Author: Ifetayo Adeniyi

Tax reform will enhance growth, eliminate regulatory challenges Tax Tax reform will enhance growth, eliminate regulatory challenges The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) says the tax reform bill will eliminate regulatory bottlenecks and boost micro small and medium enterprises’ (MSMEs) growth. Charles Odii, SMEDAN’s director-general (DG), spoke on Friday during a stakeholder engagement on tax reforms organised by the agency in Abuja. The event, themed “Understanding the Tax Reform Bills: Benefits and How MSMEs Can Maximise Tax,” brought together key industry stakeholders, offering business owners an opportunity to seek clarification and gain insights into the provisions…

Finance ministry secures N100bn to finance affordable houses Finance ministry secures N100bn to finance affordable housing The Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI) says it has secured N100 billion through the MOFI Real Estate Investment Fund (MREIF) to finance affordable housing. MOFI had earlier in December 20, 2024 announced that the N150 billion MREIF series one bond was fully subscribed. With the N100 billion series 2 offering in February 2025 for private investors which has now been fully subscribed brought the total funding under MREIF to N250 billion. Providing updates in a statement yesterday, MOFI said it attracted strong private sector…

Super Eagles: Chelle puts off every distraction to win  Zimbabwe match Eric Chelle Chelle puts off every distraction to win  Zimbabwe match * “We are ready,” Victor Osimhen. * “Recovery have started in a good way,” Troost-Ekong. Super Eagles Coach, Eric Chelle, has imposed strict restrictions in and around the national team’s camp as Nigeria prepares for tomorrow’s must win game against Zimbabwe, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. The Super Eagles defeated hosts, Rwanda, 2-0 in Kigali, on Friday to revive Nigeria’s World Cup qualification hopes, moving from fifth position to fourth position on the table with six points. Zimbabwe,…

Bakare, Ezekwesili speak on solutions to Nigeria’s leadership challenges Dr. Oby Ezekwesili PHOTO: Getty Images Bakare, Ezekwesili speak on solutions to Nigeria’s leadership challenges * Leadership is the ability to articulate and pursue a long-term vision that transcends short-term political or economic pressures – Ezekwesili Stakeholders have emphasised the need for strong institutions, urgent re-definition of leadership process and critical re-examination of Nigeria’s leadership structure. These formed part of the recommendations made at the maiden Quarterly Business Seminar of the University of Lagos Business School (ULBS). General Overseer, Citadel Global Community Church, Dr Tunde Bakare, and Chief Executive Officer, Human…

NGX, CBN give financial skills to empower over 200 students NGX, CBN give financial skills to empower over 200 students. The Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX Group), in collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and MinieMoney, has empowered over 200 students with essential financial literacy skills. This initiative, part of the 2025 Global Money Week celebration, underscores the growing importance of early financial education in fostering a generation of financially savvy individuals who can make informed economic decisions. The students were not only exposed to critical financial concepts but also had the rare opportunity to witness the fast-paced…

NNPC’s Forward Oil Sales Reach $21.5bn in Six Years, Affecting Domestic Crude Obligations *11 deals have been engaged in by the NNPC since 2019 Forward crude sales by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), have reached $21.565 billion since 2019, further buttressing why it’s almost impossible for the national oil company to meet its Domestic Crude Supply Obligation (DCSO) to local refiners. The document obtained from impeccable sources indicated that since the controversial ‘Project Gazelle’ in 2023, the NNPC has gone into at least two other agreements, tagged ‘Project Leopard’ and ‘Project Gazelle II’, which will cost the company…

Elumelu Supports 3,000 Young African Entrepreneurs with $15m Tony Elumelu Elumelu Supports 3,000 Young African Entrepreneurs with $15m The Chairman, Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), Mr. Tony Elumelu, has unveiled $15 million to 3,000 young African entrepreneurs for the 11th cohort of the foundation. Each selected business is entitled to $5,000 seed capital. Elumelu said the foundation remained humbled by progress recorded across all 54 African countries to date. Speaking at the unveiling of the 2025 Cohort of the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme in Abuja over weekend, he said 15 years into the journey, TEF had achieved remarkable feats in impacting lives…

Transcorp Hotels Becomes Hospitality Company of 2024 Transcorp Hotels Becomes Hospitality Company of 2024 • Profit Before Tax increased by 138 percent to N22.61 billion in 2024 from N9.48 billion in FY 2023. Transcorp Hotels Plc, the hospitality subsidiary of Transcorp Group has been awarded “Hospitality Company of the Year 2024” at the Independent Newspapers Awards. In a statement, the organisers noted that the award is in recognition of the transformation that the Transcorp brand has undergone over the years, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic. “Such feat has come through deliberate asset renewal, planning and reinvesting that has ensured that…

Nigeria’s ready to acquire knowledge on power generation from Egypt – Minister Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu Nigeria’s ready to acquire knowledge on power generation from Egypt • The two countries to have mutual benefits and strengthen bilateral ties. The Federal Government says it will learn power generation and transmission from Egypt which it described as a role model in the sector. The government also has reaffirmed its commitment to rural development through improved electricity access, The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, disclosed this during a recent meeting in Abuja with the Egyptian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mohammed Fouad. A…

Nigeria sends trucks of petrol to ease Niger’s crisis Map of Niger Republic Nigeria sends trucks of petrol to ease Niger’s crisis • Delegation of senior officials of the military junta travelled down to Abuja to discuss on fuel. The pump prices of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) in neighbouring Niger Republic have started reducing following the supply of the commodity from Nigeria. Multiple residents in border communities and insider security sources familiar with the development confirmed that hundreds of petrol tankers have started making their way from Nigeria to Niger Republic. Recall that on March 16, 2025, Sunday PUNCH exclusively…