Category: The Nation – Nigeria

The technical director of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Gabriel Okon, has enthused that athletics can strongly and favourably impact on the Nigerian sports economy.

Okon, who just returned from the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, noted that Nigeria is endowed with numerous talented athletes that are making positive strides in promoting the country’s image internationally.

The former Nigeria International athlete, has therefore, called on the National Sports Commission (NSC) to take concrete steps in providing sufficient financial support for the development of these athletes.

‘As of today, Tobi Amusan, Nigeria’s 100mH World Champion, holds a record time of (12:12s.) and by propagating Amusan’s achievement, Nigeria can encourage others to take up sports but this endeavour requires substantial funding,’ said the former sprinter.’

‘Examples from South Africa, Jamaica, and other nations demonstrate how world-class athletes can drive sports development through targeted investments.’

The AFN TD faulted the common chorus of ‘lack of fund’ often expressed by government officials, describing it as retrogressive for the growth and development of athletics in Nigeria.

‘We don’t just attend Championships, we also learnt from how others are achieving their podium finish,’ Okon said.

He emphasized that countries achieving podium finishes in World Athletics Championships and Olympic Games invested heavily in their athletes over multiple seasons.

He argued that sports funding should come from consolidated investment funds rather than yearly budgetary allocations or personal funds.

According to him, athletes require training grants, competitions, trainers, medical care, equipment, and welfare, none of which should be compromised due to lack of funds.

Okon noted that countries like Turkey, Qatar, Spain, and Saudi Arabia lure athletes from other nations with substantial funding, leading some to change their names and forgo recognition under their birth names.

The Coach also stressed that Nigerian athletics require substantial funding, as the current ad-hoc approach has hindered many of the country’s top athletes to achieve podium finishes.

Tension gripped Akinlalu community in Ife North Local Government Area of Osun State on Tuesday after gunmen ambushed a patrol team of the Amotekun Corps, leaving three people dead.

The Nation learnt that the assailants had earlier attacked a farmland in the area, prompting a resident to alert Amotekun operatives in Ile-Ife. However, as the patrol team made its way to the community, the gunmen, already aware of their movement, launched a deadly ambush.

Confirming the incident, Osun Amotekun Public Relations Officer, Yusuf Abass, said the patrol team was attacked while heading to Akinlalu to confront a group that had been terrorising the community.

He added that during the assault, the assailants also carted away two service rifles belonging to the operatives.

He said, ‘However, the outfit reinforced operatives who went to the town. At the T-junction leading into Akinlalu, the road was found barricaded by the assailants, who immediately opened fire on the operatives, triggering a fierce gun battle that lasted for over an hour.

‘Amotekun operatives successfully overpowered the gunmen and three lives were lost, we arrested three while several others sustained injuries and fled the scene.’

He added that the outfit recovered two firearms along with force uniforms and berets used by the hoodlums for impersonation.

These items were discovered in a hideout believed to be connected to the attackers.

Oyo Governor Seyi Makinde has increased the monthly subvention to the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso by N35m to ease operational challenges.

He spoke in Ogbomoso on Tuesday while meeting with professional bodies at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, over the ongoing industrial action by the bodies.

The Governor, who later visited the Soun of Ogbomoso in his palace, assured the monarch and people of his administration’s readiness to commence the reconstruction of inner roads in the town.

Makinde, after listening to the demands of representatives of different bodies at the teaching hospital, announced immediate measures aimed at addressing the situation, including the plan to immediately constitute a Governing Council for the hospital, approval of a monthly stipend of ?80,000 for 65 non-staff security personnel working at the hospital while instructing that they should be integrated into the hospital’s system as adhoc staff.

Other measures announced by the Governor included the approval of the payment of accumulated promotion arrears totaling ?219 million, which is to be disbursed in three equal installments in October, November, and December 2025 and a promise to offset the arrears of the new minimum wage, covering the period from January to August 2025, in three tranches, also payable from October to December 2025.

The Governor also highlighted steps that the government would take to bring about long-term resolutions of the crisis and bring lasting solutions to the institution’s challenges, adding that the LAUTECH Teaching Hospital Annex in Oyo would be completed before the end of his administration in 2027.

He stated that some demands involving the review of salary structures would be addressed by the Governing Council of the hospital once it is put in place, adding that the demands raised by students of Nursing would also be addressed.

According to him: ‘This engagement is in fulfillment of what I told you when I was going round asking for your support, which you gave to me and I thank you for that. You have done your part and we are doing ours. You don’t have to beg us before we do what you want.

