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Actor and filmmaker Yomi Fabiyi has joined other Nigerian celebrities in celebrating Big Brother Naija Season 10 winner, Imisi, whose victory has stirred excitement across the entertainment industry.

However, Fabiyi’s revelation of a personal bond with the reality star has sparked mixed reactions on social media.

Expressing his joy on Instagram following Imisi’s victory on Sunday, October 5, when she clinched the ?120 million grand prize, Fabiyi shared a throwback video from his birthday and housewarming celebration, revealing that Imisi attended the event and celebrated with him.

He described the reality star as a ‘joyful spirit’ who genuinely celebrates others, noting that her positive energy and humility inspired him to reciprocate the same support now that she has found fame.

‘She is always happy for others. She was happy for me during my birthday and housewarming, that informs why I have to reciprocate, aside from her being one of mine in Rocklaf Studio Film Academy,’ Fabiyi wrote.

The filmmaker also praised Imisi for bringing honour to his Rocklaf Studio Film Academy, describing her win as proof that humility, consistency, and hard work lead to lasting success in the entertainment industry.

In a separate post, Fabiyi expressed heartfelt gratitude to fans, colleagues, and supporters who stood by Imisi throughout the show, saying her triumph filled him with ‘overwhelming joy.’

He wrote, ‘The winner, the champion, is my girl @imisiofficial. Thank you all colleagues, friends, fans, and well-wishers. I am overwhelmed. The sound of joy and congratulations will not cease in your household either. To my IMISI, it is your time to shine. Rocklaf! We Rise Together! Congrats, dear.’

Fabiyi expressed gratitude to fans and supporters, saying Imisi’s win brought him immense joy and reaffirmed his belief in hard work and grace.

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced that the main online recruitment examination for all shortlisted candidates in the Inspectorate and Customs Assistant Cadres will hold on Thursday, October 9, 2025.

In a statement released via its official X handle on Tuesday, the Service described the exercise as a major milestone in its ongoing recruitment process to boost manpower across operational commands and border posts nationwide.

The NCS explained that candidates have been divided into three batches-A, B, and C-and must log in using their National Identification Number (NIN) through https://updates.customs.gov.ng to confirm their batch, date, and time of the examination.

‘Strict compliance with the assigned Batch and Time is mandatory. Failure to adhere may lead to disqualification,’ the Service warned.

It further cautioned candidates against using calculators, mobile phones, or other devices during the exam, adding that any breach of the rules could lead to disqualification.

The NCS also advised applicants to avoid multiple log-ins or switching browser windows, as such actions might disrupt their participation in the exercise.

‘Only Inspectorate and Customs Assistant Cadre candidates are to take part in this stage of the examination. Applicants of the Superintendent Cadre are not to participate at the stage,’ the statement read.

The online examination, Customs said , reflects its growing emphasis on technology-driven recruitment and personnel development, a strategy that aligns with its broader digital transformation agenda. Under the leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs Adewale Adeniyi, the Service has continued to modernise its operations, enhance border management efficiency, and promote transparency in staff selection and deployment.

By adopting online testing platforms, the NCS aims to reduce human interference, ensure merit-based evaluation, and reach applicants from diverse locations across the country. This approach, the Service said, not only promotes fairness but also supports Nigeria’s transition to a digital public service environment.

The Service reaffirmed its commitment to professionalism, fairness, and transparency throughout the recruitment process, assuring candidates that only merit would guide selection decisions.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has announced plans to review its party constitution to strengthen internal democracy, enforce accountability, and ensure all organs of the party adhere to the principles of Integrity, competence, and inclusivity.

Speaking at the inaugural meeting of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) in Abuja, the Chairman, Sen. David Mark, said the review would align the party’s structures with its reform agenda and commitment to good governance.

He said the ADC’s mission is to build a rules-based institution that operates beyond individual interests and focuses on performance, transparency, and service to the people.

According to him, the committee will also develop a comprehensive code of ethics, financing rules, and compliance systems, alongside functional structures across wards, local governments, and states.

He added that the party would train organizers, build digital registers, and establish service desks to improve efficiency and accessibility.

‘The ADC will not be a party built around personalities but one guided by rules, policies, programmes, and results. We will insist on team spirit, collaboration, and internal democracy.

‘The supremacy we seek is that of our constitution and institutions over improvisation and personal whims,’ he said.

