New Nigeria Tax Law 2026: What Every Salary Earner Must Know Before January

Nigeria’s new Tax Act 2025 will take effect on January 1, 2026, introducing major changes for salary earners, freelancers, and mixed-income workers. The reform expands the tax base, clarifies taxable income, and sets new rules for deductions. Workers earning the national minimum wage (₦800,000 yearly or less) and military personnel are exempt. Taxable income now includes salaries, bonuses, allowances, and certain benefits-in-kind such as housing and cars.
The Act provides clearer deductions for both employees and freelancers, including pension, NHF, insurance, and business expenses for self-employed individuals. Taxes will be applied progressively across income bands, and individuals with both salary and business income must consolidate all earnings before taxation. Experts say the reform aims to simplify compliance, encourage proper record-keeping, and ensure fairness across income levels.
With the new rules, salary earners must verify payroll deductions, while freelancers should maintain proper financial records to avoid penalties. The government has also provided digital platforms to make tax payment easier nationwide.

Human Rights Day: RULAAC Urges Nigerian Government to End Widespread Citizens’ Rights Violations

The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) has called on the Nigerian government to treat human rights as essential daily needs rather than abstract promises. In a statement marking Human Rights Day 2025, Executive Director Okechukwu Nwanguma highlighted the year’s theme, “Human Rights, Our Everyday Essentials,” stressing the importance of access to clean water, healthcare, education, justice, housing, and freedom of expression. RULAAC lamented widespread rights violations caused by corruption, insecurity, poor governance, police brutality, and collapsing social services. The group urged the Tinubu administration to move beyond rhetoric by improving basic services, guaranteeing civic freedoms, reforming law enforcement, protecting vulnerable groups, and addressing insecurity through rights-respecting approaches. It reaffirmed its commitment to monitoring abuses and advocating for a Nigeria where human dignity is upheld daily.

Decomposed Body of Missing Niger Islamiyya Teacher Found in Uncompleted Building

The decomposed body of a missing Niger State Islamiyya teacher, Mallam Awwal Yakubu, was discovered in an uncompleted building at Talba Housing Estate in Minna, four days after he was reported missing. The 45-year-old father of seven was found with parts of his body burnt and his private parts charred, with a matchbox beside him. Police confirmed the incident and said the corpse had been evacuated for investigation, while the community expressed shock over the gruesome killing. Authorities have yet to identify suspects or motives as investigations continue.

Tim Walz Responds to Trump’s Thanksgiving Attack as Immigration Clash Intensifies


Minnesota Governor Tim Walz pushed back at former President Donald Trump after Trump used a slur to attack him and Rep. Ilhan Omar in a Thanksgiving Truth Social post criticizing Democratic immigration policies. Walz responded by calling for Trump to release his MRI results, referencing a recent medical visit. Trump’s posts blamed immigration for crime, housing issues, and social dysfunction, and accused Somali refugees of overwhelming Minnesota—claims not supported by federal data, which shows about 705 Somali nationals hold Temporary Protected Status. The exchange follows Trump’s move to revoke protections for Somali nationals and his proposals for sweeping immigration restrictions, including halting migration from “Third World countries” and deporting those he calls “non-compatible with Western Civilization.” The heated rhetoric comes amid national attention on a recent deadly shooting involving an Afghan refugee.
#Tim Walz #donald trump #Trump Thanksgiving post #Ilhan Omar #Minnesota immigration debate

Nigerian Military Bans Officers From Marrying Foreigners And Naturalized Citizens.

The Nigerian Armed Forces have enforced a new directive prohibiting officers from marrying foreigners or naturalized Nigerians.

The rule, contained in the Harmonized Terms and Conditions of Service (HTACOS) 2024, also forbids commissioned officers from marrying non-commissioned personnel like soldiers, ratings, or airwomen.

Signed by the President and approved by the Armed Forces Council in December 2024, the new policy mandates strict compliance. It specifies that officers must obtain prior approval and undergo vetting before marriage. Chapter 25, Subsection 5 of the document clearly states that “no officer is allowed to marry a foreigner or a naturalised Nigerian.”

The law also bars newly commissioned officers from marrying during their probation. Those already married before commissioning must live in the Officers’ Mess for at least three months before qualifying for married housing.

A retired major general explained that the rule aims to protect classified information, warning that marriage to a foreigner could risk divided loyalty if Nigeria ever enters conflict with that country.