‘Some of the challenges that you raised have been noted. They are things I thought had been solved but they have not. That is the nature of challenges; when you are faced with challenges, if you solve the problem, it will go away, and if it is not solved, it will come back, and you have to take another go at it.

‘There are major things recurring and one of them is the issue of the Governing Council for LAUTECH Teaching Hospital. I want to assure you that before the end of this week, you will have a Governing Council. They will be here all the time and we will also give them a mandate, and a timeframe within which to achieve those things.

‘We will give the new Governing Council a list of things that we want them to accomplish within a period of time. And, for us, we will support them. You should also support them.’

Makinde maintained that the industrial action and most of the demands by the professional bodies centred on the issue of welfare and that his administration would never shy away from putting in place sustainable efforts towards addressing the issue of welfare.

He noted, however, that workers must also recognise the paramount need to develop the infrastructure of the state and ensure that it is liveable for residents and the coming generations, hence the need for those in government to manage resources with a view to ensuring a balance in the discharge of their responsibilities.

ýThe Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has called on the police to suspend the planned enforcement of tint permits until its lawsuit challenging the policy is resolved.

In a statement on Tuesday, NBA Publicity Secretary Bridget Edokwe said continuing with the enforcement would undermine the judicial process and potentially render the court’s decision ineffective.

‘It is important to stress that once the legality of a government policy or action has been challenged before a court of competent jurisdiction, prudence, respect for the rule of law, fairness and the courts demand that the parties maintain the status quo pending the determination of the matter.

‘The Police, being a creation of law and an institution entrusted with the protection of rights, ought to err on the side of caution by allowing the judicial process to run its full course.

‘Continuing with enforcement despite a pending legal challenge risks rendering the entire suit nugatory and amounts to undermining the authority of the courts.

‘More worrisome is the possibility that the court may ultimately uphold the plaintiff’s prayers and nullify the tint permit policy for being illegal.

‘If that happens, the Police would have subjected citizens to avoidable hardship without remedy and unlawful enforcement in defiance of the very rule of law they are sworn to protect.’

The police, however, have insisted that only a court order can stop the enforcement, which is scheduled to begin on October 2.

Police spokesman Banjamin Hundeyin said: ‘Only an order of court can stop the enforcement of an existing law.

‘There is no such order! Mere service of court papers is not equal to a court order. Enforcement of the Motor Vehicle Tinted Glass law commences as planned on Thursday, 2 October 2025.’

The African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF) has declared its support for Nigeria’s new tax laws, describing them as vital for economic growth and sustainable development across the continent.

In a statement issued by Dare Adekanmbi, Special Adviser on Media to the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Dr. Zacch Adedeji, ATAF pledged technical assistance to ensure Nigeria reaps the benefits of its tax reforms.

The Executive Secretary of ATAF, Ms. Mary Baine, who assumed office recently, made this known during a courtesy visit to the FIRS chairman in Abuja on Tuesday.

Baine recalled ATAF’s intervention in Zambia’s mining sector, where the organisation helped the country improve its capacity to generate revenue. She assured that Nigeria could expect similar support in key sectors of its economy.

‘When you look at the strategic vision of FIRS, we see the things you are doing and the way you’re changing the tax system, the kind of reforms and the time that it has taken and of course the movement forward.

‘So, we applaud you, and I wanted to say that ATAF is here to say that we stand with you, we applaud you, and we’re ready to provide whatever support that could lead to its success.

‘In terms of your strategic vision-people, technology and data-we find that this is something that is really critical for the rest of the continent and that it is an area where ATAF will be happy to support as well,’ she said.

Baine also said ATAF would leverage Nigeria’s influence on the continent and beyond to mobilise other member countries towards strengthening the organisation’s work.

In his remarks, Adedeji praised Baine’s leadership qualities and expressed optimism that her tenure would advance the forum’s objectives. He urged African countries to devise their own solutions to pressing challenges rather than rely on external assistance.

‘My belief has always been that solutions to Africa’s challenges can only come from Africa. There is no free lunch anywhere. I have said that I don’t believe in aids; I believe in cooperation.

‘There is a saying that when you are not on the table, you are definitely on the menu. So, Africa must be on the table and that is it. We should stop being on the menu. That is my charge to you.

‘So, the expectation from us as a continent is also to bring what we can contribute to the work, most especially in tax matters. For us, we have to evolve our own fiscal policies which is what Nigeria has done with the new tax laws,’ he stated.

Adedeji noted that Nigeria’s new tax regime replaced colonial-era legislation that had long outlived its relevance.

