News
House softens stance on Tax Reform Bills
The House of Representatives has softened its stance on the Tax Reform Bills.
Yesterday, after a three-hour generally positive debate by members, the Bills scaled second reading and passed for public hearing.
This is unlike the situation when the Bills were sent by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the Green Chamber in October.
Following opposition from a section of the ruling class, the House exploded in uproar over the Bills, forcing Speaker Abbas Tajudeen to dissolve the House into and Executive session after which all issues on the Bills were kept in ambiance to allow for consultations.
But at the Senate, the Bills were quickly debated and moved to the public hearing stage.
The Bills are the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, the Nigeria Tax Bill, the Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, and the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Bill.
The bills were consolidated into one at the House for a seamless debate.
The proposed laws were read for the first time on October 8 but debate by the House was put on hold due to disagreement on the content of the bill, especially by Northern leaders and the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF).
Although the House engaged government officials on the benefits of the bills, Speaker Tajudeen asked members to engage in wide consultations with their constituents to pave the way for a robust debate.
Apart from some observations on certain areas of the bills that appeared not in tandem with some sections of the 1999 Constitution and a few other clauses, members unanimously okayed the bills for a second reading.
Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda said while opposition members supported the spirit behind the bills, some had issues with certain aspects.
Chinda noted that the bills seek to rejig the nation’s tax system for effective revenue generation. He pointed out that for every law, there must be the spirit of the letters.
He said: “We have all agreed that the spirit behind the four bills is good.‘’
But we have issues with some of the letters of the bills. Why we oppose some letters of the bills, we support the spirit and want to assure Nigerians that we will watch those letters and at the appropriate time, we will ensure that the letters are corrected in the interest of Nigerians.
“He advocated a reduction in the Value Added Tax(VAT), saying ‘’It is possible to reduce tax, while efforts should be made to tidy up all areas of conflicts..’’
House Leader Julius Ihonvbere thereafter set the tone for the debate by explaining that the bills were intended to overhaul the country’s outdated tax laws.
Ihonvbere reassured the public that the reforms would benefit ordinary Nigerians without imposing tax burdens on the poor.
While appreciating those who hold opposing views to the bills, he said their views helped strengthen the bills.
The House leader charged members to “be part of history in reforming the tax system to promote revenue growth, increase employment and better the life of ordinary Nigerians.
Minority Whip, Ali Isa commended Speaker Abass for creating an opportunity for members to engage and consult widely on the contentious parts of the bills.
Isa however expressed concern about clause 146 which encourages a gradual increase in VAT from 7.5 percent to 10 percent and later 15 percent.
News
BREAKING: Two-Storey Building Collapses in Ajuwon, Residents Feared Trapped
A two-storey residential building has collapsed along Baale Road (also referred to as Baale Street) near Ajuwon Bus Stop in Ajuwon/Akute, Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State, on Monday, 27 July 2026, leaving several occupants feared trapped under the rubble.
The incident, which occurred in the Lagos-Ogun border community, triggered panic among residents and passers-by as the structure gave way unexpectedly. Crowds quickly gathered at the scene while waiting for emergency responders. Eyewitnesses described chaotic scenes of people attempting to dig through the debris by hand.
According to one eyewitness identified as Anthony, only a single male occupant managed to escape before the building became completely inaccessible. The survivor reportedly told those at the scene that his wife and children remained trapped inside.
Preliminary reports indicate that at least three people — including a grandmother, her toddler grandchild, and another man — have been rescued from the rubble and taken to hospital. Several others are still feared trapped. The exact number of people affected, including any injuries or fatalities, has not been officially confirmed by authorities at the time of reporting.
The Executive Chairman of Ifo Local Government, Hon. Idris Kusimo, has arrived at the scene and is coordinating with residents and responders. Rescue operations involving locals and emergency personnel are ongoing.
Urgent Appeal
An urgent call has gone out to the Ogun State Government, Ogun State Emergency Management Agency, relevant state fire and rescue services, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and all other emergency responders to immediately mobilise fully equipped teams to the location to rescue those still trapped beneath the debris.
Further updates will follow as official information becomes available. Residents in the area are advised to stay clear of the site to allow unhindered access for rescue teams.
News
TCN Foils Theft Attempt, Recovers Tower Members at Bauchi Substation
The Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN, foiled an attempted theft at its 330/132kV transmission substation in Bauchi on Friday, July 24, 2026, at about 9:34pm.
Security personnel at the substation intercepted suspected vandals attempting to remove critical tower members. The suspects fled the scene on sighting the guards.

An inspection of the area led to the recovery of 12 transmission tower angle irons, one heavy-duty metal measuring scale, and a white pickup truck believed to have been used for the operation.
The recovered items and the vehicle have been handed over to the Railway Division Police Station, Bauchi, for further investigation.
No equipment was carted away and no injuries were recorded during the incident.
TCN commends the prompt response of its security team, whose vigilance prevented the theft of or damage to critical transmission infrastructure.
TCN reiterates the need for host communities to report suspicious activities around power installations to security agencies or the nearest TCN office.
News
ISWAP Finance Chief Surrender To Nigeria Military
The senior operative surrendered to troops of 3 Battalion under 24 Task Force Brigade at about 06:45 WAT on 25 July along the Ladari-Jegarawa-Tunokalia axis of the Gamboru-Wulgo Main Supply Route. He arrived with two male children, voluntarily laying down his arms before the troops.
Credit: Operation HADIN KAI
Military authorities confirmed on Monday a senior Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) finance operative, has surrendered to Operation HADIN KAI in Nigeria’s North-East.
Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East) Operates HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni, disclosed this in a statement, emphasising that the surrender followed coordinated land and air offensives that have intensified pressure on terrorist enclaves, contributing to a growing wave of defections.
The senior operative surrendered to troops of 3 Battalion under 24 Task Force Brigade at about 06:45 WAT on 25 July along the Ladari-Jegarawa-Tunokalia axis of the Gamboru-Wulgo Main Supply Route.
He arrived with two male children, voluntarily laying down his arms before the troops.
Preliminary profiling by the Theatre Command identified the individual as the chief finance operative of the ISWAP enclave at Jubillaram, where he reportedly managed the terrorist group’s financial activities and logistics support.
Military authorities further disclosed that about 46 terrorists and their family members have voluntarily surrendered in recent days, suggesting that the combination of kinetic operations and intelligence-led campaigns is steadily weakening ISWAP’s cohesion and sustainment capabilities.
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