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Stakeholders hail Tinubu’s 18% tax to GDP target to moderate govt borrowing

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Some stakeholders have commended President Bola Tinubu for the recently inaugurated Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, chaired by Mr Taiwo Oyedele.

While inaugurating the committee on Monday, Tinubu, said that it was a demonstration of his administration’s commitment to breaking the cycle of over reliance on borrowing to fund public expenditure.

He charged the committee to improve the country’s revenue profile and business environment as the Federal Government moves to increase the country’s tax-to-Gross Domestic Product (GDP) ratio to 18 per cent within three years.

The president had directed the committee not to fail to achieve its one-year mandate, which was divided into three main areas of fiscal governance, tax reforms, and growth facilitation.

He also directed all government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to cooperate fully with the committee toward achieving their mandate.

“Our aim is to transform the tax system to support sustainable development while achieving a minimum of 18 per cent tax-to-GDP ratio within the next three years.

“Without revenue, government cannot provide adequate social services to the people it is entrusted to serve.

“The committee in the first instance is expected to deliver a schedule of quick reforms that can be implemented within thirty days.

“Critical reform measures should be recommended within six months, and full implementation will take place within one calendar year,” he said.

A research organisation, Pol Eco Analytics, commended the president for taking steps to introduce needed changes in Nigeria’s tax reform.

A statement by the senior researcher, Pol Eco Analytics, Mr Adefolarin Olamilekan, said the committee would find a lasting solution to the excesses of more than 62 government agencies.

Olamilekan said that it would also resolve confusion over MDAs’ mandates on tax remittance to government.

“This is a patriotic policy stand Nigerians must commend.

“This is a laudable move to tackle problems of disarticulated tax regime, and official negligence that worsened the case of tax evasion and non-compliance in Nigeria,” he said.

An economist, Dr Tope Fasua, said that it was good for the government to optimise revenue generation to cut down on borrowings.

Fasua advised that every state should take concrete steps to improve revenue generation for the economy to grow sustainably.

He urged the private sector to always cooperate with the government in its revenue drive rather than antagonise such initiatives.

“The private sector kicks anytime government proposes a tax increase, no matter how insignificant. It has turned itself into an enemy of government,” he said.

According to him, the Nigerian government will also need to get its expenditure priorities right.

“We have a debt problem, we have a revenue problem and we have an expenditure problem.

“Although debt-to-GDP ratio is not high compared to other countries, Nigeria needs to start spending wisely and generating more revenues,” he said.

Dr Ayo Abina, the chairman of AACS, an international consulting and investment company, said rather than continued borrowing, Nigeria could generate enough to fund government’s expenditure.

“Nigeria can earn additional 53 billion dollars by raising the tax-to-GDP ratio to 15 per cent without raising taxes, and save four billion dollars by tackling oil theft”, he said in a publication.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) had also waded in, urging the Federal Government to take steps to increase the country’s revenue base.

Ari Aisen, Resident Representative, IMF Nigeria Office, during a recent virtual forum on the Nigerian debt situation, advised the government to drastically reduce dependence on borrowing to fund expenditure.

According to Aisen, to resolve the debt issues of Nigeria, the country needs to concentrate on its revenue and expenditure.

He said that the debt situation had deteriorated because the Federal Government spent more than it was actually getting in revenues.

“How do you reduce the spending needs of the government? That should be the question.

“It is really about fiscal discipline. People should not permanently spend beyond what they generate in revenue because it becomes unsustainable,” he said.

Aisen said that the critical thing to do was for countries to rely more on their own revenue to finance their own expenditure.

“That is the autonomy and the independence that we would like to see our member countries rely on,” he said.

Vahyala Kwaga, an analyst at BudgIT, a Nigerian company that provides social advocacy using technology, urged Nigerians to also beam their searchlights on the state governors and their fiscal behaviour.

“The federal system allows the centre to provide monies for the states.

“The question is, how prudent are these monies expended when they are given to the states?

“The transparency and accountability problem we have in the use of funds is extremely problematic at the level of the states,” he said.

As the Federal government takes steps to boost the country’s revenue base through tax and other fiscal reforms, Nigerians expect that borrowing will soon cease to be a primary source of funding for the country’s budgets.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Nigeria’s public debt stock as at Dec. 31, 2022 stood at N46.25 trillion equivalent to (103.11 billion dollars).

