Author: Lifestyle & Wellness Desk

The House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has pledged to address the long-standing backlog of federal audit reports, committing to secure and review the 2023, 2024, and 2025 reports from the Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation. Chairman Bamidele Salam made the announcement during a weekend retreat in Ghana attended by PAC members, staff, and key stakeholders. He noted that when the current panel assumed office in 2023, the most recent audit report available was from 2019, highlighting a significant accountability gap. “Through sustained engagement with the Auditor-General and Accountant-General, we have obtained the 2020, 2021, and 2022 reports. While this marks progress, it still falls short of expectations, as we are already in 2026,” Salam said. The committee plans to convene a high-level stakeholders’ meeting immediately after the retreat, involving the Auditor-General, Accountant-General, Financial Reporting Council, and other relevant institutions, to establish a clear timeline for clearing the outstanding reports. Salam expressed optimism that significant progress would be made before the end of the year, particularly regarding the 2023–2025 audits. He described the retreat as a key platform for stock-taking, performance evaluation, and strategic planning, allowing the committee to set clear objectives and metrics for the 2026 legislative year. Delays in audit submissions have long hindered PAC’s oversight role, limiting its ability to examine government accounts, probe financial irregularities, and hold Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) accountable. Such delays reduce the deterrent effect of legislative scrutiny and undermine fiscal discipline and transparency. Deputy Chairman Jeremiah Umaru emphasised PAC’s role in revenue recovery and curbing financial leakages. “Financial leakages within the system remain alarming. This retreat strengthens our capacity to engage stakeholders and ensure our oversight delivers tangible outcomes,” he said. Clerk of the committee, Ogunsanya Titus, described the retreat as a strategic move to enhance PAC’s effectiveness. “Thorough preparation yields better results than hasty action. The retreat allowed us to review past performance, assess challenges, and plan a clearer path forward,” he said. PAC consultant Dr Samuel Ibrahim added that the training sessions were designed to boost both technical skills and soft skills, including stakeholder engagement, critical for effective oversight and collaborative problem-solving. The committee’s renewed focus signals a determined effort to reinforce fiscal accountability and ensure that government agencies properly account for public funds.

A heated verbal exchange erupted on Sunday between Senator Ali Ndume (Borno South) and the Deputy Spokesman of the House of Representatives, Philip Agbese, over alleged inconsistencies in recently passed tax legislation. Agbese accused Ndume of being mischievous in claiming the tax laws were altered, while Ndume fired back, calling Agbese “disrespectful” and “too junior,” noting he was old enough to be Agbese’s father. The dispute began after Ndume raised concerns that the version of the tax laws signed by President Bola Tinubu differed from what the National Assembly had passed. In a television interview last week, Ndume suggested that certain provisions had been changed during harmonisation and gazetting. Responding on Sunday in Abuja, Agbese dismissed the claims as “sheer mischief,” insisting that all legislative procedures had been properly followed. He stressed that the House had already set up a committee to investigate concerns around the tax legislation and warned that unverified claims could undermine public trust. Ndume described Agbese’s remarks as “unfortunate” and called on House leadership to rein in the deputy spokesman. Speaking to journalists, he said, “Agbese is too junior to challenge me on this matter. The issue is under review by the Betara-led committee, which alone has the authority to determine if there are any differences between the parliamentary version and the gazetted copy.” The senator maintained that his concerns were procedural, not personal. He explained, “I carefully reviewed the votes and proceedings, clause by clause. If the harmonised version says ‘this shall be’ and the gazetted copy says ‘this will be,’ these are two different things subject to interpretation.” Ndume also suggested that Agbese’s comments were driven by personal motives to gain favour with House leadership, adding that the deputy spokesman had only embarrassed himself and the institution. Agbese, however, reiterated that the focus on alleged falsification was misplaced and that the committee’s work would clarify the matter. “It is sheer mischief to suggest the tax laws were falsified. Lawmaking must be based on facts and due process,” he said. The controversy first emerged late last year when Ndume and House member Abdussamad Dasuki raised concerns about discrepancies between versions circulated during plenary sessions and those sent for presidential assent. Both called for independent verification to ensure legislative integrity. The ongoing investigation is expected to determine whether differences arose during harmonisation, transmission, or gazetting of the legislation.

