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  • CISLAC seeks review of tax incentives in fossil fuel sector

    CISLAC seeks review of tax incentives in fossil fuel sector
    Tax

    By Petpetua Onuegbu
    Abuja, October 28, 2025 (NAN) Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has called for a review tax incentive policies in the fossil fuel industry.

    Executive Director of CISLAC, Auwal Rafsanjani, who made the call at the launch of a new report on fossil fuel industry on Tuesday in Abuja, warned that continued fiscal support contradicts the nation’s energy transition goals.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the report was entitled: “Assessing the Role of Tax Incentives in Nigeria’s Fossil Fuel Industry: Implications for Energy Transition, Policy Direction and the Path to a Sustainable Future.”

    Rafsanjani said that fiscal policies must align with Nigeria’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2060, adding that the country could not afford to be left behind in the global trend.

    According to him, while tax incentives traditionally attract foreign investments, sustaining them in the fossil fuel sector undermines the country’s climate action agenda.

    “Incentivising the fossil fuel industry on the one hand and pursuing a net-zero emission target on the other appears to be a contradiction of government strategy,” he said.

    The executive director commended Nigeria’s recent climate initiatives, including the establishment of Nigerian Council for Climate Change, Energy Transition Office and the adoption of Energy Transition Plan.

    He, however, cautioned that fiscal regimes must not entrench fossil’s dependence but promote renewable energy and sustainable growth.

    NAN reports that the CISLAC report, developed with support from Tax Justice Network Africa and Energy Transition Fund, examined Nigeria’s legislative and fiscal frameworks for fossil fuels.

    It called for gradual phase-out of subsidies and incentives that sustained carbon-heavy industries.

    The report also recommended comprehensive fiscal reforms, transparency in tax administration, stronger accountability systems and increased investment in renewable energy to ensure a just and inclusive energy transition.

    On his part, the Executive Secretary of Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), Dr Ogbonnaya Orji, warned that poor oversight could cost the country nearly ₦6 trillion.

    Orji called for greater fiscal transparency and accountability in the management of tax incentives within the country’s fossil fuel industry.

    He commended CISLAC for what he described as “an evidence-based intervention” in the ongoing dialogue on energy transition, tax justice and sustainable development.

    According to him, Nigeria stands at a critical crossroads between the urgent need to decarbonise and the economic dependence on fossil fuel revenues that fund much of public expenditure.

    He disclosed that NEITI’s ongoing national study on “The Impact of Energy Transition on Nigeria’s Oil-Dependent Economy” highlighted the risks of unmanaged fiscal transition.

    Orji warned that the country could face declining hydro-carbon revenues and inadequate investment in renewable energy alternatives.

    He noted that many existing tax incentives in the fossil fuel sector no longer aligned with national priorities and should, therefore, be either reviewed or removed.

    “Aligning tax incentives with Nigeria’s energy transition goals is not just a fiscal reform imperative but a climate justice necessity,” he stated.

    Also speaking, Ms Gloria Majiga of Tax Justice Network Africa (TJNA) said lots of funds that should have been used for Africa’s development had been lost because of the incentives whose benefits couldn’t be quantified.

    “This is an opportunity for us as African countries, as we discuss the energy transition, to say how we can use these investments to actually support cleaner energy investments and social and economic areas that need those resources for us to advance our energy goals.

    “Specifically for Nigeria, I think it is really crucial because we have the energy transition plan which really makes it clear that we are committed to seeing how Nigeria can invest more in green energy.

    “One of the opportunities that we have with these incentives is that we can mobilise resources by reversing those fiscal frameworks to allow the financing of these goals that we have set for cleaner energy,” she said.

    An Associate Professor of Energy and Petroleum Economics at University of Abuja, Sabiu Sani, said that tax incentive to multinationals had become unnecessary.

    According to him, the major finding of the research is that there are many fiscal incentives that are still open to multinational oil companies in Nigeria that are not serving any purpose.(NAN)

  • CISLAC seeks review of tax incentives in fossil fuel sector
    Tax

    By Petpetua Onuegbu
    Abuja, October 28, 2025 (NAN) Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has called for a review tax incentive policies in the fossil fuel industry.