Mark emphasised that the ADC’s leadership standard is anchored on four non-negotiable pillars of character, competence, courage, and discipline, which will form the benchmark for all party and government appointments.

He said the new leadership must embody these values to set the ADC apart as a disciplined and accountable political movement.

He also announced the adoption of an ‘Integrity and Performance Compact,’ which includes transparent financial audits, procurement rules, conflict-of-interest disclosures, and gift policies.

He said the ADC would publish quarterly performance scorecards for its elected officials and adopt verifiable digital primaries to ensure clean internal elections.

Addressing governance and national reform, the former Senate President said the ADC would defend the separation of powers, strengthen oversight, and promote transparent budgeting processes that serve the public interest.

‘The ADC will restore the legislature and judiciary as true checks on power. Budgets must reflect the public good, not private appetites. We will end parallel budgets and enforce strict, transparent planning and auditing,’ he said.

He pledged that the ADC would prioritize food security, reliable power supply, job creation, and small business growth through evidence-based, people-centred policies.

On foreign policy, Mark said the ADC would promote Pan-African cooperation, regional stability, and intra-African trade by harmonizing standards, leveraging diaspora capital, and strengthening Nigeria’s leadership in the subregion.

He charged members of the NWC to begin the hard work of rebuilding the party’s foundation ahead of the 2027 elections, focusing on credible candidate selection and effective grassroots mobilization.

‘Our task is to build a party that outlives us all. Nigeria and Nigerians will accept nothing less than credible, disciplined leadership.

‘Let it be said of the ADC that we kept faith with the people, were honest in our dealings, and relentless in delivery,’ Mark said.

He, however, stressed that the ADC is not seeking power for its own sake but power to serve, transform, and leave a lasting legacy for future generations, ‘A new tomorrow is achievable, if we start the work today,’ he said.

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, has said that although Nigeria has made meaningful progress on the path of growth, citizens expect more deliberate efforts from lawmakers to improve their lives.

Speaking at the resumption of plenary on Tuesday, Abbas urged members of the House to adopt a forward-looking approach and focus on key national priorities in the coming months, particularly the ongoing constitutional amendment process.

He noted that while some progress had been achieved, it remained incomplete, stressing that Nigerians continue to look to the legislature for more tangible results.

‘The responsibilities before us are substantial, and the progress we have made so far is meaningful but incomplete. The Nigerian people look to us for more; they expect deliberate action that improves their daily lives.

‘The Renewed Hope government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has pursued reforms to stabilise the economy, enhance security, and attract investment. These efforts require a legislature that provides rigorous oversight, crafts sound laws, and engages constructively with all arms of government.

‘Our midterm review confirms that the 10th House of Representatives has been the most productive since 1999, both in terms of legislative outputs and outcomes. Despite political and economic challenges, we have strengthened internal capacity, updated our rules, and expanded citizen participation.

‘Between June 2023 and mid-2025, the House considered 2,263 bills, passed 237, and secured Presidential assent for 50, covering power reform, student loans, cybersecurity, tax policy, and regional development. Our oversight is becoming more rigorous, with ongoing investigations and financial recoveries.

‘Crucially, constructive collaboration with the Executive has enabled timely budgets, aligned reforms and effective policy outcomes, all while preserving the legislature’s independence and demonstrating that shared goals deliver more than conflict.

‘During the recess, national indicators showed cautious optimism. Headline inflation decreased for a fifth consecutive month to 20.12 per cent, while food inflation also eased. Diplomatic measures restored United Arab Emirates (UAE) visa services and Emirates flights, reopening avenues for trade and travel. Our security agencies have disrupted insurgent networks and rescued abducted citizens.

‘While progress has been made, Nigerians still experience high living costs, underemployment, and insecurity in some areas. These challenges present opportunities for us to implement targeted legislative actions and foster ongoing engagement to create a brighter future for all.’

Speaker Abbas said the attention of the House must turn to several urgent priorities in the coming months, chief among them is the constitutional amendment.

He said ‘Eighty-seven proposals concerning devolution of powers, local government autonomy, judicial reform, and socio-economic rights await debate and voting. The national public hearing held on Monday, 22 September 2025, organised by the House Committee on Constitutional Amendment, was well-attended and highly successful, reflecting broad public interest and support.

‘We must now complete these votes and transmit the approved amendments to the State Assemblies before the end of December to enable early concurrence ahead of the election period.

