January 9, 2026 - Voice of Liberty NG

₦5trillion VAT windfall for states, as new formula begins

January 9, 2026January 9, 2026 Aminu Imam

The 36 states of the federation are set to receive an estimated ₦5.07trillion as their share of Value-Added Tax (VAT) in 2026, following the commencement of a new VAT sharing formula introduced under the National Tax Acts, findings have shown. This development is contained in the 2026–2028 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper (MTEF/FSP) approved by the Federal Executive Council. According to the fiscal framework, the implementation of the new National Tax Acts from January 2026 will reduce the Federal Government’s VAT share from 15% to 10%, while the…

‘Heavy taxes, low wages, rising debt threaten stability’ – NLC

January 9, 2026January 9, 2026 Aminu Imam

The Nigeria Labour Congress, (NLC), has warned that heavy taxation, low wages and the country’s growing debt burden pose serious threats to Nigeria’s economic and democratic stability, as it strongly condemned the Federal Government’s newly introduced tax laws. In a statement issued yesterday, NLC President, Joe Ajaero, described the new tax regime as regressive and harmful to workers and low-income Nigerians, arguing that the policies worsen poverty and deepen inequality at a time when citizens are already grappling with high inflation and declining purchasing power. Ajaero faulted the process that…

‘Over 140m Nigerians may become poorer by December’ – PwC

January 9, 2026January 9, 2026 Aminu Imam

Poverty levels in Nigeria are expected to worsen significantly over the next two years, with as many as 141 million Nigerians, representing about 62% of the population, projected to be living in poverty by 2026, according to PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). The projection is contained in PwC’s Nigeria Economic Outlook 2026, released yesterday titled: ‘Turning Macro-economic Stability into Sustainable Growth’, which warns that recent policy adjustments aimed at stabilising the economy are yet to translate into tangible welfare gains for households. PwC noted that weak real income growth, combined with persistently high…

7.2m Nigerians may suffer, as US exits global agencies

January 9, 2026January 9, 2026 Aminu Imam

7.2 million Nigerians could face key health, humanitarian, and development programme challenges following the United States’ decision to withdraw from dozens of United Nations and non-UN international organisations. The US said the move will end American funding and participation in bodies operating across the country, which are not serving the interests of the American people. In a fact sheet released on Tuesday, the White House said President Donald Trump had signed a presidential memorandum directing the withdrawal of the United States from 66 international organisations, including 31 UN entities and…

‘Over 1m Ibadan residents in blackout since New Year’ – Report

January 9, 2026January 9, 2026 Aminu Imam

Over a million residents in Ibadan, including those in Tipper Garage, Elebu, Odo-Ona Elewe, Kasumu, and areas along Akala Expressway, have been experiencing a total blackout since January 1, with no electricity supply, an investigative report revealed yesterday. According to the report, some areas in Ibadan are facing similar challenges, despite the Ibadan DisCo (IBEDC) announcing a planned three-hour daily blackout in 22 communities from January 5, 2026, due to road construction along Foodco Road and Idi Isin. The affected areas listed by IBEDC include: Alalubosa GRA, Ogunkola, Museum, Akinola…

Petrol station workers reject AA Rano’s Nigeria’s first fully automated fuel stations

January 9, 2026January 9, 2026 Aminu Imam

Petrol station workers, represented by the ‘Concerned Petrol Station Workers’, have voiced strong opposition to AA Rano’s plans to introduce what the company has described as Nigeria’s first fully automated and unmanned fuel stations. The workers caution that if implemented without adequate safeguards, this move could exacerbate unemployment and contribute to rising insecurity across the country. Recall that AA Rano recently announced its intention to roll out the automated stations this January, highlighting that these outlets would operate a 24-hour self-service fuelling system. According to the company, the stations will…

Afenifere raises alarm over terror attacks in Yorubaland

January 9, 2026January 9, 2026 Aminu Imam

The pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has lamented the upsurge in terror attacks in parts of Yorubaland and in other parts of Nigeria. This was contained in a statement issued yesterday by the organisation’s National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi, and made available to journalists in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital. Ajayi referenced the latest security breaches in the country. He lamented the latest killing of some Forest Guards at Old Oyo National Park in Oloka, Oriire LGA, and of four farmers in Igboho, Oorelope LGA, both in Oyo State, abduction of…

Rivers: H’Assembly moves to impeach Fubara, amid ₦700bn IGR feud with Wike

January 9, 2026January 9, 2026 Aminu Imam

The political crisis in Rivers State escalated sharply yesterday, as the State House of Assembly commenced impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his Deputy, Ngozi Oduh, amid an intensifying power struggle between the governor and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike. At a plenary session presided over by Speaker Martins Amaewhule, the Majority Leader formally presented a notice of allegations of gross misconduct against Governor Fubara. The notice, endorsed by 26 lawmakers, accused the governor of actions said to be in violation of the Nigerian…