Economy
National Assembly Sends Investments Bill To President For Approval
National Assembly Sends Investments Bill To President For Approval
National Assembly sends investments bill to president for approval. The National Assembly has officially forwarded the Investments and Securities Bill (ISB) 2024 to President Bola Tinubu for approval, a major milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to enhance capital market regulations.
Senator Osita Izunaso, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Capital Market, confirmed during a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) budget session in Abuja that Senate President Godswill Akpabio had signed the bill, with the expectation that the President will give his assent within the next 30 days.
In related developments, the House of Representatives has scheduled a public hearing for President Tinubu’s tax reform bills on February 26, 2025.
Meanwhile, the Senate has approved adjustments to the 2025 Appropriation Bill, correcting discrepancies in budget allocations across various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). These changes aim to ensure fiscal accuracy and transparency.
To foster investor confidence, Senator Izunaso also announced the committee’s recommendation for a special N10 billion fund in the 2025 budget to support investor education.
Senator Anthony Yaro (PDP, Gombe South) praised the SEC for its proactive approach in 2024, noting that with initiatives like the ISB and reduced deductions, the Commission’s performance is expected to improve in the coming year.
SEC Director-General Dr. Emomotimi Agama expressed gratitude for the National Assembly’s backing and highlighted Nigeria’s performance as one of the best global markets in 2024. He also shared that the Federal Government’s revenue deduction from SEC would be reduced from 50% to 20% starting March 1, 2025.
However, Senator Victor Umeh (LP, Anambra Central) raised concerns about fraudulent financial disclosures and called for stricter oversight to protect investors from deceptive practices.
Meanwhile, the tax reform bills have successfully passed their second reading in the House, receiving strong support from lawmakers. Speaker Tajudeen Abbas announced the formation of a 36-member committee, led by Abiodun Faleke (APC, Lagos), to guide the tax reform process.
The committee will include experts in tax administration to assess the proposed changes.
Lastly, the National Assembly’s budget review process, led by Senate President Akpabio, resulted in the adjustment of the N54.99 trillion 2025 Appropriation Bill.

National Assembly
Amendments were made to key allocations across various sectors, including the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Police Affairs, and the National Intelligence Agency, ensuring fiscal prudence and alignment with national priorities.
With these adjustments in place, the National Assembly has reinforced its commitment to transparency, fiscal discipline, and responsible governance, aiming for effective implementation of the 2025 budget with a focus on security, infrastructure, education, and social welfare.
Economy
Lagos Assembly Strongly Seeks Suspension Of Makoko Demolition
Lagos Assembly Strongly Seeks Suspension Of Makoko Demolition
Lagos assembly strongly seeks suspension of Makoko demolition. The Lagos state house of assembly has called for the suspension of demolition activities in Makoko, Oko-Agbon and Shogunro waterfront communities following protests by displaced residents and growing public concern over the exercise.
The call was announced on Tuesday by Noheem Adams, chairman of an ad hoc committee set up by Mudashiru Obasa, speaker of the house, during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Lateef Jakande auditorium.
Adams called on all state ministries to cease demolition work and promised compensation to the affected residents.
“On behalf of the speaker and all 40 members of the house, we are directing that all demolitions in Makoko, Oko-Agbon, and Shogunro communities should stop from today until further notice,” New Telegraph quoted Adams as saying.
He called for transparency by demanding the full list of taskforce members and the criteria used for engagement, insisting that residents must be actively involved in the process.
“That the taskforce that was constituted, we want to see the list of the taskforce because we want the residents to be duly involved and to be carried along. So we want to have the schedule of those task forces and the criteria for those that we are inviting,” Adams added.

Lagos Assembly
“To the residents of Makoko, Oko-Agbon and Shogunro communities, as your representatives, we are giving you all assurances that they will stop demolitions henceforth and there will be compensations for all those whose properties have been demolished.”
Stephen Ogundipe, member of the ad-hoc, said there is need for clear communication, adding that residents targeted for relocation or redevelopment must be informed of the government’s plans in advance.
Babatunde Olajide, special adviser to governor of Lagos on E-GIS and urban renewal, confirmed that $2 million had been earmarked since 2021 to transform Makoko into a modern, internationally compliant water city.
He said enumeration of affected properties is underway and reiterated the administration’s commitment to handling the situation with a human face, prioritizing resident safety and fair compensation.
Yusuf Sagra, baale of Makoko, described the assembly’s decision as a “word of peace,” while Orioye Ogungbure, another leader of the community, praised the “democratic responsiveness” of the government.
Crime
EFCC Arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for Alleged Naira Mutilation In Viral Video
EFCC Arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for Alleged Naira Mutilation In Viral Video
EFCC arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for alleged naira mutilation in viral video. The Kano Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, February 3, 2026 arrested a Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa over alleged Naira mutilation.
Inuwa was arrested following a viral video circulated on social media platforms where she was seen conspicuously cleaning mucus from her nose using Naira notes.

EFCC
Following the release of the viral video, the Commission swung into action by tracing and subsequently arrested her to answer questions.
She is currently being held at the Commission’s detention facility while investigation is ongoing.
The suspect will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.
Dele Oyewale
Head, Media & Publicity
February 3, 2026
Economy
Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime
Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime
Access Bank gets new board chair Ifeyinwa Osime. Access Bank Plc has appointed Ifeyinwa Osime as chair of the board of directors, following the retirement of Paul Usoro, on January 29.
Access Bank Plc has appointed Ifeyinwa Osime as chair of the board of directors, following the retirement of Paul Usoro, on January 29, according to a statement to the Nigerian Exchange Ltd. on Monday.
Ms Osime, a legal practitioner, joined Access Bank’s board in November 2019 as an independent non-executive director and had chaired its Human Resources and Sustainability Committee and the Governance, Nomination, and Remuneration Committee. This role made her contribute significantly to the bank’s corporate governance, leadership development, and sustainability initiatives.
Additionally, Ms Osime is a director at Ebudo Trust Ltd. and a partner at McPherson Legal Practitioners, where she advises on corporate and commercial matters and contributes to strategic leadership.
She is also a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, the Women Corporate Directors, Nigeria Chapter, and the Chartered Institute of Directors, Nigeria, where she serves on the Executive Committee of the Women Sectoral Group.

Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime
Beyond her professional responsibilities, Ms Osime is committed to mentoring youths and is actively involved in the Autism and Developmental Delays Support Community, reflecting her dedication to inclusion and social impact.
Speaking on her appointment, the group chairman, Aigboje Aig-lmoukhuede, said, “Mrs Osime is a principled and experienced leader with a deep understanding of the Bank’s strategy and values.
“She has demonstrated strong commitment to the bank’s vision and mission, and I am confident that, under her leadership, the bank will continue to advance its strategic objectives of delivering sustainable value to shareholders and other stakeholders in the pursuit of its vision to become the world’s most respected African bank.”
Mr Aig-lmoukhuede also congratulated Mr Usoro on the completion of his tenure and on his exemplary leadership, dedication, and significant contributions to the group, saying he remains a valued member of the Access family.
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