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FG Counters IMF Reports On New Telecoms, Fuel Taxes

BY CHIKA OKEKE Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Taiwo Oyedele The Federal Government has countered the reports of the International Monetary Fund, IMF, suggesting that it has adopted or is considering new taxes on telecommunications services and petroleum products. Specifically, the government hinted that the reports misrepresented the content of the IMF publication and do not reflect its policy direction. The IMF had on June 9, 2026, released Article IV Consultation Report on Nigeria, which assessed the country’s economic reform programme and recommendations for consideration by the authorities. In the report, the IMF Executive Board praised Nigeria’s recent tax reforms, but added that additional tax policy measures may be needed over the medium term, including to fund a scaled-up cash transfer program to provide relief to the most vulnerable. But the Federal Ministry of Finance noted that IMF recommendations do not amount to government poli...
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London Court Acquits Ex-Petroleum Minister, Alison-Madueke Of Bribery Charges

Diezani Alison-Madueke  London’s Southwark Crown Court has acquitted the former Minister of Petroleum, Diezani Alison-Madueke of six bribery charges after years of corruption trial in the United Kingdom. Alison-Madueke, 65, was found not guilty on five counts of accepting bribes from persons connected to energy firms and one count of conspiracy to commit bribery while serving as the minister. Prosecutors alleged that Alison-Madueke was given preferential treatment in London by oil and gas industry figures seeking lucrative contracts in Nigeria, a country that has long struggled with corruption and mismanagement. Alison-Madueke, who served as minister from 2010 to 2015 under former President Goodluck Jonathan, was also a former President of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC. During the trials, Alison-Madueke denied the charges, saying that she never received any bribes and had no real influence over the award of government contracts. Analysts fr...
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Foundation Honours Young Nigerian Creatives At Whistleblower Day

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja Committed to social change, a Non-governmental Organisation, Step Up Nigeria in partnership with the Platform to Protect Whistleblowers in Africa (PPLAAF) has honoured young creatives at World Whistleblower Day Art and Media Competition 2026. Executive Director of PPLAAF, Jimmy Kande presented cash and a plaque to each winner of the competition that cut across 31 states. The competition drew 172 entries from young people, with 111 male and 61 female participants showcasing exceptional talent in skits, music, poetry, art, and writing. This was even as the entries creatively highlighted vital themes of whistleblowing, integrity, citizen responsibility, and the need to strengthen legal protection for whistleblowers in Nigeria. The winners are Gilbert Owan in the Skit Category, titled, ‘The Pledge’; Akinfolarin Jeremiah Damilola (Music Category) ‘Voice Against Silence’; Anita Chigbomkpa Nwokoji (Poetry and Spoken Word) ‘On The 7th Floor’; Moses Idowu Sodip...
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WHO Mandates EHCON To Regulate Sea Cleaning, Food Hygiene, 22 Others

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja The World Health Organization (WHO) has mandated the Environmental Health Council of Nigeria (EHCON) to regulate sea and air vessels cleaning services, food hygiene and safety,  and 22 other practice areas. Others are cleaning services, solid waste collection services, sewage collection services, public health pest control services, air quality management/noise pollution control services, sanitary inspection of premise; resource recovery services; health, safety and environment services, and environmental health laboratory. This is in addition to waste disposal facility management, health care waste management, health impact assessment, motor vehicle cleaning; and sales of public health chemicals and radiation control, waste recycling services, and laundry services. The services are regulated by EHCON in pursuant to the provisions of Act No. 11 of 2002 (as Amended) and the National Environmental Health Practice Regulations, 2024. Registrar and Chie...
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Four Arrested As FG Uncovers Wildlife Trafficking Cartel

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja At least four persons have been arrested as the Federal Government uncovered wildlife trafficking cartel terrorising Lagos and Ogun States. The feat was recorded through a joint intelligence-led operation by the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency, NESREA, Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, and Wildlife Justice Commission, WJC, over the weekend. But following several days of diligent surveillance by the tactical team in Ofada, Mowe, and Lagos, the criminals were arrested on Saturday. The operation also led to the interception of 22 pieces of elephant tusks weighing 130.84kg and the seizure of a vehicle. The Director General of NESREA, Prof. Innocent Barikor described the operation as a major victory in the ongoing war against wildlife crime, adding that it is a further proof of Nigeria’s zero-tolerance stance on wildlife crimes. “Nigeria will not be used as a hub for wildlife trafficking. NESREA and our partners are resolute ...
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Njemanze Demands Constructive Dialogue On Health Sector Reforms

BY CHIKA OKEKE Dr Philip Njemanze As Nigeria marks 27 years of democratic journey, the Chairman International Institutes of Advanced Research and Training at Chidicon Medical Center Owerri, Imo State, Prof Philip Njemanze has demanded constructive dialogue on reforms needed to strengthen healthcare regulation and safeguard human dignity. He specifically called on the citizen, lawmakers, healthcare professionals, religious leaders, and civil society organisations to engage in the reforms, adding that democracy day should be more than a celebration of political freedom but a call to civic responsibility. “If democracy is truly government of the people, by the people, and for the people, then every Nigerian has a duty to participate in shaping laws that protect life, uphold justice, and secure the future of the nation. “Nevertheless, democracy remains worth defending because its ultimate purpose is the protection of human freedom, dignity, and the common good,” he added. In a ...
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Democracy In Vacuity: Nigerians Talk Tough On Economy, Environment, Media, Oil & Gas, Health

As Nigeria celebrates long walk to democracy, CHIKA OKEKE writes that 27 years after the civilian administration, strategic sectors of the economy remained at wobbly stage despite huge borrowings from the global community and annual budgetary allocations.   But no nation can base its survival and development on luck and prayers alone while its leadership fritters away every available opportunity for success and concrete achievement . ~~ Ibrahim Babangida   ‘The land flowing with milk and honey, laced with abundant human and natural resources, the giant of Africa; 5th best English-speaking country in Africa, 29th in world-these were the some of the performance index linked to Nigeria’. However, the uncertainties revolving around the country seem to diminish the hard-earned reputation.    But on May 29, 1999, Nigeria transitioned from military to democratic governance, an event that was widely celebrated as the advent of good tidings in both human and mate...
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