News

Tinubu Rejects National Economic Council Advice, Vows To Continue With Tax Reforms Bill

Published

11 months ago

November 2, 2024

President Bola Tinubu on Friday, rejected the advice of the National Economic Council, NEC, to withdraw the Proposed Tax Reforms Bill from the National Assembly, insisting that the bill will go through the appropriate legislative process.

There has been stiff opposition from the north that the proposed tax reforms bill is against the region and should be withdrawn.

The alleged opposition to the bill from the north, necessitated the recommendation of the NEC, presided over by the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, that the bill should be withdrawn for wider consultations and engagements.

The Presidency had on Thursday also responded to the position of the Northern Governors and the leaders from the region, assuring them that all the 36 states of the federation would benefit from the bill.

However, reacting to the recommendation of NEC that the proposed bill should be withdrawn from the National Assembly, the President in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, told those with any form of misgivings to the bill to come forward with their inputs during public hearings.

The statement read: “President Bola Tinubu has received the National Economic Council’s recommendation that the tax reform bills already sent to the National Assembly be withdrawn for further consultation.

“President Tinubu commends the National Economic Council members, especially Vice President Kashim Shettima and the 36 State Governors, for their advice.

“He believes that the legislative process, which has already begun, provides an opportunity for inputs and necessary changes without withdrawing the bills from the National Assembly.

“While urging the NEC to allow the process to take its full course, President Tinubu welcomes further consultations and engagement with key stakeholders to address any reservations about the bills while the National Assembly considers them for passage.”

The statement added that when President Tinubu set up the Presidential Committee on Tax and Fiscal Policy Reform in August 2023, he had only one objective: to reposition the economy for better productivity and efficiency and make the operating environment for investment and businesses more conducive.

“This objective remains more critical even today than ever before,” it said.

It further explained that the Committee had worked for over a year and received inputs from various segments of society across the geopolitical zones, including trade associations, professional bodies, different Ministries and Government Agencies, Governors, traders, students, business owners, and the organised private sector.

According to the statement, “The tax reform bills that emerged were distilled from the extensive work of the Presidential Committee.

“The tax bills before the National Assembly aim to streamline Nigeria’s tax administration processes, completely overhaul the nation’s tax operations, and align them with global best practices.

“Below are the major highlights of the four Bills.

“The Nigeria Tax Bill: This Bill seeks to eliminate multiple taxation and make Nigeria’s economy more competitive by simplifying tax obligations for businesses and individuals nationwide.

“The Nigeria Tax Administration Bill (NTAB): This Bill proposes new rules governing the administration of all taxes in the country. Its objective is to harmonise tax administrative processes across federal, state and local jurisdictions to ease taxpayers’ compliance and enhance the revenue for all tiers of government.

“The Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill: The Bill seeks to re-establish the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) as the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) to better reflect its mandate as the revenue agency for the entire federation, not just the Federal Government.

“The Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill: This Bill proposes creating a Joint Revenue Board to replace the Joint Tax Board, covering federal and all state tax authorities. The fourth bill will also establish the Office of Tax Ombudsman under the Joint Revenue Board, protecting taxpayers’ interests and facilitating dispute resolution.

“The bills’ overarching objective is to effectively coordinate federal, state, and local tax authorities, thereby eliminating the overlapping responsibilities, confusion, and inefficiency that have plagued tax administration in Nigeria for decades.”

Continuing, it said, “Under existing laws, taxes like Company Income Tax (CIT), Personal Income Tax (PIT), Capital Gains Tax (CGT), Petroleum Profits Tax (PPT), Tertiary Education Tax (TET), Value-Added Tax (VAT), and other taxing provisions in numerous laws are administered separately, with individual legislative frameworks.

“The proposed reforms seek to consolidate these numerous taxes, integrating CIT, PIT, CGT, VAT, PPT, and excise duties into a unified structure to reduce administrative fragmentation.

“While there may be differences in approach or specific provisions of the new tax bills, what is not in contention is the need to review our tax laws and how we administer them to serve our overall national development agenda.

“President Tinubu will continue to respect and welcome the advice and recommendations of the National Economic Council, an essential constitutional organ of government on economic matters.”

News

Why We Shut Chinese Supermarkets —NAFDAC

Published

29 seconds ago

October 4, 2025

Editor

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has shut two Chinese supermarkets located in the Jabi District and eight cosmetics shops at Wuse Market, Abuja, for selling and distributing regulated products in the country.

NAFDAC disclosed this in a press statement on Friday, signed by the Deputy Director of Public Relations/Protocol, Adegboyega Osiyemi.

The agency said, “Acting on the directive of the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, the enforcement team confiscated and evacuated offending products worth over N170m.”

It noted that the enforcement exercise was carried out by the NAFDAC Investigation and Enforcement Directorate and members of the Federal Task Force on Counterfeit and Substandard Medicines and Unwholesome Processed Foods in Abuja, led by the Assistant Chief Regulatory Officer, Musa Embugushiki.

“The supermarkets, situated on Mike Akhigbe Way and Ebitu Ukiwe Street in Jabi District, Abuja, were sealed following credible consumer complaints and subsequent surveillance by the NAFDAC Enforcement Team, which revealed that the operators were engaged in the sale of unregistered food items and products labelled exclusively in the Chinese language, contrary to NAFDAC’s mandatory labelling policy requiring English translations for the Nigerian market and regulatory understanding.

