Nigerian Government Admits Difficulty Tracking Kidnappers’ SIM Cards Despite NIN Policy

The Federal Government has admitted that security agencies face serious technical challenges in tracking SIM cards used by kidnappers, despite mandatory NIN–SIM registration. Communications Minister Bosun Tijani revealed that criminal gangs now exploit poor network coverage and advanced call-routing technologies, especially in remote areas. To counter this, the government plans to deploy 4,000 new telecom towers, expand fibre-optic networks, and upgrade Nigeria’s communication satellites to close connectivity gaps aiding criminal operations.

#Insecurity

#NINSIM

#Telecommunications

The Minimum Wage Has Been Increased" - Akpabio Reveals What They're Planning For Civil Servants.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has assured Nigerians, particularly civil servants, that the federal government is committed to improving welfare and creating a more supportive environment for workers across the country.

In an interview on Viable TV, Akpabio highlighted the resilience of Nigeria over the past 65 years, noting that the nation has endured a civil war, insecurity, and economic challenges yet continues to move forward. He said Nigeria’s survival was not by human effort alone but by the grace of God, stressing that the country’s progress is worth celebrating.

The Senate President outlined some of the reforms initiated by the administration, which he believes are directly impacting the lives of ordinary Nigerians. According to him, “The minimum wage has been increased.” He explained that the government is not only focused on raising wages but also improving the working environment for public workers, ensuring they remain motivated and productive.

He also spoke about tax reforms, pointing out that those earning less than one million naira annually are now exempt from taxation. This, he said, has provided relief for market women, artisans, and low-income workers. In addition, Akpabio praised advancements in education funding, healthcare accessibility, and infrastructure development, describing them as signs that the country is gradually transforming.

On the issue of security, Akpabio lauded the sacrifices of men and women in uniform, noting that despite global terrorism trends, Nigeria has remained united. He also emphasized that investments in road projects, telecommunications, and agriculture would further strengthen the economy and provide more opportunities for Nigerians.

Concluding, Akpabio urged citizens to be patient with ongoing reforms, assuring them that the administration’s policies are laying the groundwork for a more prosperous and stable nation.

Nigeria @ 65: The worst is over, we’ve turned a new corner Tinubu.

Remembering the founding fathers, Tinubu recalled the sacrifices and vision of the country’s founding fathers, Herbert Macaulay, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Tafawa Balewa, Obafemi Awolowo, Ahmadu Bello, Margaret Ekpo, Anthony Enahoro, Michael Okpara, Aminu Kano, Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti and others, saying “they believed it was Nigeria’s manifest destiny to lead the entire black race as the largest black nation on earth.”

We have not strayed too far

Reflecting on Nigeria’s journey since October 1, 1960, Tinubu said: “While we may not have achieved all the lofty dreams of our forebears, we have not strayed too far from them. In 65 years, we have made tremendous progress in economic growth, social cohesion, and physical development.

“At independence, Nigeria had 120 secondary schools and two tertiary institutions. Today, we have over 23,000 secondary schools, 274 universities, 183 polytechnics and 236 colleges of education. We have witnessed a significant surge in healthcare, infrastructure, telecommunications, aviation, and defence.’’

Civil war, military rule, resilience
The President acknowledged Nigeria’s turbulent history but noted that Nigerians weathered the storm and kept hope alive.

“We fought a bitter civil war, endured military dictatorships and political crises. But in all, we weathered every storm and overcame every challenge with courage and grit,” he said.

According to him, for 65 years, Nigeria has endured profound social, economic, and political trials.

He said: ‘’We survived a civil war, military dictatorships, and recurring political crises. In spite of these setbacks, we have recorded progress in economic growth, education, healthcare, infrastructure, and social cohesion.

‘’At Independence, Nigeria had just 120 secondary schools with 130,000 students. Today, there are over 23,000 secondary schools. In 1960, we had only the University of Ibadan and Yaba College of Technology. As of 2024, Nigeria boasts 274 universities, 183 polytechnics, and 236 colleges of education. Healthcare, telecommunications, aviation, and financial services have all expanded remarkably.

Unfinished business
Declaring that like the founding leaders, he had committed himself irrevocably to the unfinished business of nation-building, President Tinubu said he inherited a near-collapsed economy, distorted by decades of bad policies.

President Tinubu Abolishes 5% Telecoms Tax For Nigerians.

President Bola Tinubu has approved the scrapping of the controversial 5% excise duty, which applied to mobile voice and data services in the nation’s telecommunications services.
President Tinubu Abolishes 5% Telecoms Tax For Nigerians
This development was disclosed by the Executive Vice-Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Aminu Maida, during a media briefing in Abuja on Tuesday.

He confirmed that the excise levy, which was initially suspended in 2023, has now been officially removed under revised national tax laws.

Naija News understands that the total removal of the tax is aimed at easing financial pressures on consumers and businesses in Nigeria’s digital economy.