According to the Debt Management Office (DMO), the public debt stock of the country consists of the domestic and external debts of the Federal Government of Nigeria and the sub-national governments.

The DMO, which is the Federal Government’s agency established to coordinate the management of national debts also recognised the dire need for government to reduce its dependence on borrowing by generating more revenues.

Its Director-General, Patience Oniha told NAN that Nigeria had operated deficit budgets for many decades, which made borrowing from local and external sources imperative.

“The financing of the deficits through borrowing from local and external sources is the principal reason for the growth in debt stock and debt servicing.

“One way to reduce budget deficits is to grow revenues, the other way is to prioritise expenditure and cut waste and leakages.

“How much revenue is Nigeria generating? Statistics show that relative to other countries, Nigeria’s revenue generation is low.

“The World Bank Economic Outlook for 2020 showed that Nigeria, with a revenue-to-GDP ratio of 6.3 per cent, was ranked 194 out of 196 countries covered,’’ she said.

She said that a strong revenue base would reduce the need for relatively large amounts of new borrowing, and will also reduce the debt service to revenue ratio.

“Revenue generation is the way to go and that is how countries develop and use borrowing to augment revenue shortfalls now and again.

“Nigeria has been running budget deficits for decades, it is about time to shift to balanced budget and even budgets surplus,’’ she said.

According to her, among reasons for the increase in total public debt stock is new borrowing by the Federal Government and sub-national governments, primarily to finance budget deficits and execute projects.

“The issuance of promissory notes by the Federal Government to settle some liabilities also contributed to growth in the debt stock,” she said.

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Security Expert, Jackson Ojo Lauds Tinubu Over Appointment of Homeland Security Adviser

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By Mike Odiakose, Abuja
A security expert and executive protection specialist, Dr Jackson Lekan Ojo, has applauded President Bola Tinubu over the creation of the Office of Special Adviser on Homeland Security.

In a statement made available to journalists, Dr Lekan Ojo also commended that choice of Maj Gen Adeyinka Fadewa (retd), as Special Adviser to the President on Homeland Security.

According to him, “This step signals a clear commitment to strengthening internal security coordination, enhancing intelligence-driven operations, and improving inter-agency collaboration at a time when Nigerians are demanding safer communities and more responsive governance.

“I also acknowledge and appreciate the appointment of Maj Gen Adeyinka Fadewa (retd), a highly decorated officer with over three decades of experience in military and intelligence operations, counter-terrorism, and national security strategy.

“His role in establishing the Intelligence Fusion Centre at the Office of the National Security Adviser demonstrates his capacity for high-level coordination and strategic planning.”

He, however, Lekan Ojo suggested Nuhu Ribadu and Adeyinka Fadewa should swap positions due to their different areas of specialisation.

“In the spirit of constructive nation-building and to ensure maximum impact from this new architecture, I respectfully advise a strategic swap of roles to align expertise with mandate: Appoint NSA Mallam Nuhu Ribadu as Special Adviser on Homeland Security.

“As a retired Deputy Commissioner of Police and former Chairman of the EFCC, Mallam Ribadu brings deep experience in policing, internal security, law enforcement coordination, and civil-security relations. Homeland security is fundamentally about managing domestic threats, policing, civil unrest, and inter-agency cooperation at the community level. This aligns directly with his professional background.

“Appoint Maj Gen Adeyinka Fadewa (retd) as National Security Adviser.*
With his extensive military career, experience as Principal General Staff Officer to the NSA, and leadership in intelligence fusion and national security strategy, Gen Fadewa is well-positioned to manage the broader national defense and external security landscape at the strategic level.

“This realignment is not a criticism of any individual, but a recommendation to match skillsets to roles for optimal results. The right person in the right seat will accelerate policy execution, improve synergy between security agencies, and give Nigerians the confidence that both internal and external threats are being addressed with the right expertise.

“I believe that such a move will strengthen the administration’s security architecture and deliver the tangible results Nigerians expect on security and stability.”

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Auto360 Nigeria Graduates New Generation of Skilled Mechanics, Sends Trainees to Industry Internships

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By David Torough, Abuja

Auto360 Nigeria Limited has celebrated the graduation of its latest cohort of automobile trainees, marking the end of an intensive technical training program and the beginning of industry internships for the newly skilled mechanics.

The ceremony highlighted the collaborative effort behind the initiative, which was supported by the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Education Nigeria under the TVET IDEAS Project, alongside the World Bank.