‘We must also finalise electoral reforms well ahead of the 2027 general elections. The Electoral Act Amendment Bill seeks not only to strengthen measures against violence, improve access for persons with disabilities, and establish clearer timelines for resolving disputes, but also to reduce the ambiguities that trailed the last elections.

‘Our goal is to make elections less contentious and litigious, lower their cost through single-day voting, and make the process of party primaries more democratic and inclusive. Related constitutional changes include provisions for an Electoral Offences Commission. Our goal is to produce a new Electoral Act that stands the test of time.

‘Another major priority is the Reserved Seats Bill for women. Currently, women hold fewer than 5% of seats in the National Assembly, placing Nigeria among the countries with the lowest female parliamentary representation worldwide.

‘The bill proposes creating additional seats, without reallocating existing ones. These seats will be contested exclusively by women. They are entirely new and will not affect the current 109 seats in the Senate or the 360 seats in the House.

‘This arrangement preserves the mandate and aspirations of existing Members while expanding opportunities for women’s representation and helping Nigeria improve its poor global standing. I urge Members to support this historic step.

‘Security reforms remain a top priority. The debate on multi-level policing must move from theory to decisive legislative action. Creating state police through a constitutional amendment remains an option.

‘At the same time, we must strengthen community policing by revising the Police Act, 2020. While Section 19 establishes Community Policing Committees and Section 33(1) vests recruitment in the Inspector-General of Police, these provisions centralise too much authority and limit local responsiveness.

‘We should consider devolving recruitment, training, and deployment of community police officers to states under federal oversight. This would give states a greater role in shaping their security architecture while preserving national standards and coordination.

‘Economic recovery and job creation must stay at the core of our agenda. Small and medium-sized enterprises, the backbone of our economy, continue to face high costs, unreliable electricity, and limited access to credit.

‘We must utilise legislative measures to speed up the implementation of the Startup Act, vocational training hubs, and technology parks. Equally important is progressive legislation to promote renewable energy, enhance grid reliability, and attract private investment to stabilise power supply and stimulate growth.

‘The 10th House has demonstrated remarkable maturity in managing differences and has earned a reputation for stability and responsible leadership. We have maintained cohesion in a diverse chamber through inclusive decision-making, transparency in managing House affairs, effective parliamentary diplomacy, and careful floor management.

‘The tasks ahead are demanding but achievable. Nigerians will judge us not by party affiliations but by the results we deliver. Debates should be approached with substance and respect, while our legislative and oversight actions must be guided by evidence and the public interest.

‘The House of Representatives is more than a procedural body; it is an institution entrusted with shaping the nation’s future and protecting the rights of its people’.

The Yoruba Studies Association of Nigeria (YSAN) has conferred an Honorary Fellowship Award on Dr. Olatunde Isaac (honoris causa), marking the first time in the Association’s history that such a prestigious recognition would be bestowed on an individual.

Another recipient of the Honorary Fellowship Award is Alagba Alao Adedayo, the publisher of Alaroye Newspaper.

Fellowship Award was also bestowed on Emeritus Professor Ayo Bamgbose, a renowned linguist and Fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Letters, and former Acting Vice-Chancellor of Adekunle Ajasin University, Professor Oladele Awobuluyi.

Others include Professor Oluyemisi Adebowale, Professor Adebisi Ogunsina, Professor Duro Adeleke, Professor Jibola Abiodun, and Professor Adedotun Ogundeji.

The award, presented during the Association’s Annual Conference in Ilorin, celebrates Dr. Isaac’s outstanding contributions to the promotion of the Yoruba language, culture, and scholarship.

Established in 1970, the Yoruba Studies Association of Nigeria remains the foremost scholarly body dedicated to the study, preservation, and promotion of the Yoruba language, literature, and culture. For more than five decades, the Association has nurtured research and scholarship in Yoruba studies. This year’s event marks a new chapter in its history as it honors distinguished scholars and advocates who have bridged the gap between traditional scholarship and modern innovation.

Isaac, a respected scholar, community leader, and Wikimedia advocate, was recognised for his relentless commitment to revitalising the Yoruba language through research, documentation, and digital innovation.

As a leading figure in the Yoruba Wikimedia community, he has championed several initiatives aimed at expanding access to free knowledge in Yoruba and contributing to the growth and sustainability of the Yoruba Wikipedia, one of the most-read language Wikipedias in Africa.

