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Nigeria’s Inflation Rate Increases To 21.09%

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The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has said that Nigeria’s headline inflation rate increased to 21.09per cent on a year-on-year basis in October, 2022.
Nigeria’s headline inflation rate stood at 20.77per cent on a year-on-year basis in September, 2022.
The NBS made this known via its Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Inflation Report for October released on Wednesday.
According to the report, the figure is 5.09per cent points higher compared to 15.99per cent recorded in October, 2021.
“This shows that the general price level for the headline inflation rate increased in October, 2022 when compared to the same month in the preceding year.
“Meaning that in October, 2022, the general price level was 5.09per cent higher relative to October, 2021,” it said.
According to the report, factors responsible for the increase in annual inflation rate include disruption in the supply of food products.
It said other factors were increased in import cost due to the persistent currency depreciation and a general increase in the cost of production such as the increase in energy cost.
The report said on a month-on-month basis, the Headline inflation rate in October, 2022 was 1.24per cent, which was 0.11per cent lower than the rate recorded in September, 2022 at 1.36per cent.
“This means that in October, 2022, the general price level for the headline inflation rate on a month–on–month basis declined by 0.11per cent,” the report.
According to the report, the factor responsible for the decline in the monthly inflation rate is a decline in the current month’s food index relative to the reference month index, which is due to the harvest season.
The report said the percentage change in the average CPI for the 12 months ending October, 2022 over the average of the CPI for the previous 12 months period was 17.86per cent
“This indicates a 0.91per cent increase compared to the 16.96per cent recorded in October, 2021,” the report noted.
It said increases were recorded in all Classification of Individual Consumption by Purpose (COICOP) divisions that yielded the headline index.
The report said the food inflation rate in October, 2022 was 23.72per cent on a year-on-year basis, which was 5.39per cent higher compared to the rate recorded in October, 2021 at 18.34per cent.
“The rise in food inflation is caused by increases in prices of bread and cereals, food products, potatoes, yams and other tubers, oil and fat.”
It said on a month-on-month basis, the food inflation rate in October was 1.23per cent, which was a 0.21per cent decline compared to the rate recorded in September, 2022 at 1.43per cent.
“This decline was attributed to the reduction in prices of some food items like tubers, palm oil, maize, beans, and vegetables.
“The average annual rate of food inflation for the 12-months ending October, 2022 was 19.83per cent , which was a 0.92per cent points decline from the average annual rate of change recorded in October, 2021 at 20.75per cent,” it stated.
The report said on a year-on-year basis in October, 2022, the urban inflation rate was 21.63per cent, which was 5.11per cent higher compared to the 16.52per cent recorded in October, 2021.
“On a month-on-month basis, the urban inflation rate was 1.33per cent in October, 2022, this was a 0.12per cent decline compared toSeptember, 2022 at 1.46per cent,” the report noted.
It said the corresponding 12-month average for the urban inflationrate was 18.38per cent in October, 2022.
“This was 0.85per cent higher compared to the 17.53per cent reported in October, 2021,” it said.
The report said on a year-on-year basis in October, 2022, the rural inflation rate was 20.57per cent, which was 5.09per cent higher compared to the 15.48per cent recorded in October, 2021.
“On a month-on-month basis, the rural inflation rate in October, 2022 was 1.16per cent, which declined by 0.11per cent compared to September, 2022 at 1.27per cent,” it stated.
It said the corresponding 12-month average for the rural inflation rate inOctober, 2022 was 17.38per cent, which was 0.98per cent higher compared to the 16.39per cent recorded in October, 2021.
On states’ profile analysis, the report showed in October, 2022, all items inflation rate on a year-on-year basis was highest in Kogi at 25.15per cent, followed by Bauchi at 23.45per cent, and Ondo at 23.45per cent.
It, however, said the slowest rise in headline year-on-year inflation was recorded in Plateau at 19.02per cent followed by Borno at 19.31per cent and Nasarawa at 19.39per cent.
The report, however said in October, 2022, all items inflation rate on a month-on-month basis was highest in Abuja at 3.18per cent, followed by Kebbi at 2.80per cent, and Sokoto at 2.57per cent.
“Kwara at -0.14per cent, followed by Kogi at 0.06per cent and Oyo at 0.30per cent recorded the slowest rise on month-on-month inflation,” it added.
The report said food inflation in October, 2022, on a year-on-year basis was highest in Kwara by 30.79per cent, followed by Kogi at 28.74per cent and Imo at 28.64per cent.
“Kaduna at 19.96per cent, followed by Plateau at 20.17per cent and Jigawa at 20.42per cent recorded the slowest rise on year-on-year food inflation,” it said.
It, however, said on a month-on-month basis in October, 2022, food inflation was highest in Sokoto at 3.55per cent followed by Yobe by 3.31per cent and Kebbi at 3.16per cent.
“Kwara at -0.76per cent, followed by Kogi at -0.55per cent and Akwa-Ibom at -0.21per cent recorded the slowest rise on month-on-month inflation,” it noted.

