Echotitbits – Nigeria News

Category: Government Policy

  • NEPZA asks for 10-year transition window as Nigeria tightens tax incentives for SEZs

    NEPZA asks for 10-year transition window as Nigeria tightens tax incentives for SEZs

    2025-12-15 08:00:00

    According to The Punch, the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) urged the Federal Government to grant a 10‑year tax relief/transition period for operators in Special Economic Zones to protect investor confidence as a new tax act approaches implementation.

    Punch reports NEPZA warned that abrupt changes to incentives could disrupt long-term business plans for manufacturers, logistics hubs and exporters that invested under existing free-zone frameworks.

    The agency’s position, the report adds, is that predictable incentives remain central to global free-zone models and help Nigeria compete for investment.

    Analysis/Echotitbits take: The policy trade-off is between widening the tax base and keeping Nigeria’s SEZ proposition competitive. Watch how the new tax act treats legacy incentives, whether a phased approach is adopted, and the response from manufacturers and export-oriented investors.

    Source: The Punch — December 6, 2025

    Photo credit/source: The Punch

    The Punch https://punchng.com/tax-reform-nepza-seeks-10-year-tax-relief-for-investors/ December 6, 2025

  • Nigeria to bar SS3 admissions and late transfers from 2026/27 to curb exam malpractice

    Nigeria to bar SS3 admissions and late transfers from 2026/27 to curb exam malpractice

    2025-12-15 08:00:00

    According to The Punch, the Federal Government announced a nationwide ban on admission and transfer of students into SS3 in both public and private secondary schools, effective from the 2026/2027 academic session.

    Punch reports the ministry said the move targets growing examination malpractice—especially last-minute movement of candidates to so-called ‘special centres’—and aims to improve academic monitoring and continuity.

    The report adds that schools have been directed to comply, with sanctions promised for violations under existing education regulations.

    Analysis/Echotitbits take: Implementation will be the real test: states and private schools must align admission processes and enforcement. Watch for detailed guidelines, exceptions (if any), and how WAEC/NECO exam bodies and state ministries coordinate compliance.

    Source: Nigeria Education News — December 14, 2025

    Nigeria Education News https://thenigeriaeducationnews.com/2025/12/14/fg-bans-admission-transfer-into-ss3-to-curb-exam-malpractice/ December 14, 2025

  • Tinubu urges tougher ECOWAS collective action as coups and insecurity spread

    Tinubu urges tougher ECOWAS collective action as coups and insecurity spread

    2025-12-15 08:00:00

    According to The Punch, President Bola Tinubu called on ECOWAS leaders to strengthen unity and collective responses to military coups and regional instability at the bloc’s 68th ordinary session in Abuja.

    Punch reports discussions referenced recent attempted and successful power grabs and the need to operationalise stronger preventive measures, including coordination on intelligence and border management.

    The report situates the push within wider debates about how ECOWAS balances sanctions, diplomacy and security deployments.

    Analysis/Echotitbits take: ECOWAS credibility now hinges on consistent enforcement and funding for its security architecture. Watch for concrete decisions on standby-force financing, timelines for deployments, and how the bloc handles Guinea‑Bissau and other flashpoints.

    Source: The Punch — December 14, 2025

    The Punch https://punchng.com/tinubu-urges-ecowas-unity-to-resist-coups-ensure-regional-stability/ December 14, 2025

  • Petrol pricing dispute deepens as Dangote pushes for probe of NMDPRA chief

    Petrol pricing dispute deepens as Dangote pushes for probe of NMDPRA chief

    2025-12-15 01:06:00

    According to The Punch, the petrol market dispute between Dangote and the downstream regulator escalated as Dangote called for a probe of the NMDPRA boss, alleging sabotage and impropriety in the ongoing pricing and supply tensions.

    The story outlines claims and counter-claims around access, pricing, and oversight in Nigeria’s post-subsidy downstream landscape, with stakeholders watching for regulatory response.

    The development comes as consumers and marketers track pump prices amid volatility, while policymakers weigh competition and transparency in the sector.

    Analysis/Echotitbits take: This is a credibility test for downstream regulation. The next signals to watch are any official inquiry, clarifications from NMDPRA, and whether the dispute affects depot-to-retail supply or triggers fresh price adjustments.

    Source: THISDAYLIVE — December 15, 2025 — https://www.thisdaylive.com/2025/12/15/dangote-nmdpra-ceo-must-be-probed-prosecuted-for-graft-economic-sabotage/

    Photo credit: THISDAYLIVE

    THISDAYLIVE https://www.thisdaylive.com/2025/12/15/dangote-nmdpra-ceo-must-be-probed-prosecuted-for-graft-economic-sabotage/ December 15, 2025

  • ICPC says it recovered ₦37.4bn and $2.35m through forfeitures in 2025

    ICPC says it recovered ₦37.4bn and $2.35m through forfeitures in 2025

    2025-12-15 03:57:00

    According to The Punch, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) says it recovered about ₦37.44bn and $2.35m in 2025 through seizures and forfeitures.

    The report frames the figure as part of the commission’s asset recovery efforts, reflecting a focus on tracing proceeds and enforcing forfeiture orders.

    Anti-graft recoveries are often followed by questions about how forfeited assets are managed and whether recovered sums are transparently remitted to government accounts.

    Analysis/Echotitbits take: Beyond headline totals, the public interest is in traceability and impact—where the assets went, how they’re valued, and how proceeds are applied. Watch for detailed breakdowns, court orders, and any inter-agency coordination updates with EFCC/CCB.

