News Rider

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja The Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) has opposed cash collection of taxes, while adopting e-payment to block revenue leakages and make funds accessible for infrastructure and other life-changing projects. Rather, the group informed the governments to provide safe channels for reporting suspected unauthorised collection without risk of reprisal, and strengthen accountability for collection and remittance. This was captured in a report titled: “NESG Tax Perception Survey Report 2026”, which examined how Nigerian households, firms, and tax officials understood, perceived, and experienced the tax system during the early implementation of the Nigeria Tax Act 2025. It was packaged by NESG in collaboration with Nigeria Public Finance Facility (NPFF) and Uk International Development, covering nine themes. They are Knowledge and Awareness; Trust, Legitimacy and Fairness; Fiscal Exchange and the Social Contract; Compliance Behaviour and Willingness; Social ...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja The Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) has commenced a review to eliminate existing barriers hindering the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) participation in public procurement. This followed President Bola Tinubu’s approval for the establishment of community-based procurement and affirmative procurement initiatives, even as the review is expected to create a more inclusive, accessible and enabling procurement environment for small businesses across the country. Director-General of BPE, Dr Adebowale Adedokun, who stated this yesterday in Abuja, while unveiling the MSMEs Public Procurement Training Programme and Digital Learning Portal, noted that it would address challenges preventing MSMEs from participating effectively in public procurement opportunities. The initiative represented another milestone in the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening procurement capacity and expanding opportunities for Nigerian businesses. Adedokun note...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole (M) flanked by others at the inauguration of the Governing Council of NIPC and NEPC in Abuja.  The Federal Government has issued fresh mandates to the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) and Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) as revenue from the non-oil sector hits $6.1 billion. Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole tasked the agencies to translate investor interest into actual investments, expand value-added exports and create sustainable jobs as Nigeria advances its ambition of building a $1 trillion economy by 2030. Oduwole, who stated this yesterday in Abuja, while inaugurating the Governing Council of NIPC and NEPC, informed that investment promotion must deliver measurable economic benefits through local production, technology transfer, skills development and employment, rather than merely attracting capital or announcing investment commi...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja L-R: Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa presenting the agency's SRAP to the President, US-Africa Business Center, Kendra Gaither in Abuja. The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has formed a strategic partnership with the United States Chamber of Commerce to advance Nigeria's digital economy.  This formed the crux of discussions when the Director General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa received a delegation from Microsoft, Citi Bank, Cavista Holdings, Flutterwave, Tolaram Group, the American Business Council and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, led by the President of the U.S.-Africa Business Centre, Kendra Gaither in Abuja.  Inuwa reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to building a resilient, inclusive and competitive digital economy through strategic partnerships with international technology companies, emphasising that the country’s digital policies are designed to attrac...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja Participants at a meeting on Nigeria's upcoming Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) mutual evaluation at the Customs headquarters in Abuja. The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has hailed Nigeria's exit from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list as a major national achievement, pledging to sustain the fight against money laundering. Comptroller-General of Customs Adewale Adeniyi stated this at a stocktaking meeting held at the Customs headquarters in Abuja, in preparation for Nigeria's upcoming Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) mutual evaluation. He stated that the gathering was more than an assessment of policies and procedures, describing it as a crucial assignment to chart the way forward.  "It is an opportunity to take an honest look at the progress Nigeria has made so far, identify the gaps that presently exist and ensure that Nigeria's achie...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja L-R: Acting Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Mohammed Sanusi Danjuma, and former Permanent Secretary, Finance, Raymond Omachi during the handover and valedictory ceremony in Abuja. The Federal Ministry of Finance has received a new Acting Permanent Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi Danjuma, following Raymond Omenka Omachi’s exit from the Federal Civil Service on October 26, upon attaining the mandatory retirement age of 60. During a formal handover and valedictory ceremony held at the Federal Ministry of Finance yesterday in Abuja, Danjuma appreciated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Prof Taiwo Oyedele, and the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation for their support and the opportunity to serve. He also thanked the management and staff of the ministry for their cooperation, pledging to build on the work of his predecessor and ensure continuity in the ministry’s administrative responsibil...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja The Convener of the Emogas International Natural Gas-Based Industry Conference and Exhibition (EINGICE), Dr Emeka Okafor has called on investors to explore opportunities across the gas value chain to support African initiatives. This is even as he tasked entrepreneurs to develop solutions that address local needs and create economic opportunities, advocating stronger partnerships between universities and industries to translate research into commercially viable innovations. He stated this at the opening ceremony of the third EINGICE 2026 in Abuja yesterday, with the theme: “Accelerating Africa’s Global LNG Trade Share and Driving Gas Industrialisation.” Okafor enjoined African countries to create opportunities for skilled professionals and young people to contribute to industrial development, calling on businesses to embrace artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies to improve competitiveness. He noted that Africa must develop local capac...