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INEC To Unveil New Party Registration Portal As Applications Hit 129

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that it has now received a total of 129 applications from associations seeking registration as political parties.

The update was provided during the commission’s regular weekly meeting held in Abuja, yesterday.

According to a statement signed by the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, seven new applications were submitted within the past week, adding to the previous number.

“At its regular weekly meeting held today, Thursday 10th July 2025, the commission received a further update on additional requests from associations seeking registration as political parties.

“Since last week, seven more applications have been received, bringing the total number so far to 129. All the requests are being processed,” the commission stated.

The commission revealed the introduction of a new digital platform for political party registration. The platform is part of the Party Financial Reporting and Auditing System and aims to streamline the registration process.

Olumekun disclosed that final testing of the portal would be completed within the next week.

“INEC also plans to release comprehensive guidelines to help associations file their applications using the new system.

“Unlike the manual method used in previous registration, the Commission is introducing a political party registration portal, which is a module in our Party Financial Reporting and Auditing System.

“This will make the process faster and seamless. In the next week, the commission will conclude the final testing of the portal before deployment.

“Thereafter, the next step for associations that meet the requirements to proceed to the application stage will be announced. The commission will also issue guidelines to facilitate the filing of applications using the PFRAS,” the statement added.

In the meantime, the list of new associations that have submitted applications has been made available to the public on INEC’s website and other official platforms.

 

 

 

 

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Tinubu Signs Four Tax Reform Bills Into Law …Says Nigeria Open For Business 

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President Bola Tinubu yesterday signed into law four tax reform bills aimed at transforming Nigeria’s fiscal and revenue framework.

The four bills include: the Nigeria Tax Bill, the Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, and the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Bill.

They were passed by the National Assembly after months of consultations with various interest groups and stakeholders.

The ceremony took place at the Presidential Villa, yesterday.

The ceremony was witnessed by the leadership of the National Assembly and some legislators, governors, ministers, and aides of the President.

The presidency had earlier stated that the laws would transform tax administration in the country, increase revenue generation, improve the business environment, and give a boost to domestic and foreign investments.

“When the new tax laws become operational, they are expected to significantly transform tax administration in the country, leading to increased revenue generation, improved business environment, and a boost in domestic and foreign investments,” Special Adviser to the President on Media, Bayo Onanuga said on Wednesday.

Before the signing of the four bills, President Tinubu had earlier yesterday, said the tax reform bills will reset Nigeria’s economic trajectory and simplify its complex fiscal landscape.

Announcing the development via his official X handle, yesterday, the President declared, “In a few hours, I will sign four landmark tax reform bills into law, ushering in a bold new era of economic governance in our country.”

Tinubu made a call to investors and citizens alike, saying, “Let the world know that Nigeria is open for business, and this time, everyone has a fair shot.”

He described the bills as not just technical adjustments but a direct intervention to ease burdens on struggling Nigerians.

“These reforms go beyond streamlining tax codes. They deliver the first major, pro-people tax cuts in a generation, targeted relief for low-income earners, small businesses, and families working hard to make ends meet,” Tinubu wrote.

According to the President, “They will unify our fragmented tax system, eliminate wasteful duplications, cut red tape, restore investor confidence, and entrench transparency and coordination at every level.”

He added that the long-standing burden of Nigeria’s tax structure had unfairly weighed down the vulnerable while enabling inefficiency.