‘Before now, we had tax laws that were colonial relics. We had the Stamp Duties Act of 1939 which was enacted when there was no internet,’ he added.

The new tax laws, he explained, were crafted to align with Nigeria’s current realities and position the economy for sustainable growth.

The Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Dr. Zacch Adedeji, has disclosed that nearly 70 percent of funds shared at monthly Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) meetings now come from taxes collected by the agency.

Adedeji disclosed this in an interview marking his two years in office, where he said the surge in tax revenue has strengthened fiscal stability across the country.

According to him, improved collections have enabled 30 states to repay N1.85 trillion in debts within the past 18 months.

‘Debt servicing costs that once consumed 90 per cent of government revenue have now dropped to about 50 per cent. External reserves have also grown on the back of stronger fiscal stability,’ he said.

The FIRS boss praised President Bola Tinubu’s administration for creating a tax environment that eases compliance.

‘The president has fulfilled his campaign promise to simplify tax compliance and remove hurdles faced by taxpayers,’ Adedeji noted.

Adedeji explained that the government’s tax reforms-the most far-reaching since independence-are designed to reduce the burden on citizens while improving government revenue. He pointed out that food, education, shared transportation, and agriculture have been exempted from value-added tax (VAT).

‘The reforms are already yielding results. Nigeria’s tax-to-GDP ratio has risen from 10 per cent to 13.5 per cent in just two years, with a target of 18 per cent by 2027. In August alone, the federation account disbursed a record N2 trillion,’ he stated.

The FIRS chairman admitted that the transition has not been without difficulties. ‘It is like the pain of a woman in labour,’ he said, while stressing that government interventions are already helping to cushion the effects. These include the rollout of compressed natural gas (CNG) buses and crude-for-naira support for local refiners, which he said are already reflected in fuel prices.

Adedeji outlined how the new consolidated tax law strengthens compliance by restructuring FIRS operations. Taxpayers are now segmented into small, medium, and large categories, with one-stop shops created to ease filing and payments.

‘We are service providers to taxpayers rather than just an enforcement agency,’ he explained. ‘When companies are doing well, expanding, and making profits, we will benefit from their growth. Our task is to remove hurdles in their way, and that is what the president has done with these new laws.’

He also clarified the decision to rename the FIRS as the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS). ‘The word ‘federal’ gave the wrong impression that we only collect for the federal government. In reality, we collect VAT, of which 90 per cent belongs to the states,’ he said.

On the controversial petrol surcharge included in the new law, Adedeji assured that it would not apply automatically. ‘It will only take effect if activated by a ministerial order and published in the official gazette,’ he noted.

Adedeji said the consolidation of multiple tax laws into a single code-set to take effect in January-will simplify Nigeria’s tax system. The new framework reduces the number of tax types to single digits, eliminates tax for businesses with annual turnover below N50 million, and adjusts personal income tax thresholds to shield low-income earners.

On June 26, 2025, President Tinubu signed into law four major bills: the Nigeria Tax Act, Nigeria Tax Administration Act, Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Act, and the Joint Revenue Board Establishment Act. The laws aim to broaden the tax base, improve compliance, and enhance transparency across all tiers of government.

Adedeji further linked Nigeria’s fiscal improvement to Tinubu’s wider economic reforms. ‘The health of the federation account has blossomed greatly, as there are no bogus subsidy claims to deplete the pool,’ he said, referring to the removal of fuel subsidy and the unification of exchange rates.

At 65 years of Independence, Nigerians, surely have a tough decision to make. Will the majority go on with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s (PBAT) administration’s far-reaching reforms or will they turn to those making a swansong of the challenges associated with the reforms? Historically, reformers like Mikhail Gorbachev of Soviet Union paid a huge price for his Perestroika and Glasnost. Will PBAT pay the price for being a reformer or will he survive?

Nigeria’s economic challenges have been systemic, ranging from inflation, import dependency, foreign exchange crisis, erosion of the value of the local currency, food insecurity, hunger, to abject poverty of the majority of the citizens. Amidst these economic headwinds, Nigerians were literally subsidizing the fuel imports of her neighbours. To compound the situation, her rapacious elites were trading on her currency to the detriment of businesses and other genuine economic activities.

The implication was that while the few elites connected to the seat of power, were making millions by getting direct foreign currency allocations from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and trading on it, those engaged in genuine economic activities were substantially at the mercy of the ravenous economic saboteurs. The most impactful on the country was sourcing foreign exchange for the importation of fuel, as the three major refineries in Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna were comatose.

