News
Muhammad Nami: Patriot, Numbers Guy, and Tax Icon At 54
In Nigeria, a 54 year old could pass for a young man; the political milieu is awash with oldies in their 60s still hustling and bustling. Those in their 40s are in fact on the waiting list—they are still quite young.
For one born in the year 1968, in a town whose name he bears as a last name, Muhammad Nami may, in his jocular fashion, argue that he is still in the realm of his youth. Save a few strands of grey beards shooting off his chin, his agility, efficiency, and grit give off a fairly young man in his mid 30s.
He maintains this youthfulness and fitness by taking long walks in the evenings. The tonic that ensures his body is game for the job of leading the Federal Inland Revenue Service.
Nami is devout, taking his belief in the Almighty God, His divine assignments and the teachings of the Glorious Quran seriously—and it reflects in his humility, his decency, his unadulterated honesty, his integrity, his hardwork and his passion for country.
On the 2nd of February (02) 2022, he turned 54. In the last thirty years of his lifetime so far, Muhammad Nami has dedicated his life to hard work and service to the nation in various capacities.
He built himself into a force in the tax community by sheer diligence and self development. From 1993 to 2018 he worked with the PKF Professional Services where he rose through the ranks to become a Senior Manager at the firm, Heading Tax Consultancy Services; overseeing business development and tax advisory, supervising teams handling audits, developing Accounting and Internal Control Manuals for clients and conducting valuation and feasibility studies.
As a member of the Presidential Committee on Audit of Recoveries Made By Federal Government Agencies, he played a critical role in the country’s anti-corruption war, reconciling figures and positions of recoveries by MDAs, and establishing a structure for accountability of future recoveries by MDAs.
It surprised few who knew his grit when President Muhammadu Buhari appointed him to lead the Federal Inland Revenue Service in 2019. He is fit, skilled and competent for the job—and that has shown in the way in which he has managed the FIRS, and is turning around its successes for the better.
When he was nominated for this job he was already renowned for enmeshing himself in any task that he was given. As a member of the Presidential Panel, he was up and doing, serving and pouring himself into the task of the Panel, leaving no stone unturned and dedicating himself to the betterment of the nation.
That character has not changed. Muhammad Nami daily still gives his best to the FIRS, seeing it as a call to duty and service for the nation. It is no surprise that he is working most of the day into the late hours of the night.
He carefully curated his management team from across the spread of the six geopolitical groups of the country, reflecting his values of zero bias for ethnicity, religion and tribe when it comes to work and nation building. These women and men have been a backbone for his reforms, and the results we see—working tirelessly to birth big ideas, fixing knotty issues, and revolutionising tax administration as we know it.
Muhammad Nami has a preternatural flair for figures. I easily declare that this is his gift. When numbers are placed before him, he knows quickly where the odd ones are, where the irregularities are, and makes his call: “there’s something wrong there, check it again,” or “that figure in the 3rd paragraph is wrong, cross-check it here,” or “add this, this, this, multiply this, this and that, it does not give you this.” His gift was his selling point at the Presidential Panel, too. He saw, like the forensic auditor that he is, where the numbers did not add up. Where public funds had been illegally moved from government coffers to private accounts in sleek fashion, he saw them too. And that earned him accolades on the Panel.
“We are doing this for Nigeria,” Oga usually says this when there is fatigue and the sacrifice of labour seems a burden too much to give. His sense of patriotism is deep-seated and non-negotiable, so is his love and passion for the Federal Inland Revenue Service.
In 2021, the Service achieved a collection of N6.405 trillion, the highest ever in its history, the Chairman was visibly delighted and revered in the victory. But as much as he has been excited over this, he has said that this means more work—for him, the least the Service should look forward to in 2022 is to add a trillion to the collection sum for 2021. He has set the ball rolling for this next battle, and the next victory, too.
His work tool for this next level is technology. Perhaps this would be his greatest legacy in tax administration: how he made technology the transforming tool for mobilising unprecedented revenue for government. The “TaxPro Max” digital solution, FIRS’ tax administration software, birthed under his watch has been Nigeria’s revenue game-changer. And he isn’t even stopping at this.
At a seminar organised by the Pedabo Consulting two weeks ago he stated unequivocally: “The Service intends to continue on this trajectory in 2022, by expanding the scope and capacity of the TaxPro Max and other ICT infrastructures. We will seek to achieve 100% automation of ALL our tax administration processes, which will block revenue leakages and revolutionise revenue generation in this country.” The fulfilment of this goal would make the FIRS Nigeria’s most technologically driven Agency/ Parastatal. And Nami means business on this.
