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Keyamo made this disclosure after a high-level meeting in Abuja convened to address the sharp rise in aviation fuel costs. He said President Bola Tinubu, who was briefed on the outcome, directed that a formal proposal be submitted for his immediate consideration. ‘The first request that he will consider and grant is a generous discount on the debts the airlines are owing the aviation agencies – NAMA, FAAN, NCAA, and so on,’ Keyamo said. ‘The percentage of discounts and all that, Mr President will decide.’

Tinubu is also expected to set up a committee to review the multiple taxes, levies, and charges imposed on domestic tickets, with a view to reducing the cost burden on passengers. The president will additionally meet airline operators directly to discuss broader issues around access to capital.

Airlines want more

Airline operators welcomed the government’s intervention but pushed for significantly more. Allen Onyema, chairman of Air Peace, said the proposed discounts did not go far enough, calling instead for a total waiver of all debts owed to aviation agencies and a suspension of further payments until the Strait of Hormuz is reopened.

Onyema described the financial pressure on airlines as severe, with operators forced to borrow money to sustain fuel purchases while struggling to maintain safety and maintenance standards. He also called on the government to address the punishing interest rates on aircraft financing in Nigeria, where airlines borrow at 30 to 35 per cent – compared to around 3 per cent in other jurisdictions. ‘This is killing,’ he said, urging the government to recapitalise the Bank of Industry, which he described as the only lender still offering relatively affordable rates to airlines.

The fuel price spike

At the heart of the crisis is a more than 300 per cent increase in the price of Jet A1 fuel, which has climbed from N900 per litre as of 28th February to N3,300 per litre. Onyema said the rise was disproportionate to global crude oil price movements and called for marketers to be held accountable. ‘Even Dangote is surprised, because what he is selling to us still remains the cheapest, and some of them lift from there,’ he said. ‘So why the astronomical rise?’

The Airline Operators of Nigeria had threatened to suspend operations from 20th April over the fuel costs but subsequently announced a temporary stand-down following appeals from the minister.

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Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Lagos State governor, says Nigeria’s ongoing tax reforms mark a ‘genuine shift’ and the structural overhaul needed to strengthen the country’s fiscal framework, citing new efforts to unify revenue administration and protect taxpayers’ rights.

Speaking Wednesday at the 159th meeting of the Joint Revenue Board (JRB) in Lagos, the governor highlighted the replacement of the Joint Tax Board (JTB) with the JRB as a pivotal reform.

He noted that the expanded mandate of the new body, covering harmonisation of revenue administration across federal, state and local governments, dispute resolution, and the establishment of a Tax Ombud, signals a more coordinated and accountable fiscal system.

According to him, the reforms are designed to streamline tax processes, reduce inter-governmental friction and strengthen confidence in the tax system.

He described the introduction of an independent ombudsman for taxpayers as a critical step toward improving transparency and trust.

‘These are no small achievements,’ he said, commending the leadership behind the reforms, including the presidency and the National Assembly, as well as the JRB for driving implementation.

Sanwo-Olu said Lagos would continue to support collaboration across the revenue ecosystem, positioning the state as a key partner in advancing national tax reforms.

He pointed to Lagos’ own revenue performance as evidence of the impact of institutional reforms, noting that internally generated revenue (IGR) now accounts for about 60 percent of the state’s capital expenditure. The growth, he said, has been driven by granting autonomy to the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS), investment in technology, expansion of the tax net and improved taxpayer engagement.

The governor, who serves as an ambassador of the JRB to the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, reiterated his call for greater autonomy for state revenue authorities, arguing that operational independence and secure tenure are essential for optimal performance and stronger taxpayer confidence.

‘As your ambassador, I will continue to advocate for the independence you need to deliver effectively,’ he said.

In a keynote address delivered on behalf of the JRB chairman, Zacch Adedeji, the board praised Lagos’ revenue performance, attributing it to sustained reforms and institutional strengthening.

The board said Lagos generated more than N1.7 trillion in 2025, a 39 percent increase from N1.2 trillion in 2024, reflecting consistent progress in tax administration.

It added that the state’s revenue has been effectively deployed toward infrastructure development and social investment, including transportation, education and food security.

Earlier, Ayodele Subair, LIRS executive chairman said the JRB plays a critical role in strengthening Nigeria’s tax system, noting that the meeting comes at a pivotal moment following the enactment of new tax laws. He said Lagos’ reforms and leadership support have positioned the state as a model for subnational revenue mobilisation.

The meeting, themed ‘From Fragmentation to Coherence: Advancing Sub-National Tax Administration Through Harmonisation,’ focuses on deepening coordination and efficiency across Nigeria’s tax system.

