Echotitbits – Nigeria News

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  • Revenue sharing formula review gains steam amid calls for deeper fiscal federalism

    Revenue sharing formula review gains steam amid calls for deeper fiscal federalism

    PunchNG (illustrative image)
    2025-08-24

    Writing in ThisDay, analysts argue Nigeria’s revenue sharing formula is due for a rethink, noting the structure continues to shape monthly allocations and fiscal behaviour across the three tiers of government.

    The debate ties into calls for deeper fiscal federalism so responsibilities and resources better align at subnational levels.

    Any review is likely to reopen negotiations around derivation, VAT sharing and constitutional constraints.

    PRNigeria: “RMAFC commenced a review of the revenue sharing formula…”

    The Punch (editorial): “for a new allocation formula…”

    Analysis/Echotitbits take: The hardest part is political bargaining over who gains and who loses. Watch for a formal RMAFC proposal, National Assembly timelines, and whether derivation/VAT sharing becomes the main flashpoint.

    Source: ThisDay — August 24, 2025 (https://www.thisdaylive.com/2025/08/24/issues-in-the-revenue-sharing-formula/)

  • Police recruitment: PSC says portal opens for 50,000 constables, with a January deadline

    Police recruitment: PSC says portal opens for 50,000 constables, with a January deadline

    PunchNG (image on page)
    2025-12-11

    In a statement on its website, the Police Service Commission (PSC) announced that applications for 50,000 police constables would be received online within a defined window, running to late January 2026.

    The notice outlines eligibility and process requirements aimed at streamlining intake and reducing physical bottlenecks.

    The scale of recruitment puts transparency and training capacity under the spotlight.

    The Punch: “opened the portal for recruitment of 50,000 police constables.”

    Note: “A second high-quality media validation with a direct quote was not available in retrieved sources for this session.”

    Analysis/Echotitbits take: The key risks are fraud and uneven selection. Watch for clear shortlisting criteria, integrity of medical screening, training throughput, and whether deployments align with areas of greatest need.

    Source: Police Service Commission — December 11, 2025 (https://psc.gov.ng/2025/12/11/recruitment-of-50000-constables-into-the-nigeria-police-force-portal-opens-applications-invited-as-psc-npf-commit-to-a-seamless-process/https://www.instagram.com/politics_hunter/p/DSHqgXAigdx/?hl=bg)

  • FAAC shares ₦2.094trn to FG, states and LGAs from October revenue

    FAAC shares ₦2.094trn to FG, states and LGAs from October revenue

    PunchNG (illustrative image)
    2025-11-01

    From a Federal Ministry of Finance update, FAAC shared ₦2.094 trillion as federation allocation for October 2025, drawn from a gross total of ₦2.934 trillion.

    Monthly FAAC inflows shape state liquidity, wage payments, and capital spending, while also reflecting swings in oil receipts, VAT and other revenue lines.

    The breakdown highlights why fiscal planning remains sensitive to revenue volatility.

    Vanguard: “distributed a total of N2.094 trillion…”

    TheCable: “shared… N2.09 trillion for October.”

    Analysis/Echotitbits take: Volatility remains the headline risk. Watch how non-oil reforms affect VAT and statutory inflows, and whether states publish clearer spending outcomes tied to FAAC receipts.

    Source: Federal Ministry of Finance (Nigeria) — November 01, 2025 (https://finance.gov.ng/fg-states-lgcs-share-n2-094-trillion-from-a-gross-total-of-n2-934-trillion-for-the-month-of-october-2025/)

  • Reps committee summons three DisCos over ₦100bn unpaid remittances

    Reps committee summons three DisCos over ₦100bn unpaid remittances

    PunchNG (illustrative image on article page)
    2025-12-16

    According to The Punch, the House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee summoned IBEDC, BEDC and PHEDC over alleged failure to remit more than ₦100bn owed to the Federal Government.

    The committee said the move is about protecting public resources and warned that ignoring summons can attract penalties under the law.

    The matter sits within broader debates on market shortfalls and cashflow constraints in the power sector.

    ThisDay: “summoned… over N100bn payment default.”

    BusinessDay: “summons… over N100bn debt to FG.”

    Analysis/Echotitbits take: This could force repayment plans—or fade without enforcement. Watch for sanctions, structured recovery agreements, and whether regulators address the deeper revenue-collection and tariff issues driving remittance gaps.

    Source: The Punch — December 16, 2025 (https://punchng.com/n100bn-unpaid-reps-move-against-three-discos/)

  • FG approves 4,000 telecom towers to expand rural coverage and boost security

    FG approves 4,000 telecom towers to expand rural coverage and boost security

    PunchNG (illustrative image on article page)
    2025-12-04

    The Punch reports the Federal Government approved deploying about 4,000 telecom towers to improve rural connectivity, citing security and inclusion benefits.

    The plan targets underserved communities where weak coverage limits digital services and also constrains emergency response and security communications.

    How the programme is funded and maintained will shape whether coverage gains are sustainable.

    Xinhua: “about 4,000 telecom towers nationwide to expand digital access in underserved communities.”

    The Guardian: “targets about 20 million Nigerians.”

    Analysis/Echotitbits take: Execution risk is high: power, vandalism, right-of-way, and backhaul capacity. Watch for the financing model (PPP vs direct funding), rollout timelines, and alignment with fibre upgrades.

    Source: The Punch — December 04, 2025 (https://punchng.com/fg-approves-4000-telecom-towers-to-boost-security-rural-connectivity/)

  • Labour movement rallies nationwide protest over worsening insecurity

    Labour movement rallies nationwide protest over worsening insecurity

    Unsplash (source.unsplash.com)
    2025-12-15

    In a report by Vanguard, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) urged workers and civil society allies to protest nationwide against worsening insecurity, with Abuja among focal points.

