Business

Over 60% firms, individuals not paying tax, says LCCI president, warns against overtaxing

Published

2 years ago

May 18, 2024

President and Chairman of Council, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry LCCI, Gabriel Idahosa

Over 60% firms, individuals not paying tax, says LCCI president, warns against overtaxing

President and Chairman of Council, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry LCCI, Gabriel Idahosa, has cautioned against the multiplicity of taxes by the Federal Government, saying the development was not good for the economy. Speaking on an Arise television show monitored in Abuja, Idahosa said it was not possible to begin to raise money for every little thing in government.

He said the federal government should instead increase the capacity of the Federal Inland Revenue Service FIRS to collect taxes, noting that not up to 40 percent of taxable persons and organizations were taxed. According to him, the countries that are most efficient in tax collection are the countries that have the minimum number of taxes.

His words: “It is not really possible to begin to raise money for every little thing in government. To levy for cyber security, industrial training, insurance, levy for police trust fund and others, the whole approach in recent times of trying to put levy on everything is simply not the way to manage public finance in any country.

“The business of raising revenue for government is assigned to a specific organization in government which is the Federal Inland Revenue Service FIRS in the case of Nigeria. It is the business of the FIRS to get revenue for all the services of the Federal Government of Nigeria. The countries that are most efficient in tax collection are the countries that have the minimum number of taxes.

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It has been established during the time of the Taiwo Oyedele Tax Reform Commission that some of the levies and taxes that you create does not translate into significant increase in revenue and in any country, the agencies in charge of activities like these, whether it is high level intelligence or security, are funded from the budget of the country and the way they are funded usually is not a matter for public conversation. Nobody exposes the way the intelligence agencies of countries are funded.

“The technical issue of whether the Act was correct or not is minor. The big issue is should government of Nigeria encourage all agencies to be coming with all manner of levies for every single thing. You want something on health and you have a levy, in security you have a levy etc. That should be the more important conversation, that there should be a concerted effort to increase the capacity of the FIRS to do the job of revenue collection.

As we speak, not up to 40 percent of taxable persons are taxed. The first thing to do is to bring all taxable people into the net and then tax them accordingly. You don’t even need to raise the tax. More than 60 percent of taxable organizations and individuals are not paying tax. That should be the focus. The first level of taxation is identity. Identify economic actors at all levels right to the remotest villages.

The capacity of the FIRS to reach tax payers across the country was not built over time but with the dwindling of oil revenue, that capacity has been increased. You are beginning to see FIRS offices in several parts of the urban areas and state capitals but more than 60 percent of Nigerian businesses are not in the urban areas or state capitals. Any country that wants to collect tax, has to go very granular. Businesses that exist in every village must be taxed and that is where the FIRS is moving slowly but steadily”, he stated.

Over 60% firms, individuals not paying tax, says LCCI president, warns against overtaxing

Auto

Kaduna to Lead Govt Patronage of Local Vehicles as Sani Unveils Peugeot 5008

Published

3 hours ago

September 7, 2026

Trends Admin

Kaduna to Lead Govt Patronage of Local Vehicles as Sani Unveils Peugeot 5008

Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, has pledged to lead a fresh push for government patronage of vehicles assembled by Dangote Peugeot Automobile Nigeria (D-PAN), promising to make a strong case for the company at the National Economic Council (NEC).

Sani, who made the commitment while unveiling the new Peugeot 5008 2026 model at the D-PAN plant in Kaduna on Friday, said increased patronage by Federal and state government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) was critical to sustaining local vehicle assembly, protecting jobs and strengthening Nigeria’s automotive value chain.

The governor’s intervention comes amid renewed efforts to revive Nigeria’s automotive manufacturing industry by increasing local vehicle production and reducing dependence on imported completely built units.

Industry stakeholders have consistently identified government fleet procurement as a major instrument for creating sustained demand for locally assembled vehicles and encouraging investment in assembly plants.

With government agencies operating large vehicle fleets nationwide, stronger preference for locally assembled automobiles could provide the market certainty required by assemblers to expand production, develop local suppliers and deepen technology and skills transfer. It could also support the broader objective of increasing local content in Nigeria’s automotive industry.

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Against this background, Sani said government patronage remained crucial to ensuring the sustainability of local assembly operations and encouraging further investment in the sector.

“I will make a strong presentation at the National Economic Council, urging both the Federal and state governments to patronise the products of this company because that is the only way they can survive,” Sani said.

He also announced that the Kaduna State Government would procure some vehicles from D-PAN, saying the state would lead by example and encourage other governments to patronise locally assembled automobiles.

“As a government, Kaduna State will order some of the vehicles, so that we can show the example for others to follow by patronising this very important company,” the governor added.

Sani pledged continued support and collaboration between the Kaduna State Government and D-PAN, stressing the importance of strengthening local manufacturing as part of efforts to grow Nigeria’s industrial base.

He said D-PAN had made significant contributions to Kaduna’s economy through job creation, skills development and business opportunities for communities within and around its operating environment.

The governor also urged the company to consider employing graduates of the Kaduna State Institute of Vocational and Skills Development, who, according to him, recently completed intensive training in partnership with the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE).

Sani commended D-PAN for its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives in communities around its plant, while urging the company to further expand its support for the host communities.

He said the peaceful relationship between D-PAN and its host community was important to the sustainability of the company’s operations, stressing that continued investment in the welfare and development of surrounding communities would help preserve the harmony.

