By Tony Obiechina, Abuja

The Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) said it is targeting N40 trillion in tax revenue for the country in 2026.

The Executive Chairman of NRS, Dr. Zacch Adedeji, disclosed this during a national workshop on strengthening tax compliance under the new tax regime and collaborating with sub-nationals for enhanced revenue collection in Abuja on Tuesday.

Adedeji, who was represented by Mohammed Lawal, called for stronger collaboration among all tiers of government to improve tax compliance and revenue collection nationwide.

He said achieving the target requires intensive capacity building, improved transparency, and robust partnerships across federal, state, and local government institutions to address compliance bottlenecks.

Adedeji expressed concern over compliance imbalances among states and government-owned enterprises, describing the trend as harmful to institutional fairness.

To drive motivation, the NRS boss announced plans to reward the most tax-compliant states starting from the end of 2026.

Adedeji expressed confidence that the workshop would deliver a practical roadmap for transparency, administrative excellence, and high performance nationwide.

He noted that the revenue generated by the NRS sustains the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) and funds critical national development projects.

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Adedeji emphasised that the ultimate goal of the NRS is to promote voluntary compliance instead of relying solely on enforcement measures.

The NRS boss commended President Bola Tinubu for introducing reforms that promote fairness, inclusiveness, and sustainability in Nigeria’s tax system.

He also praised the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, “for his unwavering support towards ongoing fiscal and tax reforms.”

The minister then affirmed that tax reforms remain central to Nigeria’s economic recovery and fiscal sustainability.

Oyedele, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Tolu Adegbie, noted that the country is currently balancing major reforms, including the naira flotation, fuel subsidy removal and inflation control, alongside growing socio-economic challenges.

He said the new tax regime is part of broader structural reforms targeting stable, predictable, and equitable revenue generation to fund roads, healthcare, education, and national security.

The minister assured that the reforms would expand the tax net without increasing the tax burden on citizens.

By David Torough, Abuja

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) yesterday announced major gains in ongoing counter-terrorism operations, revealing that a joint offensive involving Nigerian troops and the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) had eliminated 175 ISIS fighters and several top commanders in the North-East.

In a statement issued in Abuja, the Director of Defence Information, Maj.

-Gen. Samaila Uba, said the coordinated air and ground assaults carried out in recent days dealt a heavy blow to the operational strength of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and allied terrorist elements.

According to him, the operations destroyed multiple terrorist checkpoints, logistics hubs, weapons caches, military equipment and financial networks sustaining insurgent activities in the region.

Among those killed, Uba disclosed, was Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, described as one of ISIS’ most prominent global operatives involved in terrorist financing, recruitment, logistics and attack coordination against civilians.

Other key figures neutralised included Abd-al Wahhab, an ISWAP leader linked to attacks and propaganda operations; Abu Musa al-Mangawi; and Abu al-Muthanna al-Muhajir, a senior media operative.

The DHQ said the elimination of the commanders had significantly disrupted ISIS command structures and operational networks, stressing that the Armed Forces, in collaboration with international partners, would sustain efforts to dismantle terrorist groups threatening national and regional security.

Meanwhile, the military dismissed reports suggesting the existence of an entrenched terrorist base in the South-West, insisting that current security operations in the region were targeted at rescuing abducted victims and flushing out criminal gangs.

The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja, stated that available intelligence did not support claims of any organised insurgent structure in the South-West.

He spoke against the backdrop of the recent abduction of pupils and staff from some schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

Onoja said the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, had commiserated with the Oyo State Government and families of the victims, describing the attack as reprehensible.

He assured that troops had already made contact with the abductors and were sustaining pursuit operations across forest corridors, with support from other security agencies and local vigilantes.

According to him, the military had earlier conducted extensive clearance operations in the Old Oyo National Park, neutralising criminal elements operating within the area.

“The incident in Oyo State remains an isolated criminal act and does not indicate the presence of an entrenched insurgent structure in the region,” Onoja stated.He urged Nigerians to remain calm and continue supporting security agencies with credible intelligence, assuring that the Armed Forces would not relent until all abducted victims were rescued and those responsible brought to justice

By David Torough, Abuja

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) yesterday announced major gains in ongoing counter-terrorism operations, revealing that a joint offensive involving Nigerian troops and the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) had eliminated 175 ISIS fighters and several top commanders in the North-East.