The way out for the immediate past regime, was printing more money by the CBN, euphemistically referred by government officials, as ‘ways and means’. The challenge of sourcing foreign exchange to import fuel was further compounded by the opacity and massive corruption of the process. Nigeria experienced all manner of racketeering, as many so-called fuel importers presented fake documents for non-existent imports, and with the connivance of corrupt state officials got paid humongous sums to the detriment of the already bleeding foreign exchange reserves.

Other businesses, like foreign airline operators, who after collecting the cost of tickets in local currency could not buy foreign exchange at the official foreign exchange rate to repatriate their earnings, either departed the country, or took matters into their own hands. Those that stayed, charged much higher for tickets sold in Nigeria, when compared to prices for similar tickets in neighbouring countries. Travels for students, businessmen and holiday makers became so excruciating that Nigerians went to neighbouring countries to connect Europe and America at huge costs.

Many multi-national manufacturing companies, finding it difficult to access foreign exchange to import needed raw materials, closed shop, and moved to more economically stable countries. As unemployment skyrocketed, and more valueless money chased fewer goods, inflation soared into triple digits, and the national economy was on a tailspin. The impact on food inflation was so devastating that basic essential commodities, some of which were import dependent, were priced out of the reach of the ordinary Nigerians and the country was almost imploding.

The insecurity in parts of the country further drove food prices to a dangerous level. With the north-central states of Benue and Plateau, major food baskets of the country overrun by murderous herdsmen, Nigeria was on the throes of asphyxiation. While the north-central was on the boil, farmlands further north were the grains come from, were in the grips of internecine war, waged by Boko Haram and the so-called bandits. While Boko Haram elements were fighting for their lives in northeast, the bandits were claiming territories in northwest.

On assumption of office in May, 2023, the PBAT administration decided to confront the twin challenge of fuel subsidy and foreign exchange racketeering. The immediate impact was a runaway inflation and further depreciation of the official rate of the Naira, which had been artificially buoyed over the years by the CBN. Many commentators viewed the twin steps as bold, while some considered it reckless. Those who supported the twin policy of the administration argued that it was the only way to bring sanity to the national economy.

Initially, the side effects of the twin policy were so devastating, as the nation witnessed galloping inflation, especially food inflation that even the core supporters of the administration doubted the wisdom of the policies. But the administration stayed course, and presently while Naira is gaining value by the day, inflation is tending downwards. The removal of the subsidy also made the nation buoyant enough to increase the minimum wage and for sub-nationals to have money to engage in infrastructural projects.

The implicit deregulation of the price of fuel has seen the price of that national economic driver now determined by marketers. Recently, the price of fuel has been moving up and down without Nigerians and especially labour unions pointing fingers and threatening the industrial peace of the country. Luckily for the Tinubu administration and indeed for Nigerians, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals came on stream to fill the huge gap left by the bumbling and incompetent Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd (NNPCL).

But at the cusp of Nigeria’s 65th anniversary, the apparent redundancy that private sector-led Dangote has made of the two major industrial unions hegemons in the oil sector, NUPENG and PENGASSAN, rears its ugly or beautiful head, depending on which side, the commentator belongs. The two industrial unions were made nationally popular during the war for democracy in Nigeria, after the annulment of June 12 general election, which Chief M.K.O Abiola won, particularly under the leadership of late Chief Frank Kokori of NUPENG.

But like NNPCL, the two unions appear to have fallen into disuse with the private sector dominating the downstream oil sector. Considering the alleged underhand tactics of the leaders of the union to make themselves wealthy at a huge price to ordinary Nigerians, the two unions have a herculean task to convince Nigerians that their ongoing tango with Dangote Refinery is not for private gain. Unfortunately for them, their relatively recent antecedent with respect to the federal government’s sale and repurchase of the three earlier named refineries makes them complicit in the economic sabotage of the oil industry in recent decades.

While it would be unfair for Dangote Refinery to deny workers their rights under section 40 of the 1999 constitution (as amended), to belong to Trade Unions; the arbitrary, unconscionable and buccaneer trade practices of NUPENG and PENGASSAN, cannot cohabit with private capital, without their internal reforms. Of note, most of their officials live like oil Sheiks, from illegal dues, and the fallout of those practices, is on the ordinary Nigerians. As the country celebrate her anniversary, this column wonders which way Nigerians will go?

Will Nigerians follow through with the Tinubu reforms, or will they fall for the antics of the rapacious elites mocking the ordinary citizens with their new swan song of ‘I am hungry’, when the humongous wealth the cheerleaders display, are far beyond what they could have gotten from their honest labour?

Former British diplomat Mr David Roberts has joined forces with the Federal Government to dismiss the reports of genocide against Christians in the country as false.