However, retired Group Captain Shehu Sadeeq called for a review, saying other nations like the US and UK allow such marriages under strict vetting. He noted that an outright ban could infringe on officers’ personal rights.

Human rights advocate Dr. Zikirullahi Ibrahim criticised the rule as discriminatory, questioning why politicians and top officials with dual citizenship are not held to the same standard. He argued that only senior officers in sensitive positions should face such restrictions.

In contrast, Auwal Rafsanjani of CISLAC supported the law, insisting that those entrusted with national security must prioritise the country’s interest over personal relationships.

The HTACOS 2024 replaces the 2017 version and will remain valid for five years before review.

Lagos govt enforces mandatory insurance for multi-storey commercial buildings.

The Lagos State Government has announced that all commercial buildings exceeding two floors will now be required to carry compulsory insurance coverage as part of ongoing efforts to enhance urban safety, planning compliance, and risk management across the state.

The policy was revealed at the 2025 Real Estate Discussions and Awards held in Lagos, an event organised by Thinkmint Nigeria, where stakeholders in housing, land administration, and urban planning gathered to discuss emerging trends in the real estate sector.

Delivering one of the keynote presentations, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Enterprise Geographic Information System, E-GIS, and Urban Development, Dr Olajide Babatunde, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to transforming land administration and physical development through technology, transparency, and sustainable practices.

According to him, the state, working with international development partners, has completed a comprehensive digital mapping of Lagos to support the full rollout of the E-GIS.

The new platform, he said, will enable instant land searches, digital certification, online applications, and real-time verification of property ownership and planning approvals.

“Lagos will soon commence compulsory insurance for all multi-storey commercial buildings above two floors. The state will also begin land and building regularisation through a 300-property pilot scheme in Epe,” Babatunde said.

He added that a new electronic planning permit system will allow compliant developers to obtain building approvals in as little as 10 minutes, a move aimed at drastically reducing bureaucratic bottlenecks and curbing corruption in the approval process.

Babatunde, however, warned against double allocations, forged survey documents, and unapproved constructions, revealing that the government has begun a statewide physical planning audit. Non-compliant developers, he stressed, would face strict penalties.

Ekiti Government constructs ₦1.8 billion lodge for Governor Oyebanji and his deputy in Abuja amid funding concerns.

The Ekiti State Government has reportedly spent ₦470 million on the construction of a new ₦1.8 billion lodge in Abuja for Governor Biodun Oyebanji and his deputy, Monisade Afuye, sparking public concern over the state’s spending priorities.

According to official budget records, the funds were allocated for the “construction of new governor and deputy governor lodge, Asokoro, Abuja.” A review by SaharaReporters showed that ₦470 million was expended between January and September 2025.

The report also revealed that a separate ₦320 million contract was awarded on October 8, 2025, for the construction of a guest house chalet within the Government House, with the contract issued to a permanent secretary in the Government House and Protocol Department.

This comes at a time when many agencies in the state have struggled to access funds for essential capital projects. An audit of Ekiti’s 2024 financial report indicated that 35 government agencies received no capital funding despite having a combined budget of ₦3.3 billion.

Among the affected institutions were the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Deputy Governor’s Office, Ekiti State Mortgage Board, Civil Service Commission, and several liaison offices and agencies responsible for public development, housing, and healthcare.

Further investigations revealed that numerous multi-million naira contracts — including those for the Ekiti Airport Project, transformer installations, and other infrastructure works — were awarded to “permanent secretaries” rather than independent contractors, raising questions about transparency and due process.

Critics have accused the state government of misplacing priorities by funding luxury projects for political officeholders while neglecting crucial sectors like education, healthcare, and infrastructure.

The development has reignited calls for accountability and stricter monitoring of public expenditure in Ekiti State.

Olukoyede sheds light on N360b recovered loot, 753 duplexes.

Applauds Media,CSOs’ efforts at tackling corruption

JOSEPH OKWUOFU, Ibadan

The Executive Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC), Mr. Ola Olukoyede, has stated that all the recoveries made so far under him by the Commission are deposited to the Federal Government in the Central Bank of Nigeria.

According to Olukoyede, since he took over the mantle of leadership two years ago, the Commission has recovered the sum of N360b, and a massive estate comprising 753 duplexes from corrupt individuals and the money was deposited in the Central Bank of Nigeria, out of this, the federal government directed that N50b was released for students loan under the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND ).