In a statement issued in Abuja, the Director of Defence Information, Maj.-Gen. Samaila Uba, said the coordinated air and ground assaults carried out in recent days dealt a heavy blow to the operational strength of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and allied terrorist elements.

According to him, the operations destroyed multiple terrorist checkpoints, logistics hubs, weapons caches, military equipment and financial networks sustaining insurgent activities in the region.

Among those killed, Uba disclosed, was Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, described as one of ISIS’ most prominent global operatives involved in terrorist financing, recruitment, logistics and attack coordination against civilians.

Other key figures neutralised included Abd-al Wahhab, an ISWAP leader linked to attacks and propaganda operations; Abu Musa al-Mangawi; and Abu al-Muthanna al-Muhajir, a senior media operative.

The DHQ said the elimination of the commanders had significantly disrupted ISIS command structures and operational networks, stressing that the Armed Forces, in collaboration with international partners, would sustain efforts to dismantle terrorist groups threatening national and regional security.

Meanwhile, the military dismissed reports suggesting the existence of an entrenched terrorist base in the South-West, insisting that current security operations in the region were targeted at rescuing abducted victims and flushing out criminal gangs.

The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja, stated that available intelligence did not support claims of any organised insurgent structure in the South-West.

He spoke against the backdrop of the recent abduction of pupils and staff from some schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

Onoja said the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, had commiserated with the Oyo State Government and families of the victims, describing the attack as reprehensible.

He assured that troops had already made contact with the abductors and were sustaining pursuit operations across forest corridors, with support from other security agencies and local vigilantes.

According to him, the military had earlier conducted extensive clearance operations in the Old Oyo National Park, neutralising criminal elements operating within the area.

“The incident in Oyo State remains an isolated criminal act and does not indicate the presence of an entrenched insurgent structure in the region,” Onoja stated.He urged Nigerians to remain calm and continue supporting security agencies with credible intelligence, assuring that the Armed Forces would not relent until all abducted victims were rescued and those responsible brought to justice

By David Torough, Abuja

Former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, yesterday declared that Nigeria would survive its present political, economic and security challenges, insisting that the country “will not fall” despite growing national anxieties ahead of the 2027 elections.

Gowon spoke in Abuja during the public presentation of his autobiography, “My Life of Duty and Allegiance”, at a gathering that drew the nation’s political, military and traditional elite.

The event quickly transformed from a book launch into a major national reflection on leadership, unity, reconciliation and the future of Nigeria, with several speakers warning against deepening distrust, political desperation and divisive politics.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan, in his remarks, said leadership is truly tested during periods of crisis, noting that difficult moments separate genuine leaders from pretenders.

“Many people can appear to be good leaders when circumstances are favourable. It is during moments of crisis that you truly distinguish the men from the boys,” Jonathan said.

Reflecting on the civil war era, Gowon recalled the burden of preserving national unity and reaffirmed his belief in Nigeria’s survival.

“During my time as Head of State, the country did not fall, and I remain confident that despite all her challenges, Nigeria will still not fall,” he declared.

The former military ruler also warned politicians against desperation and “do-or-die politics” as the nation gradually moves toward the 2027 general elections.

Vice President Kashim Shettima, who represented President Bola Tinubu, lamented worsening suspicion among Nigerians and cautioned against the weaponisation of ethnic and religious identities.

“Countries do not endure by accident,” Shettima said, urging Nigerians to embrace peace, dialogue and national cohesion.

Jonathan praised Gowon’s post-war “No Victor, No Vanquished” policy, describing it as the foundation for reconciliation and reintegration after the civil war.

He also commended the establishment of the National Youth Service Corps and ECOWAS, describing both as enduring legacies of visionary leadership.

Reviewing the autobiography, Bishop Matthew Kukah said history could never be captured from one perspective alone, urging Nigerians to document their own experiences rather than demand a single version of events.

Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, said history ultimately remembers leaders for character and integrity rather than power or infrastructure, while the Sultan of Sokoto praised Gowon’s humility and statesmanship.

Retired Lt.-Gen. Theophilus Danjuma, who launched the book with a donation of N3 billion, described Gowon as one of the defining figures of post-independence Nigeria and hailed his reconciliation efforts after the civil war.

Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, also donated N500 million toward the launch.