    Executive Director of CISLAC, Auwal Rafsanjani, who made the call at the launch of a new report on fossil fuel industry on Tuesday in Abuja, warned that continued fiscal support contradicts the nation’s energy transition goals.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the report was entitled: “Assessing the Role of Tax Incentives in Nigeria’s Fossil Fuel Industry: Implications for Energy Transition, Policy Direction and the Path to a Sustainable Future.”

    Rafsanjani said that fiscal policies must align with Nigeria’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2060, adding that the country could not afford to be left behind in the global trend.

    According to him, while tax incentives traditionally attract foreign investments, sustaining them in the fossil fuel sector undermines the country’s climate action agenda.

    “Incentivising the fossil fuel industry on the one hand and pursuing a net-zero emission target on the other appears to be a contradiction of government strategy,” he said.

    The executive director commended Nigeria’s recent climate initiatives, including the establishment of Nigerian Council for Climate Change, Energy Transition Office and the adoption of Energy Transition Plan.

    He, however, cautioned that fiscal regimes must not entrench fossil’s dependence but promote renewable energy and sustainable growth.

    NAN reports that the CISLAC report, developed with support from Tax Justice Network Africa and Energy Transition Fund, examined Nigeria’s legislative and fiscal frameworks for fossil fuels.

    It called for gradual phase-out of subsidies and incentives that sustained carbon-heavy industries.

    The report also recommended comprehensive fiscal reforms, transparency in tax administration, stronger accountability systems and increased investment in renewable energy to ensure a just and inclusive energy transition.

    On his part, the Executive Secretary of Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), Dr Ogbonnaya Orji, warned that poor oversight could cost the country nearly ₦6 trillion.

    Orji called for greater fiscal transparency and accountability in the management of tax incentives within the country’s fossil fuel industry.

    He commended CISLAC for what he described as “an evidence-based intervention” in the ongoing dialogue on energy transition, tax justice and sustainable development.

    According to him, Nigeria stands at a critical crossroads between the urgent need to decarbonise and the economic dependence on fossil fuel revenues that fund much of public expenditure.

    He disclosed that NEITI’s ongoing national study on “The Impact of Energy Transition on Nigeria’s Oil-Dependent Economy” highlighted the risks of unmanaged fiscal transition.

    Orji warned that the country could face declining hydro-carbon revenues and inadequate investment in renewable energy alternatives.

    He noted that many existing tax incentives in the fossil fuel sector no longer aligned with national priorities and should, therefore, be either reviewed or removed.

    “Aligning tax incentives with Nigeria’s energy transition goals is not just a fiscal reform imperative but a climate justice necessity,” he stated.

    Also speaking, Ms Gloria Majiga of Tax Justice Network Africa (TJNA) said lots of funds that should have been used for Africa’s development had been lost because of the incentives whose benefits couldn’t be quantified.

    “This is an opportunity for us as African countries, as we discuss the energy transition, to say how we can use these investments to actually support cleaner energy investments and social and economic areas that need those resources for us to advance our energy goals.

    “Specifically for Nigeria, I think it is really crucial because we have the energy transition plan which really makes it clear that we are committed to seeing how Nigeria can invest more in green energy.

    “One of the opportunities that we have with these incentives is that we can mobilise resources by reversing those fiscal frameworks to allow the financing of these goals that we have set for cleaner energy,” she said.

    An Associate Professor of Energy and Petroleum Economics at University of Abuja, Sabiu Sani, said that tax incentive to multinationals had become unnecessary.

    According to him, the major finding of the research is that there are many fiscal incentives that are still open to multinational oil companies in Nigeria that are not serving any purpose.(NAN)

  • Polio Day: FCT children benefit Rotary vaccination drive

    Polio Day: FCT children benefit Rotary vaccination drive

    Polio

    The Rotary team led by District Governor 9127, Dr Joy Okoro during the vaccination in Abaji.