The tax reforms, first introduced in October 2024, were part of Tinubu’s post-subsidy-removal recovery plan, aimed at expanding revenue without stifling productivity.

However, the bills faced turbulence at the National Assembly and amongst some state governors who rejected its passing in 2024.

At the NASS, the bills sparked heated debate, particularly around the revenue-sharing structure, which governors from the North opposed.

They warned that a shift toward derivation-based allocations, especially with VAT, could tilt fiscal balance in favour of southern states with stronger consumption bases.

After prolonged dialogue, the VAT rate remained at 7.5 per cent, and a new exemption was introduced to shield minimum wage earners from personal income tax.

By May 2025, the National Assembly passed the harmonised versions with broad support, driven in part by pressure from economic stakeholders and international observers who welcomed the clarity and efficiency the reforms promised.

In his tweet, Tinubu stressed that this is just the beginning of Nigeria’s tax evolution.

“We are laying the foundation for a tax regime that is fair, transparent, and fit for a modern, ambitious Nigeria.

“A tax regime that rewards enterprise, protects the vulnerable, and mobilises revenue without punishing productivity,” he stated.

He further acknowledged the contributions of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reform Committee, the National Assembly, and Nigeria’s subnational governments.

The President added, “We are not just signing tax bills but rewriting the social contract.

“We are not there yet, but we are firmly on the road.”

 

 

 

 

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Senate Issues 10-Day Ultimatum As NNPCL Dodges ?210trn Audit Hearing 

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The Senate has issued a 10-day ultimatum to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) over its failure to appear before the Senate Committee on Public Accounts probing alleged financial discrepancies amounting to over ?210 trillion in its audited reports from 2017 to 2023.

Despite being summoned, no officials or external auditors from NNPCL showed up yesterday.

However, representatives from the representatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission and Department of State Services were present.

Angered by the NNPCL’s absence, the committee, yesterday, issued a 10-day ultimatum, demanding the company’s top executives to appear before the panel by July 10 or face constitutional sanctions.

A letter from NNPCL’s Chief Financial Officer, Dapo Segun, dated June 25, was read at the session.

It cited an ongoing management retreat and requested a two-month extension to prepare necessary documents and responses.

The letter partly read, “Having carefully reviewed your request, we hereby request your kind consideration to reschedule the engagement for a period of two months from now to enable us to collate the requested information and documentation.

“Furthermore, members of the Board and the senior management team of NNPC Limited are currently out of the office for a retreat, which makes it difficult to attend the rescheduled session on Thursday, 26th June, 2025.

“While appreciating the opportunity provided and the importance of this engagement, we reassure you of our commitment to the success of this exercise. Please accept the assurances of our highest regards.”

But lawmakers rejected the request.

The Committee Chairman, Senator Aliyu Wadada, said NNPCL was not expected to submit documents, but rather provide verbal responses to 11 key questions previously sent.

“For an institution like NNPCL to ask for two months to respond to questions from its own audited records is unacceptable,” Wadada stated.

“If they fail to show up by July 10, we will invoke our constitutional powers. The Nigerian people deserve answers,” he warned.

Other lawmakers echoed similar frustrations.

Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central) insisted that NNPCL’s Group CEO, Bayo Ojulari, must personally lead the delegation at the next hearing.

The Tide reports that Ojulari took over from Mele Kyari on April 2, 2025.

Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi (Ebonyi North) said the two-month request suggested the company had no answers, but the committee would still grant a fair hearing by reconvening on July 10.

Senator Victor Umeh (Anambra Central) warned the NNPCL against undermining the Senate, saying, “If they fail to appear again, Nigerians will know the Senate is not a toothless bulldog.”

Last week, the Senate panel grilled Segun and other top executives over what they described as “mind-boggling” irregularities in NNPCL’s financial statements.

The Senate flagged ?103 trillion in accrued expenses, including ?600 billion in retention fees, legal, and auditing costs—without supporting documentation.

Also questioned was another ?103 trillion listed under receivables. Just before the hearing, NNPCL submitted a revised report contradicting the previously published figures, raising more concerns.

The committee has demanded detailed answers to 11 specific queries and warned that failure to comply could trigger legislative consequences.

 

 

 

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