News Rider

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja R–L: Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele presenting a commemorative plaque to the outgoing International Monetary Fund, IMF, Resident Representative to Nigeria, Dr. Christian Ebeke, during a dinner organised to bid farewell to Ebeke in Abuja on Friday. The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to the implementation of far-reaching reforms aimed at restoring macroeconomic stability, strengthening public finances, improving investor confidence and laying the foundation for sustainable economic growth. Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele stated this at a dinner organised in honour of the outgoing Resident Representative in Nigeria, Dr. Christian Ebeke on Friday in Abuja. He promised to deepen the longstanding partnership with the International Monetary Fund, IMF, commending Ebeke for his significant contributions to the country's economic reform programm...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, 3 rd L; Group Head, Strategy and Performance Management at Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, FMBN, Mr. Oladapo Fakeye, 5 th R; flanked by others at the 6th Annual General Assembly of the Association of Nigerian Development Finance Institutions, ANDFI, held in Abuja over the weekend. The Managing Director/Chief Executive of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, FMBN, Shehu Usman Osidi has encouraged development finance institutions to mobilise domestic capital and strengthen partnerships to accelerate Nigeria's development. He stated this at the 6th Annual General Assembly of the Association of Nigerian Development Finance Institutions, ANDFI, over the weekend in Abuja. Represented by the Group Head, Strategy and Performance Management, Mr. Oladapo Fakeye, he disclosed that sustainable housing finance is a critical catalyst for economic growth, job creation and nation...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja Taiwo Oyedele Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele has insisted that the Tax Reform Acts, which came into effect on 1 January 2026, will strengthen competitiveness, protect vulnerable Nigerians and create a stronger foundation for sustainable economic growth. Oyedele who stated this at the inauguration of Inter Ministerial Committee on 2026 VAT Modification Order over the weekend in Abuja, described the reforms as the most extensive changes to Nigeria's tax system in decades. He enjoined the committee to deliver a modern and practical VAT framework that reflects the intent of the Tax Reform Acts and responds to the realities of today's economy. The Minister described the committee as a major step towards ensuring the smooth implementation of Nigeria's new tax laws and providing greater certainty for businesses, investors and tax administrators. He stated that while the previous VAT Modification Ord...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja The United Nations Development Programme, UNDP, has uplifted 600 Nigeran-owned businesses nationwide under its Support to Potential and Established Nature-Positive MSMEs, SPENM, project. Implemented through the International Trade Facilitators Association, ITFA, the UNDP Global Environment Facility-Small Grants Programme UNDP/GEF-SGP had enabled benefitting enterprises to transition from donor dependence to sustainable and market-ready businesses. National Coordinator of UNDP/GEF-SGP, Dr Ibirounke Olubamise stated this at the unveiling of Nature Positive Organisation Online Directory in Abuja, an initiative that supports the Federal Government’s efforts to create an enabling environment for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, MSMEs, to grow. She stated that the SPENM project will strengthen local capacity, improve market access and prepare eco-conscious businesses for international trade, adding that it would be achieved through compliance with green ...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja The Family Homes Funds Limited, FHFL, has finalised plans to build 10,000 social housing units by 2030, meant to empower 100,000 women and train 100,000 artisans nationwide. To be implemented under its Social Housing Implementation Plan, SHIP, the major crux of the project is building sustainable communities and improving livelihoods, while closing the huge housing deficit gap. Domiciled in the Presidency, the FHFL is a social housing finance institution established to expand access to affordable housing through innovative financing, strategic partnerships, and sustainable housing development. It also supports families on low-income to attain their home ownership dreams by financing affordable housing projects that align with the New Urban Agenda and the Global Goals. While the housing projects would be executed in phases across key regions based on identified housing needs, the initiative would combine innovative financing, sustainable construction me...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja Stakeholders in trade and investment have formed strong alliance to create jobs and enhance economic prosperity for Nigerians in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu. This played out during stakeholders’ high-level webinar organised by the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry, ACCI, with the theme: “From Lab to Market: Driving Nigeria’s Industrial Transformation through Research Commercialisation”. The Second Deputy President of ACCI, Dr Aliyu Hong stated that Nigeria must bridge the gap between research discoveries and commercial application, noting that commercialisation of research will accelerate industrial growth and strengthen global visibility.   Hong, who is also the Chairman of National Policy Advocacy Centre, NPAC, harped on the need for stronger synergy among government, academia, industry, investors and development partners to promote technology transfer and indigenous innovation. The virtual talks attracted poli...