Kaduna to Lead Govt Patronage of Local Vehicles as Sani Unveils Peugeot 5008

Auto

NAJA 19th Auto Awards: Industry’s best to battle for honours December 3

Published

2 days ago

September 5, 2026

Trends Admin

NAJA 19th Auto Awards: Industry’s best to battle for honours December 3

The battle for recognition among Nigeria’s automobile brands, executives and industry players will reach its climax on December 3, 2026, as the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA) stages the grand finale of its 19th annual automotive awards.

The prestigious ceremony, scheduled for the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, is expected to bring together leading automobile manufacturers, distributors, dealers, financial institutions, policymakers, motoring enthusiasts and other major stakeholders in the automotive industry.

The organisers said the 19th edition is being designed to surpass previous editions in scale, organisation and glamour, without compromising the credibility and professional standards for which the awards have become known.

Chairman of the 2026 NAJA Awards Planning Committee, Frank Kintum, said the committee was determined to deliver a ceremony that would reflect the growing importance of the automotive industry to Nigeria’s economy.

According to him, the awards have evolved beyond a mere celebration of popular brands to become a platform for identifying and rewarding individuals, companies and products that have made measurable contributions to the development of the sector.

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Kintum said the 19th edition would be “bigger and more glamorous” than previous editions, adding that the committee was working to ensure that every aspect of the ceremony reflects the quality, innovation and achievements of the industry.

He said products, brands and personalities would be assessed across relevant segments of the automotive sector, with winners emerging through the approved NAJA awards modalities.

Also speaking on the awards, NAJA Chairman, Theodore Opara, said the association was focused on rewarding genuine excellence rather than simply celebrating the biggest players in the market.

Opara said the objective was to recognise individuals and organisations that had demonstrated measurable excellence and made meaningful contributions to the growth and transformation of Nigeria’s automotive industry.

He noted that the awards had continued to gain relevance among industry stakeholders because of the credibility attached to the judging and evaluation process.

The 2026 edition comes at a critical period for Nigeria’s automotive industry, which is undergoing significant transformation driven by emerging technologies, electric mobility, local vehicle production, changing consumer preferences and evolving government policies.

Against this backdrop, NAJA said the awards would provide an opportunity to celebrate companies and individuals at the forefront of these changes and those contributing to the future direction of the industry.

The association urged automobile manufacturers, distributors, dealers and other stakeholders to participate actively in the awards process as preparations gather momentum for the December 3 grand finale.

NAJA 19th Auto Awards: Industry’s best to battle for honours December 3

Auto

Jetour Takes Rely R8 Premium Pickup to Abuja in Major FCT Debut

Published

2 days ago

September 5, 2026

Trends Admin

Jetour Takes Rely R8 Premium Pickup to Abuja in Major FCT Debut

Jetour Nigeria is taking the battle for Nigeria’s premium pickup market to Abuja with the debut of the all-new RELY R8, a heavy-duty pickup that combines rugged off-road capability with the comfort, technology and refinement of an executive SUV.

The premium pickup will headline the Jetour Experience in the Federal Capital Territory from September 22 to 24, 2026, following the strong reception recorded during the showcase in Lagos.

The Abuja edition is expected to attract government officials, corporate executives, fleet operators, business owners, automobile enthusiasts and members of the media, with prospective customers given an opportunity to experience the R8 first-hand.

The RELY R8 is positioned as a versatile workhorse designed to serve demanding sectors including agriculture, construction, logistics and security, while offering the level of comfort and sophistication increasingly demanded by premium pickup buyers.

Unlike conventional work-oriented pickups, the R8 seeks to bridge the gap between utility and executive motoring, combining heavy-duty capability with a refined cabin and advanced technology.

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Its off-road credentials are underpinned by high ground clearance, a reinforced chassis and an All-Terrain Management System featuring dedicated driving modes for mud, sand and asphalt.

The configuration is designed to give the pickup the versatility to move from challenging work environments to recreational adventures without compromising its rugged character.

Inside, Jetour has given the R8 a spacious five-seat cabin with SUV-inspired ergonomics, targeting drivers and passengers who spend long hours on the road.

The smart cockpit is powered by a high-performance processor and supports Level 2+ intelligent driving assistance. It also comes with a 12.3-inch HD touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and remote engine-start functionality.

For Jetour Nigeria, however, the R8’s appeal goes beyond performance and technology, with the company putting considerable emphasis on ownership support.

The automaker currently operates through seven accredited dealerships across the country, including Elizade Nigeria Limited, New Era AutoVehicle Services, Kojo Motors, Germaine Auto Centre, Tab Autos, R.T. Briscoe Motors and Mandilas Motors.

The network is expected to provide customers with access to authorised service facilities, genuine spare parts and manufacturer-backed warranty protection.

The company is also leveraging its growing presence in the Nigerian market, following industry recognition from the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association.

Jetour was recently named Fastest Growing Auto Brand of the Year by NAJA, while the Jetour Dashing won the Car of the Year award at the NAJA International Auto Awards.

The latest Abuja showcase is therefore expected to provide Jetour with another opportunity to strengthen its footprint in the premium and commercial vehicle segments, particularly among fleet operators and corporate users.

Jetour Nigeria is inviting prospective customers, automotive stakeholders and enthusiasts to register for test drives and obtain updates on the Abuja experience through its website, social media platforms or email.

With its combination of heavy-duty capability, off-road technology, premium cabin appointments and intelligent driving features, the RELY R8 is expected to be one of the major attractions of the Abuja automotive calendar this month.