When the Commonwealth Association of Tax Administrators unanimously elected Muhammad Nami as their President, they wanted what they saw he was doing—revolutionising tax administration with technology, achieving feats in revenue collection even during a pandemic, and leading a world-class Inland Revenue Service that was setting the pace for tax administration.
54 looks good on Muhammad Nami—a sleek gentleman with a fierce Resume, author of bold innovations and milestone achievements as FIRS’ Chief Executive, and agility that says with readiness: “What’s next?”
Johannes Oluwatobi Wojuola is the Special Assistant to Muhammad Nami, Executive Chairman of the FIRS, on Media and Communication.
Abuja
Mercedes G63 Kills Six Cows in Abuja Highway Crash
A luxury Mercedes-Benz G-Class G63 AMG was involved in a late-night crash on a major highway in Abuja, killing six cows and sparking renewed concerns over road safety and enforcement of grazing laws in the Federal Capital Territory.
The incident occurred around 8 p.m. on Monday,
according to eyewitness accounts, when the high-speed SUV collided with a herd of cows that had reportedly strayed onto the roadway. A video circulating on social media shows the aftermath, with the white cows lying across the dark highway as traffic officials worked to manage the situation.
As of the time of filing this report, there were no confirmed injuries to the driver or any passengers in the vehicle. Unverified reports on social media suggested that the SUV sustained only minor damage despite the severity of the collision.
The accident has reignited debates over the continued presence of cattle on major roads in Abuja, despite the 2017 ban on open grazing introduced by the Federal Capital Territory Administration. The policy was designed to curb frequent clashes between herders and communities, as well as prevent traffic disruptions and accidents caused by roaming livestock.
Residents and road users have repeatedly raised concerns about the enforcement of the grazing ban, noting that cows are still often seen along highways and within urban areas of the capital. Monday night’s crash is the latest in a series of such incidents, highlighting ongoing gaps in regulation and compliance.
Authorities are yet to release an official statement on the crash or confirm whether any action will be taken regarding the presence of the cattle on the highway.
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Jobs
Job Vancancy: Moniepoint Job Vacancies in Abuja and North Central Nigeria
Leading Nigerian fintech company Moniepoint has announced six new job openings across Abuja and several states in the North Central region, expanding its workforce in compliance, technical operations, sales, and security management.
The vacancies cut across multiple departments, reflecting the company’s continued growth in agent banking, SME solutions, and digital financial infrastructure services.
Available Positions
Field Risk & Internal Control Officer (North Central)
- Team: Compliance
- Location: FCT, Nigeria
The role focuses on monitoring operational risks, enforcing internal control standards, and ensuring compliance across field operations in the region.
Apply Here
Hardware Engineer
- Team: Advanced Technical Operations
- Location: FCT, Nigeria
Successful candidates will handle hardware installation, maintenance, troubleshooting, and technical support for field operations.
Apply Here
Implementation Officer (North Central)
- Team: Moniebook Business Management Tools
- Locations: Benue, Plateau, FCT
This role involves onboarding merchants and ensuring smooth deployment of Moniepoint’s business tools across assigned regions.
Apply Here
Inbound Sales Officer (Abuja)
- Team: Moniebook Business Management Tools
- Location: FCT, Nigeria
The position focuses on handling inbound customer inquiries, converting leads, and supporting sales growth for Moniepoint business solutions.
Apply Here
Regional Lead, Corporate Security (North)
- Team: Moniepoint MFB
- Locations: FCT, Kano
The role oversees corporate security operations, risk prevention strategies, and protection of company assets across northern Nigeria.
Apply Here
Regional Lead, Field Risk & Internal Control (North)
- Team: Compliance
- Location: FCT, Nigeria
This leadership position is responsible for coordinating regional risk management teams and strengthening internal control systems.
Apply Here
The hiring drive comes as fintech companies in Nigeria continue to expand their physical and digital operations across underserved regions, particularly in agent banking and SME support services.
Moniepoint, one of the fastest-growing fintech firms in the country, has steadily increased recruitment in technical, compliance, and field operations roles over the past year.
With these openings, Moniepoint is strengthening its presence in Abuja and northern Nigeria while scaling its financial services infrastructure across the country.
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Business
Nigerians Slam Moniepoint CEO Over ‘Talent Quality’ Remarks Amid Hiring Debate
Comments by Tosin Eniolorunda, CEO of Moniepoint, have sparked a heated debate online after he questioned the quality of Nigeria’s talent pool while discussing his company’s hiring challenges.
