According to the Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Act, 2025, the Federal Government has appointed Dr. John Nwabueze as its tax ombudsman.
Bayo Onanuga, the president’s spokesman, made the disclosure in a statement on Tuesday, claiming that the appointment is in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to implement comprehensive and sustainable reforms in the tax and revenue administration framework.
The new position brings extensive professional and public service experience, including Dr. John Nwabueze from Delta State’s Oshimili South Local Government Area.
Prior to his appointment, he held positions as the managing partner of a reputable tax advisory firm, technical advisor to the Federal Capital Territory’s Joint Senate Committees, technical advisor to the Chief Economic Advisor to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, and other significant positions in both the public and private sectors.
Read more about Tinubu’s new $1.15 trillion domestic loan to finance the deficit for 2025.
Nwabueze holds two Bachelor of Science degrees in mathematics and accounting from the University of Jos, Nigeria, as well as a Doctor of Business Administration (Finance) degree from Walden University, Minneapolis, USA, and a Master of Science in Accounting from Strayer University, Washington, D.C.
The statement read, “President Tinubu congratulates Nwabueze on this appointment and expresses confidence in his ability to carry out his duties with the highest degree of professionalism,” the statement read.
The Tax Ombudsman was established to improve transparency and accountability within the tax system, foster trust in the administration of taxes, and establish a system for fair and impartial resolution of disputes between revenue authorities and taxpayers.
In accordance with current laws and regulations, the Office is tasked with receiving, reviewing, and resolving complaints involving taxes, levies, regulatory fees, customs duties, excise matters, and other related issues.
The House of Assembly received the 2026 Appropriation Bill worth $897.9 billion on Tuesday from Katsina governor Dikko Radda, who described it as “the most participatory and people-focused budget in the state’s history.”
The Governor explained to lawmakers at the assembly complex that the administration’s “Building Your Future III” budget was intended to strengthen its commitment to community-based development, education, healthcare, agriculture, and security.
Every project, program, and initiative encapsulated in this budget is intended to significantly improve the lives of our citizens. The governor declared that “we are steadfast in making sure that the advantages of governance reach every corner of our state, whether it is rural or urban.”
He claimed that a thorough ward-level consultation that involved 71, 384 people from 316 wards was the start of the 2026 budget. He claimed that the process made sure that community voices were taken into account when formulating budgets.
The participatory budgeting process involved 6, 649 households, and our administration personally managed it for 361 communities. The first time in Katsina’s history that citizens’ priorities are the foundation of a state budget, said Randa to the audience.
The 2026 budget saw education receive the largest sectoral allocation of ₦156.3 billion, followed by Works and Housing (₦117.1bn), Agriculture and Livestock (₦78.6bn), Health (₦67.5bn), Water Resources (₦62.8bn), and Environment (₦53.8bn).
The governor’s claim that nearly 60% of the total budget is made up of these top six ministries, which shows how the administration prioritizes human capital and infrastructure renewal.
Governor Radda reiterated Katsina’s intention to launch a secondary school management board in order to improve student outcomes and keep its reputation as one of Nigeria’s most progressive states in terms of education.
Because the future of Katsina depends on a educated generation, he said, “We are investing in teachers, schools, and facilities.”
READ ALSO: Radda Approves ₦677.6m For 2024/2025 Bursary, Scholarships
Governor Radda pointed out that the 2026 budget allocates 730.1 billion (81.2%) to capital expenditure and 167.7 billion (18.68%) to recurrent costs, a strategic change from previous years’ efforts to accelerate physical development. The budget’s overall size is up 29.7% from the budget for 2025.
This fiscal proposal is both prudent and disciplined. Our goal is to prevent implementation gaps and maintain fiscal balance while promoting sustainable growth, he said.
The governor cited farmer-focused policies, including subsidized seeds, fertilizer, mechanization, and irrigation support, as the reason Katsina had a “bumper harvest season” in his 2025 speech on the government’s performance.
He also reaffirmed the security commitment of his government, noting the success of the Community Watch Corps, the recruitment of 100 volunteers, and the continued cooperation with federal security agencies.
Many local governments have been restored to peace thanks to our community-driven approach to security. He continued, “We are still committed to protecting lives and livelihoods.”
The governor claimed that all the crucial sectors have performed better with the 2025 budget than the previous year’s budget.
Governor Radda thanked Katsina’s development partners for their technical and financial support, including the World Bank, UNICEF, UNDP, FCDO, ISDB, AFDB, and a number of NGOs.
He also praised lawmakers and civil servants for their “unwavering partnership in shaping a brighter Katsina.”
The oversight of the legislature continues to be a pillar of our democracy. We are creating a state that listens, acts, and delivers, he said.
