Reps demand breakdown of ₦34tn Customs waivers, query revenue reporting
via Punch Nigeria11 min read
The House of Representatives Committee on Finance has directed the Nigeria Customs Service to provide a comprehensive breakdown of ₦34tn worth of import duty waivers granted in 2025. The committee also requested details of beneficiaries, the legal basis for approvals, and the economic objectives. Chairman James Faleke stated that while the Federal Government's policy of granting waivers is not opposed, the process must be transparent and subject to legislative scrutiny to ensure due process and intended economic benefits were achieved. The committee also queried inconsistencies in the Nigeria Customs Service's revenue reporting, despite the agency surpassing its annual collection targets, demanding a detailed month-by-month breakdown. Deputy Chairman Saidu Abdullahi suggested reviewing Customs' revenue targets upward, noting their consistent over-performance. Kikelomo Adeola, Deputy Comptroller-General in charge of Finance, Administration and Technical Services, clarified that the Federal Ministry of Finance, not Customs, approves waivers, with Customs only implementing them. She also urged state governments to invest in inland dry ports to decongest seaports and accelerate cargo clearance. Additionally, the committee scrutinized the Corporate Affairs Commission, directing it to submit comprehensive records of registered companies and reconcile ₦13.9bn in unremitted operating surplus with the Fiscal Responsibility Commission.
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Must ReadA family member of one of the pupils rescued after nearly two months in captivity in the Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State has shared the child's traumatic experience. The relative stated that the child, identified as Taiwo, reported being beaten by his abductors whenever he asked about his family. Taiwo also revealed that the captives were fed garri without sugar throughout their time in the forest. Another relative described the child's fearful reaction to unfamiliar faces post-rescue, noting that the child clung to them and trembled. A different family member added that the child recounted how abductors punished victims for requesting to see loved ones. This account follows the rescue of all abducted pupils and teachers from the May 15 attack, announced by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. The principal of Community High School, Mrs. Rachael Alamu, also rescued, previously detailed the 56-day ordeal, including beatings for crying children, forced silent treks, and the blindfolding and chaining of male teachers.
The Federation Account Allocation Committee distributed N2.55tn to the Federal Government, state governments, and local government councils from June 2026 revenue. This represents a N250bn increase from the N2.3tn allocated in May, marking a 10.9 percent month-on-month rise and continuing the upward trend in federation revenue this year. The N2.55tn distributable revenue included N1.81tn in statutory revenue and N740.72bn from Value Added Tax. Total gross revenue for June was N4.5tn, with N160.74bn deducted for collection costs and N1.79tn for transfers and refunds. Statutory revenue saw a significant increase, rising to N3.7tn in June from N2.65tn in May, while gross VAT revenue also improved to N799.75bn from N743.69bn. This improved performance was attributed to stronger collections from Companies Income Tax, petroleum royalties, Value Added Tax, and import duties, despite decreases in Petroleum Profit Tax, Hydrocarbon Tax, and mineral royalties. From the N2.55tn, the Federal Government received N923.44bn, states received N838.21bn, and local government councils received N591.39bn. Additionally, oil-producing states received N197.61bn as 13 percent derivation revenue.
Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf has initiated a grassroots political engagement to bolster his party's structure ahead of the 2027 general elections. The governor's spokesman, Sunusi Tofa, stated that Yusuf made this declaration during a session with the APC Polling Unit Supporters Association, known as 'Yan Akwatina, led by Najib Salati. This association has structures across Kano State's 44 local government areas, 484 wards, and polling units, making it a significant grassroots mobilization platform. Governor Yusuf emphasized that President Bola Tinubu's re-election in 2027 would consolidate the administration's economic reforms and infrastructure development. He added that sustained grassroots mobilization would strengthen the party's support base and position it for victory in presidential, governorship, and other elections. To support the association, the governor reportedly donated plots of land and ₦100 million. The governor's Political Adviser, Mustapha Bakwana, described the meeting as the start of the party's grassroots mobilization strategy for the 2027 elections, noting the association's capacity to mobilize at least 1,122,200 votes for Tinubu. Najib Salati, the association's leader, thanked the governor for including members in state and local government appointments and pledged the group's commitment to the party's success. The party's Kano State Chairman, Umar Doguwa, expressed confidence in a landslide victory, citing an expanding support base.