“The 5% excise duty is no longer in effect.

“Initially, it was only suspended, but the President has now completely removed it. I was present when the issue was raised, and he firmly said, ‘No, we cannot place this burden on Nigerians.’ I was very pleased to see that this directive was upheld in the new legislation,” Maida said during the press briefing.

President Tinubu first suspended the tax in July 2023 as part of a broader fiscal policy overhaul aimed at mitigating the impact of multiple tax burdens on businesses and households. The suspension came through a series of executive orders signed shortly after he assumed office.

However, the issue resurfaced in October 2024, when the National Assembly proposed reinstating the tax as part of broader revenue-generating measures, which also included levies on gaming, betting, and lottery services.

The proposal was met with strong resistance from the telecom sector.

The matter has now been laid completely to rest based on the revelation by the NCC boss during his press briefing.

Nigerians Applaud as Pres Tinubu Scraps 5% Telecom Excise Duty in New Tax Law.

President Bola Tinubu has permanently removed the 5 per cent excise duty on telecommunications services, a move expected to reduce cost burdens on subscribers.

The Executive Vice-Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Aminu Maida, confirmed the development during an interactive session with journalists in Abuja on Tuesday. “The excise duty… is no longer there,” Maida said.

“Before it was suspended, but now the president has removed it entirely. I was in the room when it came up, and he said, ‘No, we cannot put this on Nigerians.’ I was very pleased when the bills came out and his words were followed through.” The scrapped levy was part of a broader tax reform initiative under the proposed Nigeria Tax Act, aimed at consolidating and repealing existing taxation laws.

Introduced in 2022 under former President Muhammadu Buhari, the duty faced heavy criticism from industry players and consumers alike.

President Tinubu suspended the policy in July 2023, citing its negative impact on Nigerians and the economy. Its full removal, Maida noted, would now ease pressure on subscribers and encourage growth in the telecom sector, which is central to Nigeria’s digital economy.

He added that the NCC is pursuing broader reforms focused on transparency, accountability, and consumer protection. One of the initiatives, a public map of network performance showing independent data on download speeds, latency, and service quality, is expected to be released in September.

Tinubu Scraps 5% Telecoms Tax — NCC

President Bola Tinubu has permanently abolished the 5% excise duty on telecommunications services, a levy that had drawn widespread criticism from industry players and consumer advocates.

The Executive Vice-Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Aminu Maida, confirmed the decision at a media briefing in Abuja, noting that while the duty was only suspended in 2023, it has now been completely removed under revised tax laws.

“The President said clearly that we cannot place this burden on Nigerians, and the directive has now been enshrined in the new legislation,” Maida said.

The excise duty, which applied to mobile voice and data services, had been faulted for driving up digital access costs and threatening telecom operators already struggling with rising expenses. Proposals to reinstate it in 2024 were strongly resisted by stakeholders, who argued it would stifle growth in Nigeria’s digital economy.

#DigitalEconomy #Telecoms #Nigeria

15 K+lled in Sokoto Village Att+ck by Suspected Lakurawa Members.

At least 15 people have been k+lled in Kwalajiya village, Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State, following an att+ck by suspected members of the Lakurawa group.

The a§§ault occurred around 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday while residents were observing the afternoon prayer.

According to locals, the att+ck was a reprisal for the k+lling of three Lakurawa members—including a suspected leader—during a failed raid on the village days earlier. Armed men stormed the village, opening fire on worshippers and farmers alike. They also b¥rned down homes, shops, and farmlands, and d+stroyed the community’s telecommunications mast, cutting off mobile network access.

“This is the first time they’ve att+cked us directly,” one community leader said. “But it’s likely retaliation for the earlier incident where their men were k+lled."

Another source suggested growing tensions may have also played a role, pointing to recent opposition from local leaders to marrying daughters into the Lakurawa group, a stance that reportedly angered them.

In the aftermath, the village has been deserted as residents flee to nearby towns like Gidan Madi for safety. “They spared the women, but k+lled our men and d+stroyed everything,” one displaced resident said.

Seven people reportedly sustained g¥nshot inj¥ries and are receiving treatment. Local officials and security forces attended the victims’ burial on Wednesday, and additional troops are expected to be deployed.

Police spokesperson DSP Ahmed Rufa’i confirmed the att+ck but said casualty figures were still being verified. Community members are urging the government to restore security and telecommunications in the area to help prevent further v+olence.

BREAKING: The Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria says there will be temporary disruption of SIM-related services across all mobile networks in Nigeria.
The disruption is due to a directive by NIMC to switch to a new identity verification platform.

USSD Services: Telcos to charge subscribers directly from June 18.

Telecom subscribers in Nigeria will now be charged directly by their mobile network operators for Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) services, starting Wednesday, June 18, 2025.

This was made known in a statement signed by Mr Gbenga Adebayo, the Chairman, Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), and the Publicity Secretary, Mr Damian Udeh.