Governor Radda pledged accountability and transparency in the implementation of the budget and urged the Assembly to pass it quickly.
By submitting a budget that reflects the aspirations of our citizens, we have fulfilled our constitutional obligation. He continued, “I have faith that this Honourable House will act quickly so that we can continue providing effective services to our citizens.”
The governor was commended for what he called a “detailed and visionary presentation” of the 2026 budget by the Speaker of the Katsina State House of Assembly, Nasir Daura, in a response.
Your Excellency has ensured that our citizens’ benefit continues to grow while making sure that public resources are properly utilized. According to the Speaker, many once-familiarized communities have since resurrected confidence and stability.
Speaker Yahaya praised the governor’s empowerment initiatives for young people, women, and vulnerable groups, noting how they reduced poverty and promoted governance confidence.
He assured that the House would give each allocation “serious and patriotic attention,” and that committees would “adjust” it to keep it realistic, person-oriented, and in line with the “Building Your Future” blueprint.
The Speaker pledged that “This Honourable House reaffirms its loyalty to the people and is ready to work with the Executive to ensure the budget’s timely passage and effective implementation.”
The Warri-Itakpe railway in Agbor, Delta state over the weekend caused a train derailment, which resulted in two arrests.
The suspects are Blorie Kokori and Mudansuru Mutari, according to a statement from the Nigerian Railway Corporation on Tuesday.
The suspects are currently being interrogated by the police in Delta state, according to NRC Managing Director Kayode Opeifa, and will likely be transferred to Abuja for more information about the train’s sabotage.
According to him, operatives from the NRC Police Command worked with local security agents to apprehend the suspects on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, at Kilometer 208 before Abraka, Delta State.
Their direct involvement in tampering with crucial rail track components was revealed through preliminary investigations and their confessional statements.
READ MORE: The NRC Suspends Services Four Days After Resumption of Warri-Itakpe Train After It Derails
At Kilometer 212+8 meters, close to Agbor, two of the seven Warri–Itakpe Train Service (WITS) coaches were pulled out by the derailment.
According to Opeifa, preliminary investigations suggested that suspected track vandalism may have contributed to the incident, which occurred on Saturday at around 7.30pm.
Additionally, the NRC boss added that a thorough security and safety audit of the track and related infrastructure was conducted on Sunday as a precautionary measure.
The NRC boss praised the Railway Police Command and community security networks for their swift and coordinated response, citing the Corporation’s zero-tolerance vandalism policy, and describing the incident as economic.
On Sunday, November 2, 2025, Opeifa confirmed that the restoration and complete re-railment of the Warri–Itakpe track had been completed.
He also provided assurance that regular train service on the corridor will resume on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, following the inspection and operational audit.
The NRC boss assured passengers and other stakeholders that the company would continue to uphold the highest standards of safety and reliability while also increasing surveillance, deploying advanced security systems, and boosting community involvement along all railroad corridors.
On Tuesday, the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) announced its intention to increase intra-African trade, improve data accuracy, and address structural obstacles to regional integration by strengthening cooperation with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat.
Adewale Adeniyi, the head of the NCS, made the disclosure during a courtesy visit to the AfCFTA Secretariat in Accra, Ghana, where he met with senior officials to discuss ways to improve Customs efficiency and advance the AfCFTA Agreement’s objectives.
He praised the Secretariat for continuing to engage key stakeholders, including development partners, private sector players, and Customs administrations, to promote Africa’s growth.
The upcoming Customs-Partnership for African Cooperation in Trade (C-PACT) Conference, scheduled for November 17 to 19, 2025, was reportedly the result of an existing partnership between both institutions, according to Adeniyi.
For Smarter Trade, the Netherlands Expands Cooperation With Customs.
The AfCFTA Secretariat has played a key role in coordinating trade between Africa’s countries. We held a number of meetings in addition to reviewing the Secretariat’s concept note. He claimed that the Abuja conference has now a clear course of action.
One of the main outcomes of the collaboration, in his opinion, was the consensus that customs administrations should take the lead in resolving the persistent gaps in trade data across the continent.
CGC Adeniyi Reaffirms its commitment to supporting AfCFTA to promote stronger intra-African trade.
…rejects the Customs PACT Initiative Endorsement by AfCFTA
Adewale Adeniyi, the country’s Comptroller-General of Customs, has reiterated the country’s commitment to… twitter.com/tgPU718iJ6
Adeniyi emphasized the need to strengthen the framework, which brings together all en-trained Customs officials under one roof, created by the AfCFTA Secretariat.
He claimed that the framework would ensure consistency and coordination in customs policies and trade facilitation once it had been institutionalized through the Customs Pact.
“Customs must take the lead in fixing trade data gaps. Working closely with my counterparts across Africa, I’ve accepted this challenge as a challenge to champion,” the Comptroller-General said.
