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Northern youth groups decry politicisation of tax reform bills
By Francesca Hangeior.
A coalition of northern youth groups, students, and community-based organisations have cautioned against the politicisation of the tax reform bills currently before the National Assembly.
The group, which comprised representatives from across the seven states of North-West Nigeria, made the call at a one-day engagement held at Arewa House, Kaduna, on Thursday.
The group also threw its weight on the tax reform bills, while cautioning that it must not be politicised.
Recall that the Nigeria Governors’ Forum has endorsed the tax reform bills submitted by President Bola Tinubu to the National Assembly.
A communique read at the end of the symposium by National Coordinator, Nigeria First Project Initiative, Hamza Saulawa, flanked by National Secretary, Bishir Dauda and the
Awareness Initiative, Coordinator, Coalition of Northern Nigerian Students Forum, Sadi Garba, said the symposium was organised in response to the ongoing debates surrounding the tax reform bills currently before the National Assembly.
According to the National Coordinator of the Nigeria First Project Initiative, “The tax reform bills have the potential to enhance the country’s revenue base, reduce dependence on oil revenue, and ensure a more equitable tax system. However, we are concerned that the discourse has been heavily politicised, regionalised, and ethnically charged.”
The group noted that the politicisation of the tax reform bills is a deliberate attempt to distract Nigerians from the real issues.
“We urge caution and restraint in the debate, advising the public to disregard divisive rhetoric propagated by agents of discord seeking to exploit this issue for political gain,” it said.
The group noted that certain political actors are deliberately manipulating public sentiment, disguising personal interests under the guise of regional or national concern. This has shifted the debate from a focus on tax reforms to an agenda centered on the 2027 general elections.
The group also encouraged Northerners to participate in the upcoming public hearings on the tax bills and to present their views constructively.
“We must ensure that our voices are heard and that our concerns are addressed.”
The participants also called on Northern states to diversify their revenue sources, prioritize agricultural development, and capitalize on federal government policies on solid minerals and livestock development.
According to them, “Northern states have the potential to be economically self-sufficient, but this requires visionary leadership and a commitment to transparency and accountability.”
The group commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s initiatives, such as the establishment of the Ministry of Livestock Development and the creation of the Northwest Development Commission.
“We appreciate the President’s efforts to address the economic and social challenges facing Northern Nigeria,” said Saulawa. However, we must ensure that these initiatives are implemented effectively and that the benefits are felt by the people.”
The communiqué emphasised the importance of accountability, transparency, and visionary leadership in addressing the economic and social challenges facing Northern Nigeria.
“We must work together to build a better future for ourselves and for generations to come. We owe it to ourselves, our children, and our communities to demand more from our leaders and to hold them accountable for their actions,” said the Communique.
The engagement was attended by representatives from various youth groups, students, and community-based organizations from across Northwest Nigeria.
A member of the House of Representatives, Kabiru Alhassan Rirum, has appealed to hunters from the Northern states to desist from moving to the South for hunting purposes.
Kabiru, who represents Rano/Bunkure/ Kibya Federal Constituency reasoned that such movement for hunting purposes was no longer feasible in the present- day Nigeria.
Speaking during a condolence visit to the families of the Uromi hunters in Torankawa town in Bunkure LGA of Kano State on Thursday, Rirum, stressed that the present day Nigeria requires people doing businesses that would not create suspicion that might result or lead to uncertaintie.
“Carrying dangerous weapons and moving around with them from one end to another in this sensitive period of insecurity in the land will surely send a bad signal and results in chaos,” he said.
He recalled that recently over 30 hunters from Rano were apprehended in Ondo State, adding that he had to personally reach out to the Ondo State governor, including showing clear evidence that they were not criminals, before they were released. Rirum, who condoled the victims’ families with the sum of N5 million, pledged to build an Islamic school in the area to cater for the orphans of the deceased hunters.
The Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has said that the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu, Enugu State, will be temporarily shut down for emergency runway repairs.
The Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Obiageli Orah, said in a statement in the early hours of Saturday that this measure measure became necessary due to a sudden and significant rupture in the asphalt surface at a critical section of the runway.
FAAN said that while the repairs are ongoing, all flights would be redirected to nearby airports.
She said: “There is a sudden and significant rupture in the asphalt surface at a critical section of the runway. Hence, emergency repairs will be conducted on that portion of the runway from April 22nd to May 6th, 2025.
“In compliance with Nigerian civil aviation regulations, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has, therefore, closed the runway during this period. As part of FAAN’s commitment to passenger safety and the modernisation of airport facilities, the runway will not be open for landings or takeoffs during the rehabilitation period.
“FAAN appeals to all airport users and stakeholders for their understanding and cooperation during this time. All flights to this airport will be diverted to nearby airports. We sincerely apologise for the late and unexpected notice regarding this closure.”
The UK Home Office has revised the list of Secure English Language Tests (SELT) accepted for visa and citizenship applications.
The SELT is a mandatory requirement for various visa categories and UK citizenship applications.
This update introduces new test formats and clarifies requirements for applicants worldwide.
The change was announced on the official UK Government website, aiming to make the application process more efficient and accessible.
Old SELT test validity
According to the UK Home Office, the current LANGUAGECERT ESOL SELT 4-skills test will be replaced by two new versions:
‘If you’ve already taken the old ESOL SELT test, your test results will remain valid for two years from the date of issue. Additionally, any vouchers purchased for the test can still be used for up to 12 months’, they said
This ensures that applicants who have already taken the previous version are not disadvantaged by the change.
Test Requirements
Depending on the visa type, applicants must either take a full 4-skills test (reading, writing, listening, and speaking) or a speaking and listening only test.
Applicants needing a full 4-skills test include:
Skilled Worker Visa
Health and Care Worker Visa
Student Visa
Start-up / Innovator Founder Visa
Scale-up Worker Visa
High-Potential Individual Visa
Minister of Religion Visa
Temporary Work (International Agreement route)
Applicants needing speaking and listening only include:
UK Citizenship
Settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain)
Partner / Parent Visa
International Sportsperson Visa
Representative of an Overseas Business
Approved SELT test providers
Approved SELT test providers
The UK Home Office reiterated that it continues to recognise SELTs from a number of trusted providers. The government urges applicants to take their SELT at an approved centre, listed by the UK Home Office, and ensure it’s completed within two years of applying.
The approved providers are:
Pearson
Trinity College London
IELTS SELT Consortium
PSI Services (Skills for English UKVI)
LANGUAGECERT
Test locations and booking process in the UK:
Pearson
Trinity College London
IELTS SELT Consortium
LANGUAGECERT
Outside the UK, available test providers are:
Pearson
IELTS SELT Consortium
PSI Services (UKVI)
LANGUAGECERT
Booking a test is straightforward via the providers’ websites. Test slots are generally available within 28 days, depending on location. Applicants are advised:
‘Your booking details must match your identity documents exactly’.
Accepted ID documents
When booking and sitting for your SELT test, the following ID documents are accepted:
Accepted ID Documents for SELT Test
Passport – Most commonly used ID document
UK BRP or BRC – For residents in the United Kingdom
EEA National ID – Accepted if applicable to the applicant
Government-issued photo ID – Accepted for tests taken outside the UK
Applicants should note that emergency or photocopied documents are not accepted under any circumstances.
Once the test is completed, candidates will receive a unique SELT reference number that links their test score to their visa or citizenship application.
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