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Government may halt revenue collection by Customs, NPA, and 61 other agencies.
A proposal from the Presidential Committee on Tax Policy and Fiscal Reforms has stirred debate in Nigeria’s private sector. The plan suggests centralizing revenue collection duties currently handled by various agencies, including the Nigeria Customs Service and the Nigeria Ports Authority, under the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).
Taiwo Oyedele, the committee’s chairman and a former tax expert at PriceWaterhouseCoopers, believes that the majority of these agencies were not primarily established for revenue collection. Transferring this responsibility to the FIRS could result in cost savings and increased efficiency. Oyedele emphasized that many of these agencies should focus on their primary roles, such as border protection for Customs and telecommunications regulation for the Nigerian Communications Commission. He also suggested that a centralized system would improve transparency and accountability.
However, not everyone is on board with this idea. Olusola Obadimu, Director-General of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), raised concerns about the potential contradiction with existing revenue targets set for these agencies. He also questioned the government’s resolve to implement such a proposal, citing past unimplemented recommendations.
Gabriel Idahosa, Deputy-President of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, viewed the proposal as potentially risky. He expressed fears that agencies stripped of their revenue-collecting duties might resort to tactics that could harm the country’s trade and economic activities. He stressed that the agencies with industry-specific knowledge would still need to play a role in the collection process.
The proposal, if implemented, would affect a host of agencies. A notable mention is the Nigeria Customs Service, which fell short of its N4.1tn target by collecting N2.6tn in 2022.
The debate continues as stakeholders discuss the feasibility and potential impact of the proposed shift in revenue collection responsibilities.
Stakeholders are offering mixed reactions to the proposal to centralize revenue collection duties under the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).
Mr. Wale Oyerinde, Director General of the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association, believes that clarity and proper framework from the government can prevent inter-agency rivalries. He argues that centralized collection, as seen in many developed countries, can streamline processes and enhance accountability.
Concurring with Oyerinde, the Chairman of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group, Mr. Niyi Yusuf, finds that having multiple agencies collect revenue leads to unnecessary complexity and conflicts of interest. Centralizing this duty would improve transparency and performance tracking.
However, Dr. Ikenna Nwaosu, a facilitator with the NESG, opposes the idea. He insists that modern revenue collection demands specialized training for different sectors. Contrary to the committee’s suggestion, he believes that the world has progressed past such a one-size-fits-all approach.
Abdullahi Maiwada, the National Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Customs Service, declined to comment on the matter.
Dr. Muda Yusuf, CEO of the Center for the Promotion of Private Enterprise, advises caution. While he doesn’t foresee operational interference as an issue, he emphasizes the potential challenges of consolidating various agencies. A phased approach, testing the system with a few institutions before a full rollout, might prevent confusion.
Lastly, Prof Akpan Ekpo, an economist and former member of the Monetary Policy Committee of the Central Bank of Nigeria, supports centralized tax collection if backed by technology. However, he warns against imposing this system on state agencies due to Nigeria’s federal structure.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to maintain the status quo in a dispute over the party’s candidates emerging from the Benue State APC primaries for the 2027 general election.
The order was made on Thursday by Justice Inyang Ekwo during proceedings in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1429/2026, filed by Engr. Sesugh Akaagba and other aggrieved APC candidates from Benue State against the APC and INEC.
The plaintiffs had, through an ex parte motion filed on July 5, 2026, sought six interim reliefs, including an order restraining the APC from substituting its validly nominated candidates in Benue State through its June 29, 2026 correspondence, or any subsequent communication, to INEC, pending determination of the substantive suit.
They also sought an order compelling the APC to immediately transmit to INEC the names of candidates validly nominated during the primaries monitored by the electoral commission.
When the matter first came up on July 8, 2026, the court declined to grant the interim application immediately, directing both APC and INEC to appear and respond before any decision was taken. The matter was adjourned to July 16.
At Thursday’s proceedings, counsel representing the APC and INEC were present in court, while the plaintiffs were represented by Mohammed Ndarani, SAN, alongside his legal team.
In his ruling, Justice Ekwo held that since issues had been joined by the parties particularly with INEC now before the court, the defendants were required by law to preserve the subject matter of the litigation pending determination of the substantive suit.
When counsel to the plaintiffs urged the court to caution APC and INEC against taking any further action that could affect the disputed list of candidates, the judge responded that it was “not a matter of advice but of law,” stressing that the defendants were bound to maintain the status quo.
The court consequently restrained APC and INEC from taking any action capable of altering the disputed list of candidates pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.
The defendants did not object to the restraining order.
At the commencement of proceedings, the court noted that all parties had voluntarily submitted to its jurisdiction by duly filing and exchanging their respective processes.
It held that there was no procedural or jurisdictional impediment to the expeditious determination of the substantive action, and directed that the matter be heard without further delay.
In furtherance of the objective of preserving the res and safeguarding the efficacy of the judicial process, the court ordered all parties to maintain the status quo pending the hearing and final determination of the substantive suit, restraining any act or omission capable of prejudicing the rights of the parties or rendering the proceedings nugatory.
The court further directed that INEC be served forthwith with the originating and all consequential processes.
The effect of the subsisting order is that INEC is restrained from tampering with the existing list of candidates pending final determination of the suit, and from receiving, recognising, or acting upon any purported substituted list of National Assembly candidates from Benue State submitted by the APC.
The matter was adjourned to July 21, 2026, for hearing of the substantive suit.
Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and former First Lady Patience Ibifaka Jonathan recently celebrated a significant family milestone as they attended the graduation ceremony of their son, Ariara Goodluck Jonathan, at Manchester Metropolitan University in the United Kingdom.
The proud parents joined family members and well-wishers to witness Ariara receive his degree, marking the successful completion of his academic programme. The occasion was filled with joy as the Jonathan family commemorated the achievement, highlighting the importance they place on education and personal development.
The graduation ceremony attracted warm congratulatory messages from friends, associates, and admirers, who wished the graduate continued success in his future endeavours.
The Following names joined the political family of Sen. Dr. George Akume today after leaving the sinking Alia ship .
Under the leadership of Barr. Emmanuel Jime .
The are ;
Chief Nelson Alapa
Douglas pepe SAN senatorial Aspirant zone A,
Engr Peter Ashiekaa
QS Clement Beetseh
Former commissioners
Joy Luga
Ann itodo
Barr martins Shaagee
Miss Dorcas
Prof Usar Joseh
Prof Cephas Tushima
Chief Patrick Idoko
Hon Patience Akor
Hon Fred Idoko
Hon Lawrence Ekpo Onoja Jnr
Hon Andrew Abah
Hon Agbo Innocent Ikwumonu
Hon Simon Omachoko
Hon David Egboja
Dr John Garba
Among together,
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