“It is necessary to strengthen the structure that all Customs heads are bound by AfCFTA. The Secretariat’s system will effectively support sustainable trade cooperation once the Customs Pact is institutionalized.
He added that the main obstacles to Africa’s trade expansion are weak data integration, fragmented policies, and poor inter-agency collaboration.
He expressed confidence that the C-PACT Conference would establish a new standard for global customs collaboration and data-driven decision-making.
Adeniyi and his delegation were welcomed by the AfCFTA’s Secretary-General Wamkele Mene, who thanked the Nigeria Customs Service for its leadership in promoting regional cooperation.
Femi Gbajabiamila, President Bola Tinubu’s chief of staff, has reiterated the president’s commitment to reforms in the healthcare system, including the national healthcare delivery system’s revitalization.
He made this statement on Tuesday when he met with Haruna Mamman, the president of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, in his office at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
The Commonwealth Nurses and Midwives Federation Conference (West Africa Region), which is scheduled for April 20 through April 24th, 2026, will be hosted by the association after it has secured the organization’s hosting rights. The conference will be held in Nigeria, the first African country.
Gbajabiamila reaffirmed the Tinubu administration’s unwavering support for healthcare reforms, noting that the government still prioritizes health.
He cited a number of recent accomplishments, including the revitalization of primary healthcare facilities, the expansion of Nigeria’s 20 million to 60 million coverage, and increased investment in building up new health infrastructure and human resources.
READ MORE: FG Appeals To Resident Doctors to End Strike, Says 60% of Arrears Cleared.
The association received a first hosting right in West Africa thanks to a clear implementation plan, which the president’s chief of staff stressed.
“Thank you for coming in and explaining your plans to us.” Congratulations, he said, “I’m delighted that you’re organizing this first of its kind Commonwealth event in April of this year.”
“We wish you the very best, and government undoubtedly will assume any and all of your roles as appropriate.”
I believe it is crucial if this office has a clear idea of where you are, the course of action for April, what you’ve accomplished, and how you intend to carry it out.
For seamless coordination, he further demanded synergy between the association, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health, and the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
Haruna Mamman, the national leader of NANNM, pleaded for the government’s assistance in facilitating the success of the Commonwealth Nurses and Midwives Federation Conference.
He claimed that Nigeria’s participation in the West African regional CNMF conference would benefit and demonstrate its leadership in the healthcare sector.
The Commonwealth Secretary-General, Hon. Mamman, will also be present at the event, which will feature nurses and midwives from 56 Commonwealth nations. . . . Shirley Botchwey
According to him, the conference supports the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu and encourages international cooperation and professional excellence in the health sector.
He requested that the Federal Government grant him financial assistance, visa facilitation, and CNMF executive sponsorship.
Mamman also requested that the CNMF leadership make a courtesy visit to Tinubu in order to officially kick off the conference in April 2026.
We have no doubts about Mr. President’s political will, which will help make Nigeria a popular destination for other people. We think that this conference will give Nigeria a sense of pride, according to Mahman.
Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has signed into law a bill prescribing a 10-year jail term for anyone who violently or forcefully gains entry into state-owned property.
The governor also assented to another provision stipulating a five-year imprisonment for individuals involved in the unauthorized sale or transfer of government property without the governor’s consent.
This was contained in a statement issued by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, and made available to journalists on Tuesday in Benin.
Itua said the new legislation underscores the administration’s zero tolerance for corruption, impunity, and the misuse of public assets.
“The Edo State Public Property Protection Law, 2025, establishes the Edo State Public Property Protection Committee, a statutory body mandated to oversee, safeguard, and recover all public properties belonging to the state”, the statement read.
READ ALSO: Indigenous Contractors Protest Non-Payment Of Debts At National Assembly
“The law empowers the committee to prevent unauthorized occupation, vandalism, encroachment, alienation, or destruction of public assets”.
The committee, he added, is empowered to identify, inspect, seal, and recover encroached public properties, investigate disputes, and collaborate with law enforcement agencies to ensure strict compliance.
It may also initiate legal actions through the Ministry of Justice against any individual or organization found in violation of the law.
Okpebholo reaffirmed that public assets belong to the people of Edo State, not private individuals.
“This law ensures that no one, no matter how highly placed, can appropriate public property for personal gain”, he said.
Under the new law, unauthorized sale or transfer of government property without the governor’s consent attracts a five-year prison term, while violent or forceful entry into state-owned property could result in up to 10 years ‘ imprisonment, depending on the gravity of the offence
It stipulated that professionals who aid or abet illegal land transactions involving state property will also face sanctions, including prosecution and possible referral to their professional regulatory bodies for disciplinary action.
