Business
Opportunities For Local Vehicles Manufacturers In Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative

The Special Adviser to the President (Media and Publicity), Ajuri Ngelale, says that the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGI) holds immense opportunities for local vehicles manufacturers and assemblers.
The PCNGI was recently established by
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to facilitate nationwide adoption of gas-powered vehicles.
In a statement, Ngelale said that the initiative was in furtherance of the government’s commitment to easing the impact of fuel subsidy removal on Nigerians by reducing energy costs.
“The transformative initiative is poised to revolutionise the transportation landscape in the country, targeting over 11,500 new Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) enabled vehicles and 55,000 CNG conversion kits for existing PMS-dependent vehicles, while simultaneously bolstering in-country manufacturing, local assembly and expansive job creation in line with the presidential directive”, he said.
The initiative, which comprises a comprehensive adoption strategy, will include the following: empowering workshop programmes/nationwide network of workshops, local assembly and job creation as key points of emphasis with an initial focus on mass transit systems and student hubs to significantly reduce transit costs for the general populace in the immediate term.
“In line with the PCNGI’s determination to ensure a seamless integration of CNG utility within the current midstream and downstream energy value chain to support its sustainability, the PCNGI will facilitate the provision of workshops across all geopolitical zones and states with essential kits and comprehensive training for newly employed staff, thus creating new opportunities for technical skill development and employment for Nigerians.
“The new nationwide network of workshops to be established through the initiative would ensure widespread access and demand side utilisation of CNG technology and CNG-related expertise, thereby facilitating smoother transitions for vehicle owners at the wider benefit of the Nigerian economy,” he stated.
Under the aegis of the PCNGI, the strategic objectives, which will be achieved, include the development of new stakeholder-operated intrastate mass transit systems built on CNG; support for states to onboard new CNG buses as part of their intrastate mass transit network (wholesale conversion, retro-fitting and new purchase); the deployment of CNG buses through existing private mass transit operators, including new financing programmes for operators through an innovative asset finance programme.
Others are: Incentivise investors to invest in CNG processing, distribution and utilisation by providing incentives for enhanced investment and partnership; deliver training and technology transfer to support the after-sales services and maintenance of sub-industry to create sustainable jobs.
Tinubu’s focus on assembling CNG-enabled vehicles within the country is expected to stimulate economic growth, create employment opportunities and bolster the nation’s automotive manufacturing capabilities.
“The launch of this initiative also underscores this administration’s commitment to fostering a cleaner environment by reducing carbon emissions and promoting energy security through the utilisation of domestic natural gas resources,” Ngelale said.
Business
FG Enforcing Compulsory “No Tax ID, No Bank Account Policy”
Section 8 (2) makes Tax ID mandatory for any person to operate a bank account or get involved in insurance, stocks or allied services in the country, once the Act comes into force from January 1, 2026.

The Federal Government is making it compulsory for all taxable Nigerians to obtain a compulsory Taxpayer Identification (Tax ID) when the new tax Acts come into force in January 2026.
The policy will be enforced by the Nigeria Revenue Service (formerly Federal Inland Revenue Services).
Ohibaba.com gathered that the Tax ID is contained in the provisions of the Nigeria Tax Administration Act, 2025, Part II Section 4 of the legislation which was recently signed by President Bola Tinubu.
It says: “Every Taxable person shall register with the relevant Tax Authority and obtain a Taxpayer Identification Card (Tax ID) for the purpose of compliance with tax obligations.
“Every ministry, department or agency of the federal, State or Local government shall register and obtain a Tax ID.”
It said that Section 6 (1) of the Act also requires Non-resident persons who supply taxable goods and services to any person in Nigeria to obtain Tax ID, as they shall be obligated to pay tax in Nigeria.
Section 7 (3) empowers the relevant tax authority to issue Tax ID to a person who should have applied for an ID but failed to do so.
The relevant tax authority is also empowered to refuse to issue a Tax ID to an applicant based on information available to it.
In such a case, the authority shall inform the applicant of its decision within five working days.
Section 8 (1) (c) makes Tax ID a condition for entering into any contract with the Federal and State governments.
Section 8 (2) makes Tax ID mandatory for any person to operate a bank account or get involved in insurance, stocks or allied services in the country, once the Act comes into force from January 1, 2026.
The Act, however, provides an allowance to suspend or deregister the Tax ID, if the holder ceases to undertake trade or business, either temporarily or permanently.
Section 10 (1) provides, “Where a taxable person temporarily ceases to carry on a trade or business in Nigeria, the taxable person shall notify the relevant tax authority of its intention to suspend its registration for tax purposes within 30 days of such temporary cessation of trade or business.(2)
“The Tax authority shall classify the Tax ID as ‘dormant’ and place it on suspension.
(3) “Where a taxable person permanently ceases to carry on trade or business in Nigeria, the taxable person shall notify the relevant tax authority of its intention to deregister for tax purposes within 30 days of such cessation of trade or business.
Business
Nigeria to host Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) 2027
With Lagos preparing to welcome the world in 2027, the IATF mission continues its quest to deepen trade, unlock investment, and connect Africa to itself and the world at large.

• IATF 2025 opening ceremony , 4 September, Algiers.
Nigeria has been officially picked to host the 2027 edition of the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF).
This was announced during the opening ceremony on Thursday in Algiers, with calls for African countries to accelerate growth in Intra-African trade and boost economic integration.
At the event, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, received the IATF flag on behalf of the country as Lagos was confirmed host city for the continental fair in 2027.
The Chairman of the IATF Advisory Council and former President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, said, “Since its inception, the IATF has rotated across our continent, leaving its unique legacy and improving with each host nation.
“Today we continue the proud tradition by announcing the country that will host IATF2027.
“With Lagos preparing to welcome the world in 2027, the IATF mission continues its quest to deepen trade, unlock investment, and connect Africa to itself and the world at large.
Organised by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) in collaboration with the African Union Commission (AUC) and the AfCFTA Secretariat, the IATF brings together continental and global stakeholders to showcase goods and services, facilitates direct engagement and exchange between businesses and between businesses and government entities.
The fair was established to accelerate the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement which aims to create a single market for goods and services across Africa.
Business
OPSN Faults Repeated Summons of Private Companies by National Assembly
OPSN members comprise the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture(NACCIMA), Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), Nigeria Association of Small Scale Industrialists(NASS), and Nigeria Association of Small and Medium Enterprises(NASME).

The Organised Private Sector of Nigeria (OPSN) has expressed deep concerns over incessant invitations, summons by the committee of the National Assembly on the activities of private companies.
OPSN members comprise the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture(NACCIMA), Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), Nigeria Association of Small Scale Industrialists(NASS), and Nigeria Association of Small and Medium Enterprises(NASME).
The Association of Food, Beverages and Tobacco Employees(AFBTE) and other 25 sectoral employers ’ associations also decried this situation.
The concern was conveyed through an open letter sent to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu, which was published on Thursday, September 4, 2025.
The group said that the practice has continued unhindered despite judicial pronouncements, including a pending appeal before the Supreme Court, which affirms that the powers conferred on the National Assembly in line with sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution do not extend oversight powers to private companies.
They cite judicial precedents in the case of DHL International Nigeria Limited vs Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and ORS (FHC/ABJ/CS/261/2018).
The court unequivocally held that private companies do not fall within the category of persons contemplated by sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution.
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