A pro-Wike political faction, the Rivers Restoration Movement (RRM), has urged President Bola Tinubu to remove his media aide, Daniel Bwala, over what it described as an “unwarranted” verbal attack on the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike. The RRM, together with 40 affiliated groups in Rivers State, accused Bwala—Special Adviser to the President on Media and Policy Communications—of undermining the Presidency with his remarks on the Rivers political crisis. In a statement issued on Sunday in Port Harcourt and signed by Johnson Georgewill and Sarima Akpata, Director-General and Secretary of the RRM, respectively, the group alleged that Bwala still maintained loyalty to his former principal, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, despite serving in Tinubu’s administration. “As a group, we are not surprised by this recent public embarrassment by a supposed spokesman of the President on the Rivers State political matter, because we know Mr. Daniel Bwala as someone who speaks from both sides of his mouth,” the statement read. The group questioned Bwala’s role during the 2023 general election, pointing out that Rivers was the only state in the South-South and South-East won by President Tinubu. They also claimed that Bwala targeted Wike due to the minister’s influence in Atiku’s 2023 defeat. “Mr. Bwala appears to be on a mission to undermine the FCT minister, as Atiku’s loss in 2023 was significantly influenced by Minister Wike,” the statement said. The RRM further criticised Bwala for commenting on Rivers politics despite not being involved in the agreements between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Wike following the lifting of emergency rule in the state. “It is disappointing that Bwala, who has no political weight in Nigeria, would publicly denigrate the FCT minister and discredit his achievements, which ultimately impacts the President’s image,” the group added. The RRM reaffirmed Wike’s leadership in Rivers State politics and his role as head of President Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” structure in the state, warning Bwala to avoid involvement in Rivers affairs. “RRM therefore calls on President Tinubu to dismiss Mr. Daniel Bwala for misrepresenting the Presidency on issues concerning Rivers State, which the President has already addressed through agreements,” the statement concluded. The group also rejected claims that Bwala sympathised with Atiku and vowed to rally support for President Tinubu ahead of the 2027 elections in Rivers State, the South-South, and beyond.

Nigeria is moving to fast-track gas-led industrial growth with plans to execute more than 60 high-priority gas demand projects over the next decade, according to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited’s Gas Master Plan 2026. The plan shows that 30 priority projects are expected to be delivered within the next three years, forming the foundation of near-term gas expansion, while another 30 projects are scheduled to come onstream over the following ten years. Together, the projects are designed to significantly boost domestic gas utilisation and expand export capacity. Classified under Category A (near-term) and Category B (medium-term), the projects are projected to deliver a combined 13,960 million standard cubic feet per day (mmscf/d), supporting Nigeria’s industrial growth, domestic energy needs and export ambitions. The Gas Master Plan 2026 serves as a strategic roadmap aimed at converting Nigeria’s vast natural gas resources into economic growth, improved energy security and industrial development. It was formally unveiled on January 30, 2026, at the NNPC Towers in Abuja, marking a shift from policy planning to commercially focused and disciplined execution. The plan aligns with the Federal Government’s Decade of Gas Initiative and reforms introduced under the Petroleum Industry Act. Building on the original 2008 Gas Master Plan, which faced implementation and infrastructure challenges, the 2026 version prioritises increased gas production, expanded infrastructure and stronger market linkages across LNG, power generation, industrial offtakers, pipelines and compressed natural gas. It targets national production levels above 10 billion cubic feet per day by 2027 and 12 billion cubic feet per day by 2030, while unlocking over $60bn in new investments. At the launch, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, described the plan as a deliberate move from policy formulation to implementation, driven by commercial viability and sector-wide coordination. He said the initiative reflects a broader effort to translate Nigeria’s gas potential into tangible economic outcomes, stressing that the challenge has always been execution rather than resource availability. Officials and industry stakeholders at the event described the plan as a major milestone in Nigeria’s energy transition, aimed at delivering reliable domestic supply, strengthening export capacity and generating broad socio-economic benefits. The plan outlines targets to raise commercialised gas production to 75 per cent by 2027 and 80 per cent by 2030, eliminate