The Managing Director and CEO of Auto360 Nigeria Limited, Dr. Paul Ubwa, expressed appreciation for the investment in skills development.

He also acknowledged the role of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, noting that government backing for vocational education is helping to build a capable workforce for the country’s growing automotive sector.

According to Dr. Ubwa, the graduating trainees have undergone a significant transformation—from having little knowledge of vehicle systems to becoming capable of diagnosing faults, using modern scan tools, and explaining technical issues to customers.

He emphasized that beyond technical skills, the trainees were also equipped with discipline, teamwork, and a commitment to professional standards.

“As you step into internships, you will face real-world challenges—new workshops, demanding customers, and evolving vehicle technologies,” he told the graduates. “Stay curious, maintain strong character, and uphold the standards you have learned here.”

The graduates are expected to begin internships across various automotive workshops, where they will gain hands-on experience in an industry increasingly shaped by new technologies such as hybrid and electric vehicles.

Dr. Ubwa urged the trainees to act as ambassadors of the institution and its partners, reminding them that their performance would reflect not only on Auto360 but also on the broader national effort to strengthen technical education.

The event concluded with a charge to the graduates to demonstrate that Nigerian mechanics can compete globally by delivering quality service, solving complex problems, and building sustainable careers.

The Auto360 Class of 2026 now enters the workforce with what the company describes as “skill in their hands, knowledge in their heads, and grit in their hearts.”

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Aminatu Dahiru Chiroma: Driving Innovation in Aviation and Empowering Communities Across Nigeria

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By Raphael Atuu

In an era where visionary leadership is shaping the future of Africa’s economic landscape, Aminatu Dahiru Chiroma stands out as a formidable force in business, aviation, and philanthropy.

As Group President of Binani Global Air Services and Binani Group of Companies, Chiroma is redefining industry standards while championing inclusive growth and community development.

Born on 18 February 1983 in Adamawa State, Chiroma’s journey to the pinnacle of corporate leadership reflects a blend of discipline, global education, and strategic foresight.

She began her academic path at Federal Government Girls College, Yola, before advancing to the United Kingdom, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology with Business Studies from the University of East London.
She further strengthened her academic profile with postgraduate qualifications from the University of Greenwich and Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, where she also completed a Master of Business Administration in Oil and Gas Management in 2025.

Currently, she is pursuing a Master of Laws (LL.M) at the University of London, underscoring her commitment to continuous learning.
Chiroma’s professional journey began in London, where she served as Executive Director at Binatech System Limited between 2009 and 2011.

There, she developed a strong foundation in business strategy, stakeholder engagement, and operational management. Upon returning to Nigeria, she assumed leadership as Group Managing Director of Binani Group of Companies, spearheading strategic expansion and organizational transformation across multiple sectors.

Today, as Group President of Binani Global Air Services, she leads the airline’s strategic direction, overseeing operations, regulatory compliance, and expansion across key domestic and regional routes.

Her leadership philosophy anchored in safety, innovation, and excellence has positioned the airline as an emerging competitor within Nigeria’s aviation industry.

Under her stewardship, Binani Group has grown into a diversified conglomerate with interests spanning printing, construction, oil and gas, gold trading, and international commodities. Key subsidiaries such as Binani Printing Press, Binani Construction Company, and Binani Oil and Gas continue to thrive under her guidance, contributing to economic development and job creation across the region.

Beyond boardrooms and corporate strategy, Chiroma is deeply committed to social impact. Through the Aminatu Goje Foundation, she leads initiatives focused on empowering women, supporting youth development, and improving healthcare awareness. The foundation’s programs ranging from orphanage outreach to maternal health advocacy have positively impacted communities across Nigeria, reinforcing her belief that business success must be matched with social responsibility.

Her contributions have not gone unnoticed. She has received several accolades, including the “Beacon of Hope for Africa’s Development” award from the All Africa Students Union and the West African Merit Award for her leadership in the printing industry.
Despite her associations with prominent public figures, including her husband, Senator Danjuma Goje, Chiroma has carved out a distinct identity defined by professionalism, innovation, and purpose.

Known for maintaining a low public profile, she remains focused on driving organizational growth while quietly making meaningful contributions to society.

As Nigeria continues to expand its economic and industrial frontiers, leaders like Aminatu Dahiru Chiroma exemplify the synergy between enterprise and impact building not only successful businesses but also stronger communities for future generations.

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