Author: Aminu Imam

US earmarks $413m for Nigeria, Africa security operations

Aminu Imam
US earmarks for security operations

…As Army seeks stronger partnership  The United States has set aside $413.046 million (about ₦587 billion) for security and counter-insurgency operations in Nigeria and other African countries in 2026, as insecurity worsens across West Africa. The allocation is contained in the US National Defence Authorisation Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2026, approved under the operation and maintenance component of the US Africa Command, (AFRICOM). The funding comes amid persistent insurgency, banditry and violent extremism across the region, as well as renewed US-backed counter-terrorism efforts, including recent strikes on terrorist hideouts…

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New tax laws: FG pauses implementation guidelines amid uncertainty over final text

Aminu Imam
FG suspends tax laws

The Federal Government has suspended the issuance of implementation guidelines for Nigeria’s newly enacted tax laws following uncertainty over the final approved version of the legislation. The Chairman of the Presidential Tax Reform Committee, Taiwo Oyedele, disclosed this during the ‘2026 Economic Outlook’ event organised by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, (ICAN), in Lagos. According to him, the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) and the Joint Revenue Board (JRB) have been directed to halt all implementation processes until clarity is achieved on the authentic version of the laws. Oyedele…

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7.5% VAT hits mobile transfers, USSD from Jan. 19

Aminu Imam
VAT mobile transfers

Nigerians will start paying a 7.5 per cent Value-Added Tax (VAT) on selected banking services, including mobile bank transfers and USSD transactions, from January 19, 2026, following a directive from the Nigerian Revenue Service, (NRS). The development was disclosed in a notice sent to customers by Moniepoint on Wednesday, informing them of a government-backed regulatory change mandating financial institutions to begin collecting and remitting VAT on certain electronic banking charges. According to the notice, the VAT will apply to service fees such as mobile banking transfer charges, USSD transaction fees…

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Adamawa: Bomb blast hits village, as insecurity worsens across northern states

Aminu Imam
Adamawa blasts

A bomb explosion suspected to be linked to Boko Haram has injured six people in Mubang village, Hong local government area of Adamawa State, underscoring renewed security concerns in the North-East region. The Chairman of Hong LGA, Usman Inuwa, confirmed the incident, saying the explosion occurred in the same community that came under a deadly Boko Haram attack earlier this month in which 14 residents were killed. “There was no loss of life this time. Six people were injured and have been taken to hospital for treatment,” Inuwa stated. He…

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Atiku’s son defects to APC, endorses Tinubu for 2nd-term

Aminu Imam
Atiku’s son defects

The son of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, Abba Abubakar has left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress, (APC). He also openly declared support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s second-term ambition ahead of the 2027 general election. The defection was made public yesterday in Abuja. The announcement took place at the National Assembly complex. Abba, who was active during the 2023 presidential election, formally resigned from the PDP and aligned himself with the ruling party. His move is being seen as politically significant, given his family background…

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Kano court declines govt’s request to arrest ex-Gov. Ganduje

Aminu Imam
Kano court declines Ganduje's arrest

Ganduje, who is listed as the first defendant in the suit, was granted temporary relief on Wednesday after the court declined to issue a bench warrant compelling his arrest for failure to appear in court. A Kano State High Court has refused an application by the state government seeking the arrest of a former governor of the state, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, over his alleged role in the controversial ownership and management of the Dala Inland Dry Port Limited. Ganduje, who is listed as the first defendant in the suit, was…

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Zamfara: Over 500 cattle rustled, as bandits raid market

Aminu Imam
Zamfara bandits raid

Bandits bearing sophisticated weapons have rustled more than 500 cattle at Kasuwar-Daji Market, in Ƙauran-Namoda local government area of Zamfara State. The state chairman of the Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, Comrade Aminu Garba, said the incident was not the first of its kind, noting that a similar attack occurred about four years ago. According to him, “Nobody expected this to happen, but we experienced a similar unfortunate incident about four years ago”. The chairman added that the bandits were suspected to have infiltrated the market and surrounding villages during…

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FG approves 40% pay rise for lecturers

Aminu Imam
FG approves pay rise

…Introduces ₦140,000 professorial allowance The Federal Government has approved a 40% salary increase for lecturers and introduced a new professorial cadre allowance, giving Professors a monthly top-up of over ₦140,000. Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, announced the measures on Wednesday, following the signing of a new agreement with ASUU that ends a 16-year stalemate over the 2009 FGN–ASUU pact. He said the deal includes nine clearly structured Earned Academic Allowances, and assured that funding has been secured for full implementation across federal tertiary institutions.

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Armed Forces Remembrance Day: Shettima leads tributes

Aminu Imam
Shettima leads tributes

…As military vows to defend Nigeria’s democracy Vice-President Kashim Shettima yesterday led senior government officials, military chiefs and members of the diplomatic corps in honouring Nigeria’s fallen heroes at the 2026 Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Ceremony held in Abuja. The ceremony commenced with the submission of the parade state by the parade commander, followed by an inspection of the guard of honour by the Vice-President, who represented President Bola Tinubu, alongside the Commander of the Guards Brigade, Brigadier-General Adebisi Onasanya. A firing party later escorted dignitaries to the cenotaph,…

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On the imminent water supply shortage in FCT

Aminu Imam
IMG 20260115 WA0075

Aliyu H. Abubakar Water is life, and the FCT Water Board , the government utility organisation saddled with the responsibility of providing safe, adequate and affordable water supply service to Abuja, can be said to be one of the best potable water providers not only in Nigeria but also across the sub-region. Hence the growing agitation over the state of  the fear of imminent water scarcity being experienced and which has triggered another round of panic among the residents in the Abuja City Centre and several satellite towns. As 2026…

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