN. The presentation has renewed focus on the party’s preparations for the 2027 presidential election.
The event was held at the convention venue in Area 10, Garki, with party leaders, delegates, former ministers, state officials, and supporters in attendance.
Gana received the certificate on Jonathan’s behalf before the crowd. The moment quickly became a major talking point and put the former president back at the centre of political discussions as the PDP debates strategy and possible candidates for 2027.
Speaking to supporters and journalists after receiving it, Gana drew significant attention from attendees and political observers tracking developments in the opposition party.
The development comes as PDP continues internal discussions on leadership structure and future direction. Many members believe decisions in the coming months will shape the party’s chances in the 2027 presidential race.
Political watchers are closely following events in the PDP as it works to strengthen its position ahead of the next election cycle.
More details are expected as the convention proceeds.
Angry protesters lockdown Ibadan, demand urgent rescue of abducted Oyo teachers, pupils
Hundreds of teachers and civil society activists marched through Ibadan on Friday, demanding immediate action to free colleagues and pupils kidnapped in Oriire Local Government Area.
The protest, led by the Oyo State Teachers Action Group and the Nigeria Teachers Congress, NTC, followed the May 15 abduction of victims in Esiele and Yawota communities near Ogbomoso.
—“Do more to rescue them”—
NTC National President Rev. Bunmi Thomas told protesters the rally was lawful and necessary. “We are demanding pragmatic action from government to secure the release of the abducted teachers and students,” he said.
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While acknowledging ongoing rescue efforts, Thomas insisted more must be done: “If the government is trying and the result is not there, then efforts must be intensified.”
He raised alarm over the children’s condition: “We have kids as young as two and three years old in the bush, exposed to rain and harsh weather.”
Thomas also called for security in all public schools: “We cannot continue to work while living in danger. Government must attach security personnel to every government school.”
He stressed the protest was not against Governor Seyi Makinde: “No reasonable teacher in Oyo State is against Governor Makinde because he has performed excellently well.”
—Government responds–,
Executive Assistant on Security Matters, retired CP Sunday Odukoya, addressed protesters on behalf of the state government. “It is your constitutional right to protest and let government know your concerns,” he said, assuring that rescue operations were ongoing.
Odukoya also promised no teacher would be victimized for joining the protest.
Protesters said their only demand is the safe and swift return of the kidnapped teachers and pupils.
[ Channels TV]
A Federal Capital Territory, FCT, senatorial aspirant under the platform of the Nigerian Democratic Congress, NDC, has revealed how the primary election was allegedly manipulated by some party leaders.
Recall that the activist-turned politician contested for the FCT Senate but pulled out over alleged misconduct by officials.
In a lengthy statement detailing how the primary election was conducted, Aisha alleged that the exercise was conducted in a closed room with “predetermined outcome dressed in procedural formalities”.
She said after the exercise was “repeatedly postponed”, the venue was also “changed at the last minute”.
Aisha alleged that the “guidelines of the party were not followed. Delegate based process was introduced to be conducted at a central location instead of the direct primaries to be conducted at Local Government headquarters.
“When the moment came, the contest was not decided by delegates in the open; it was affirmed in a closed room, away from the people whose voices it was supposed to reflect.
“The party will indeed go on to release statements upon statements about the free and fair nature of the Abuja FCT primaries.
“They are entitled to their voice, but the facts that transpired when litigated by conscience and the guidelines of the electoral act do not reflect justice and fairness”.
Finally, PDP Faction Presents 2027 Certificate of Return to Jonathan at Abuja Convention
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Angry protesters lockdown Ibadan, want immediate rescue of abducted Oyo teachers, pupils
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