Economy
Senate Passes 2 Out Of 4 Tax Reform Bills, Retains VAT At 7.5%
Senate Passes 2 Out Of 4 Tax Reform Bills, Retains VAT At 7.5%
Senate passes 2 out of 4 tax reform bills, retains VAT at 7.5%. The Senate has passed two out of four major tax reform bills proposed by President Bola Tinubu.
However, the upper chamber rejected a proposal to increase the value-added tax (VAT) to 10 percent, opting to retain the current rate at 7.5 percent.
The bill allows VAT input claims on fixed assets, overhead costs and administrative services.
The two bills passed are the Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment bill, which repeals the Federal Inland Revenue Service, and the Joint Revenue Board Establishment bill, which seeks to harmonise tax collection.
Two bills which the senate has scheduled for consideration and passage on Thursday are the Nigeria Tax Administration bill and the Nigeria Tax bill.
The passage of two bills on Wednesday followed a clause-by-clause consideration of the bills in the committee of the whole and a third reading on the floor of the senate.
President Tinubu transmitted the bills to the senate as part of efforts to modernise and overhaul the country’s tax framework.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio commended the progress and said the reforms would strengthen governance and improve revenue collection.
“These bills will add immense value to governance and transform how taxes are collected and shared in Nigeria,” Akpabio said.
He also said the senate is ready to extend its sitting to conclude work on the remaining bills.
“We are committed to concluding the outstanding bills tomorrow, even if we have to stay here until 10 pm,” he added.
Apart from the rejection of a proposal to increase VAT from 7.5 to 10 percent, Akpabio, who read the resolutions, said the senate also rejected the proposed phasing out of funding for some agencies.
The agencies include the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI).
Instead, Akpabio said the red chamber introduced a 4 percent development levy to sustain funding for the agencies.
“These agencies of government are essential for human capital and overall economic development of the country,” he said.
“Phasing out their funding can lead to stagnation in education and the country losing out on technological evolutions and advancements.”
According to the bill, the development levy will be distributed as follows: TETFUND (50%), Nigerian Education Loan Fund (15%), NITDA (10%), NASENI (10%), National Cybersecurity Fund (5%) and Defence Security Fund (10%).
The company income tax rate is pegged at 30 percent.
Speaking during the plenary, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin praised the maturity displayed by lawmakers in resolving earlier disagreements.
“It is time to congratulate the entire senate and in particular, the committee on finance and the elders committee for the wisdom and leadership that have been shown in these bills,” he said.
Senate
“Initially, there were disagreements and there were rancours here and there. But the senate, standing on its position as the highest assembly in the land, decided to establish this committee, a committee of elders, to look at all those areas of contention and hear the views of religious leaders, regional organisations and other stakeholders.
“Now, thank God, the committee also in its wisdom sat with all, had a very robust public hearing and got to where we are now. And thank God, all these areas have been resolved.”
The four bills have already been passed by the house of representatives.
Ex-LASU Canteen Worker Now Lecturer Celebrates Badejo as New VC
A former member of staff at Lagos State University, Dr Rebecca Uduakobong Adesiyan, has celebrated the institution’s newly appointed Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ayodeji Olawunmi Badejo, recalling how the don’s kindness and mentorship supported her journey.
Eereporter.com
Adesiyan, now a Lecturer II at Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Kwara State, described Badejo as her “destiny helper” while congratulating her on her appointment as LASU Vice-Chancellor.
In a testimony published by The Shield Online on Saturday, Adesiyan recalled starting out at the LASU Staff Canteen between 1999 and 2000 before returning to the university in 2005.
She said she subsequently worked as Badejo’s secretary at the LASU Ikoyi Campus, at a time when she held an Ordinary National Diploma in Secretarial Administration.
According to Adesiyan, Badejo went beyond the workplace to show her care and support, including insisting that she had breakfast at her home before they left for work.
“I can still remember how you would insist that I had breakfast at your home before we left for work in Ikoyi,” she recalled.
Adesiyan also remembered an occasion when Badejo intervened on her behalf after she was transferred from the Ikoyi Campus to the university’s main campus.