President of YSAN, Distinguished Professor Olumuyiwa Temitope who is also the Dean, Faculty of Arts, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko described the recognition as an acknowledgment of Dr. Isaac’s trailblazing role in Yoruba language promotion, saying, ‘Dr. Olatunde Isaac stands out for his role in bridging the gap between academia, technology, and cultural heritage’

While receiving the award, Dr. Olatunde Isaac expressed gratitude to the Association for the honor, noting that the recognition would further inspire his efforts. ‘This award is not just a personal achievement but a call to do more for our language, our people, and our shared heritage,’ he said. He reaffirmed his commitment to advancing research, building partnerships, and mentoring young scholars passionate about Yoruba studies. He dedicated the fellowship award to the volunteers who contribute freely to Yoruba Wikipedia and other Wikimedia projects.

The conference also featured scholarly paper presentations, cultural displays, and panel discussions on strengthening indigenous language education and scholarship in Nigeria.

With this groundbreaking honor, Dr. Olatunde Isaac becomes one of the two first-ever Honorary Fellows of the Yoruba Studies Association of Nigeria, a recognition that highlights his exceptional contributions to Yoruba language promotion and cultural advancement.

Apostle Lawrence Achudume of Victory Life Bible Church International has counselled youths to embrace entrepreneurship in the light of current economic realities in the country.

Speaking at the close of the church’s annual youth outreach initiative tagged ‘Youth On Fire program’ where he doled out N15 million to aspiring entrepreneurs , the cleric noted that white-collar jobs are no longer a feasible option, adding that traditional employment routes aren’t yielding the needed results for young people.

The beneficiaries of the ?15 million empowerment funds include young entrepreneurs across multiple sectors, including catering, logistics, tailoring, fashion designing and shoe-making.

‘The beneficiaries were segmented into three distinct categories,’ Achudume told journalists at the Sunday’s ceremony. ‘The first group received fully sponsored training in cutting-edge areas like graphic design.

‘The second category was provided financial support along with brand-new equipment such as sewing machines while the third group received financial grants ranging from ?300,000 to ?3 million to bolster their entrepreneurial endeavours.’

Achudume explained further that the empowerment initiative in memory of his wife, Revd. Fola Achudume (RFA), was to foster self-reliance among young people which was well championed by.

‘Youths must seize the initiative to build their own future,’ he said. ‘We can’t rely on white-collar jobs that are increasingly scarce – we must foster prosperity through entrepreneurship.’

He reiterated RFA’s commitment to youth empowerment, adding it’s a surefooted approach to rejig the economy.

‘Entrepreneurship is a powerful pathway out of poverty,’ he emphasized. ‘ This empowerment initiative is all about arming our youths with the tools they need to stand on their own and create opportunities – not just for themselves but for others as well.’

Echoing Achudume’s sentiments, the Founder and CEO of Pomegranate Nigeria Limited, Mr Wole Elusakin, who collaborated with Professor Eniola Fabusoro and Dr Toyin Banjo on beneficiary selection, posited that ‘Youths represent tomorrow’s trajectory – they need an ecosystem that enables them to excel,’ he remarked. ‘This is an investment in Nigeria’s future.’

The Enugu state government has distanced itself from the ongoing certificate controversy involving the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji.

Nnaji had on Monday in Abuja accused the Governor of Enugu State, Peter Mbah, of masterminding allegations of certificate forgery levelled against him.

Speaking through his spokesperson, Robert Ngwu, the Minister described the allegation as a politically motivated witch-hunt aimed at discrediting him ahead of the governor’s alleged plan to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

‘Mbah wants Nnaji out of his way. He has given a new name to all his problems. He is seeking a second term in office, and the only way to achieve this is to get Nnaji out of the way. He wants to join APC, but knowing that

Nnaji is there, he is not comfortable,’ Ngwu alleged.

However, in a statement issued in Enugu by the Director of Information in the Ministry of Information and Communication, Mr. Chukwuemeka Nebo, the state government denied sponsoring the allegations and urged the minister to ‘carry his cross’ and clear his name before Nigerians.

‘The Enugu State Government dissociates itself completely from these allegations. The Honourable Minister must carry his own cross and clear his name before Nigerians, instead of dragging the government into issues that are entirely personal to him,’ Nebo stated.

According to him, Chief Nnaji had earlier invited journalists to a world press conference scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on Monday to address the matter but failed to appear.

