News
NIGERIA MUST OPERATE EFFICIENT TAX ADMINISTRATION TO BOOST REVENUE, SAYS PRESIDENT BUHARI
President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday in Abuja expressed his administration’s commitment to an efficient tax administration in order to improve tax revenue in the country.
Declaring open the second National Tax Dialogue Week, the President expressed concern at the current tax system in the country, characterised by fragmented administration, multiple and sometimes, overlapping taxes.
”In most tax-efficient nations, tax administrative processes and practices are harmonised within a single system.
”One key deliverable of this year’s tax dialogue is to promote synergy in tax administration among the different tiers of government.
”Harmonising taxpayer identification across the country is a good start; but we must do more to promote ease of doing business (including ease of tax compliance) in Nigeria.
”On our part, we have started by clarifying in the 2021 Finance Act that FIRS is the sole authority to administer tax for the Federal Government.
”This clarification became necessary in order to avoid taxpayers being burdened with multiple tax compliance obligations towards different agencies of the same government.

”Multiplicity of tax administration is as undesirable as multiplicity of taxes; it creates uncertainty and instability; and above all, it is inefficient,” the President said at the Dialogue themed ”Tax Harmonisation for Enhanced Revenue Generation.’’
In the face of dwindling revenues from commodities, President Buhari told participants at the Tax Dialogue that there is an urgent need to maximise domestic revenue within the extant tax policy and laws.
He, therefore, proposed improved tax revenue for the country which will not necessarily impose new tax rates on Nigerians.
”We all know that good intentions are not enough as they simply cannot pay for infrastructure, security or social amenities. We must therefore improve tax revenue without necessarily raising new taxes.
”Revenue from commodities, including crude oil, are too volatile and unreliable. Therefore, I pledge government’s support for any viable initiative for improving tax revenue that should emanate from this dialogue,’’ he said.
On Nigeria’s Tax-to-GDP ratio, the President declared that the country also needs to do more in securing a buoyant domestic revenue base of the country that bequeaths an enduring economic foundation, political stability and social harmony to the next generation.
”According to the Organisation of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), in its Revenue Statistics in Africa 2021, the average ratio of Tax-to-GDP of 30 selected African countries in 2019 was 16.6% while Nigeria recorded a mere 6.0%.
”It is obvious that much needs to be done in the area of tax revenue mobilisation.
”It is my expectation that the discussions at this 2022 National Tax Dialogue will be focused on what we must do to maximise legitimate revenue collection and massively improve the Tax-to-GDP ratio. ”
On the importance of the Tax Dialogue, which was instituted by the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, and the Executive Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), President Buhari noted that the first edition in 2021 was very productive and integral in influencing tax policy, as well as legislative and administrative changes that were introduced last year.
He added that the most important testament to the success of the first edition is the fact that the FIRS achieved 100% of its collection target in 2021 and surpassed N6 trillion revenue threshold for the very first time.
Congratulating FIRS on the achievement, the President assured Nigerians that the present administration would continue ”to maintain prudent management of our collective resources.”
In her remarks, the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed said the dialogue was designed to engage stakeholders in the Nigerian tax-space in meaningful discourse so as to glean information, ideas and experience in the aid of policy formulation and improved tax environment.
According to the minister, the main tax revenue objectives of the Federal Government include developing an economy that does not lean too heavily on resource wealth.
She explained that Nigeria’s economic history provides enough facts that resource wealth alone cannot lead to sustainable development, self-sufficiency and sustainable.
The other tax revenue objectives are:
”To institutionalise a healthy tax culture among Nigerians. The right attitude towards taxation will enable every Nigerian to become a co-guardian of the tax system and the commonwealth.
”To create a participatory system of taxation whereby the taxpayers and other stakeholders understand and accept that they have equal stakes in the tax system.”
The Chairman FIRS, Muhammad Nani, thanked the President for his directive to government agencies to enable FIRS connect to their ICT systems; noting that this singular pronouncement softened the grounds for the Service to roll-out its system for seamless acquisition of data.
”We are confident that by the time all the agencies achieve 100% compliance with the President’s directive, Nigeria shall be the envy of other countries for tax compliance and domestic tax revenue mobilization,” he said.