routine gas flaring, and meet presidential production goals of 10 Bcf/d by 2027 and 12 Bcf/d by 2030. An analysis of the document indicates that near-term gas demand under Category A projects is estimated at 8,110 mmscf/d. This demand will be driven by a mix of LNG, power, industrial, pipeline and CNG projects. LNG projects account for the largest share, led by OKLNG at 1,800 mmscf/d and NLNG Trains 7 and 8 at 1,350 mmscf/d, alongside UTM, NNPC-Chevron LNG and several modular LNG developments expected to commence operations within three years. The power sector is projected to consume about 470 mmscf/d through projects such as GIPP Phase I, Kano IPP, Abuja IPP and Okpai II. Gas-based industries, including fertiliser and chemical plants such as Brass Fertiliser, NSIA-OCP and Blackrose, are expected to require more than 700 mmscf/d. Smaller, fast-deploying CNG projects across Abuja, Kaduna, Kano and Imo are projected to absorb about 45 mmscf/d, providing quick domestic demand activation. The largest single demand driver, however, is the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline Phase 1 expansion, expected to transport 3,000 mmscf/d within three years, strengthening regional gas trade and domestic utilisation. For the medium term, Category B projects are expected to require about 5,850 mmscf/d and include LNG, power, gas-based industries, industrial parks and pipeline developments. Key projects include Golar Mark II LNG, the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline, and multiple fertiliser and methanol plants in Abuja, Kano and Kaduna. LNG developments such as Golar Mark II, Transoceanic, ACE and Kora together account for more than 2,000 mmscf/d, with many targeted for completion within three years. The power sector is projected to absorb 100 mmscf/d through the MBH Alero and Ikorodu IPPs, while large-scale fertiliser and methanol plants, including Dangote Fertiliser and Indorama, are expected to drive gas demand in the industrial sector. Industrial parks in Golden Bridge and Awka are also expected to deepen domestic gas usage. The Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline, with an estimated demand of 2,000 mmscf/d, stands out as the largest Category B project, positioning Nigeria for expanded regional gas exports. Combined, Category A and B projects target nearly 14,000 mmscf/d of gas demand across LNG, power, industrial parks, CNG and pipelines, aligning supply planning with industrialisation, electricity growth and export expansion. Nigeria holds about 210 trillion cubic feet of proven gas reserves—the largest in Africa and among the top ten globally—yet current production stands at roughly 7.5 Bcf/d, with only about 60 per cent commercialised. Key supply hubs such as Gbaran, Utorogu, Assa North, Escravos and Anyala have been mapped to demand centres, supported by pipelines including AKK, ELPS-Lekki and GTS-4. Planned investments in infill drilling, facility upgrades and midstream infrastructure are expected to unlock additional capacity. With more than 60 major projects planned or underway, Nigeria is positioning itself to unlock its gas potential, expand manufacturing, improve electricity access and strengthen its role in the global gas market. However, economist and Dairy Hills Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, Kelvin Emmanuel, has cautioned that government control of gas pricing and output could undermine these ambitions by discouraging private investment. Speaking in an interview on Sunday, he argued that regulated gas prices have distorted the domestic market and reduced incentives to invest in pipelines, processing facilities and offshore evacuation infrastructure. According to Emmanuel, about 45 per cent of gas supplied to the domestic market is sold at regulated prices rather than under a willing-buyer, willing-seller framework, effectively creating a subsidy regime that limits commercial returns. He noted that Nigeria’s gas reserves are heavily weighted toward non-associated gas, which requires significant investment to develop. He explained that much of the associated gas produced is either trapped, reinjected or flared, while developing deep offshore gas requires costly pipeline infrastructure and central processing

Nigeria recorded no wins at the 2026 Grammy Awards despite multiple nominations in major music categories, while an ongoing strike by health workers has caused major disruptions across public hospitals nationwide. In governance and sports, the Presidency spent N34bn on foreign exchange for official travels over the last two years, Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen reached the 200-goal milestone in his career, and Nigerian women footballers impressed in leagues abroad. Meanwhile, South Africa is set to replace Morocco as host of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, and Defence Minister, General Christopher Musa, revealed he was among those targeted in a recently foiled coup plot. Here are the top stories this morning: 1. Grammys 2026: Nigeria leaves without an award, Tyla wins againNigerian artistes including Burna Boy, Davido, Omah Lay, Ayra Starr and Wizkid failed to secure competitive awards at the 2026 Grammy Awards despite strong nominations. South African singer Tyla won Best African Music Performance for Push 2 Start, marking her second win in the category. Late Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo-Kuti was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award. 