    Source: The Punch — December 15, 2025 — https://punchng.com/icpc-recovers-n37-4bn-2-35m-in-2025/

    Photo credit: The Punch

    The Punch https://punchng.com/icpc-recovers-n37-4bn-2-35m-in-2025/ December 15, 2025

  • Lagos moves to tighten eviction rules with bill requiring court orders

    Lagos moves to tighten eviction rules with bill requiring court orders

    2025-12-15 01:40:00

    According to The Punch, a proposed Lagos Tenancy Bill would require landlords to obtain court orders before evicting tenants, tightening procedures around dispute resolution.

    The report says the measure is aimed at curbing self-help evictions and strengthening legal protections for renters in Nigeria’s biggest city.

    Real estate stakeholders typically watch such reforms for how they affect enforcement timelines, rent defaults, and landlord–tenant dispute costs.

    Analysis/Echotitbits take: If passed and enforced, court-order evictions could reduce abuses but may also slow recoveries for landlords. Watch for the bill’s final wording, penalties, and whether Lagos expands housing/tribunal capacity to avoid a backlog.

    Source: The Guardian— December 15, 2025 — https://guardian.ng/opinion/editorial/lagos-tenancy-bill-a-chance-to-reset-rental-market/

    Photo credit: The Guardian

    The Guardian https://guardian.ng/opinion/editorial/lagos-tenancy-bill-a-chance-to-reset-rental-market/ December 15, 2025

  • Light Up Lagos: state begins installing 22,000 solar streetlights

    Light Up Lagos: state begins installing 22,000 solar streetlights

    2025-12-15 04:40:00

    According to The Punch, the Lagos State Government has begun installing more than 22,000 solar-powered streetlights under its Light Up Lagos Solar Streetlight Initiative.

    The report says the rollout is positioned as a public lighting upgrade that can improve visibility and reduce dependence on grid power for street illumination.

    Large-scale streetlight deployments often raise questions around maintenance contracts, vandalism risks, and performance monitoring over time.

    Analysis/Echotitbits take: Solar streetlights can boost safety and night-time commerce—if uptime stays high. Watch procurement transparency, maintenance KPIs, and whether communities see measurable reductions in dark spots and incident reports.

    Source: The Punch — December 15, 2025 — https://punchng.com/lagos-begins-installation-of-22000-solar-streetlights/

    Photo credit: The Punch

    The Punch https://punchng.com/lagos-begins-installation-of-22000-solar-streetlights/ December 15, 2025

  • FG begins phased rollout of grazing reserves amid herders–farmers tensions

    FG begins phased rollout of grazing reserves amid herders–farmers tensions

    2025-12-15 02:19:00

    According to The Punch, the Federal Government says it has commenced phased development of grazing reserves, revisiting a long-running livestock policy debate.

    The report highlights the plan as a structured rollout, often discussed in the context of reducing pressure on farmlands and improving livestock productivity.

    Grazing reserve initiatives are politically sensitive, with stakeholders typically demanding clarity on land acquisition, community consent, and security governance.

    Analysis/Echotitbits take: The key issue is implementation legitimacy: land rights, funding, and how the programme interacts with ranching and anti-open-grazing laws. Watch for pilot locations, stakeholder consultations, and conflict-resolution frameworks.

    Source: The Punch — December 15, 2025 — https://punchng.com/fg-begins-phased-development-of-grazing-reserves/

    Photo credit: The Punch

    The Punch https://punchng.com/fg-begins-phased-development-of-grazing-reserves/ December 15, 2025

  • SERAP threatens legal action over ₦6tn NDDC judgment and transparency demands

    SERAP threatens legal action over ₦6tn NDDC judgment and transparency demands

    2025-12-14 13:23:00

    According to The Punch, SERAP says it may sue the Attorney-General of the Federation over issues linked to a reported ₦6tn judgment involving the NDDC and broader accountability concerns.

    The group’s stance, as reported, focuses on transparency demands and what it argues should be the public’s right to clarity on large judgment-related liabilities.

    Such legal threats can trigger official responses, document releases, or court filings that shed more light on how liabilities are incurred and handled.

    Analysis/Echotitbits take: If litigation proceeds, the most important developments will be court filings and verified documents—not social media summaries. Watch for statements from the AGF’s office, NDDC, and any court timetable that could force disclosures.

    Source: The Punch — December 14, 2025 — https://www.worldstagenews.com/serap-threatens-contempt-to-sue-agf-fagbemi-over-failure-to-enforce-judgment-on-alleged-n6tn-nddc-scandal/

    Photo credit: WorldStage

    WorldStage https://www.worldstagenews.com/serap-threatens-contempt-to-sue-agf-fagbemi-over-failure-to-enforce-judgment-on-alleged-n6tn-nddc-scandal/ December 14, 2025

  • African leaders renew reparations demand from UK over colonial-era abuses

    African leaders renew reparations demand from UK over colonial-era abuses

    2025-12-15 02:00:00

    According to The Punch, African leaders are again pushing for compensation from the UK over what they describe as colonial-era crimes, reopening the debate around reparations and historical accountability.

    The report situates the demand within wider global reparations conversations, where former colonial powers face growing political pressure to acknowledge harms and consider restitution frameworks.

    Reparations debates often blend moral arguments with policy questions around documentation, beneficiaries, and the form compensation should take (cash, debt relief, development funds, apologies, or institutional reforms).

    Analysis/Echotitbits take: The practical question is whether any formal mechanism emerges beyond statements—such as a commission, legal action, or negotiated programmes. Watch for UK government reactions, AU positioning, and whether the push links to concrete policy instruments like debt swaps or development financing.

    Source: Azerbaycan  — December 15, 2025 — https://www.azerbaycan24.com/en/africa-demands-accountability-for-colonial-crimes/

    Photo credit: Africa demands accountability for colonial crime