Business

Govt’s Excise Duty Puts 950,000 Manufacturing, Allied industries jobs at Risk of Layoffs

Published

3 years ago

May 18, 2023

555 Views

The increases in excise duty on sweetend beverages, beers, tobacco and single use plastics by the Federal Government will severely affect 950,000 direct and indirect employees in the manufacturing sector’s value chain.

Based on this, the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has called on the Federal Government to reverse the 2023 Fiscal Policy Measures, and retain the 2022 -2024 excise duty roadmap as approved in the 2022 FPM.

This is to foster stability in the affected sectors and their value chain.

Otunba Francis Meshioye, President of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), said that the government had better suspend the policy in the interest of the national economy.

At a press conference in Lagos, the previous day, the MAN President noted that companies in the affected industries support other businesses in their value chain, cutting across agriculture, logistics, bottling, labelling and packaging businesses, as well as factory and office staff, distribution, wholesale and retail businesses, catering for over 950,000 direct and indirect employees.

” For instance, over 37,000 sorghum farmers rely on the brewing sector for their livelihood. Unemployment rate which stands at 41 percent , puts about 489,000 existing jobs at risk and which will further widen the unemployment gap,” he said .

He explained that a crash in sale volumes and consequent cuts in production will severely impact
these businesses in the value chain, which will have a multiplier effect on the national economy.

” For instance, supplier transactions in the sector declined by over N260 billion by the end of 2022, when compared to 2021,” he said.

He said that retaining the 2023 FPM will have a negative signalling effect on current and prospective investors.

“A continuing decline in sale volumes will necessitate production cuts and a re-evaluation of investments in the sector. Specifically, if sales proceeds can no longer sustain
business overheads and operating expenses, businesses will be forced to scale
down their operations which would result in factory closures, job losses, a decline in exports and much more.

It is instructive to note that the Excise increase is a direct attack on Foreign Direct Investment (FDI),” he said.

Commenting on the introduction of the Single Use Plastics tax, he said that it is necessary for the authority to reverse the tax on Single Use Plastics and engage with relevant stakeholders
to facilitate ongoing initiatives, which have a better prospect of achieving the desired environmental objectives.

“A good example of this is the Food & Beverage Recycling Alliance, approved by the federal government,” he said.

Business

UPDATE : Polaris Bank Debunks Reports of 34 Deaths in Lagos Branch Fire

Published

18 hours ago

June 19, 2026

Charles Flames

36 Views

Polaris Bank has strongly dismissed as false and misleading social media reports claiming that over 34 people died in a fire incident at its Broad Street branch on Lagos Island.

In an official statement, the bank confirmed that there were no casualties or fatalities recorded during the Thursday fire outbreak.

“The reports claiming that over 34 persons were feared dead are false and misleading. We confirm that there were no casualties or fatalities,” the bank stated.

The fire, which reportedly started from a vehicle in the building’s parking area, was swiftly contained by the Lagos State Fire Service with minimal damage to the facility. Operations at the branch are expected to resume normally soon.

The bank urged the public to rely on verified official information and disregard unconfirmed rumours circulating on social media.

This incident follows heightened public sensitivity to fire outbreaks in Lagos following previous tragic events in the area. Authorities have not yet disclosed the exact cause of the fire, but investigations are ongoing.

Business

Naira Exchange Rates To Foreign currencies Friday, June 19

Today, the Naira is exchanging at the official market at US DOLLAR (USD) ₦1,363. 30 , while the Black Market rate goes for ₦1, 400

Published

1 day ago

June 19, 2026

OCHEFA

30 Views

Official CBN Exchange Rates

US DOLLAR (USD) ₦1,363. 30

GREAT BRITISH POUND (GBP) ₦1,805. 70

EURO (EUR) ₦1,563. 07

SWISS FRANC (CHF) ₦1, 697. 97

JAPANESE YEN (JPN) ₦8.47

CHINESE YUAN (CNY) ₦201. 22

WEST AFRICAN CFA (XOF) ₦2.40

WEST AFRICAN UNIT ACCOUNT (WAUA) ₦1,858.07

SAUDI RIYAL (SAR) ₦363.22

SOUTH AFRICAN RAND (ZAR) ₦83.08

BLACK MARKET RATES

US DOLLAR (USD) Buy ₦1, 400 Sell ₦1,407

GREAT BRITISH POUND (GBP) Buy ₦1,870 Sell: ₦1,890

EURO (EUR) Buy ₦1, 590 Sell ₦1, 610

CANADIAN DOLLAR (CAD) Buy ₦1,030 Sell ₦1,100

SOUTH AFRICAN RAND (ZAR) Buy ₦75 Sell ₦90

UAE DIRHAM Buy ₦350 Sell ₦370

CHINESE YUAN Buy ₦180 Sell ₦200

GHANA CEDI (GHS) Buy ₦95 Sell ₦110

WEST AFRICAN CFA Buy ₦2, 380 Sell ₦2, 460

CENTRAL AFRICAN CFA Buy ₦2, 220 Sell 2,300

AUSTRALIAN DOLLAR Buy ₦800 Sell ₦900

Business

FG Releases Tax Act 2025 Transition Guidelines

The Guidelines are intended to promote uniform implementation and support effective administration across the Nigeria Revenue Service, State Internal Revenue Services, the FCT Internal Revenue Service, Local Government Revenue Committees, tax practitioners and taxpayers nationwide.

Published

2 days ago

June 18, 2026

OCHEFA

46 Views

• Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele.

The Federal Government has issued the General Guidelines for the implementation of the Tax Acts 2025, setting out the process for transition from the repealed tax laws to the new tax framework effective from January 1, 2026.

Issued by the Federal Ministry of Finance, the Guidelines provide direction to taxpayers, tax practitioners, revenue authorities and other stakeholders on how to address various issues arising from the old regime to the new framework.

Under the Guidelines, the Tax Acts 2025 comprising the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, the Nigeria Tax Act, the Nigeria Tax Administration Act, and the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Act apply from the respective commencement dates as enacted in each law. In particular, January 1, 2026 for the Nigeria Tax Act, 2025.

Tax liabilities, assessments, audits, investigations, disputes and enforcement actions relating to periods before that date will be treated under the repealed tax laws.

Tax returns relating to accounting periods ending before January 1, 2026, will be filed under the previous tax laws, while returns falling due from January 1, 2026, onward will be administered under the new tax framework.

The document also covers the treatment of income taxes, transaction taxes, development levies, tax incentives, exemptions, record-keeping obligations and transactions that span both the old and new tax regimes.

Existing tax incentives and exemptions granted under the repealed laws will remain in place until their expiration dates. New applications and pending requests, however, will be considered under the provisions of the Tax Acts 2025.

Speaking on the release of the Guidelines, the Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, said that the document provides a framework for managing transitional issues while ensuring that the new laws are not applied retrospectively.

He described the Tax Acts 2025 as a significant milestone in Nigeria’s tax reform programme, noting that the Guidelines set out how existing obligations, ongoing matters and future transactions will be treated under the new regime.

According to the Minister, the Guidelines are anchored on three key principles – clarity, fairness and administrative certainty.

The Government reaffirmed its commitment to building a transparent, efficient and modern tax system that supports economic growth, strengthens revenue administration, encourages voluntary compliance and improves Nigeria’s investment climate.