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2026 Tax Laws Will Ease Burden On Businesses, Poor Nigerians – Tinubu

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'Acknowledge The Work,' Tinubu Challenges Critics

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged Nigerians not to panic over the new tax regime scheduled to take effect in 2026, assuring that the policy is designed to ease the burden on the poor, low-income earners and small businesses.

The President gave the assurance on Tuesday, December 16, at the 8th Annual Senator Abiola Ajimobi Roundtable and the 76th posthumous birthday lecture of the late former Governor of Oyo State, held at the University of Ibadan.

The event, themed “Pathways to Electoral Credibility: Reforming Political Parties, Re-engineering Citizens, and Restoring Trust in Nigerian Democracy,” was organised by the Senator Abiola Ajimobi Foundation in collaboration with the Institute of Peace and Strategic Studies, University of Ibadan.

It was attended by friends, associates, family members and partners of the late governor, and chaired by a former Governor of Ogun State, Olusegun Osoba.

Ajimobi, who governed Oyo State between 2011 and 2019, died in June 2020, a year after leaving office.

Economic Reforms Yielding Results – Says The President

Tinubu’s message, delivered by the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Zaccheus Adedeji, highlighted the necessity of recent economic reforms undertaken by the administration.

The President said the reforms, though initially painful, were already producing positive outcomes across key economic indicators.

“As recent evidence has shown, the drastic economic measures our administration undertook were necessary to revitalise the economy. Investors have since reaffirmed their confidence as the fruits of our reforms become manifest through robust macroeconomic indicators,” he said.

According to him, improvements are being recorded in several areas.

“Our GDP is growing, inflation is tumbling, and improvements are being recorded in the fiscal deficit. Companies that were previously posting losses have returned to profitability, with improved capacity utilisation and increased investment levels,” Tinubu added.

New Tax Laws To Bring Relief

The President said Nigerians would begin to feel the impact of the reforms more strongly in the coming year, particularly through the implementation of the new tax laws.

He explained that the laws would exempt critical sectors from burdensome taxes and eliminate multiple taxation on businesses.

“The impact of these improvements will be felt more by Nigerians, particularly in the new year, with huge reliefs coming from the new tax laws, which exempt food, medication, education, agriculture and shared transportation from burdensome taxes and free businesses from multiple taxation,” he said.

Tinubu further assured Nigerians that there was no cause for fear.

“I want to assure Nigerians that there should be no apprehension about the new tax laws, which implementation will begin next year. The laws come with good news for the poor, low-income earners and small businesses,” he added.

Tribute To Ajimobi

Commending the late former governor, Tinubu said Ajimobi exemplified leadership that prioritized long-term development, even when it involved making difficult decisions.

“We shared many ideals. He believed that a leader must take the people he governs to the height they ought to be, even if it involves making tough choices and decisions that may engender initial discomfort but would, in the long run, catapult the state to greater development,” the President said.

He also praised Ajimobi’s wife, Ambassador-designate Florence Ajimobi, for sustaining the family’s legacy.

In his concluding remarks, Tinubu urged leaders and members of the All-Progressives Congress in Oyo State to unite ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“The best tribute and honour you can give to our departed statesman is to unite and strengthen the party to take over the reins of government in this state in 2027. This is achievable, and it must be achieved,” he said.

Gov Makinde, Gambari Speak On Democracy

In his remarks, Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, represented by his deputy, Bayo Lawal, described the roundtable as a fitting platform to honour Ajimobi’s legacy while addressing pressing issues affecting Nigeria’s democracy.

Makinde said the late governor made lasting contributions to governance in the state, leaving behind lessons that transcended partisan politics.

He stressed that rebuilding trust in democracy required sincerity, accountability and inclusive governance, adding that electoral credibility could only be achieved when political parties practised internal democracy and delivered on their promises.

Delivering the lead paper, former Chief of Staff to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, Prof Ibrahim Gambari, identified political party reform as the most critical factor for democratic renewal in Nigeria.

He listed voter apathy, democratic disillusionment, weak internal party democracy, institutional weaknesses, electoral violence, insecurity and trust deficits as persistent challenges undermining electoral credibility.

Earlier, the President of the Senator Abiola Ajimobi Foundation, Florence Ajimobi, commended Tinubu for what she described as his unwavering loyalty to the late statesman and their shared values of good governance and democratic commitment.

She said the President’s consistent participation in the annual event and continued support reflected a genuine commitment to the ideals Ajimobi stood for.

Dignitaries at the event included the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, who was the Special Guest of Honour, Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, traditional rulers, community leaders and students.

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‘Cooking Gas, Petrol Prices Crash Nationwide’  [DETAILS]

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Petrol and cooking gas prices declined year-on-year in December 2025, signalling a gradual easing of household energy costs, according to separate reports released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

Naija News reports that data from the bureau showed that both Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), commonly used for cooking, and Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, recorded notable price reductions compared with December 2024, alongside modest month-on-month declines.

The NBS noted that while the downward trend was observed across most states and geopolitical zones, prices continued to vary widely depending on location.