The Oyo State Government, through the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, has commemorated World Earth Day 2026 with a series of impactful initiatives aimed at promoting a cleaner, greener, and healthier environment.

Ademola Aderinto, Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, speaking at the press conference, emphasised the importance of this year’s theme, ‘Our Power, Our Planet,’ noting that protecting the environment is a shared responsibility requiring collective action from government, communities, and individuals.

As part of activities to celebrate World Earth Day, the Ministry, in collaboration with For Nature and Future Eco-Green Initiatives (FONAFEGI), conducted a symbolic tree planting exercise during which 100 trees were planted to promote climate action and environmental sustainability.

The Commissioner described tree planting as a critical step toward improving air quality, reducing carbon emissions, preventing soil erosion, and preserving biodiversity.

He further called on residents, organisations, and private sector stakeholders to partner with the Ministry in planting more trees across the State, stressing that sustained collaboration is essential to achieving long-term environmental goals.

Additionally, the World Earth Day celebration features a structured programme tagged ‘Walk for the Planet,’ scheduled from April 22 to April 25, 2026, designed to mobilize grassroots participation and deepen environmental awareness statewide.

The Commissioner also outlined key measures undertaken by the Ministry, including strengthened environmental sanitation enforcement, intensified inspection of markets, eateries, hotels, and industries, and the implementation of a decentralized waste management system across all local government areas.

Aderinto urged all residents of Oyo State to embrace proper waste management practices, avoid indiscriminate dumping, reduce reliance on single-use plastics, and actively participate in environmental sustainability programmes.

He also commended members of the media and development partners for their continued support in promoting environmental awareness.

The Commissioner stated that as World Earth Day was commemorated, there is a need to renew collective commitment to protecting the environment for present and future generations, noting that the actions taken would determine the quality of life tomorrow.

Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, medical doctor and the Commissioner for Health in a separate goodwill message stated that World Earth Day serves as a reminder of the realities of climate change and its growing impact on human health.

She noted that science continues to show increasing extreme heat, changing weather patterns, rising temperatures, and shifting disease trends, with some illnesses now occurring outside their usual seasons, particularly around rainfall periods.

According to her, this demonstrates clearly that the climate is changing and demands urgent attention.

Ajetunmobi emphasised that this year’s activities reflect the importance of environmental sustainability. She stressed the need to sustain and protect the environment through continuous public awareness on tree planting, prevention of deforestation, and proper waste management.

Sola Akande, the Executive Secretary of the Oyo State Health Insurance Agency also delivered his goodwill message, stating that the agency will collaborate with the Ministry of Health and other relevant stakeholders to strengthen environmental health initiatives in the state.

He announced that the agency would enroll all street sweepers in Oyo State into the health insurance scheme to ensure their access to quality healthcare services.

‘According to him, this initiative is aimed at protecting those who contribute directly to keeping the environment clean, thereby promoting a healthier, more productive, and sustainable society.

Elijah Adejimi, the Executive Director of FONAGEGI in his welcome address spoke with urgency, calling for collective action to protect the environment.

He urged continued tree planting and stewardship, noting that progress so far should inspire renewed commitment to a greener, sustainable future.

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has unveiled a revised timetable for its 2027 general election primaries, fixing May 23, 2026, for its presidential primary.

Under the new schedule, governorship primaries will hold on May 21, while elections for other offices are staggered earlier in the month. The House of Representatives primaries are set for May 15, Senate for May 18, and State Houses of Assembly for May 20.

Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Duru Meseko, announced the adjustments at the end of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) meeting in Abuja.

He explained that the revised timetable aligns with the Electoral Act and the schedule issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Meseko said the NWC approved both direct and consensus options for the primaries, noting that where consensus fails, the process will automatically revert to direct primaries in line with the law. He also dismissed speculation that nomination forms would be restricted, stressing that all eligible party members are free to contest.

He also confirmed the party has updated and submitted its membership register to INEC, declaring readiness for the primaries.

The revision marks a shift from the earlier timetable, but the prices for expression of interest and nomination forms remained the same.

The party had fixed the presidential primary for May 15-16. In that schedule, signed by National Organising Secretary Sulaiman Muhammad Argungu, the cost of expression of interest and nomination forms for presidential aspirants was pegged at N100 million, while governorship forms were priced at N50 million.

INEC had directed political parties to conduct primaries between April 23 and May 30, 2026, with presidential and National Assembly elections slated for January 16, 2027, and governorship and state assembly polls for February 6, 2027.

The Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative and Electric Vehicles (PCNGI and EV) has entered a strategic partnership with Moniepoint Microfinance Bank Limited (Moniepoint MFB), Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation (CreditCorp), National Credit Guarantee Company Limited (NCGC) to expand credit access for Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) vehicle conversions.

