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Nigeria Needs Comprehensive Reforms To Expand Its Tax Base – Speaker Abbas

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…say we’re consulting stakeholders to address concerns of 4 tax bill
…assure NASS will ensure equity, protection of vulnerable Nigerians
By Gloria Ikibah
Speaker of the House of Representatives Rep. Tajudeen Abbas has said that Nigeria needs “comprehensive tax reforms to broaden the nation’s tax base.
Speaker Abbas stated this while delivering the votes of thanks during the presentation of the 2025 budget to a joint session of the National Assembly by President Tinubu, said that the leadership of the House has commenced a series of engagements with the relevant stakeholders to address the concerns raised on the four tax reform bills transmitted to the National Assembly by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He reiterated the commitment of the House, and indeed the National Assembly to ensure equity and the protection of vulnerable Nigerians.
He said, “Nigeria’s low tax revenue also remains a major constraint. Our tax-to-GDP ratio, currently at approximately 10.9 per cent for 2024, is among the lowest in Africa, significantly below the continental average of 15.6 per cent. In comparison, South Africa’s tax-to-GDP ratio stands at 25.4 per cent, while Rwanda and Ghana, with much smaller populations, report ratios of 15.1 per cent and 14.1 per cent, respectively.
“Even our VAT collection efficiency – at approximately 20 per cent – is notably below the near 70 per cent efficiency achieved by South Africa, Equatorial Guinea, and Zambia.”
“Addressing these challenges requires urgent and comprehensive tax reforms to broaden our tax base, improve compliance, streamline administration and reduce reliance on borrowing.”
Speaker Abbas, therefore, stated the preparedness of the National Assembly to work with the President Tinubu-led administration towards achieving the required reforms.
“The National Assembly will continue to work with your administration to ensure that such reforms are equitable, effective, and considerate of the needs of vulnerable populations.
“To this end, we have engaged stakeholders to address concerns raised on the tax reform bills, fostering trust and cooperation. I have personally led numerous high-level meetings and consultations with state governors and other key stakeholders on this issue, achieving positive outcomes”, he added
According to Speaker Abbas, the reforms by the Tinubu administration have “disrupted the status quo, sparking resistance from vested interests.”
He added: “Yet, these courageous measures underscore your resolve to prioritise the welfare of Nigerians.”
“The National Assembly stands ready to support these reforms through legislative backing and to facilitate public engagement for greater understanding and acceptance.”
He stated that collaboration between the three arms of the government remains essential to achieving the shared objectives.

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Just in: Dangote Refinery jerks up price of fuel

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The refinery announced the increase on Wednesday, hiking the the price from N1,200 to N1,275 per litre.

In the same way, coastal prices have gone up to N1,215 per litre.

This adjustment amid Brent crude trading at $114.80 per barrel marks a 3.15% increase.

Recall that the Brent crude has increased to $115 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate rose to $103 per barrel on Wednesday.

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Unbelievable: Police say officer who publicly executed handcuffed Delta man was under “spiritual attack”

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The Nigeria Police Force has claimed that the extrajudicial killing of a handcuffed suspect by Officer Usman Nuhu in Delta State to potential spiritual forces, a statement that has sparked widespread outrage and disbelief across the country.

“I will start with the issue at hand, which is a very sad issue.

” There is no explanation for this. I don’t just get what was wrong with that policeman (Mr Nuhu),” Bright Edafe, the spokesperson for the Delta State Police Command, said in an interview with Channels TV on Wednesday.

“Police cannot attribute problems to spirituality, but that may not be far from it. Because that’s the only explanation one can give to what he did,” Edafe added.

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The shocking statement comes days after a viral video sighted showed Officer Usman Nuhu executing a handcuffed suspect in broad daylight along the Warri–Sapele Expressway in Effurun, Delta State.

The victim has been identified as Mene Ogidi, a young man who had been apprehended for allegedly attempting to waybill a parcel containing a Beretta pistol with four rounds of ammunition.

In the graphic video, the handcuffed suspect was seen begging for his life, shouting, “I will talk! I will take you to the person who gave me the waybill!”

Despite his pleas, Officer Nuhu was seen taking a magazine from a fellow policeman, inserting it into his AK-47 rifle, and shooting the suspect at close range. The victim died instantly.

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The police spokesperson’s suggestion of a spiritual explanation has been met with widespread condemnation from human rights activists, legal experts, and ordinary Nigerians who view it as an attempt to deflect responsibility from the officer’s actions.

Many have pointed out that the police force had already condemned the killing and transferred Officer Nuhu to Force Headquarters in Abuja to face the Force Disciplinary Committee for summary disciplinary measures and prosecution.

The Inspector-General of Police had also extended condolences to the family of the deceased and assured them that justice would be served.

However, the latest statement from the Delta Command appears to contradict the earlier stance of the Force Headquarters, raising questions about whether the police are seriously pursuing accountability or seeking supernatural excuses for extrajudicial killings.

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Police nab suspects over alleged removal of 19-yr-old girl’s womb

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The police have nabbed two suspected human trafficking operatives in connection with the alleged removal of the womb of a 19-year-old girl in a disturbing case of gender-based violence and organ trafficking.

Commissioner of Police, CP Yemi Oyeniyi, made the disclosure on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, during the Command’s first quarter press briefing, where he outlined operational achievements from February to date.

According to a report filed on April 3, 2026, at about 5:30pm., a woman from Ekpan community in Uvwie local government area raised alarm after her teenage daughter returned home in a visibly deteriorated state of health.

The victim, who had been residing with her father in Okpaka, reportedly visited her mother in Ekpan, where concerns about her condition prompted questioning.

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In her account, the 19-year-old disclosed that in September 2025, she and two friends were introduced to a woman identified as Blessing Mongo, 47, who allegedly linked them to another suspect, Esther, 32.

The suspects reportedly facilitated their movement under the pretext of travelling to Ivory Coast.

The victim alleged that shortly after arriving in Ivory Coast, she was injected with an unknown substance and subsequently taken to a hospital.

Upon regaining consciousness, she discovered that her abdomen had been surgically treated.

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She further claimed that she was later returned to Nigeria and abandoned in Lagos before finding her way back to Delta State.

Following the report, police operatives arrested two suspects, Blessing Mongo and Esther, while investigations commenced.

The case has since been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for a more detailed probe.

Medical examination conducted as part of the investigation reportedly confirmed that the victim’s womb had been removed without her consent, raising serious concerns over an alleged organ trafficking operation.

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Police authorities confirmed that the two suspects remain in custody as investigations continue, with efforts ongoing to apprehend other individuals linked to the case.

The police assured the public that justice would be pursued and urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities, particularly those involving human trafficking and exploitation.

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