He added that the recovered 753 duplexes were handed over to the Federal Ministry of Housing , following a directive from the federal government that the houses should be completed and allocated to Nigerians.

Olukoyede who is making two years of impactful fight against corruption with a record of 4,111 convictions, further revealed that it is only the federal government that has the power to give directives on how the recovered loot will be spent.

He made the clarifications on Friday, October 17, 2025 at a one-day workshop held in Ibadan Zonal Directorate for Journalists and Civil Society Organizations, (CSOs), organized by the Commission.

Olukoyede who spoke through the Acting Zonal Director, Ibadan Directorate of the EFCC, ACE 1 Hauwa Garba Ringim and the Spokesperson of the anti-graft body, Dele Oyewale also hinted that the EFCC under the current leadership of Ola Olukoyede, in 2024 alone arraigned five ex-governors and five ex-ministers with no let or hindrance.

This is a display of political will by the Bola Tinubu’s administration to prosecute corruption cases to curb economic sabotage and infractions”, he said.

Protesters march against Lagos govt in Ikeja over demolitions.

Protesters began converging as early as 7:30 a.m. at Ikeja Bridge before proceeding towards Alausa, the seat of the Lagos State Government.Hundreds of protesters are currently marching from Ikeja Bridge to Alausa, the seat of the Lagos State Government, to demonstrate against hunger and the ongoing demolitions in Oworonshoki, which they say have rendered many residents homeless.

The demonstration, which began around 10:00 a.m. on Friday, was led by the Take It Back Movement and several other civil society groups.

Protesters began converging as early as 7:30 a.m. at Ikeja Bridge before proceeding towards Alausa, carrying placards with inscriptions such as ‘Stop the Demolitions’ and ‘End Hunger Now’.

The groups accused the state government of worsening hardship through what they described as “anti-poor” policies, citing the demolitions in Oworonshoki and other parts of Lagos that have displaced families without alternative housing or adequate notice.

Security operatives, including police officers and personnel of the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps, have been deployed around the Alausa axis to prevent a breakdown of law and order.

As of the time of filing this report, the protesters had reached the Secretariat area, chanting solidarity songs and demanding to meet with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu or his representatives.

Details later.

Senate, Reps Resumption: Crisis Looms As Corruption Allegation Rocks National Assembly Management.

The National Assembly chapter of PASAN, had in a circular dated 3 October, 2025, accused the Clerk of laundering money belonging to the Association.

The circular was signed by the trio of Comrade Chris MC-Odo, Comrade Yusuf Mohammed Abiola and Comrade Chinenye Peace Ndu and addressed to the Clerk, with copies to the Director, Department of State Security (DSS), and the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), both in the National Assembly.

It alleged that the Clerk, working together with the ousted executive, had laundered funds belonging to PASAN through the Chapter`s NASS bank accounts and was bent on covering his tracks by “protecting the Ousted Exco in order not to go down with the Sunday Sabiyi led exco who boasted that If I go down, you all go down…”

It further expressed sadness at Mr Ogunlana`s actions, stating that it amounted to “interference, meddlesome and infringement on our fundamental rights and are totally unacceptable to us as workers under a Trade Union.”

Other infractions it accused the Clerk of include, refusal to correct alleged fraudulent short payments of members salaries and allowances, refusal to remit statutory deductions from taxes, contributory pensions and National Housing Fund (NHF).

PASAN also stated that the Ogunlana led National Assembly management diverted funds for members training and retraining, refused the full implementation of consolidated legislative salary structure (CONLESS), payment of outstanding 50 % CONLESS, among several other infractions.

According to the workers body, the Clerk has since deployed “intimidation, harassment and victimization” tactics to silence members of staff ahead of Tuesday`s planned picketing of the National Assembly to draw the attention of the Senator Godswill Akpabio led tenth Assembly to the matter.

I’m About Being Evicted From My Apartment – Carter Efe Cries Out For Help.

Skitmaker, Carter Efe has revealed that he is at risk of being evicted from his apartment.

Naija News reports that the streamer shared a video on his Instagram page explaining that he was previously forced out of his former studio and now faces another eviction.

The incident comes just before his birthday, leaving him in urgent need of housing.

In the video, Carter Efe asked for support from Nigerians, even providing his bank account details to receive help.

He described the difficulty of finding a new place to stay, stating that the last apartment he checked was priced at 18.4 million naira.