‘A large number of Nigerian and international journalists gathered on the Minister’s invitation to hear directly from him. But rather than appear before them to answer questions and establish his innocence, the Minister absconded, leaving proxies who could not withstand the barrage of legitimate questions from journalists,’ Nebo said.

The statement went on to question several inconsistencies reportedly linked to Nnaji’s academic and NYSC records:

Did the Minister present a degree certificate to the Senate claiming to have graduated from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) in July 1985?

Is it true that he deposed before a Federal High Court in Abuja that UNN never issued him any degree certificate, and if so, how did he obtain the certificate he submitted to the Senate?

Did he apply to retake Virology (MCB 431) after failing it in 1985 and again in 1986, despite claiming to have graduated in 1985?

Why did he only submit his WASC certificate to INEC for the 2023 governorship election if he indeed possesses a university degree?

Why does his NYSC discharge certificate bear anomalies – including a 13-month service duration, a signature by an NYSC DG who assumed office two years later, and an alphanumeric serial number inconsistent with the format used in 1986?

Nebo noted that these were legitimate questions Nigerians expect the Minister to answer directly.

‘These are the clarifications Nigerians earnestly yearn for. Chief Uche Nnaji is urged to summon the courage to clear his name if he is truly innocent, rather than trading blames,’ Nebo concluded.

In commemoration of the 29th anniversary of the creation of Ekiti State, a non-governmental cross cross-generational organization, Ekiti Future Agenda (EFA) is set to engage at least a hundred Ekiti young leaders in a special roundtable discussion to assess the progress of the state within the three years that Governor Biodun Oyebanji has been in the saddle.

The event is to take place in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, on the 18th of October.

According to the organizers of the event, Adesina Adetola, the Convener of Ekiti Future Agenda, ‘while the event which is with the theme, Three years of BAO, Reimagining Governance: Young Leaders’ Perspectives on Ekiti State’s Progress is to commemorate the 29th anniversary, of the creation of the state, it is also to mark the 3rd year of Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji (BAO), therefore, assessing the progress the state has made so far.’

Speaking further on the event, Adetola, a socioeconomic development strategist said; ‘bearing in mind the vintage position of young people in societal development, as well as their strategic roles in political movements, bringing energy, creativity, and fresh perspectives to social and political causes and having the power to shape the future of political governance and drive positive change in their communities and beyond. It is very important to engage them in a very objective way and in a resourceful atmosphere.’

‘The event is going to be a convergence of Ekiti young leaders from diverse areas of life and will have prominent young personalities which including scholars, technocrats, politicians, unionists, among others, as speakers and participants.’ He declared.

It is good to note that since 2010, Ekiti Future Agenda (EFA) has been involved in a good number of activities, projects, and interventions in Ekiti State, typically, in giving back value to the State. They are in the form of advocacy, schemes, and education, which have become defining moments in the annals of the state’s development. Its roundtable events are conversations with the main aim and objective of serving as a rendezvous of ideas and strategies towards the development of the State in all areas.

As evening quiets, attention naturally pivots inward, and this inward turn increases the salience of self-referential mentation that can tip into worry under stress. Fatigue further weakens top-down control, so ambiguous bodily cues and half-formed concerns are more readily tagged as threats – magnifying their intensity precisely when sleep should unfold. Together, the quiet context and reduced cognitive control make intrusive thoughts feel louder, stickier, and harder to dismiss. When those loops of anxiety coincide with elevated physiological arousal, a stable pattern of overthinking at night – can form that undermines sleep initiation and fragments rest.

Cortisol typically declines toward bedtime, but stress and irregular schedules can flatten or shift this curve, keeping presleep arousal higher than it should be. Intensive daily sampling links elevated evening cortisol with longer sleep latency, lower efficiency, and shorter total sleep, demonstrating a direct endocrine pathway to restless nights. Over days, altered cortisol and insufficient sleep reinforce one another, priming nocturnal overthinking to recur. For ongoing psychoeducation and practical ideas that complement evening anxiety work and rumination management, see Liven app – as an add-on to structured routines.

Harvey’s model of insomnia shows that negatively toned cognitive activity – catastrophizing about sleep, scanning for danger cues – heightens autonomic arousal and emotional distress. Once aroused, attention locks onto internal sensations and external cues (like the clock), misinterpreting benign signals and sustaining wakefulness. Safety behaviors such as clock-checking or staying in bed awake condition the bed as a cue for alertness, so thoughts feel particularly ‘attacking’ after dark.