“Despite initial resistance and denials by the foreign national at Ebitu Street that the supermarket had yet to commence operation, the enforcement team confirmed that the outlet was in full operation and selling unregistered regulated products.

“In a related operation, eight cosmetics shops within Wuse Market were also sealed for the sale of banned, expired, and unregistered cosmetics, aphrodisiacs, and aesthetic medicines. Investigations revealed that certain individuals had been illegally presenting themselves as dermatologists and pharmacists, prescribing and selling harmful products to unsuspecting consumers under the guise of body enhancement, skin whitening, aesthetic improvement for women, and manpower for men,” it stated.

NAFDAC highlighted that some of the cosmetics products seized include Wenicks Capsules, Maxman Capsules, Boobs Enlargement, Curvy Weight Gain, Skin Whitening Vitamin Gummies, Collagen, Royal Jelly, Glutathione and Whitening Gummies.

News

What I Found Out About Boko Haram — Obasanjo

Published

9 minutes ago

October 4, 2025

Editor

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has disclosed what he found out about the Boko Haram insurgents, and why the problem continues to persist years after the terrorist group’s major attack in the country.

The former President said this on Friday while giving remarks as the Chairman at the launch of ‘Scars: Nigeria’s Journey and the Boko Haram Conundrum’, a book by former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Lucky Irabor (rtd.) in Abuja.

According to Obasanjo, the insurgent group came to be not because they were interested in political power or serious religious issues, but rather a better life.

“I found, yes, there was Boko Haram. I found they were not really aiming for anything political or anything seriously religious. But in short, they were looking for a better life. And any other thing attached to that is a better life for them,” he said.

Continuing, the former Nigerian head of state and two-term civilian president questioned steps taken by Nigeria as a nation in addressing the challenges, adding that if the country had taken the right steps, Boko Haram would not have been a part of its daily life.

“Have we understood that? If we have, have we taken the steps that we should take? If we have, why are we, after fifteen years, Boko Haram is not virtually becoming part of our life? Should we accept that? If we should not accept, what should we do? How much do we know?” He asked.

According to Nigerian Tribune, Obasanjo further questioned the country’s proactiveness, across the divides, in dealing with the insurgency problem, which he said is becoming a monster within the country.

“I think we have to ask ourselves the necessary questions to be able to deal with this thing that is now becoming a monster within our country,” he added.

The event had in attendance other prominent Nigerians, including former President Goodluck Jonathan, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, represented by Minister of Defense, Abubakar Bagudu; Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar; Bishop Hassan Kukah, among others.

News

Six Signs You May Soon Be Sacked From Your Job

Published

10 minutes ago

October 4, 2025

Editor

Bored male worker has tired facial expression, looks in displeasure, works long hours on project task, has dark healthy skin, sticks notes in notepad, tries not to forget everything, isolated
Bored male worker has tired facial expression, looks in displeasure, works long hours on project task, has dark healthy skin, sticks notes in notepad, tries not to forget everything, isolated

Losing a job rarely comes without warning signs. While organisations may not always openly communicate their plans, there are usually subtle changes in the workplace that can serve as early indicators that you may soon be sacked from your job.

Recognising these signs early is crucial, as it gives you room to make adjustments, improve performance, or start preparing for alternative opportunities and life after the job. Also, it saves you from being caught off guard.

In this article, Tribune Online takes a look at six signs you may soon be sacked from your job.

1. Constant negative feedback

One of the first signs you may soon be sacked from your job is receiving repeated negative feedback from your boss or supervisor. Occasional criticism is normal, but when it becomes frequent, unusually detailed, and overly focused on your shortcomings, it could be a red flag.

Employers often document such issues carefully before making termination decisions, so ignoring these warnings can worsen the situation. Acting on feedback promptly may be the only way to turn things around.

2. Exclusion from important projects

This is another subtle sign that your work might no longer be safe. If you suddenly find yourself left out of meetings, projects, or key assignments that you once handled, it may be a signal that your role is losing value.

Being sidelined in this way might mean management is testing others to take over your responsibilities. If not addressed, this isolation could mean you are gradually being phased out.

3. Noticeable change in your workload

If there is a sudden and drastic shift in workload, either too little or too much, it might be a sign to watch. If your tasks are significantly reduced, it may be because the company is preparing for your absence or redistributing your role to others.

On the other hand, being overloaded with unrealistic expectations might also be a deliberate way to set you up for failure. Both extremes are signals that your position may no longer be secure.

4. Strained relationship with your boss

The relationship between an employee and their manager often plays a big role in job security. If your boss begins to avoid interactions, limit conversations, or openly show frustration, it could be an early sign of lost trust.

When communication with your boss breaks down and the bond weakens, it may be one of the strongest indicators that you could soon be sacked if things don’t improve.

5. Organisational restructuring

At times, being sacked from your job has little or nothing to do with your performance but rather with changes in the organisational structure. If your workplace is undergoing restructuring, downsizing, or sudden budget cuts, your role may be among those considered redundant. Employees in such positions are often the first to be let go, regardless of individual contributions.

6. Being asked to train a colleague on your role

Last but not least on this list is when you are suddenly instructed to train a junior colleague or someone new on the tasks you handle daily. While this can sometimes be a routine activity in most organisations, in some cases, it signals that the organisation is preparing another person to take over your duties.

(NIGERIAN TRIBUNE)