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
FG Unveils Digital Platforms for Transparency
The Federal Government has launched three digital platforms, the Reform Tracker, Knowledge Repository, and National Strategy for Public Service Reforms (NSPSR) Dashboard to strengthen transparency, accountability, performance monitoring, and knowledge management across the Federal Public Service.
The platforms were developed by the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR) to support the effective implementation of government reforms.
Speaking at the launch in Abuja, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, represented by his Senior Technical Adviser, Professor Babatunde Bolaji Bernard, described the platforms as an integrated digital ecosystem that will transform how reforms are monitored, documented, and communicated across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies.
According to the SGF, the Reform Tracker will provide a reliable mechanism for monitoring reform milestones, implementation timelines, and performance indicators across government institutions, helping to ensure accountability and timely delivery of reform programmes.
He explained that the Knowledge Repository will serve as a central digital library for reform-related documents, policies, reports, and case studies, preserving institutional memory, reducing duplication of efforts, and promoting evidence-based decision-making throughout the public service.
Senator Akume added that the NSPSR Dashboard will provide real-time updates on the implementation of the National Strategy for Public Service Reforms, enabling policymakers to track progress, identify gaps, measure achievements, and make informed decisions.
He said the initiative reflects the government’s commitment to building a technology-driven and results-oriented public service.
Meanwhile, Director-General of BPSR, Dr. Dasuki Ibrahim Arabi, described the launch as a major milestone in institutionalising reforms through innovation and technology.
News
Nigeria Determined Never to Return to War – Akume (Photos)
Commits to Global Peace Dialogue in Italy, says Akumeecretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, CON, has said Nigerians remain resolute in their determination never to relive the horrors of war, stressing that the Federal Government is deepening efforts to promote peace, religious tolerance and national cohesion across the country.

Akume spoke in Abuja while receiving the Country Representative of the Community of Saint Egidio in Nigeria, Prof. Jan De Volder, who visited him alongside the Deputy Ambassador of Italy to Nigeria, Mr. Iscopo Foti, and other officials.
The visit was to formally invite the SGF to participate in an international peace gathering scheduled to hold in Italy in October, where world religious and political leaders will discuss strategies for fostering peaceful coexistence and bridging religious divides.
Speaking during the meeting, Akume highlighted the Tinubu administration’s commitment to peacebuilding through inclusive governance and national unity, noting that despite occasional security challenges, Nigeria has continued to make progress in strengthening social harmony and combating insurgency.

“Since the civil war, Nigerians have made up their minds never to experience war again. While we may have frictions arising from our differences, we are collectively working towards peaceful coexistence, religious tolerance and national unity,” Akume said.
The SGF acknowledged the security challenges confronting parts of the country but maintained that sustained government interventions had significantly weakened terrorist and insurgent groups.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is working round the clock with all stakeholders to end the barbaric killings and attacks on our citizens. Through the Renewed Hope Agenda, the government is also driving economic recovery and ensuring that every segment of the population is carried along in the nation’s development process,” he added.
Akume expressed appreciation to the Community of Saint Egidio for its global commitment to peace, humanitarian service and spiritual growth, and welcomed opportunities for collaboration with international partners in advancing peace and development.
Earlier, Prof. De Volder said the Community of Saint Egidio, which has operated globally for 53 years and in Nigeria for 26 years, was founded on the principles of Prayer, Poor and Peace, describing the organisation as a bridge-builder among communities and a champion of support for vulnerable populations.
He commended Nigeria’s resilience and said his personal experience of the country differed significantly from the negative narratives often portrayed on social media and in international news reports.
According to him, the forthcoming gathering in Italy will bring together leaders from different faiths and political backgrounds to explore practical ways of fostering peace and mutual understanding in an increasingly divided world.
De Volder expressed hope that Senator Akume would attend the event alongside other religious and political leaders from Nigeria, noting that the country’s experiences in managing diversity and promoting coexistence would enrich discussions at the global forum.
The SGF accepted the invitation and pledged his participation in the October event, while reiterating Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening international partnerships aimed at promoting peace, stability and sustainable development.
News
JUST IN: Court Orders Final Forfeiture of 48 Malami-Linked Properties
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the final forfeiture to the Federal Government of 48 properties linked to former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami.
The judge granted the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)’s application for permanent forfeiture after ruling that the respondents failed to rebut the reasonable suspicion that the properties were acquired through unlawful activities.
In a ruling delivered on Wednesday, Justice Abdulmalik dismissed several motions on notice and applications to show cause filed by Malami, his family members, and associated companies, describing them as lacking merit. She stressed that the central issue before the court was not the question of ownership, but the legitimacy of the source of funds used to acquire the assets.
“The respondents have not dislodged the reasonable suspicion that the properties were acquired through unlawful activities,” the judge held.
Justice Abdulmalik relied principally on Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act to grant the final forfeiture order. She, however, vacated the interim forfeiture order in respect of some of the properties.
The EFCC had in January 2026 initiated civil forfeiture proceedings, seeking the permanent forfeiture of 57 properties valued at ₦212.8 billion. The anti-graft agency alleged that the assets, located in Abuja, Kano, Kebbi, and Kaduna states, were proceeds of unlawful activities linked to Malami.
On January 16, 2026, vacation judge Justice Emeka Nwite granted an interim forfeiture order and directed the EFCC to publish the order in a national newspaper, inviting interested parties to show cause why the properties should not be permanently forfeited.
Following the publication, Malami, his wife Nana Hadiza Malami, his son Abdulaziz Abubakar Malami, and several companies filed objections, arguing that the properties were lawfully acquired and that the EFCC’s case was based on speculation rather than concrete evidence.
After the court resumed from its annual vacation, the case was reassigned to Justice Abdulmalik. The EFCC maintained during hearings that the properties were bought with proceeds of unlawful activities and held in the names of fronts for the former minister. The commission argued it only needed to establish “reasonable suspicion” under the law.
In late May 2026, parties adopted their final written addresses, after which the judge reserved judgment.
-
Business3 days agoNaira Exchange Rates Monday, July 13
-
Sports2 days agoColombia forward Campaz flees over death threats
-
News2 days agoOgun Govt Warns Public Against Fraudulent ₦20,000 Youth Empowerment Scam
-
Sports3 days agoFIFA appoints match officials for France, Spain semi-final
-
Sports3 days agoWho Will Win The 23rd FIFA World Cup? (France, Spain, England or Argentina)
-
News2 days agoBREAKING: FG Suspends WAEC, NECO Exam Fees Hike Amid Public Backlash
-
Politics2 days agoADC cheerful over successful upload on INEC portal
-
News3 days ago‘He was our hope’: Father mourns Lt Son