2. Health workers’ strike cripples public hospitalsThe ongoing industrial action by health workers in federal institutions has severely affected service delivery, forcing many public hospitals to operate at limited capacity. Patients have struggled to access care, with laboratory, pharmacy and diagnostic services disrupted in several teaching hospitals. 3. Presidency spends N34bn on forex for official travelsOver the past two years, the Presidency expended N34bn on foreign exchange for official international travels. The spending reflects the rising cost of overseas engagements by the President and other government officials. 4. Osimhen reaches 200 career goals as Nigerian women excel abroadVictor Osimhen hit the 200-goal mark in his professional career, underlining his status as one of Nigeria’s most prolific forwards. At the same time, Nigerian women footballers continued to shine in various international leagues and competitions. 5. South Africa to host 2026 WAFCONSouth Africa is expected to take over as host of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations following Morocco’s withdrawal, ensuring continued preparations for the continental tournament. 6. Failed coup plot: Defence minister says he was a targetDefence Minister, General Christopher Musa, disclosed that he was marked for arrest or assassination in a recently uncovered coup plot. He said the plotters intended to detain him and would have killed him if he resisted, but he reaffirmed confidence in Nigeria’s democratic stability.

Terrorists have once again attacked Niger State, killing one person, abducting five others, and setting fire to a church building and a police station in Agwarra Local Government Area. During the attack, the assailants reportedly razed the United Missionary Church of Africa in Agwarra and also torched the local police station. The church was said to have been set ablaze around 6 a.m., after which the attackers moved to Sokonba village, which borders Kabe, a community that was recently targeted. The attackers allegedly looted food items and other valuables before killing an elderly woman in Kabe town and abducting five individuals. Speaking on Sunday, the son of the late Emir, Murtala Dantoro, said the repeated attacks had transformed previously peaceful communities into areas marked by fear and uncertainty. According to him, innocent lives are being lost, farmers are abandoning their farmlands, economic activities have stalled, and families are fleeing their homes in search of safety. He described the attacks as persistent and escalating, blaming the situation on the absence of a permanent and well-equipped military presence in Agwarra. He appealed to both the state and federal governments to intervene urgently, warning that the continued security vacuum had emboldened criminals to operate with little resistance, worsening the humanitarian and economic crisis in the area. He added that Agwarra, a strategic part of Niger State, had suffered multiple attacks in recent times, noting that continued neglect posed serious risks to residents and neighbouring communities. Also reacting, the Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese and Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria in Niger State, Most Rev. Bulus Yohanna, urged the Federal Government, the Nigerian Army, and other security agencies to establish a permanent military formation in Agwarra. He said a stationed military presence was essential to deter criminal activity, restore confidence among residents, enable displaced persons to return home, and allow farmers to safely resume farming. He stressed that peace and security were fundamental to development, warning that without decisive action, meaningful progress would remain impossible. The bishop expressed concern over the deteriorating security situation, noting that armed groups now move freely without challenge, while the rule of law has weakened across Borgu and surrounding areas. He warned that continued attacks risk turning the once-peaceful Borgu Emirate into a haven for terrorists. Meanwhile, the spokesperson for the Niger State Police Command, Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the attack, stating that police operatives engaged the attackers, who reportedly used suspected dynamite to set the police station on fire. According to him, the incident occurred in the early hours of February 1, 2026, when armed men invaded Agwarra and attacked the police station. He said the attackers overpowered officers on duty, burned part of the station, later moved to the church, and abducted about five persons whose identities are yet to be confirmed. He added that security monitoring in the area is ongoing. The attack comes just over two months after terrorists abducted 315 pupils from a school in Papiri, Niger State.