Roberts, who served for many years as a director of the British Council in Abuja, stated that the country’s security challenges had been exaggerated by Western interest groups and the media.

He warned against escalating the situation with such inaccurate reports.

In a statement, Roberts said: ‘Yes, there are security challenges in Nigeria, but those issues have affected the country from the pre-colonial, colonial, and now the post-colonial periods,’ he stated, adding, ‘Ample evidence exists to show that the Nigerian government is de-escalating the violence.’

Based on a viral video in which a man with a Nigerian accent claimed that over 500,000 Christians were killed in the country last year, Mr Bill Maher, a comedian who hosts the longest-running talk show in the US, Real Time with Bill Maher, asserted that a systematic genocide was happening in Nigeria.

The offensive video was circulated by international X influencers, including Radio Genoa, an anti-Islamic personality, who stokes negative sentiments against the Muslim faith.

However, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mr Mohammed Idris, and a former presidential aide, Mr Reno Omokri, on Sunday refuted the claims as false.

Roberts upheld Idris’ and Omokri’s rebuttals and contended that the genocide reports were skewed. He explained that both the Christian and Muslim faiths are victims of the age-long violence.

He stated: ‘I lived in Nigeria as a British diplomat and toured the entire country. It is ridiculous for anyone even to suggest that half a million people were killed as part of a genocide against Christians in Nigeria by Muslims last year alone. ‘

‘And this is not just some Christian genocide. In fact, more Muslims are killed in these attacks in Nigeria than Christians – a fact highlighted by the Institute for Economics and Peace in their annual Global Terrorism Index.’

The former diplomat explained that insecurity in Nigeria had worsened due to the crisis in the Sahel, with the fall of democratic governments in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger.

According to Roberts, ‘As these countries typically share a border with the Northwest and Northeast of Nigeria, which are the Islamic heartlands, it has meant that Muslims have borne the brunt of the situation more than Christians, which is not to say Christians are not affected.’

He urged Western nations and their media to be mindful of the reportage in order not to ignite a crisis that will result in a greater flood of refugees from West Africa turning up in Europe through the Mediterranean.

Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), the world’s largest professional body of management accountants, has awarded 235 accounting and finance professionals in Nigeria Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) certificates, and their CGMA designation at its 2025 convocation in Lagos.

CIMA training, which is recognised in over 170 countries, equips candidates with accounting knowledge, risk management, business leadership, decision-making, performance evaluation, and financial analysis. The 235 candidates will also benefit from the large global community of CGMA holders, granting them access to a global network of business and finance leaders as well as providing them with career support and continuous professional development.

Tariro Mutizwa, vice president Africa, lauded the candidates for their hard work, dedication and commitment in acquiring the knowledge and skills to achieve their CGMA. She assured them that the certification has paved the way for promising careers as they have been equipped to meet not only today’s business demands but also future business needs.

‘I am pleased to welcome a new generation of Nigerian accounting and finance professionals into our profession in Nigeria. Their dedication, hard work, and unrelenting commitment have paved the way for promising careers built on a solid foundation of knowledge and skill,’ Mutizwa said. ‘These future leaders are equipped not only to meet the demands of today’s business landscape but to shape what comes next, driving innovation, integrity, and excellence in their organisations. May their journey be marked by growth, impact, and success.’

Ijeoma Anadozie, Country Director in Nigeria, also praised the candidates. The country director said the certification has positioned the candidates to seize a world of exciting opportunities.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has given the Federal Government a 14-day ultimatum to address its seven-point demands or face an industrial action.

The union said it reached the decision at its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting on Sunday at the University of Abuja.

ASUU’s National President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, announced the strike notice while addressing reporters yesterday in Abuja.

He said: ‘At the NEC meeting held on September 28, 2025, at the University of Abuja, the union decried the neglect of the university system and the government’s consistent refusal to meet its demands. ‘Accordingly, ASUU has given the Federal Government of Nigeria an ultimatum of fourteen (14) days within which to address these issues.

‘If at the end of the ultimatum the government fails to act, the union may have no option but to first embark on a two-week warning strike, and thereafter, a total and indefinite strike.’

The Federal Ministry of Education recently set up a committee, chaired by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Abel Enitan, to review ASUU’s proposals in a bid to restore stability in the university system.

But the committee has yet to make its recommendations public.

Also, in an interview with The Nation, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, had said there was no need for the union to embark on a strike in the middle of ongoing talks.

Alausa had appealed to the university lecturers to be patient with the outcome of the committee’s assignment, which is expected to address the issues raised by ASUU.