Speaking at the The Platform Nigeria on May 1, Eniolorunda said the fintech firm had advertised over 500 vacancies since 2024 but struggled to find qualified local candidates. He revealed that by 2025, the company reversed its local-only hiring policy due to the shortage.
“I used to feel Nigerians are really bright… but we are still struggling to find Nigerians to fill those roles. They don’t meet global standards,” he said, attributing the gap to factors such as social media distractions, cybercrime, hookup culture, and weaknesses in the education system.
Backlash and Counterarguments
His remarks triggered swift backlash from Nigerians, particularly within the tech community, with many accusing local companies of failing to invest in talent development.
Critics argued that unlike global firms, Nigerian tech companies rarely offer structured, paid internship programs or training pipelines to groom young professionals. Some pointed to examples of international companies like Oracle Corporation, where internships and early talent programs serve as entry points into full-time roles.
Others shared personal experiences of being rejected by local firms despite strong resumes, while noting that Nigerian professionals continue to secure roles in global companies such as Amazon.
A recurring sentiment online was that many Nigerian companies demand “global-standard talent” but are unwilling to offer competitive compensation or career development opportunities.
Industry Perspective
Supporters of Eniolorunda’s stance, however, pointed to the realities of scaling a fast-growing fintech company in a competitive global market. They cited brain drain, limited specialized skills, and increasing demand for top-tier expertise as genuine challenges facing Nigerian startups.
Analysts say the controversy highlights a broader issue within Nigeria’s tech ecosystem balancing expectations between employers and job seekers, while addressing gaps in education, training, and remuneration.
The debate mirrors ongoing tensions around talent development, compensation, and hiring practices in Nigeria’s fast-evolving tech sector.
As companies expand and compete globally, the question of how to build, retain, and fairly reward talent is likely to remain a central issue.
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News
Outrage as Soldier Assaults Journalist Over Traffic Dispute in Lagos
A Nigerian soldier has allegedly assaulted a journalist, Fakoyejo Olalekan, during a traffic control operation in Lagos State, triggering widespread public condemnation after video footage of the incident surfaced online.
The clash occurred on May 2 near Pleasant Event Centre in Ikeja, where personnel of the Nigerian Army were reportedly directing heavy traffic.
According to eyewitness accounts, the altercation began after Fakoyejo remarked to passengers that a soldier’s handling of a motorcyclist had caused an unnecessary delay. The comment allegedly angered one of the soldiers, who ordered everyone out of the vehicle.
The situation escalated when the soldier reportedly slapped and shoved the journalist, and briefly reached for a piece of wood before bystanders intervened to prevent further escalation.
Video clips circulating on social media show at least two soldiers involved in the confrontation. During the incident, Fakoyejo’s phone screen was also seen shattered on the pavement. No serious injuries were reported.
The footage has since triggered widespread criticism online, with many users calling for accountability and questioning the conduct of military personnel during civilian traffic enforcement duties.
As of May 4, the Nigerian Army had yet to issue an official response despite being tagged in multiple public complaints and posts about the incident.
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News
Outrage as DSS Arraigns Chidiebere Justice Mark Over Alleged Cybercrime, Military Incitement
The Department of State Services (DSS) on Monday arraigned Chidiebere Justice Mark, popularly known as Justice Crack, before the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on a three-count charge bordering on cybercrime and alleged incitement against the military.
Mark was earlier arrested by the Nigerian Army over a viral video and accompanying statements he shared via his X (formerly Twitter) handle, @JusticeCrack, in which he reportedly alleged inadequate feeding of Nigerian soldiers.
According to the charge sheet, the defendant is accused of knowingly circulating false information intended to provoke public annoyance, ill will, and hatred among citizens.
Details of Charges
Count One alleges that on April 28, 2026, Mark disseminated information on social media regarding poor feeding conditions of Nigerian Army personnel, which authorities claim he knew to be false. The offence is said to contravene Section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 (as amended).
Count Two states that the accused published a viral video and statements about the Nigerian Army that triggered widespread negative reactions and were likely to cause fear and a breach of peace. This charge is brought under Section 59 of the Criminal Code Act.
Count Three accuses Mark of attempting to commit a felony by circulating what authorities described as derogatory content about the Army, also linked to potential public unrest, punishable under Section 509 of the Criminal Code Act.
Court Proceedings
Presiding judge, Joyce Abdulmalik, adjourned the case to May 25, 2026, for trial and possible hearing of a bail application. The court also ordered that the defendant be remanded in DSS custody pending further proceedings.
Public Reaction
The arraignment has sparked widespread reactions across social media, with civil rights advocates and concerned citizens debating issues around freedom of expression, national security, and the limits of online speech in Nigeria.
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