On the remittances of the Service to the Federation Account, the FIRS Chairman announced that h statistics from March 2022 Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) meeting show that out of a total revenue of N803.072 billion from all revenue agencies, tax revenue contributed by FIRS was N513.522 billion (63.94%) while non-tax revenue from all other agencies amounted to N289.55 billion (36.06%).
The Chairman noted that that the average tax or FIRS contribution to FAAC in 2021 was 59.45%.
”I mentioned in my welcome address to the 2021 edition of the Tax Dialogue that the world had begun a tax race of which Nigeria must be a winner.
”The revenue profile of the country in 2021 has clearly shown that our continued survival as a nation depends on tax revenue.
”This trend is set to continue for some time to come. As such, all hands must be on deck to support the tax system and make it function efficiently.
”However, it is surprising that some people have begun to play politics with tax revenue generation.
”We humbly invite the President to step-in to dissuade political tax gladiators to sheath their swords. Tax revenue is an inherently apolitical issue; it should be treated as such by all, irrespective of their political leaning, ” he said.
News
Kebbi Governor Blasts Security Agencies Over Failure to Act on DSS Intel Before School Kidnap
Kebbi State Governor, Mohammed Nasir Idris, has expressed outrage over what he described as a shocking failure by security agencies to act on credible intelligence warning of an impending attack on the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, in Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area.
In the early hours of Monday, suspected gunmen invaded the school, killing the vice principal and abducting 25 female students. Three of the abducted girls reportedly escaped hours later.
Governor Idris, who arrived at the scene at about 6:45 pm on Monday, accused unnamed security agencies of undermining the security measures put in place by his administration.
“This is clear sabotage. We got credible intelligence from the DSS that this school was likely to be attacked. DSS further advised that we convene an emergency Security Council meeting, which we did. And the decision was that we would provide round-the-clock protection for the students,” the governor said.
He recalled that he acted promptly on the DSS alert, mindful of the security lapses that led to the infamous December 2020 kidnapping of over 300 students from a secondary school in Kankara, Katsina State.
According to Governor Idris, security personnel were deployed to the school to guard the students. However, what followed left him “deeply disturbed.” Security operatives allegedly spent hours taking photographs with the students before abandoning their posts barely 30 minutes before the bandits struck.
The governor, accompanied by top security chiefs in the state, announced the establishment of a special investigation panel to uncover the circumstances surrounding the attack despite the advance intelligence and government’s proactive efforts.
The panel, to be headed by the State Director of the DSS, will also coordinate efforts to secure the safe return of the kidnapped students.
A teacher who escaped the attack expressed shock over the turn of events, recalling that heavily armed operatives had been deployed to the school on Sunday and engaged students and teachers in emergency drills.
“The heavily armed security men spent the entire night guarding the school. Sadly, for yet-to-be-determined reasons, they left the school before dawn. About 30 minutes after they withdrew, the kidnappers struck,” the teacher recounted.
He added that the accuracy of the DSS intelligence may have influenced the governor’s decision to appoint the DSS director to lead the investigation committee.
Despite the tragic incident, the teacher expressed optimism, noting that indications suggest the girls were abducted, not killed.
“With the ongoing efforts by federal and state authorities, we are hopeful that they will all be rescued,” he said.
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News
Brig-Gen M. Uba Killed by ISWAP After Terrorists Intercepted His Location
A senior Nigerian Army officer, Brigadier General M. Uba, has been killed by Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists after they reportedly intercepted and tracked his live location along the Damboa–Biu axis in Borno State.
Multiple military sources confirmed that the commander was abducted and later executed by the insurgents shortly after participating in a successful joint air–ground offensive against ISWAP fighters.
Operation Before the Incident
According to reports, the late Brigadier General had earlier led ground troops in a clearance operation, during which soldiers came under heavy ambush. Unknown to the forces, the route had been booby-trapped, leading to an intense gun battle.
The commander issued a distress call, prompting Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft to divert from ongoing missions to provide close air support. The airstrikes dispersed the insurgents and allowed the troops, including the commander and Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) members, to regroup.
After the operation, General Uba contacted his superiors, assuring them of his safety and confirming that his team was reorganizing. Security sources, however, believe this communication may have inadvertently exposed his coordinates.