Rumination (repetitive, symptom-focused loops) and worry (future-oriented threat simulation) both raise presleep cognitive arousal and predict poorer sleep. Evidence indicates rumination and unhelpful sleep beliefs mediate the link between insomnia and mood symptoms, keeping threat-focused loops active into the night. In lived experience, rumination fixates on ‘how bad tonight will be,’ while worry scripts worst-case tomorrows – each prolonging wakefulness.

Paradoxical insomnia reflects a gap between subjective and objective sleep, driven by hypervigilance that mislabels light sleep or brief awakenings as prolonged wakefulness. When nocturnal cognitive arousal is high, this misperception strengthens – distorting both time perception and sleep appraisal. The belief ‘I didn’t sleep at all’ then increases next-night anxiety, completing the overthinking-insomnia loop.

Stimulus control: Go to bed only when sleepy, leave bed if awake ~20 minutes, and keep a fixed rise time; this restores the bed-sleep link and weakens learned threat associations. Across delivery formats, stimulus control reliably improves sleep latency and efficiency when done consistently.

Sleep restriction (time-in-bed compression): Temporarily align time in bed with actual sleep, then titrate upward to build sleep drive, reduce clock-time awake, and lower arousal. This method can also yield medium effects on mood by improving sleep continuity and predictability.

Cognitive restructuring: Challenge ‘If I don’t sleep, tomorrow is ruined,’ weigh evidence, and adopt balanced alternatives that lower alarm and reduce selective monitoring.

Attention skills and defusion: Label thoughts (‘a worry, not a fact’), then shift to neutral anchors (breath, ambient sounds) to interrupt spirals without ‘trying to sleep.’

Worry/postponement routines: Do a brief ‘brain dump’ 2-3 hours before bed and assign daytime action slots so problem-solving migrates to when control resources are strongest.

These components jointly reduce negatively toned mentation, dismantle safety behaviors, and re-associate the bed with drowsiness rather than vigilance. Mechanistically, they downshift autonomic arousal, disrupt selective threat monitoring, and correct biased appraisals, so intrusive thoughts lose their intensity and duration.

If sleep-onset struggles, early-morning awakenings with racing thoughts, or persistent misperception last for weeks, structured CBT-I usually outperforms generic sleep hygiene. Given the tight coupling of circadian-sleep disruption with mood and anxiety, review sleep timing, naps, and co-occurring symptoms to tailor an effective plan.

Evening light hygiene: Dim lighting 2-3 hours before bed; bright or blue-enriched light rapidly suppresses melatonin within minutes and can alter cortisol dynamics depending on timing and intensity, making the brain feel ‘day-like’ when it should wind down. Treat screens and overhead LEDs as stimulants after dusk; warm, low-lux light helps the circadian system stay aligned with sleep.

Micro-skills during awakenings: If awake, avoid the three ‘C’s: clock-checking, catastrophizing, and cognitive effort; instead, practice a 4-minute sensory sweep (feel, hear, breathe, release) to lower arousal and keep the bed associated with neutrality. If the mind keeps looping, relocate to a dim, quiet spot for a low-stimulation activity and return only when drowsy to preserve conditioning gains.

Precision with sleep restriction: Expect a short adjustment phase; maintain consistent rise times and small data-driven time-in-bed increases once sleep efficiency improves, which strengthens sleep drive and stabilizes timing. Many benefit from journaling objective cues of sleepiness and drowsiness to guide increments and reduce fear of ‘not sleeping.’

Mindfulness add-on for cognitive arousal: Mindfulness-based insomnia protocols can deliver large reductions in nocturnal cognitive arousal and durable gains in remission, particularly by reducing perseverative thinking and increasing decentering. Even brief nightly practices: observing, labeling, allowing – can weaken the reflex to personalize or battle thoughts, letting them pass without escalating into full rumination.

Night feels hostile not because danger grows, but because biology leans inward as cortisol dynamics and fatigue reduce control while cognitive habits amplify threat and misread benign signals. The practical solution is to change the context: relink bed and sleep, move problem solving to daylight, and train attention away from threat cues, so arousal can settle naturally. With consistent practice, overthinking loses momentum and the night can return to recovery and repair. Keep in mind that consistent application of cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) techniques, especially stimulus control and moderate sleep restriction, restores the association between bed and sleep and reduces night-time hyperarousal. Therapy can break the vicious cycle of insomnia, which increases anxiety and further exacerbates insomnia. Also, a short evening ‘worry time’ and a ritual of turning off external stimuli help to bring worries out into the open and reduce the focus on threats at night, allowing arousal to fade and sleep to come more naturally.

The Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, has disclosed that about 98 percent of Nigerian workers will be exempted from paying Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) tax when the new tax laws take effect from January 2026.

Oyedele made the disclosure while speaking during a session at the ongoing 31st Nigerian Economic Summit (NES31) in Abuja, explaining that the upcoming tax reforms are designed to protect low-income earners and those living around the poverty line, while ensuring a more equitable and efficient tax system.

‘The more inequality you create, the more time bombs you have,’ Oyedele said. ‘These reforms are designed to strengthen governance around revenue generation, improve accountability, and ensure that tax revenues are effectively utilised.’

According to him, the comprehensive tax reforms, which form part of President Bola Tinubu’s broader fiscal policy agenda, aim to enhance Nigeria’s sovereign credit rating, lower borrowing costs for both government and businesses, and stimulate private-sector investment.

Oyedele said the reform effort was not without personal risk, revealing that he had received death threats because of his role in driving the initiative.

‘Reform is tough,’ he said. ‘I have suffered all kinds of things, including death threats. But I am not scared. I recently celebrated my 50th birthday. Even if anything happens, I have done my bit. The reforms belong to Nigerians. The reforms don’t belong to Mr. President.’

He explained that the reforms seek to build a fairer system in which wealthy individuals and large corporations contribute more to the country’s development.

According to him, ‘If we don’t pay our taxes in an orderly manner, we’ll pay them in a disorderly manner. We’ve seen that in the past few years, with over N30 trillion printed, which is part of the inflation we’re dealing with and the devaluation of the naira. We don’t want that to happen. We’ve seen countries like Zimbabwe where prices double every other day.’

Under the new tax structure, he said, poor Nigerians would be exempted from personal income tax, while high-net-worth individuals would be subject to higher rates.

‘The poor will not pay personal income tax,’ he said. ‘Those who earn more and have greater means will pay more. That is how fairness works in a modern economy.’

Oyedele further stated that small and low-income companies would also enjoy tax exemptions to strengthen their operations and create more jobs.

He said, ‘We are considering tax-exempt stickers for nano businesses to protect them from harassment by state and local government officials. These are the smallest operators – street vendors, petty traders, artisans – they should be allowed to thrive.’

Responding to concerns that state and local governments might resist the reforms, Oyedele assured that members of the Joint Tax Board (JTB), representing all 36 states and the FCT, were fully part of the committee’s deliberations and had expressed support for the new framework.

He explained that the Implementation Guidelines and Explanatory Notes for the reforms were being developed by relevant institutions, including the Federal Ministry of Finance, the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) Foundation, and the JTB.

According to him, the new system would not deprive states of revenue but would, in fact, help them earn more from the Federation Account without burdening vulnerable citizens.

‘Last year, all the states generated N3.36 trillion from taxes imposed on their people,’ he said. ‘If that N3.36 trillion is not generated in 2026, the states will not do worse. We are convinced that no state will be bankrupt. We can’t do better by taxing our most vulnerable.’

Oyedele cited recent improvements in national revenue distribution as evidence that the fiscal reforms were already beginning to yield results. ‘Last month, the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) shared over N2 trillion to the three tiers of government,’ he said.

He also criticised outdated and regressive tax provisions that burden the poor, citing examples such as the so-called ‘wheelbarrow tax.’

‘Some of the tax provisions in our constitution are retrogressive,’ Oyedele said. ‘How will you ask anyone to pay wheelbarrow tax? That is why we have sent ten amendment proposals to the National Assembly to amend sections that need to change in line with the tax reforms.’

According to him, the committee is also working on expenditure reforms to ensure that tax revenues are used efficiently and transparently.

‘We have worked on the expenditure side,’ he explained. ‘We are working seriously on fiscal regimes to ensure transparency and prudence in government expenditure so that Nigerians get full benefits of their taxes.’

While he declined to reveal specific details about the fiscal regime proposals, Oyedele said doing so prematurely could compromise the committee’s objectives.

‘The work we are doing is for the long-term good of Nigeria’s economy,’ he said. ‘Our goal is to create a tax system that is simple, fair, and efficient – one that promotes growth, attracts investment, and ensures that the burden of taxation is shared justly across all segments of society.