Author: Aminu Imam

Terrorism, security risks: US imposes partial travel ban on Nigerians

Aminu Imam
US travel ban

…Suspends key visa categories The United States (U.S) government has announced fresh travel restrictions on Nigerians, escalating diplomatic strain between Washington and Abuja, amid renewed security concerns and allegations of persecution of Christians in Nigeria. Under the new policy approved by President Donald Trump’s administration, Nigerian nationals are barred from entering the US as immigrants or as non-immigrants on B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M and J visas. The suspension affects travel for business, tourism, academic studies, vocational training and exchange programmes. The White House confirmed the decision in a proclamation…

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Starlink ‘direct-to-cell’ coming to Nigeria in 2026′ – Airtel 

Aminu Imam
Starlink Airtel

Airtel Africa has announced a partnership with SpaceX to roll out Starlink’s ‘Direct-to-Cell’ satellite service, making it the first mobile network operator in Africa to offer this innovative technology to its vast customer base of 174 million across 14 markets. The collaboration will enable Airtel customers with compatible smartphones to access network connectivity in remote and underserved areas where traditional terrestrial coverage is unavailable.  Powered by Starlink, the world’s largest 4G provider by geographic reach, this service promises seamless mobile access even in the most challenging terrains. The rollout is…

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Tax reform laws: Reps. member raises alarm over discrepancies 

Aminu Imam
Reps. member on tax reform

A member of the House of Representatives, Hon. AbdulSamad Dasuƙi (PDP, Sokoto), has raised concerns over alleged discrepancies between the newly-gazetted tax reform laws and the versions passed by the 10th National Assembly. Dasuƙi raised the issue under a “matter of privilege’ on the floor of the House yesterday. According to him, his review of the gazetted copies of the tax laws revealed material differences from what was debated, harmonised, and approved by the House of Representatives and the Senate. This comes barely two weeks before January 2026, when the…

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Kaduna set to generate ₦120bn IGR in 2026

Aminu Imam
Kaduna on IGR

Kaduna State has set an internally generated revenue (IGR) target of ₦120 billion for the 2026 fiscal year, with the Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service (KADIRS) expected to play a key role.  The Executive Chairman of KADIRS, Jerry Adams, disclosed this at the Service’s annual performance review, work plan and strategic retreat, explaining that while the state government approved N74 billion for KADIRS, the Service raised its internal target to ₦80.09 billion to motivate staff to exceed benchmarks. He added that the proposed 2026 budget by the Kaduna State Planning…

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Tax Reform: Nigerians push back, as Obi demands transparency

Aminu Imam
Nigerians push back on tax reform

…Melaye threatens legal action A growing national backlash is trailing President Bola Tinubu’s proposed tax reforms as labour unions, civil society groups, opposition figures and a former senator raise economic, transparency and constitutional concerns over the government’s fiscal agenda. At the centre of the controversy is the planned increase in Value Added Tax (VAT) from 7.5% to 12.5 per cent in 2026, with a further rise to 15% by 2030. The proposal has drawn sharp criticism from Nigerians who argue that higher consumption taxes will deepen hardship for low-income earners…

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Promotion of Tinubu’s ADC shelved as retired generals intervene

Aminu Imam
Tinubu’s ADC

The controversial plan to decorate aide-de-camp (ADC) to President Bola Tinubu, Nurudeen Yusuf, as a one-star general on Monday evening was shelved at the last minute after an intervention by two former Chiefs of Army Staff.  Yusuf, who was only decorated as a Colonel last January, was to be promoted to the rank of Brigadier-General through “special presidential promotion”. Under normal process, an officer has to be a colonel for at least four years, after which he or she will attend the National Defence College (NDC) before they are considered…

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‘2026 Budget to be presented this week’ – Senate

Aminu Imam
Senate on 2026 Budget

…Passes MTEF/FSP The 10th Senate has passed the 2026–2028 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP), indicating President Bola Tinubu is expected to present the 2026 Appropriation Bill of N54.4 trillion this week.  Senate President Godswill Akpabio, announced the passage yesterday, following the consideration and debate on the report presented by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, Sani Musa. Akpabio described the MTEF as a prerequisite for the presentation of the national budget, underpinning that the document does not represent a final position of the legislature.…

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Ɗangote petitions ICPC over alleged corruption, lavish lifestyle of NMDPRA Chief

Aminu Imam
Ɗangote petitions

Chairman of Ɗangote Group, Aliko Ɗangote, has formally petitioned the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over alleged corruption, financial impropriety, and abuse of office by the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Ahmed Farouk. The petition, dated December 16, was submitted through Ɗangote’s lawyer, Ogwu James Onoja (SAN), and acknowledged by the ICPC Chairman, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu (SAN). Ɗangote urged the anti-graft agency to immediately arrest, investigate, and prosecute the NMDPRA boss. Central to the petition is the…

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A’isha Buhari opens up on why she won’t remarry, in biography

Aminu Imam
A’isha Buhari opens up

…Reveals Aso Rock intrigues and the untold story of Buhari’s illness Former First Lady, A’isha Buhari, has offered rare and deeply personal insights into her life after the death of her husband, late President Muhammadu Buhari, while also shedding new light on the intrigue, mistrust and health crises that marked his years in office. Speaking on Monday at the State House, Abuja, during the unveiling of a new biography titled: ‘From Soldier to Statesman: The Legacy of Muhammadu Buhari’, A’isha said she has decided not to remarry, describing the choice…

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Ex-CJN, Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad dies in S’Arabia

Aminu Imam
Ex CJN, Ibrahim Tanko

Former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad (rtd), has died. A close source confirmed yesterday that the former head of the Nigerian Judiciary passed away at a hospital in Saudi Arabia. The death was also confirmed in a condolence statement issued by the Nigerian Association of Muslim Law Students (NAMLAS), National Headquarters, Abuja. In the statement, NAMLAS described the Late jurist as a towering figure of integrity, humility and commitment to justice, whose death was a major loss to the Nigerian judiciary and the nation. The association…

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