Abduction and Execution
ISWAP fighters reportedly intercepted his location and captured him alive. The terrorists briefly interrogated him before executing him, according to security officials familiar with the development.
Earlier reports from SaharaReporters indicated that the attack, which happened Friday night, resulted in the deaths of two soldiers and two CJTF members, alongside the abduction of Brig-Gen Uba and two other soldiers.
Although the Nigerian Army initially denied the abduction, officers confirmed that the Brigade Commander had not returned to base by Saturday morning.
One senior officer disclosed that the commander managed to transmit his live location to colleagues, but troops dispatched to the spot could not locate him. Another soldier abducted during the ambush—who was shot and left behind—was later rescued alive.
Sources also revealed that the General was forced to make a video call to his dry cleaner while in captivity but warned the civilian not to speak, suggesting he was under duress.
High-Level Military Response
Following the incident, top military commanders, including the Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, rushed to Damboa to coordinate rescue efforts and boost morale among troops.
In response to the crisis, the Nigerian Army has appointed Brigadier General Mustapha to temporarily head the 26 Task Force Brigade in Damboa pending further directive from Army Headquarters.
Background of the Attack
It was reported earlier that how ISWAP launched a coordinated ambush on a Nigerian military convoy in northeastern Nigeria, killing several soldiers and CJTF members.
The insurgents, heavily armed and well-organized, targeted the convoy during nighttime operations, further heightening concerns over ISWAP’s evolving tactics and surveillance capabilities.
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Technology
2025 Bloggers Bootcamp Opens Registration for Aspiring Digital Creators
Aspiring bloggers and digital entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to kickstart their online journey as registration opens for the 2025 Bloggers Bootcamp, scheduled to begin on December 1, 2025.

The intensive training program is designed to equip participants with practical skills needed to build, grow, and monetize a successful blog. Key areas of focus include:
- Strategic Content Creation & Niche Selection
- Creating and Designing a Blog/Website
- Basic Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
- Monetization Strategies, including Google AdSense
The bootcamp will hold physically in Abuja and Jos, with a virtual option available for participants across the country and beyond.
Interested individuals can register via HERE
WhatsApp message to +234 08060877989.
Abuja
FCT Police Refute Claims of Attempted Assassination on Lt. Ahmed Yerima
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has refuted viral social media reports claiming that Nigerian Navy officer, Lieutenant Ahmed Yerima, was the target of an assassination attempt in Abuja.
In an official statement issued on Sunday, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, described the circulating reports as entirely false, emphasizing that no such incident was recorded or reported anywhere within the FCT.
“The Command wishes to categorically state that no such incident has been reported or recorded within the Federal Capital Territory. The public is advised to disregard this false information and desist from spreading unverified claims capable of causing unnecessary panic,” the statement read.
SP Adeh urged residents to remain vigilant and responsible, especially regarding the dissemination of information on social media platforms. She noted that spreading unverified claims could lead to unnecessary tension and undermine public safety efforts.
The Command encouraged citizens to report suspicious activity to the nearest Police Division or contact the FCT Police emergency lines 08032003913 and 08068587311 for a prompt response.
The statement, signed by SP Josephine Adeh, ANIPR, reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to ensuring the safety and security of all residents within the Federal Capital Territory.
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News
Lt. Yerima Escapes Alleged Assassination Attempt in Abuja Days After Clash With FCT Minister Wike
A young Nigerian Navy officer, Lieutenant A.M. Yerima, reportedly escaped an assassination attempt on Sunday evening in Abuja, just days after his widely publicised confrontation with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
According to military sources quoted by Vanguard, Yerima was trailed by unidentified men dressed in black and travelling in two unmarked Hilux vans without number plates. The suspicious vehicles allegedly followed him from the NIPCO Filling Station off the Kubwa Expressway to Gado Nasco Way.
Sensing danger, the officer reportedly carried out what sources described as a “strategic manoeuvre” to evade the suspected assailants. The incident was said to have occurred around 6:30 p.m.
The military source added that the matter is already under investigation and is receiving “the seriousness it deserves,” noting that additional information is being withheld to avoid compromising the process.
Source: Vanguard
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