The Kwara State Government has announced the reopening of schools across the state from Monday, citing significant improvements in the security situation following sustained operations by security forces against bandits and other criminal elements. The decision was disclosed in a statement issued on Sunday by the Press Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development, Peter Amogbonjaye, quoting the Commissioner for Education, Lawal Olohungbebe. School authorities across the state have since been formally notified. According to the statement, the government believes the situation has improved considerably, though vigilance remains necessary. It noted that security operations are ongoing to consolidate recent gains, while efforts are also being made to strengthen community resilience alongside kinetic operations by security agencies. The reopening comes months after the state government ordered the closure of schools in November 2025 due to rising security concerns, particularly in border communities and forested areas affected by banditry and kidnapping. At the time, the government said the closures were a precautionary measure aimed at protecting students, teachers and school workers amid fears of possible attacks on educational institutions. The security situation had deteriorated late last year, prompting increased troop deployment and joint security operations in affected local government areas. Only weeks ago, the Kwara State College of Education, Oro, was also shut down following security threats in the area, forcing students to vacate the campus and disrupting academic activities. The development heightened concerns among parents, education stakeholders and residents about the safety of schools in the state. However, the state government said recent sustained military and security operations have led to the neutralisation of several criminal elements and the restoration of relative calm in previously affected areas. Security agencies are maintaining a strong presence in vulnerable communities, while intelligence gathering and community engagement have been intensified to prevent a resurgence of attacks. The government urged parents, teachers and school administrators to cooperate with security agencies and remain alert, assuring residents that measures have been put in place to guarantee the safety of learners and education workers across the state.

Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele, has called on Nigerians to ensure they file their annual tax returns on or before March 31, stressing that compliance is mandatory for both employers and individual taxpayers. Oyedele made the appeal during a webinar organised for HR managers, payroll officers, CFOs and tax managers in partnership with the Joint Revenue Board. Speaking in the session, he noted that while some employers have already submitted annual returns for their employees, others still have only a short window to do so, including filing projections of staff remuneration. He expressed concern over the low level of compliance with self-assessment filing among individuals, describing it as a major weakness in Nigeria’s tax system. According to him, in many states, even the most advanced, fewer than five per cent of taxpayers file their returns. Oyedele clarified that employees are still required to file tax returns even when their employers deduct taxes at source, stressing that this obligation exists under both the old and new tax laws. He assured taxpayers that efforts are ongoing to simplify the filing process, adding that everyone regardless of income level is required to submit returns for the previous fiscal year by March 31. Oyedele also disclosed that under the new tax regime, businesses benefiting from tax incentives must now declare such incentives in their filings, in line with new disclosure requirements aimed at improving transparency and compliance.

Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele, has said the widely discussed “power of substitution” in Nigeria’s tax framework is neither new nor unusual, noting that it has long existed in the law. Oyedele made the clarification during a webinar on the implementation of the Tax Reform Acts for HR professionals, payroll managers, CFOs and tax managers, organised in collaboration with the Joint Revenue Board. Speaking during the session, he explained that the power of substitution enables tax authorities to act when taxpayers fail to file returns or when declared income does not align with available information such as bank transactions, property purchases or foreign travel records. According to him, misconceptions around the provision stem from a lack of awareness. He said the power has been part of tax legislation for decades and is a standard practice globally, though it may be referred to by different names such as garnishment orders or third-party agency in other jurisdictions. Oyedele outlined the procedure, noting that tax administration begins with self-assessment. If a taxpayer fails to file returns or provides information that conflicts with verified data, the tax authority is required to notify the individual and request an explanation. Where no response is provided or the explanation is unsatisfactory, the authority may issue an assessment based on available information, which the taxpayer has the right to challenge. He explained that taxpayers can object to an assessment within a specified period, and the tax authority is obliged to review the objection and amend the assessment where necessary. If disagreement persists, the matter can be taken to the tax tribunal, and subsequently to higher courts, including the High Court, Court of Appeal and, in some cases, the Supreme Court, before any tax liability becomes final and enforceable. Oyedele stressed that only after all appeal processes are exhausted and a taxpayer still fails to pay within the stipulated time can the tax authority direct third parties, including banks holding the taxpayer’s funds, to remit the owed amount to the government. He dismissed claims that tax authorities can arbitrarily debit bank accounts, insisting the process cannot occur without the taxpayer’s knowledge, as multiple notices and opportunities to respond are provided. He added that the new tax legislation strengthens safeguards against abuse by expanding access to dispute-resolution mechanisms such as tax tribunals. On compliance, Oyedele urged employers to file annual tax returns for their employees and encouraged individuals to submit their self-assessments, noting that compliance levels remain extremely low across many states. He emphasised that employees are still required to file returns even if taxes have already been deducted by their employers. He also said businesses benefiting from tax incentives must now disclose such incentives in their tax filings. Oyedele concluded that successful implementation of the reforms would benefit individuals, businesses and investors alike, adding that households would gain from lower income taxes and the removal of VAT on basic consumption items.

The King Kosoko Royal Family has rejected as false and misleading a petition challenging the appointment of veteran actor Babajide “Jide” Kosoko as the Oloja of Lagos-elect, insisting the process followed tradition, family consensus and due procedure. In a statement, the family said the petition submitted to the Lagos State Government by a faction of the Akinsanya Olojo-Kosoko ruling house does not represent the position of the King Kosoko Royal Family and should be ignored. According to the family, there is no dispute over the Oloja stool. They explained that Jide Kosoko’s appointment was a lawful step taken to resolve a long-standing irregularity after Prince Abiola Olojo Kosoko, named Oloja-elect in 2020, was not installed as of 2026. The statement said the decision to withdraw Abiola and appoint Jide Kosoko was reached collectively by the heads of the family branches after careful deliberation on the matter and its impact on the family’s unity and legacy. It also described the petition as “hypocritical and misleading,” noting that its alleged authors, Prince Surajudeen Abiodun Olojo-Kosoko and Prince Theophilus Olojo-Kosoko, were present at the meeting where the decision was unanimously taken. The family disclosed that the meeting was held on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at the residence of the Olori Ebi General, Mutiat Ashabi Ali-Balogun, and was attended by key family stakeholders, including Prince Olojo Kosoko. Jide Kosoko was subsequently presented to the wider family at a general meeting at Iga Kosoko on Tuesday, January 27, 2026. Responding to claims of external influence, the family dismissed suggestions that the Oba of Lagos played any role in the appointment, stressing that Oba Rilwanu Akiolu neither selected nor imposed the Oloja-elect on the family. The King Kosoko Royal Family called on Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the public to disregard the petition, describing it as driven by personal grievances rather than tradition or law. While acknowledging the right of aggrieved parties to seek legal redress, the family maintained that its decisions remain final and binding.