Business
Tertiary Education Tax Will be Increased to Three Percent says FG
The Federal Government of Nigeria has increased the tertiary education tax from 2.5 percent to 3 percent for the second time in two years, after it was increased from 2 percent in the Finance Act 2021 to 2.5 percent and has gone up to 3 percent in the backdated 2023 Finance Act.
Recall that the former President Muhammadu Buhari signed the Finance Act 2023 on May 28, 2023 and backdated the commencement date of the Act to 1 May, 2023 and imposed on every company at the rate approved by the President of the assessable profit for each year of assessment.
The funds are disbursed for the general improvement of education in federal and state tertiary institutions, specifically for the provision or maintenance of: Essential physical Infrastructure for teaching and learning; instructional material and equipment; research and publications.
Also contained in this year’s Finance Act is the reintroduction of the payment of taxes for purchasing life insurance policy for an individual or a couple.
According to the Act: “Tax deduction is restored for premium paid in respect of insurance on own life and spouse”.
Other changes made to the old Finance Act include: taxation of gains on the disposal of digital assets including cryptocurrency at the rate of 10 percent; deduction of capital losses on assets for capital gains tax purposes. This may be carried forward for a maximum of 5 years.
There is now the rollover relief on sale of shares. This is however subject to reinvestment of the proceeds within the same year of assessment. There is now the deletion of investment allowance on plant and equipment.
Government has imposed a 0.5 percent levy on goods imported into Nigeria from outside Africa.
All services including telecommunication services are liable to excise tax at rates to be prescribed by the President.
Buhari in his last minute assent to the 2023 Finance Act retained the contentious sharing formula of Electronic Money Transfer (EMT) levy at 15 percent to the federal government, 50 percent to state governments and 35 percent to local governments.
EMT is a singular and one-off levy of N50 on the recipient of any electronic receipts or transfers of N10,000 or above.
Business
MAN woos CBN, MOF for manufacturing refinancing facility
The Director -General of MAN, Segun Ajayi-Kadir, made the call for the facility in a report on the manufacturing outlook for 2026.
Cover image: MAN
The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has called on the monetary authorities ( CBN and MOF) to introduce a Manufacturing Refinancing and Rediscounting Facility (MRRF) believing that it can reinvigorate the manufacturing sector in 2026.
The Director -General of MAN, Segun Ajayi-Kadir, made the call for the facility in a report on the manufacturing outlook for 2026.
He said that the MRRF is to enable banks to refinance approved manufacturing loans at single-digit rates for up to seven years.
He emphasised that to ensure a more robust manufacturing sector in 2026 , there was need for:
- 1. Launch a Manufacturing Refinancing and Rediscounting Facility (MRRF) that allows banks to refinance approved manufacturing loans at single-digit rates for up to 7 years.
- 2. Create a publicly accessible dashboard tracking lending flows, interest rate spreads, loan approvals and sectoral disbursement patterns in real time.
3. Further reduce the benchmark interest rate by at least 200–300 basis points over the next two quarters to make credit affordable for manufacturers.
4. Craft and ensure the effective execution of the implementation strategy for the recently approved Nigeria Industrial Policy.
5. Categorize manufacturers as strategic users of gas to remove the gap between what manufacturers and electricity generation companies pay per cubic foot of gas.
6. Introduce a stable, transparent gas pricing framework for manufacturers and prioritize local gas supply before exports.
Business
Nigeria Revenue Service unveils new logo as FIRS goes to rest
Speaking at the unveiling ceremony in Abuja on Wednesday, the Executive Chairman of the NRS, Zacch Adedeji, said the launch of the logo and accompanying brand elements represents an important milestone in the evolution of Nigeria’s revenue administration framework.
The Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), which has replaced the now-defunct Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), has unveiled its institutional brand identity (logo) as part of efforts to reposition the country’s revenue administration structure.
The agency came into operation following the signing of the Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Act 2025 by President Bola Tinubu in June 2025, marking a major shift in the legal and operational framework governing tax administration in the country.
Speaking at the unveiling ceremony in Abuja on Wednesday, the Executive Chairman of the NRS, Zacch Adedeji, said the launch of the logo and accompanying brand elements represents an important milestone in the evolution of Nigeria’s revenue administration framework.
Adedeji noted that the new institutional identity “signals continuity of purpose, strengthened institutional capacity, and a forward-looking approach to supporting taxpayers and national development.”
Business
BREAKING: Heirs Energies Acquires 20.07% Stake in Seplat Energy from Maurel & Prom in $496-500 Million Deal
In a major shake-up in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, Heirs Energies Limited, chaired by billionaire Tony Elumelu, has agreed to acquire the entire 20.07% equity stake in Seplat Energy Plc from French oil company Etablissements Maurel & Prom S.A.
The transaction involves the sale of 120.4 million ordinary shares at approximately £3.05 per share, valuing the deal at around $496 million to $500 million.
The binding agreement was signed on December 30, 2025, after market close, marking Maurel & Prom’s exit from its long-held position in Seplat, one of Nigeria’s leading independent energy producers listed on both the London Stock Exchange and the Nigerian Exchange.
Tony Elumelu, Chairman of Heirs Energies and its parent Heirs Holdings, described the acquisition as a “long-term investment in Nigeria’s and Africa’s energy future,” emphasizing its alignment with goals of energy security, industrialization, and shared prosperity.
Maurel & Prom CEO Olivier de Langavant stated that the sale allows the company to monetize its stake and redirect resources toward direct investments in oil and gas assets, while expressing confidence in Heirs Energies as a strong, long-term shareholder for Seplat.
Seplat Energy, a key player in Nigeria’s energy transition with significant oil and gas operations in the Niger Delta, recently bolstered its portfolio through acquisitions, including ExxonMobil’s shallow-water assets.
This deal further consolidates indigenous ownership in Nigeria’s upstream sector, following Heirs Energies’ own growth as a major gas supplier powering domestic electricity generation.
The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals.
NNPP dissolves Kano executive
Malami: FHC adjourns bail ruling January 7
NJC Disowns Viral Report on Alleged “Integrity Test” Failure by 34 Judicial Nominees
Tech Expert, Zuckerberg trains with UFC champions, Adesanya, Alexander
Organ Trafficking: Ekweremadu bags 10 years in UK prison
SAINT OBI: Between his marriage and his death
-
News2 days agoPolice arrests Kidnappers in “Love Nwantiti” with victims
-
Sports3 days agoAFCON 2025: Nigeria sends Uganda out of the tournament by 3-1 win
-
News9 hours agoNew Year Forgiveness: Akpabio Withdraws Defamation Suits Against Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and Others
-
Business9 hours agoMAN woos CBN, MOF for manufacturing refinancing facility
-
News3 days agoShocks as Enugu monarch dies a day before 90th birthday
-
Business2 days agoNECA faults ban on sachet alcohol
-
Crime2 days agoSuicide bomber confesses: I was paid N100,000 to bomb worshippers in Maiduguri
-
Politics2 days agoPeter Obi officially defects to ADC party