Business
Taiwo Oyedele Jaw-Jaw with manufacturers on benefits of new tax laws to them
Oyedele addressed the manufacturers during a stakeholders engagement with the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) themed, “From Legislative Assembly to Factory Floor: What the New Tax Laws Mean for Nigerian Manufacturers.”
Taiwo Oyedele, the Chairman of Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, has highlighted on the benefits of the new tax laws for local manufacturers.
Oyedele addressed the manufacturers during a stakeholders engagement with the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) themed, “From Legislative Assembly to Factory Floor: What the New Tax Laws Mean for Nigerian Manufacturers.”
Oyedele acknowledged that manufacturers grappled with multiple taxation, high tax burdens and VAT compliance challenges under the old tax regime.
“Today, you can manufacture in Nigeria and imported alternatives will still land cheaper, even after freight, insurance, and duties, which means that even in our own market, we are struggling to compete.
“We want our businesses to compete first locally, then within the region, especially under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Otherwise, businesses will be setting up in Ghana, Benin Republic and be sending their products to Nigeria,” he said.
Oyedele noted that manufacturers faced disproportionately higher effective tax rates due to a mix of legal and illegal levies imposed by state and non-state actors.
His words: “We were taxing capital. We were taxing investments. We have one of the highest tax burdens on corporate profits in the world here in Nigeria.
We are happy that at least 10 states have passed laws fully aligned with the federal framework. This will help eliminate nuisance taxes and illegal collection practices that have long been the bane of manufacturers.
Manufacturers, more than any other sector, had to deal with a multiplicity of taxes everywhere they turned, and even legal taxes were being collected illegally.
This was not working for us, and it wasn’t going to work. Multiple levies distorted the system. These reforms aim to fix that and support manufacturing.”
He said the tax reforms were designed to make Nigeria’s tax system fairer and simpler, particularly for productive sectors such as manufacturing, to make them more competitive both domestically and globally.
“Manufacturers stand to gain from expanded input VAT claims on assets and services, revised income bands, higher exemption thresholds, and a range of reliefs and allowances aimed at reducing effective tax burdens.
In his remarks, the Director-General of MAN, Segun Ajayi-Kadir, said that the success of the reforms depend on full alignment by sub-national governments.
“We are happy that at least 10 states have passed laws fully aligned with the federal framework. This will help eliminate nuisance taxes and illegal collection practices that have long been the bane of manufacturers.
“Now that states are passing these laws on their own, it bodes well for manufacturers and for the sustainability of the tax reform agenda,” he said.
Business
Royal African Society marks 125 years of Africa – Britain Businesses
The anniversary featured the Closing of Markets Ceremony and ringing of the exchange’s closing bell, alongside high-level sector discussions, fireside chats, the presentation of philanthropy awards and the unveiling of the Top African Brands in the UK and Top British Brands in Africa.
• Arunma Oteh, Chairperson of the Royal African Society
The Royal African Society has marked 125 years anniversary of Africa and Britain businesses and investments at a ceremony held at the London Stock Exchange.
The Wednesday event brought together the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II; President and Chief Executive Officer of Africa Finance Corporation, Samaila Zubairu; Chief Executive Officer of British International Investment, Leslie Maasdorp; Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Flutterwave, Olugbenga “GB” Agboola; Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Royal African Society, Stella Okotete; and other business, diplomatic and policy leaders.
Chairperson of the Royal African Society, Arunma Oteh, said that the organisation had spent 125 years fostering partnerships between both regions.
Oteh said that the celebration was aimed at deepening collaboration between Africa and the UK while promoting investment, innovation and shared prosperity.
The anniversary featured the Closing of Markets Ceremony and ringing of the exchange’s closing bell, alongside high-level sector discussions, fireside chats, the presentation of philanthropy awards and the unveiling of the Top African Brands in the UK and Top British Brands in Africa.
Business
US subjects imports from Nigeria to 12.5% tariff
The tariff affects imports from 60 economies that Washington says have not “imposed and effectively enforced a prohibition on the importation of goods produced with forced labour.”
The United States has imposed a 12.5 per cent tariff on imports from Nigeria as part of a new trade measure targeting countries it says have failed to prohibit the importation of goods produced with forced labour.
The tariff affects imports from 60 economies that Washington says have not “imposed and effectively enforced a prohibition on the importation of goods produced with forced labour.”
The measure was announced in a statement posted on the website of the Office of the United States Trade Representative on Thursday.
Nigeria is among the countries subject to the 12.5 per cent tariff, while India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico and the United Kingdom will face a lower 10 per cent rate after adopting or committing to implement bans on imports linked to forced labour.
The move follows investigations launched by the USTR in May 2026 into 60 of the United States’ largest trading partners under Section 301 of the Trade Act.
According to the agency, it received more than 1,600 written submissions, held public hearings involving over 100 witnesses, and consulted more than 45 governments before announcing the tariffs.
Business
MTN Nigeria asks customers to trade old SIM packs for prizes
MTN named eight collection centres across the country where customers can deposit their items. The locations cover Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Jos, Delta, Port Harcourt, and Ibadan.
MTN Nigeria has invited customers to bring in old SIM packs, recharge cards, booster cards, dongles, and MTN-branded phones in exchange for prizes.
The telecom giant is running the campaign the under the hashtag #YelloMoments.
MTN launched the campaign on Wednesday, July 23, via its official social media pages, telling followers that items kept in drawers over the years could be worth something.
Customers who participate will also be featured on what MTN described as a “Memory Wall.”
Collection centres across Nigeria
MTN named eight collection centres across the country where customers can deposit their items. The locations cover Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Jos, Delta, Port Harcourt, and Ibadan.
In Lagos, customers can visit MTN Plaza at No. 1 Awolowo Road, Falomo, Ikoyi, or the office at 43 Allen Avenue, Ikeja. In Abuja, the collection point is at No. 4, Medeira Street, Maitama.
In Kano, it is at 2, Civil Centre Road. In Jos, Plateau State, the centre is at Plot 3119, Royalfield Road.
In Asaba, Delta State, the location is KLM 129, Benin–Asaba Expressway. In Port Harcourt, Rivers State, customers can go to 234, Old Aba Expressway, Opposite Hannah Fast Food.
In Ibadan, Oyo State, the drop-off point is at MTN Regional Office 1, Olubadan Avenue and Up/Zartech Road, Oluyole Estate.
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