     

    By Perpetua Onuegbu/Angela Atabo

    Abuja,Oct. 23, 2025 (NAN) The Rotary Club, District 9127, RC Abuja, Maitama, says hundreds of children across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have received its life-saving polio vaccines.

    Speaking at the medical outreach on Thursday in Abaji, Abuja, the District Governor of 9127, Dr Joy Okoro, said the efforts aimed to eradicate the disease in Nigeria.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event was part of the activities to commemorate the 2025 International Polio Day.

    Okoro, who headed the Abaji area council outreach, said the exercise took place across the six area councils in the FCT with five other District governors heading the activities in the remaining five area councils.

    She noted that the initiative aimed to ensure that no child under the age of five was left unvaccinated against the crippling disease.

    She explained that the exercise was part of Rotary’s mission to take action through service projects to improve their local communities.

    “This exercise is being organised by my district 9127, in conjunction with other district governors; I am heading the Abaji team.

    “We also have five District Governors, two from Lagos and one each from Akure, Port Harcourt and Owerri who came into Abuja for this purpose and they are heading the activities in the other five area councils .

    “We are here to mark the World Polio Day, which is actually tomorrow, and we will be commemorating it with a mega road walk.

    “We are reaching more than 1,000 children for this exercise. As you can see we have vaccinated a lot of babies here today, even the newborns, like those just two days old.”

    Okoro encouraged parents to keep bringing their children to health facilities for vaccination to avoid the disease.

    According to her, it is free and nobody will charge them because Rotary and Partners have already paid for these vaccines.

    She recalled that Rotary took the polio sensitisation to Mosques on Friday and to Churches on Sunday, adding that the exercise has been moving round to ensure that polio is eradicated in Nigeria.

    Also speaking, Dr Saleh Ashafa, Director, Primary Health Care, Abaji Area Council, commended Rotary Club for the initiative.

    Ashafa noted that community partnerships like Rotary Club have been instrumental in sustaining Nigeria’s polio-free status.

    “On behalf of the area council, I appreciate the Rotary Club for choosing to come to Abaji today and celebrate this day with us, with our children, our mothers.

    “It is a thing of joy, and I hope we will also be celebrating the end of polio in Nigeria too.

    “Routine immunisation is one of the pillars of PHC services. We provide routine immunisation in all our 34 functional health facilities because we know that it is one of the key pillars of the polio eradication initiative.”

    According to Ashafa, the area council leadership is doing everything possible to ensure that every baby before the first birthday gets fully immunised so that he or she can be prevented from the childhood killer diseases.

    He identified poor road network to lack of maintenance of cold chain facilities, insecurity as some challenges facing people in the area.

    He explained that Abaji had about 40 per cent of its settlements which were far to reach.

    He added that the government at the council was doing everything possible to ensure every child in those settlements gets immunised appropriately.

    Participating parents from various communities expressed gratitude to the Rotary Club for their support.

    A beneficiary, Mrs Safia Zakaria, nursing mother, said “I am happy that my children have been vaccinated. It gives me peace of mind, and I also thank the organisers for giving me souvenirs,” she added.(NAN)

  • LP threatens to petition NBA over Nenadi’s aide attack on INEC

    LP threatens to petition NBA over Nenadi’s aide attack on INEC
    Attack
    By Perpetua Onuegbu
    Abuja, Oct. 24, 2025 (NAN) The Leadership of the Labour Party has threatened to petition the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) over attack on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) by the aide of Sen.Nenadi Usman, the factional leader of the party.
    Obiora Ifoh, National Publicity Secretary,Labour Party, made this known in a statement on Friday in Abuja.
    He said the attention of the leadership of the Labour Party has been called to a statement signed by Ken  Asogwa who claimed to be a media aide to Sen. Nenadi Usman.
    According to Ifoh, the statement was a clear attempt to blackmail the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the acting Chairman of INEC, Mrs May Agbamuche-Mbu  for obeying a validly issued court order.
    “The statement was also crafted to embarrass His Lordship, the judge of the High court and as well to bring the court to public opprobrium and ridicule.