    The mobilisation reflects how security failures are increasingly being framed not only as policing issues but also as economic and worker-welfare crises affecting commuting, business activity, and daily costs.

    Vanguard (original report): “take to the streets…in a nationwide protest against…worsening insecurity.”

    Note: “Two additional mainstream validations with direct quotes were not available in retrieved sources for this session.”

    Analysis/Echotitbits take: If turnout is strong, pressure will mount for concrete security deliverables. Watch the police posture, route approvals, and whether labour sets follow-up timelines or escalates into broader industrial action.

    Source: Vanguard — December 15, 2025 (https://www.vanguardngr.com/2025/12/nlc-rallies-workers-allies-for-protest-over-insecurity/)

  • Police to restart tinted-glass permit enforcement from January 2

    Police to restart tinted-glass permit enforcement from January 2

    PunchNG (image on article page)
    2025-12-15

    As reported by Vanguard, the Nigeria Police Force says enforcement of tinted-glass permit requirements will resume from January 2, 2026, framing it as part of a broader anti-crime posture.

    The announcement signals a return to stricter checks on compliance, amid recurring debates about extortion risk at checkpoints versus legitimate security needs.

    SaharaReporters: “necessary and urgent to resume full enforcement…to safeguard our communities.”

    Premium Times: “starting from 2 January 2026…”

    Analysis/Echotitbits take: Implementation will determine public acceptance. Watch for clear permit workflows, fee transparency, exemptions, and disciplinary action against extortion—otherwise compliance checks may become another friction point.

    Source: The Punch — December 15, 2025 (https://punchng.com/police-to-resume-nationwide-tinted-glass-permit-enforcement-january-2/)

  • Senate tells FIRS to raise 2026 revenue target to ₦35trn, slams “multiple budgets”

    Senate tells FIRS to raise 2026 revenue target to ₦35trn, slams “multiple budgets”

    Photo credit: PunchNG (image on article page)
    2025-12-15

    According to The Punch, the Senate Committee on Finance criticised the Federal Government’s habit of running multiple budgets within a single fiscal year, warning it weakens fiscal discipline and planning.

    The report says the committee directed the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) to lift its 2026 revenue projection from ₦31tn to ₦35tn during discussions around the 2026–2028 MTEF/FSP.

    It also referenced a claimed revenue gap in the 2025 budget cycle, fueling arguments that rollovers and repeated revisions are becoming systemic.

    BusinessDay: “at least ₦35 trillion in revenue in 2026.”

    TheCable: “raise the 2026 target to N35 trillion from N31 trillion.”

    Analysis/Echotitbits take: This looks like early pressure-setting for 2026 budget negotiations. Watch whether FIRS follows with compliance tech, base-broadening, and enforcement—rather than new rate hikes—and whether the Executive adopts the higher benchmark.

    Source: The Punch — December 15, 2025 (https://punchng.com/senate-kicks-against-multiple-budgets-orders-firs-to-deliver-n35tn-revenue/)

  • Funke Akindele’s “Behind The Scenes” smashes ₦200m opening weekend mark

    Funke Akindele’s “Behind The Scenes” smashes ₦200m opening weekend mark

    According to P.M. News, Funke Akindele’s latest cinema release, Behind The Scenes, crossed the ₦200 million threshold in its opening weekend, extending her run as one of Nollywood’s most bankable box-office names. 
    In the report, FilmOne Entertainment (the distributor) is credited with describing the performance as the biggest opening weekend of 2025 so far, with multiple opening-weekend benchmarks reportedly broken in the process. 
    TheNation’s coverage also reproduces a distributor caption praising Nigerian audiences for filling cinemas, framing the milestone as both a commercial win and a signal of sustained momentum for theatrical Nollywood releases in December. 
     • The Nation Newspaper (TheNationOnlineNG): “Behind The Scenes crossed ₦200M in just one weekend…” 
     • FilmOne Entertainment (Instagram, via distributor caption reproduced by The Nation): “We call her the Queen of Box Office for a reason!” 
    Analysis/Echotitbits take: This is a strong indicator that the “December cinema season” remains a major revenue window for Nollywood—if the legs hold beyond week one, expect more aggressive marketing pushes, piracy warnings, and competing studios timing their own releases to chase the same audience attention. 
  • Blue Ivy goes courtside in throwback wedge sneakers once worn by Beyoncé—fans call it full-circle style

    Blue Ivy goes courtside in throwback wedge sneakers once worn by Beyoncé—fans call it full-circle style

    Photo credit: WWD / Getty (as credited on story page)

    According to People, Blue Ivy Carter appeared courtside with Jay-Z at a Lakers game in Los Angeles wearing Isabel Marant wedge sneakers famously associated with Beyoncé’s 2013 style era.

    Fashion outlets highlighted the ‘cool-girl’ throwback and the way Gen Z is reviving high-top sneaker silhouettes—with Blue Ivy as an unexpected trend signal.

    The moment added to Blue Ivy’s growing presence in the spotlight, from red carpets to creative projects, while still keeping the vibe low-key.

    • WWD (website): “Carter… opting for the Isabel Marant Bekett… hidden-wedge sneakers…”
    • Essence (website): “Blue Ivy Channeled Beyoncé With Her Courtside Silk Press…”

    Analysis/Echotitbits take: Celebrity kids are now fashion barometers, and Blue Ivy’s style moments get amplified instantly across beauty and streetwear circles. Watch for resale spikes or ‘inspired by’ coverage—and for whether Beyoncé’s past style archives keep resurfacing through Blue Ivy’s next public appearances.

    Source: People — 2025-12-12 — https://people.com/blue-ivy-spitting-image-mom-beyonce-courtside-basketball-outing-dad-jay-z-11866710

    2025-12-12