Author: Fishe

The Federal Government has reaffirmed that every taxable Nigerian must possess a Tax Identification Number (TIN)—also known as a Taxpayer Identification Number—to operate a bank account in the country once new tax reforms take effect on January 1, 2026. The clarification comes as part of the administration’s broader efforts to strengthen tax compliance and modernise fiscal governance. FG Restates Mandatory Tax ID Requirement Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele, disclosed the development during an interview shared on his official X account on Thursday. He explained that Section 4 of the Nigerian Tax Administration…

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, on Thursday paid a courtesy visit to His Royal Majesty, Oba Rilwan Akiolu I, the Oba of Lagos, at the Iga Idugaran Palace, seeking to strengthen collaboration between the Nigerian Army and traditional institutions. The visit aimed at appreciating the monarch for his longstanding support of Army formations in Lagos and soliciting his continued blessings for ongoing military operations. Shaibu praised Oba Akiolu for what he described as a “consistent fatherly role” in supporting the Nigerian Army’s efforts across the state. “We are here to express our profound appreciation to…

In a year dominated by Afrobeats, 2025 has delivered a surprise twist: gospel music has taken the spotlight on YouTube Nigeria. The streaming giant recently released its 2025 Nigeria rankings, highlighting the platforms, creators, and music videos that defined Nigerian viewing habits this year. In a statement signed by Addy Awofisayo, Head of Music for Sub-Saharan Africa, and made available to press by Premium Times, YouTube named gospel singer Akinade “Gaise Baba” Ibuoye and actress Omoni Oboli as the standout artistes of 2025. Gaise Baba Tops Music Charts Gaise Baba’s “No Turning Back II,” featuring Lawrence Oyor, emerged as the…

The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), has introduced new mandatory requirements for all Business Name Online Update requests, signaling a renewed effort to strengthen compliance, improve data accuracy, and enhance the integrity of Nigeria’s corporate registry. The announcement was made in a notice titled “Important Notice for Business Name Update,” posted on the Commission’s official X handle on Wednesday. According to the CAC, the new rules take immediate effect and apply to all business owners seeking to update records associated with their registered business names. New Mandatory Requirements Effective immediately, every Business Name Online Update request must now include: Date of…

On 9 December 2025, Siminalayi Fubara — the governor of Rivers State — officially defected from Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to All Progressives Congress (APC), marking a major realignment in the politics of one of Nigeria’s most politically significant states. What Happened Fubara announced his defection during a stakeholders’ meeting at the Government House in Port Harcourt. The declaration came just days after 16–17 members of the state’s House of Assembly (including the Speaker), similarly defected from PDP to APC — a surge of defections that shifted the balance of political loyalties in Rivers State’s legislature. The move followed a…

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), has declared a state of emergency across West Africa in response to a wave of military coups and attempted power grabs that have shaken the region over recent years. The announcement signals a decisive move by the bloc to confront escalating threats to constitutional governance and regional stability. The decision was formally declared by ECOWAS Commission President, Omar Alieu Touray during the 55th ordinary session of the bloc’s Mediation and Security Council at ministerial level, held in Abuja on December 9, 2025. Addressing ministers and diplomats, Touray described the recurring unconstitutional changes…

Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), Ondo State, has taken a bold step to reinforce its academic strength and reward merit as the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Olugbenga Ige, announced that 32 first-class graduates will be offered automatic employment as graduate assistants. The announcement comes as part of activities marking the institution’s 2025/2026 convocation ceremony. The Vice-Chancellor revealed that out of a total of 5,799 students who completed various programmes during the academic session, 32 emerged with first-class honours. These exceptional graduates, he said, will be given the opportunity to begin their academic careers at AAUA—should they choose to do so after completing…

The atmosphere at Government House, Minna, was filled with emotion and relief on Monday as the Federal Government formally handed over 100 rescued students of St Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri, Agwara LGA, to the Niger State Government. The children had been abducted on November 21, 2025, in one of the state’s largest mass kidnappings in recent years. A Formal Handover Marking a Major Breakthrough The students were presented to Governor Mohammed Umar Bago by Wing Commander Abdullahi Idi Hong, who represented the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu. The brief but solemn ceremony marked a significant milestone in ongoing…

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Monday held a closed-door meeting with six governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja, in what is widely viewed as a significant political and security consultation. The meeting, which lasted for hours, ended without any public briefing from the Presidency or the governors. Journalists who sought comments from the state executives were declined, leaving the agenda and outcome of the discussions undisclosed at the time of filing this report. Governors in Attendance The following governors were present at the meeting: Umar Namadi – Jigawa…

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has lauded the bravery and professionalism of Nigeria’s armed forces for their prompt response to the Government of the Republic of Benin’s request for assistance following a coup attempt earlier today. Acting on two official requests, President Tinubu directed the Nigerian Air Force to enter Beninese airspace to help dislodge coup plotters who had seized the National Television station and a military camp. Requests from the Republic of Benin The Government of the Republic of Benin, through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, submitted a formal request for immediate Nigerian air support “in view of the urgency…

The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, has paid a solidarity visit to the two Nigerian Air Force (NAF), Alpha Jet pilots who successfully ejected from their aircraft after experiencing an in-flight emergency near NAF Base Kainji in Niger State. The visit, which took place on Sunday, came less than 24 hours after the jet went down a few kilometres from Karabonde town in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State. The pilots had earlier steered the malfunctioning aircraft away from residential areas before ejecting—an act the NAF leadership has hailed as courageous, disciplined, and…

As preparations intensify for the 2026 Hajj, NAHCON has unveiled a new set of 15 mandatory directives for Nigerian pilgrims — covering flight ticketing, group movements, medical fitness, and data requirements. The rules were announced after a meeting with State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards and accredited Hajj carriers at NAHCON’s headquarters in Abuja. Below is a breakdown of the key provisions and what they mean for those intending to perform Hajj in 2026. The 15 Directives at a Glance Flight Tickets Must Be Issued Before Departure: All approved Hajj carriers must issue flight tickets to pilgrims — in coordination with State…