    “Ms Nenadi Usman, through her aide, Asogwa had called for the arrest of Mrs Agbamuche-Mbu for, according to them for ‘criminally colluding with Barrister Julius Abure’ to rightfully carry out her job in line with the laws governing the electoral commission.

    “We think that this political zealotry  and abuse of privilege was an act carried too far hence there must be consequences for unguarded and reckless aspersions.

    “Consequently we have instructed our Counsel to write Mr Asogwa who is also a lawyer to within the next 72 hours retract the highly offensive and embarrassing statement.

    ” Without which we will be left with no other choice but to petition him to the Nigerian Bar Association for describing a validly issued order of a court as FAKE.”
    The national publicity secretary said the party  viewed his action as an attempt to bring the judiciary to disrepute.

    “This is moreso for a lawyer who is supposed to defend the integrity of the judiciary. He ought to sufficiently know that lawyers argue their matters in court and not on the social media.

    “Dragging the integrity of the court in the social space, all because of politics is very unfortunate.

    “He is no longer worthy to be a minister in the temple of justice and if he can denigrate His Lordship in a manner he has done, it shows that he ought to face a disciplinary action.

    “We also noticed that the said lawyer displayed a high level of ignorance by not making his research to know the details about the court order before exposing his ignorance.

    “If Nenadi Usman and her co travellers want to lead a political party like the Labour Party, they ought to know better and do better by doing proper research.”
    He said the party  also noted Asogwa’s penchant in labelling some persons, including the National Chairman of our party, Mr Abure as criminals even when no court in Nigeria has found him/them as such.

    Ifoh noted that a lawyer should sufficiently know that until a court finds someone guilty, it is an offence to arrogate to oneself the power to pronounce such person(s) guilty.

    “For some reason, we have refrained from joining issues with Nenadi and her misinformed aides who often shop for cheap publicity, however we are in pain that this time, they are dragging Judiciary and INEC into their mess.

    “INEC should not be intimidated because they are doing the right thing by obeying a validly issued court order. We don’t expect anything less than what they are doing.
    “To Nenadi Usman and her reggae boys, including one Tony Akeni, if things don’t go their way, they resort to bullying, blackmailing and intimidation.
    “Instead of taking a simple advice by INEC to produce one single ruling or order that explicitly stated that Nenadi Usman is now Labour Party chairman; of course none exists.”(NAN)

  • West African mining communities demand inclusive, accountable governance

    West African mining communities demand inclusive, accountable governance

     

     

    By

    Abuja:  (NAN) Mining host communities across West Africa have called for urgent reforms to ensure that the region’s vast mineral wealth benefits local people, protects the environment, and upholds human rights.

    The demand came at the 5th West African Mining Host Communities Indaba, held in Abuja from September 22 to 26, with delegates from governments, civil society, traditional and religious institutions, and mining companies across the subregion.

    Edosa Jason, Communications Officer of Global Rights an NGO released the communique from participants to newsmen on Sunday in Abuja.

    Themed “Contextualising Green Mining within the Principle of Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC),” the meeting warned that Africa’s energy transition must not repeat the injustices of past extractive practices.

    Participants identified key challenges including weak mining laws, environmental degradation, exclusion of women and youth, and economic inequities that leave host communities impoverished despite rich mineral deposits.

    They urged governments to harmonize and reform mining laws, strengthen regulatory agencies, and guarantee community rights in line with international standards.

    The communiqué specifically called on Nigeria to expedite the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act (Amendment) Bill 2023 and encouraged similar action across West Africa.

    Delegates also demanded that FPIC become a continuous process from exploration to mine closure, giving communities the right to accept or reject projects.

    They proposed creating Community Mining Observatories and Development Scorecards to track compliance and measure real benefits.

    On environmental justice, the Indaba called for remediation of polluted lands, enforcement of climate-smart mining, and protection for environmental defenders.

    The gathering urged COP30 and G20 leaders to include mining host communities in global energy transition talks and establish a Global Extractives Justice Fund.

    At the end of the meeting participants reaffirmed that West Africa’s mineral wealth must serve its people, not exploit them — and that only accountability, transparency, and inclusion can make mining a true engine of sustainable development.(NAN)