5kg Of Cooking Gas Price Drops By 25%
According to the report, the average price for refilling a 5kg cylinder of LPG declined by 1.20 per cent month-on-month, falling from ₦5,425.78 in November 2025 to ₦5,360.43 in December 2025.

On a year-on-year basis, the price fell sharply by 25.31 per cent, down from ₦7,177.27 recorded in December 2024.

Confirming the trend, the NBS stated, “The average retail price for refilling a 5kg cylinder of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Cooking Gas) decreased by 1.20 per cent on a month-on-month basis,” adding that the year-on-year decline stood at 25.31 per cent.”

A state-level analysis showed that Kaduna recorded the highest average price for refilling a 5kg cylinder at ₦5,838.66, followed by Jigawa at ₦5,825.09 and Osun at ₦5,777.80.

On the lower end, Katsina recorded the cheapest average price at ₦4,855.80.

Similarly, the average retail price for refilling a 12.5kg cylinder of LPG fell by 0.74 per cent month-on-month, declining from ₦13,538.79 in November 2025 to ₦13,438.90 in December 2025.

Year-on-year, the price dropped by 22.20 per cent from ₦17,274.16 recorded in December 2024.

On a state-by-state basis, Abia recorded the highest average price for refilling a 12.5kg cylinder at ₦14,489.96, followed by Osun at ₦14,444.50 and Delta at ₦14,393.17, the bureau said.

Petrol Price Dips To ₦1,048
The NBS also reported a decline in the average retail price of petrol.

According to the report, the average price of Premium Motor Spirit stood at ₦1,048.63 in December 2025, representing an 11.81 per cent decrease compared with ₦1,189.12 recorded in December 2024.

The bureau stated, “The average retail price paid by consumers for Premium Motor Spirit (Petrol) for December 2025 was ₦1,048.63.”

On a month-on-month basis, petrol prices declined by 1.20 per cent, down from ₦1,061.35 recorded in November 2025.

Further analysis showed that Kogi State recorded the highest average petrol price at ₦1,104.45, while Oyo State had the lowest at ₦996.55.

Regionally, the North East emerged as the most expensive zone for petrol, while the South West recorded the lowest average prices.

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BREAKING: Naira Hits Two-Year High In Official Window As External Reserves Rise 

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Nigeria’s naira recorded one of its strongest performances in months on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, appreciating sharply against the US dollar at the official foreign exchange window amid improving liquidity and rising confidence in the country’s FX reforms.

The local currency strengthened to around ₦1,400 per dollar at the official market, marking its firmest level since the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN implemented sweeping FX reforms.

The move signals easing pressure on the naira and renewed optimism among investors and market participants.

According to the CBN’s daily foreign exchange report, the naira closed at ₦1,401.22 per dollar, representing a 1.27 percent appreciation on the day.

Market operators described the move as a reflection of improved dollar supply and stronger participation by banks and other authorised dealers.

Traders said the official window saw increased volumes, with the improved liquidity helping to narrow volatility and reduce speculative demand.

The latest performance reinforces the view that the reforms aimed at unifying exchange rates and improving price discovery are beginning to yield results.

The positive momentum extended to the parallel market, where the naira also posted modest gains.

Channel checks showed the local currency appreciating by about 0.33 per cent to trade around ₦1,476 per dollar. While the gap between the official and parallel rates remains, analysts say the narrowing spread reflects improving confidence across both the regulated and informal segments of the FX market.

According to a report by MarketForces Africa, reduced arbitrage opportunities and stronger supply conditions are helping to stabilise pricing.

The naira’s rally comes against the backdrop of rising external reserves, which have strengthened the CBN’s ability to intervene when necessary and support market liquidity.

Higher reserves are widely viewed as a key confidence signal for foreign investors, particularly portfolio investors who remain sensitive to currency risk.

Market watchers say consistent inflows from export earnings, improved remittance flows, and cautious monetary management have all contributed to the improved outlook for the naira in recent weeks.

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After Dangote, Another World Class Refinery to Be Built in Nigeria, CEO Confirms Location

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Clarivo Oil and Gas, led by Chief Obidike Chukwuebuka, has announced plans to build a world-class oil refinery in Calabar, Cross River State, aimed at boosting Nigeria’s downstream oil and gas sector.

Speaking to journalists, Chief Obidike said the project will be implemented in phases, in collaboration with foreign partners to bring advanced technical expertise and international industry standards.

The planned refinery will feature state-of-the-art technologies, including crude distillation, catalytic cracking, and hydrotreating units, enabling the production of high-quality petroleum products such as petrol, diesel, and aviation fuel.

The phased approach will begin with feasibility studies and front-end engineering design, followed by construction of core processing units, and conclude with installation of secondary units and commissioning.

Chief Obidike noted that the refinery aims to increase domestic refining capacity, reduce dependence on imported petroleum products, and enhance Nigeria’s energy security. He added that the project is expected to create significant employment across engineering, construction, operations, and logistics, while facilitating technology transfer through partnerships with international EPC contractors and investors.

On funding, he revealed that agreements with foreign stakeholders are being finalized to provide both technical and financial support. The refinery is projected to come online within five years, following the completion of all project phases and regulatory approvals.

 

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