He said: “Since when did they start chasing me from my former studio I don’t have anywhere to stay. Nigerians, I don’t have a place. Even this apartment, today they want to chase me. What can I do? I’m tired of looking for a house. The last one I saw cost 18.4 million. I don’t know where I want to stay. My birthday is tomorrow, the 29th. I beg you, please help me rent a house. 2-1-5-9-6-3-1-1-7-3-U-B-A. I beg you, please.”

In other news, Nigerian singer Skales has shared details of his early life, describing the challenges he faced growing up in Kaduna.

Shake Body crooner revealed that he once lived in a simple hut with his late mother and had very few comforts.

Governor Umo Eno Reveals His Greatest Regret, Highlights Achievements in Akwa Ibom

Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has opened up about the most painful moment of his tenure, describing the death of his wife, Mrs. Patience Eno, as his deepest regret in office.

Mrs. Patience, who passed away in September 2024, was laid to rest shortly after. Speaking in an interview with Arise Television on Friday, the governor admitted that her absence continues to weigh heavily on him.

“I lost my wife here, it’s painful. I wish she was here with me right now. Sometimes it’s tough,” Eno said.

Despite the personal loss, Governor Eno highlighted some of his administration’s major achievements, particularly in compassion-driven projects for the vulnerable and elderly.

He pointed to the Arise Compassionate Homes initiative, which provides decent housing for indigent residents.

“We’re building 500 of such homes across the state — one in each ward. So far, we’ve completed 267. You need to see where these people used to live before; now they finally have a place they can call home,” he explained.

The governor also mentioned programs supporting elderly citizens, persons with albinism, and young entrepreneurs. With a background in business, Eno emphasized his commitment to training youths in entrepreneurship and providing them with tools to build sustainable livelihoods.

“This is how to stimulate the economy — through training, empowerment, and giving helping hands to young men and women,” he said.

Governor Eno stressed that these two initiatives — housing for the poor and youth empowerment through entrepreneurship — remain the most impactful aspects of his administration so far.

Ganduje, Barau Rally Kano APC Stakeholders for Tinubu’s 2027 Re-election

Former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, and Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, on Thursday, led prominent party stakeholders from Kano State in declaring full support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid.

The strategic meeting, held in Abuja, brought together key APC heavyweights who also vowed to reclaim Kano State from the ruling New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).

Among those present were the Minister of State for Housing, Alhaji Abdullahi Atta, Senator Kawu Sumaila, House Appropriations Committee Chairman, Hon. Abubakar Kabir Abubakar, and former Kano governor, Senator Kabiru Gaya, alongside several other party chieftains.

Speaking at the gathering, Ganduje emphasized the importance of unity within the APC in Kano and the need to consolidate support for President Tinubu:

“We are here to reaffirm our loyalty to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and to ensure that Kano remains a stronghold of the APC in 2027. We must work together to return our party to power in the state and strengthen the President’s chances of re-election.”


His remarks were echoed by Barau, who described the stakeholders’ commitment as a collective resolve to guarantee continuity of the Tinubu administration.

Insiders revealed that plans are underway for grassroots mobilisation across all 44 local government areas of Kano State, as part of a broader strategy to weaken NNPP’s hold under Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.

The leaders stressed that unity, early preparation, and grassroots engagement would be critical in countering the opposition and ensuring APC’s dominance in Kano ahead of 2027.

The meeting marked a renewed determination among Kano APC leaders to rally behind Tinubu’s second-term project while simultaneously strategizing to wrest control of the state from the NNPP.

Nigerian father and son charged in $202 million US fraud scheme.

FBI says Christopher and Emmanuel Falade defrauded housing program meant for vulnerable Americans
Nigerian Father and Son Charged in $202 Million US Housing Fraud Scheme

Nigerian Father and Son Charged in $202 Million US Housing Fraud Scheme
The United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) have charged Nigerian man Christopher Adesoji Falade and his son, Emmanuel Falade, alongside six others, for their alleged roles in a massive $202 million housing wire fraud scheme in Minnesota.
According to prosecutors, the group was entrusted with providing housing services to vulnerable Americans but instead defrauded the government by inflating beneficiary numbers. Investigators revealed that while they registered people into their housing program, they failed to deliver any actual housing services.
Authorities allege the Falades and their associates fraudulently claimed up to $100 million, contributing to total losses that have now exceeded $202 million. The U.S. Department of Housing confirmed that over 80 service providers are currently under investigation as part of the widening probe.
The charges have sparked shockwaves within both Nigerian and U.S. communities, as the case underscores ongoing concerns about large-scale fraud schemes targeting government welfare programs.
The defendants face serious penalties under U.S. law if convicted

Our Truck Drivers Earn More Than Nigerian Graduates — Billionaire Aliko Dangote.