This move aims to bridge the financing gap for motorists, effectively accelerating the national transition to cleaner, more affordable energy by lowering the upfront capital barrier for vehicle owners.

Speaking during the flag-off ceremony in Abuja on Wednesday, Ismaeel Ahmed, Chief Executive Officer of PCNGI and EEVsaid that the partnership is aimed at addressing the prohibitive cost of conversion kits and installation, which for him is the primary barrier to adoption.

Ahmed explained that the program will address this not only by subsidizing these expenses but by ensuring that these components are supplied at cost, effectively eliminating the profit margin to incentivize mass transition.

He also explained that the CNG powered vehicles saves cost for owners, by reducing the amount spent on maintenance and petrol prices.

He said, ‘Now what we are doing here is to say, okay, what is the barrier for you to switch? It’s cost of the conversion kit and the installation, right? So we are reducing that. We are making that, not only reducing it in terms of price. We are not selling it at a profit.

‘These people are guaranteeing it so that you can pay in the next six months or several months or six weeks or whatever it is that you agree with the financial institution like MoneyPoint that you’ll be able to pay. Someone will tell you that, you know what, we don’t want the debt on our head. We want to pay this in one month.

‘So instead of taking N50,000 every month to my house, I’ll take N10,000 and I’ll pay N40,000 just to make sure that I’m out of this in one month. Someone will say, I want to take the opportunity to pay it in six months. That convenience is there. So this is what this is about.

‘So for a keke and a pep rider, for example, who buys, say, N40,000 worth of PMS a week in seven days, and then every week he has to maintain that keke for N10,000, change the plugs, put black oil, remove black oil. With CNG, he will do that only once a month. So that N10,000 Naira will cumulate into N40,000 a month, N10,000 per week goes down now to N10,000 per month. So he’s saving, N30,000 on maintenance, that’s number one. Number two, he’s having a reduced price from N1,300 worth of PMS to, N 400 worth of gas.’

Speaking further, Ahmed said that the program will be sustained on three matrix including: availability, affordability and acceptability.

Ahmed also said that the government is incentivizing the Electric Vehicles market, through provision of charging stations all across the country. He also hinted on the possible adoption of technology that enables petrol powered vehicles to be converted to electric vehicles.

‘And then the president has graciously approved the reduction to zero for import duty for electric vehicles. So, you know, it’s just to incentivize the market and be able to, we’re trying to get into a conversation with REA, NNPC Retail, to be able to set up charging stations in their filling stations and gas stations in their filling stations, and REA to provide us the solar for power to be able to charge these electric vehicles and keep them charged.

‘But there’s a new technology coming that I heard have the ability to switch from PMS to electric vehicle. I haven’t seen that happen yet, but they are talking about it. We are talking with several partners,’ he added.

In his remarks, Uzoma Nwagba, managing director, Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation (CREDICORP) said that the program is an initiative of the President Tinubu-led administration to provide succour to Nigerians after the removal of fuel subsidy.

He said that with the reforms of the government yielding macroeconomic gains, the partnership is aimed to drive the gains of the reforms to Nigerians at the grassroots.

Nwagba noted that the challenge of affordability, stating that the price of converting a vehicle was quite on the high side, ‘ which is why all these partners have now come together to say, we are here to provide consumer credit, enable the financial institutions to give consumer credit, for people to afford things that radically improve their lives. Energy costs and energy reduction is something that will radically improve your life.

‘Now, people have said that you see how the macro environment is growing and the business environment is benefiting richly from all the reforms of the two major reforms that have happened, but the question has always remained, what about the people at the bottom? And you see the CNG initiative as well as the consumer credit initiative are two initiatives that are specifically targeted at the bottom.

‘Now, even before the war in the Middle East started and energy prices started going up, there’s always been a need to figure out a reduction in the cost of energy for our people. And so, the CNG program has been driving that in that regard, seeking to drive down the cost of energy for our people. But now, with 100,000 kits and even several 100,000 more kits available and coming, the question is how do we make it easier for Nigerians to afford those CNG combustion kits.

‘In other words, if you already have a petrol vehicle, how do we make it easier for you to convert your petrol vehicle to CNG? Knowing that once you convert your petrol vehicle to CNG, the cost of fueling that car comes down by about 75 percent. That means if I spend N40,000 per week on my vehicle, or now N80,000 per week on my vehicle, I would now be spending N20,000 per week. So, that cost saving is significant,’ he said.

For Tobi Amirah, the lead of Business lending at Moniepoint, the partnership aligns with the company’s mandate of powering dreams by providing critical finacing. ‘One of the things we are focused on is doing things that impact our customers and Nigerians as whole and our data showed that transportation cost is one of the key problems for Businesses and individuals, hence the need for us as partners to solve this problem. ‘