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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 Approves 16 as Minimum Admission Age into University
The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, said this on Tuesday when he declared open the ongoing Policy Meeting of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, in Abuja.

The Federal Government has mandated 16 as the minimum age for admission into tertiary institutions.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, said this on Tuesday when he declared open the ongoing Policy Meeting of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, in Abuja.
Alausa declared that the official age of 16 set by the government is not negotiable.
He warned that the heads of institutions found to be engaged in admission fraud would face prosecution.Education Minister Dr. Tunji Alausa warned that any admissions outside JAMB’s CAPS platform are illegal. Institutions involved in admission fraud will face prosecution, as the government moves to enforce transparency and integrity in the process.
News
BREAKING: ASUU announces nationwide strike

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has directed its members nationwide to begin an indefinite strike over the federal government’s delay in paying June 2025 salaries.
According to reports, this decision, which enforces the union’s “No Pay, No Work” policy, has already taken effect in several universities.
Branches of ASUU at the University of Jos and University of Abuja have withdrawn their services, with members suspending academic duties and meetings.
The strike is in line with a National Executive Council (NEC) resolution that mandates withdrawal of service if salaries are not paid within three days of a new month.
ASUU President, Professor Chris Piwuna, confirmed that the directive was necessary due to persistent salary delays and hardship faced by members.
He noted that the switch from the Integrated Personnel Payroll and Information System (IPPIS) to the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS) has worsened the situation, leaving lecturers unpaid for days after the month ends.
He explained that despite meetings with key government officials including the Minister of Education and the Accountant General, no solution has been provided.
According to Piwuna, the delay is not due to any technical problem with the payment platform but appears to be a deliberate move by some officials.
The union is also calling on the federal government to immediately release the outstanding N10 billion balance from the N50 billion meant for Earned Academic Allowances (EAA), warning that further delay may spark another phase of industrial action.
At the University of Jos, the branch chairman, Jurbe Molwus, confirmed that the congress backed the NEC resolution, leading to a halt in lectures and other statutory duties.
A strike monitoring team has been activated to ensure compliance.At the University of Abuja, members have also stopped work in protest.
ASUU declared the only way to end the ongoing disruption is for the government to stop delaying salaries and fulfil its obligations to university staff.
News
Keyamo tells Mbah: “Do not let Enugu Air go the way of Nigerian Airways”
“Beyond party line, we should not be afraid to say it. You have a progressive spirit, you’ve done well for Enugu State, and you’re one of the best performing governors.”

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, on Monday urged the Enugu State Government to ensure that Enugu Air is run professionally and shielded from political interference and bureaucratic inefficiency.
Keyamo also hailed Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah as one of the best-performing governors in the country, despite belonging to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Speaking during the inauguration of Enugu Air in the state capital, Keyamo commended Mbah’s leadership style and development strides.
“I want to mirror what the president said the other day to commission project. Dr Peter Mbah, you’re in PDP, but we’re scared of you.
The way you’re going, we don’t know what will happen, and we don’t know how to drop a scheme to defeat you, but we will be planning,” Keyamo said.
“Beyond party line, we should not be afraid to say it. You have a progressive spirit, you’ve done well for Enugu State, and you’re one of the best performing governors.”
“What is left to advise is, do not let Enugu Air go the way of Nigerian Airways. Run it professionally and do not let bureaucracy kill Enugu Air. Be prompt in your departure and arrival.”
The airline will begin operations with a fleet of three Embraer jets from the E170 and E190 series, selected for their operational efficiency, passenger comfort, and suitability for regional routes.
Its inaugural routes will form a strategic triangular network connecting Enugu, Abuja, and Lagos. Plans are also underway to expand services to Port Harcourt, Owerri, Benin, Kano, and other major cities across Nigeria and beyond.
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