She said Badejo approached the late Prof. Mobolaji Lateef Adetona and requested that she be allowed to remain at the Ikoyi Campus, having only recently resumed there.
“He graciously did so. May his soul continue to rest in peace. I have never forgotten that gesture,” she said.
Years after her time at LASU, Adesiyan’s career took her to Covenant University, where she worked as an administrator for 19 years.
She later completed a PhD in English Literature at Olabisi Onabanjo University and moved into academia. She is now a Lecturer II at Landmark University.
Reflecting on her journey, Adesiyan said the lessons she learnt from people such as Badejo had continued to influence her professional life and relationships with others.
“As I reflect on my journey, I realise that some of the lessons I learned from people like you have remained with me, shaped me, and continue to influence how I relate to others and approach my work,” she said.
LASU
Congratulating Badejo on her emergence as Vice-Chancellor, Adesiyan described the appointment as “much-deserved” recognition of her capacity, integrity, dedication and years of service.
She added, “Thank you, Professor, for the kindness, care and encouragement you showed me many years ago. Those seemingly simple gestures meant so much to me, and I remain deeply grateful.”
Eereporter.com
NAF, NCCSALW Strengthens Collaboration Against Illicit Arms Proliferation
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening collaboration to curb the proliferation of illicit arms, enhance institutional readiness and advance collective efforts towards addressing emerging security challenges.
Eereporter.com
The commitment was underscored during a visit by NCCSALW, Office of the National Security Adviser, to Headquarters Ground Training Command (GTC), Enugu, on 10 September 2026.
Speaking during the engagement, the Director-General of NCCSALW, Deputy Inspector-General of Police Johnson Babatunde Kokumo (Rtd.) mni, represented by the Deputy Director-General and Director, Policy and Plans, Major General Sani Suleiman mni, commended the NAF’s contributions to national security and its support to the NCCSALW South East Zonal Office. He called for deeper collaboration, particularly in intelligence sharing and capacity building, to collectively address emerging security challenges.
In his remarks, the Air Officer Commanding GTC, Air Vice Marshal Adebayo Gabriel Kehinde, reaffirmed the commitment of the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal SK Aneke, to strengthening inter-service and inter-agency cooperation as a critical component of the nation’s security architecture.
NAF, NCCSALW
He identified the proliferation of illicit Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) as a key driver of security challenges confronting the nation, stressing the importance of sustained collaboration and synergy with NCCSALW towards reducing illicit arms proliferation and contributing to a safer and more secure Nigeria.
Eereporter.com
Economy
Community Development: NAF Strengthens Security as CAS Commissions Special Intervention Project in Kano
Community Development: NAF Strengthens Security as CAS Commissions Special Intervention Project in Kano
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF), on 10 September 2026, commissioned a Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) Special Intervention Project at Government Secondary School, Bichi, Kano State, in furtherance of its commitment to community development, enhanced civil-military relations and improved security through meaningful citizen engagement.
Eereporter.com
The project, executed in honour of Air Vice Marshal Mohammed Sabiu Ibrahim, was commissioned by the CAS, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, represented by the Chief of Civil-Military Relations, Air Vice Marshal EK Gabkwet.
The initiative was described as a vital non-kinetic effort aimed at improving community welfare, building public trust and strengthening cooperation between the military and local communities.
The CAS noted that contemporary security challenges require a whole-of-society approach that complements military operations with meaningful community engagement. The project comprises the renovation and furnishing of four classrooms, rehabilitation and equipping of the school clinic and sports office, as well as the construction of a modern mosque.
The facilities are expected to improve learning outcomes and enhance the well-being of students and residents of the host community.
Community Development
Air Marshal Aneke further highlighted that the CAS Special Intervention Project Programme has become one of NAF’s impactful civil-military initiatives, with 18 projects completed nationwide and several others ongoing. He noted that such interventions strengthen the bond between the Armed Forces and the people, creating an enabling environment for improved intelligence sharing and operational effectiveness.
He therefore urged the community to continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible information, stressing that stronger communities build stronger partnerships for lasting peace and security.
Eereporter.com
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