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
Enugu Air, airport concession to support state’s $30bn economy goal –Commissioner
“We looked at Enugu as an economic hub where tourism, hospitality, investment, and aviation can work together to drive growth.”
The Enugu State government said its new airline, Enugu Air, and the concession of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, will support its plan of growing the state’s economy from $4.4 billion to $30 billion by 2031.
In a statement, the Secretary to the State Government, Chidiebere Onyia, outlined how the state government plans to use aviation, tourism, and agriculture to drive economic growth.
He said that the airport concession is part of a broader strategy by Governor Peter Mbah’s administration to re-position Enugu as a major economic hub in the South East.
“We looked at Enugu as an economic hub where tourism, hospitality, investment, and aviation can work together to drive growth,” he said.
Mr Onyia said that the state expects an increase in visitor traffic in the coming years and believes air transport will play an important role in supporting that growth.
He further explained that the government’s projections are linked to plans to attract tourists, investors and businesses to the state
Business
Naira Exchange Rates Wednesday June 17
Black Market Rates
US DOLLAR (USD) Buy ₦1,395 Sell ₦1,405
GREAT BRITISH POUND (GBP) Buy ₦1,870 Sell: ₦1,900
Official CBN Exchange Rates
US DOLLAR (USD) ₦1,357. 18
GREAT BRITISH POUND (GBP) ₦1,820.39
EURO (EUR) ₦1,573. 79
SWISS FRANC (CHF) ₦1,708. 87
JAPANESE YEN (JPN) ₦8.46
CHINESE YUAN (CNY) ₦200. 86
WEST AFRICAN CFA (XOF) ₦2.40
WEST AFRICAN UNIT ACCOUNT (WAUA) ₦1,853.88
SAUDI RIYAL (SAR) ₦361.64
SOUTH AFRICAN RAND (ZAR) ₦83.67
BLACK MARKET RATES
US DOLLAR (USD) Buy ₦1,395 Sell ₦1,405
GREAT BRITISH POUND (GBP) Buy ₦1,870 Sell: ₦1,900
EURO (EUR) Buy ₦1,585 Sell ₦1, 610
CANADIAN DOLLAR (CAD) Buy ₦1,030 Sell ₦1,100
SOUTH AFRICAN RAND (ZAR) Buy ₦75 Sell ₦90
UAE DIRHAM Buy ₦350 Sell ₦370
CHINESE YUAN Buy ₦180 Sell ₦200
GHANA CEDI (GHS) Buy ₦95 Sell ₦110
WEST AFRICAN CFA Buy ₦2, 380 Sell ₦2, 460
CENTRAL AFRICAN CFA Buy ₦2, 220 Sell 2,300
AUSTRALIAN DOLLAR Buy ₦800 Sell ₦900
Business
NAICOM Hands Over African Alliance Insurance to New Board, Management team
The Commissioner charged the newly constituted Board OF Directors to work collaboratively with shareholders while upholding the highest standards of corporate governance, regulatory compliance, and operational transparency.
The National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), has handed over the operations of African Alliance Insurance plc to a new Board of Directors and a new management team.
The new board is chaired by Rear Admiral Anthony Odogba Isa while the management team is led by Mr. Abayomi Olakunle Ogunkeye as the Managing Director.
The new board was nominated by the company’s shareholders, following the successful conclusion of a regulatory intervention commenced by NAICOM in the company in October 2024.
The handover marks a significant milestone in restoring the company’s financial stability, safeguarding the interests of policyholders and annuitants, and repositioning the organisation for sustainable growth.
NAICOM had in October 2024, intervened in African Alliance Insurance after it faced severe liquidity challenges, a backlog of unsettled claims particularly annuity obligations regulatory breaches, and reputational damage that threatened its continued existence and undermined policyholders confidence.
To address these challenges, NAICOM appointed an Interim Management Board (IMB) and an interim management team, with a clear mandate to stabilise the company, unlock liquidity, settle outstanding liabilities, conduct forensic and actuarial reviews, and restore stakeholder confidence.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, the Commissioner for Insurance and Chief Executive Officer of NAICOM, Mr. Olusegun Ayo Omosehin, highlighted the transformative impact of the newly enacted Nigerian Insurance Industry Reform Act (NIIRA) 2025.
He noted that the legislation strengthens regulatory oversight, enhances public confidence, and supports deeper insurance penetration in Nigeria.
According to him, a major milestone under the Act is the establishment of the Insurance Policyholders Protection Fund (IPPF) a landmark mechanism designed to provide financial relief to policyholders in the event of insurer distress, insolvency, or liquidation.
The Fund represents a significant advance in consumer protection and aligns Nigeria’s regulatory framework with global best practices.
The Commissioner charged the newly constituted Board OF Directors to work collaboratively with shareholders while upholding the highest standards of corporate governance, regulatory compliance, and operational transparency.
He emphasised the importance of sustaining policyholder confidence through prompt claims settlement, sound solvency management, and prudent business practices.
He further directed the board to strengthen corporate governance structures, restructure portfolios, update and reconcile policyholder records as well as reinforce transparency and accountability.
Source : ThisDay
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