Aliko Dangote, President and Chief Executive of Dangote Group, has disclosed that drivers employed by his company earn higher salaries than many Nigerian graduates.

In a video shared on TVC’s X handle on Tuesday, Dangote addressed allegations by the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), which recently accused him and Sayyu Dantata of anti-union practices and attempts to monopolise Nigeria’s downstream oil and gas distribution sector. The union had also threatened a nationwide strike from September 8 in protest against the deployment of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) trucks by Dangote Refinery.

Dangote dismissed fears of job losses, stressing that the newly launched trucks would instead create about 24,000 jobs, with each vehicle requiring six personnel.

He added that drivers under his company earn nearly three to four times the national minimum wage, with some making more than graduates.

He further explained that after five years of accident-free service, drivers become eligible for housing loans.

“Our drivers earn more than graduates. If you check their monthly pay, it’s almost four times the minimum wage,” Dangote said.

FCT High Court To Receive 50 Units Of Duplexes Before June 2026 — Wike

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has announced that the Federal Government will provide 50 duplexes to the FCT High Court before June 2026 to address accommodation challenges facing judges.

Speaking at the commissioning of a magistrates’ court in Abuja on Tuesday, Wike said President Bola Tinubu remained committed to the welfare of justices, adding that the intervention would solve 80% of their housing problems.

According to him, 20 units will be handed over in October 2025, while the remaining 30 units will be delivered in June 2026.

He described as worrisome the fact that many judges live as tenants at the mercy of landlords, sometimes in unsafe areas where they coexist with criminals whose cases they handle.

“Mr President has said that this has to stop,” Wike stated.

Source: Channels TV

#FCT #Wike #Judiciary

I built my wealth from the scratch. I didn’t inherit any money from my Father— Billionaire Dangote reveals.

Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, has revealed that despite being born into wealth, he built his fortune independently. In a recent video, the billionaire explained that he began his career working with his uncle before moving to Lagos to start his own cement trading business.

He stressed that he donated whatever assets he inherited to charity. Dangote said: “I came from a wealthy family. My late great-grandfather in the 1940s was actually the richest, you know, West African. My late grandfather was one of the wealthiest Nigerians, you know”.

“The family name is Dantata. That’s from my maternal side. My father too, you know, was fairly rich, you know, but he was both, you know, in business and also in politics. “But you know, David, one thing that I’m very, very proud of is that I did not inherit any money from my father. I built everything from scratch to where I am.

Well, he lived in the world, but you know, I mean, whatever that I inherited from him, which means in assets, I gave that on to charity since then.”

On how he started, he added: “I started work with my, you know, uncle, but this few months and then I went to Lagos and now I started my own business by just, you know, buying cement, selling. You know, it was just a very low-key business.

The issue is that when you look at cement, cement is what builds infrastructure and we need a lot of infrastructural deficits. “In Nigeria alone, we have about 17,000 deficit of housing and it is all over in, you know, Africa.

So when we started cement in Nigeria, we realized that majority of it was actually imported and that is why we went in there, we started and it’s a long story.” Dangote said his vision and persistence turned that humble start into the global business empire he leads today.

The Federal Government has launched a digital portal where Nigerians can report fraudulent activities in housing estates, submit evidence, and track the progress of their complaints.

The portal reports.fmhud.gov.ng

Follow fintter.com for more news and updates.

Civil Society Groups Reject Politicians’ Pay Rise, Call For Mass Resistance

Two civil society groups — the Revolutionary Socialist Movement (RSM) and the Workers and Youth Solidarity Network (WYSN) — have condemned the federal government’s proposal to raise the salaries and allowances of political office holders, describing it as “immoral, anti-poor, and a betrayal of public trust.”

The groups argued that while millions struggle with unemployment, inflation, and poverty, politicians already enjoy bloated pay and luxury.

They urged the NLC, TUC, students, and civil society to resist the plan through protests, strikes, and campaigns, stressing that funds should instead go to education, healthcare, housing, transport, and a living wage for workers.

#WorkersFirst #StopTheGreed #Nigeria