News
Tinubu sets up tax reforms committee, appoints Oyedele chairman

President Bola Tinubu on Friday approved the establishment of a Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms.
He appointed the Fiscal Policy Partner and Africa Tax Leader at PriceWaterhouseCoopers, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, as committee chairman.
Friday’s development comes barely 24 hours after the President signed four Executive Orders, suspending the five per cent excise tax on telecommunication services and the excise duties escalation on locally-manufactured vehicles.
The committee “Will comprise experts from both the private and public sectors and have responsibility for the various aspects of tax law reform, fiscal policy design and coordination, harmonisation of taxes, and revenue administration,” a statement signed by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Special Duties, Communication and Strategy, Dele Alake, read on Friday.
According to the statement titled ‘President Tinubu sets up committee on tax reforms,’ the committee’s primary objective is to enhance revenue collection efficiency and ensure transparent reporting.
It will also promote the effective utilisation of tax and other revenues to boost citizens’ tax morale, foster a healthy tax culture, and drive voluntary compliance.
Alake cited earlier remarks by the Special Adviser to the President on Revenue, Mr Zaccheus Adedeji, who explained that Tinubu recognises the importance of a sound fiscal policy environment and an effective taxation system for the functioning of the government and the economy.
According to Adedeji, “Nigeria ranks very low on the global ease of paying taxes while the country’s Tax to GDP ratio is one of the lowest in the world and well below the African average.
“This has led to an overreliance on borrowing to finance public spending, which in turn limits the fiscal space as debt service costs consume a greater portion of government revenue, annually resulting in a vicious cycle of inadequate funding for socio-economic development.
“While some incremental progress has been recorded over the years, the outcomes have not been transformative enough to change the narrative,” he said.
Adedeji outlined the key challenges in Nigeria’s tax system, including multiple taxes and revenue collection agencies, fragmented and complex tax system, low tax morale, high prevalence of tax evasion, high cost of revenue administration, lack of coordination between fiscal and economic policies, and poor accountability in the utilisation of tax revenue.
Adedeji explained that the administration hopes to transform the tax system to support sustainable development and achieve a minimum of 18 per cent Tax to GDP ratio within three years without stifling investment or economic growth.
“It should be noted that this committee will not only advise the government on necessary reforms but will also drive the implementation of such recommendations in support of the comprehensive fiscal policy and tax reform agenda of the current administration,” the SA on Revenue added.
Oyedele, who chairs the committee, is the Thematic Lead for the Fiscal Policy & Planning Commission and Chairman of the West Africa Debt Management Roundtable of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group.
He also heads the Taxation & Fiscal Policy Faculty Board of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria and is a member of the Nigerian Taxation Standards Board.
Oyedele serves as a member of the Ministerial Committee on implementing Nigeria’s National Tax Policy. He is a member of the Global Tax Forum and has previously served as a member of the Global Governing Council of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants.
Oyedele, an Associate Professor at the Babcock University Business School, is an alumnus of the London School of Economics & Political Science, Yale University, and Harvard Kennedy School Executive Education.
He is also a guest lecturer at the Lagos Business School and the Founder and President of Impact Africa Foundation.
News
Kogi Govt Commends Progress of ACReSAL Project
The Commissioner for Water Resources and Co-Chairman of the SSC, Engr. Farouk Danladi, expressed delight over the achievements recorded within a relatively short time, particularly in Kabba, Ankpa, and Okene

The Kogi State Government has expressed satisfaction with the progress of the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) Project following a comprehensive 3-day inspection tour across various intervention sites in the state.
The inspection, led by the Commissioner for Environment and Ecological Management, Engr. Oluwasegun Joseph, who also chairs the State Steering Committee (SSC), covered project locations in Okene, Ankpa, and Kabba/Bunu Local Government Areas. The team included members of both the State Steering and Technical Committees.
Among the inspected sites were key interventions such as gully erosion control locations, water harvesting systems, Community Resilience Facilities (CRF), and agro-forestry zones.
The inspection team applauded the quality of work on ground, citing strict compliance with set standards and commendable pace of implementation.
Engr. Oluwasegun Joseph noted that the Governor Ododo ‘s administration remains committed to improving livelihoods and building climate resilience among communities in Kogi State.
The State Government is dedicated to improving the lives of our people, and this project is a testament to that commitment,” he stated.

Also, the Commissioner for Water Resources and Co-Chairman of the SSC, Engr. Farouk Danladi, expressed delight over the achievements recorded within a relatively short time, particularly in Kabba, Ankpa, and Okene.
He noted that the project’s progress has exceeded expectations, describing it as a model for integrated development.
Project Coordinator of Kogi ACReSAL, Barrister Ladi Ahmed Jatto, thanked Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for his unwavering support, which she described as a driving force behind the project’s success so far.
She also appreciated the World Bank and national ACReSAL teams for their technical guidance and encouragement.
“The core objectives of ACReSAL are land restoration, livelihood enhancement, and boosting food security,” Jatto explained.
“These goals are being met progressively in Kogi State, thanks to strong institutional support.”
The inspection exercise highlights the State Government’s focus on rigorous monitoring and evaluation of projects, ensuring transparency, impact, and value delivery.
Project Coordinator of Kogi ACReSAL, Barrister Ladi Ahmed Jatto, thanked Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for his unwavering support, which she described as a driving force behind the project’s success so far.
ACReSAL’s efforts are expected to significantly bolster Kogi’s climate adaptation capacity, improve agricultural productivity, and entrench sustainable land management practices.
As implementation continues, stakeholders express optimism that the project will catalyze long-term socio-economic and environmental benefits for communities across the state.
News
Kogi Govt Trains 2,310 Youths in CNG Conversion to Boost Economy, Tackle Unemployment

The Kogi State Government has commenced the training of 2,310 young people across the 21 Local Government Areas of the state in Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) conversion technology.
This ccomes in a major push to fulfill its campaign promise of youth empowerment and economic diversification.
The initiative, carried out in partnership with Sufpay Ltd, is designed to equip Kogi youths with cutting-edge skills that align with Nigeria’s national embrace of cleaner and more sustainable energy solutions.

Speaking in Lokoja, the Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, described the programme as a bold and strategic move to position the state for the emerging energy revolution.
“This is about creating a new generation of skilled professionals who can compete and contribute meaningfully in the evolving energy sector. CNG is the future, and we are proud to be preparing our youths for it,” Fanwo said.

He emphasized that the initiative will not only strengthen the local economy but also serve as a non-kinetic strategy in addressing insecurity by productively engaging the youth population.
“Our Governor, His Excellency Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, made a clear commitment to youth empowerment, and this programme is a clear demonstration of that commitment.
We are building development around our youth because they are the greatest asset of our state,” he added.

Fanwo also extended appreciation to Sufpay Ltd, noting that the company’s dedication and technical expertise have been instrumental in driving the vision forward.
The training initiative aligns with broader national efforts to transition to alternative fuel sources and reduce dependence on petrol, while simultaneously tackling unemployment through technical empowerment.
The training is also decentralized so that the youth can learn in their familiar environments. The training centers are Lokoja, Okene, Idah and Kabba.
News
NJC retires 10 judges for lying about their age

The National Judicial Council (NJC) has compulsorily retired 10 judges in Imo State for age falsification and other unethical practices.
In a statement issued on Thursday after its 109th meeting and presided over by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, the Council said the affected judges—five from the High Court and four from the Customary Court of Appeal—altered their dates of birth in official records to illegally extend their tenure.
The affected High Court judges are Justices M.E. Nwagboso, B.C. Iheka, K.A. Leaweanya, Chinyere Ngozi Okereke, and Innocent Chidi Ibeawuchi.
Those from the Customary Court of Appeal include Justices Tennyson Nze, Uchenna Ofoha, Everyman Eleanya, and Rosemond Ibe.Also , Hon. Justice T.N. Nzeukwu was compulsorily retired for submitting himself for appointment as acting Chief Judge of Imo State, despite being fourth in seniority—a violation of Section 271(4) of the 1999 Constitution.
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