Business
FIRS reforms pay off, collected N10.1tn tax revenue in 2022
The Federal Inland Revenue Service says it collected N10.1 trillion as tax revenues in 2022.
It disclosed this in its ‘FIRS 2022 Performance Update’ report signed by its Executive Chairman, Mr Muhammad Nami, which was released in Abuja on Monday.
It said, “The FIRS in the year 2022 collected a total of N10.1 trillion in both oil (N4.09 trillion) and non-oil (N5.96 trillion) revenues as against a target of N10.44 trillion.
“Companies Income Tax contributed N2.83 trillion; Value Added Tax N2.51 trillion; Electronic Money Transfer Levy N125.67 billion and Earmarked Taxes N353.69 billion.
“Non-oil taxes contributed 59% of the total collection in the year, while oil tax collection stood at 41% of total collection.”
The report indicated that it was the first time that the FIRS would cross the 10-trillion naira mark in tax revenue collection.
It added that the N10.1 trillion was inclusive of the N146.27 billion which is the total value of certificates issued by the FIRS to private investors and the NNPC for road infrastructure under the Road Infrastructure Development Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Scheme created by Executive Order No. 007 of 2019.
The total sum also included tax waivers on account of various tax incentives granted under the respective laws, which amounted to N1.81 trillion.
The FIRS said that the feat was made possible by the Nami-led management’s, administrative and operational restructuring; making the service customer-focused; creating a data-centric institution; and automation of administrative and operational processes.
He said, “The reforms introduced at different times from 2020 are gradually yielding fruits. By the close of 2022, the Service had fully restructured the administration of the service for maximum efficiency and achieved internal cohesion such that all functional units are working in unison towards the achievement of set goals.
“As a result of conducive environment created for staff, officers of the service are pulling their weight on the global stage with international recognitions and awards;
“The service had also automated most of the administrative and operational processes. A major leap was the full deployment of the TaxPro Max for end-to-end administration of taxes in June 2021. The module for the automated TCC went live 1st January 2023 while taxpayers had already downloaded over 1,000 TCCs this year without having to visit FIRS office.”
The organisation said that it had operationalised its data mining and analysis system thereby allowing for data-backed taxpayer profiling.
Commenting on the 2022 performance, Nami said that success was achieved through the “dogged implementation of strategic reforms over the past two years; a renewed commitment by officers of the Service, accompanied with a boosted morale; as well as the innovative deployment of technology for automation of both tax administration and operational processes.
“This collection was possible through collaboration with our stakeholders, from our colleagues at the executive branch of government, to the members of the judiciary, to our brothers and sisters at the National Assembly, as well as the tax advisory committee, professional bodies, unions, and most crucially our taxpayers.”
Speaking on the outlook for 2023, Nami stated that the FIRS would build on the current reforms, achieve full automation and continue to establish a resilient service that would continue to provide sustainable tax revenue to fund the government.
“We intend to maintain, and even improve on the momentum in 2023,” he stated.
He also said, “We have peaked, but this is not certainly our peak. In fact, my hope is that this would be the least sum the service would ever collect going forward.
“Our goal is to identify more areas where we can improve on in the delivery and efficiency of our collection; and plug loopholes, while deploying innovative reforms in data and artificial intelligence.
“Ultimately, we believe that the FIRS can shoulder the responsibility of providing revenue needed for the governments across the Federation to cater for the needs of the Nigerian people through taxes.
“This is feasible once we get the much-desired support from the three tiers and arms of government, as well as all stakeholders.”
Business
Naira opens 2025 on weak note against US dollar
Naira opens 2025 on weak note against US dollar
The Nigerian naira fell to N1,541.36/$ on the first trading day of 2025, marking a 0.36% decline from the closing rate of N1,535.82/$ recorded at the end of 2024, according to NFEM data on the Central Bank of Nigeria’s website.
Some authorised dealers quoted the dollar at N1,545/$, a slight improvement from the N1,550/$ quoted earlier in the week. Others quoted the naira at N1,520/$ at the close of trading on Thursday.
In the parallel market, the naira ended the day at N1,655/$, improving from N1,670/$ quoted on Tuesday.
The naira’s performance in 2024 saw a significant depreciation of 40.9% compared to its official rate of N907.11/$ at the close of 2023.
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The decline comes despite various foreign exchange policies introduced by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to improve market transparency and attract foreign investors.
One of the notable reforms was the December launch of the Electronic Foreign Exchange Matching System, which introduced new guidelines for authorised forex dealers. This initiative brought some stability to the naira towards the end of 2024.
Meanwhile, in the money market, the Nigerian Interbank Offered Rate saw declines across all maturities, indicating liquidity in the banking sector. The Open Repo Rate dropped by 0.61% to 26.69%, while the Overnight Lending Rate fell by 0.55% to 27.25%.
Trading in the secondary market for Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) bonds remained subdued, resulting in a marginal increase in the average yield to 19.76%. In the sovereign Eurobonds market, buying pressure across various segments of the yield curve led to a 6-basis-point decline in the average yield to 9.62%.
Naira opens 2025 on weak note against US dollar
Auto
Jetour attributes Nigeria’s award to customers loyalty, innovation
Jetour attributes Nigeria’s award to customers loyalty, innovation
Jetour has been declared the fastest growing auto brand in Nigeria.
The award was announced on Wednesday December 11, 2024 in Lagos at an impressive ceremony organised by the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA).
Jetour representative in Nigeria, Jetour Mobility Services, has taken to its Facebook page to celebrate its customers for making this to happen, attributing the success to its commitment to innovation in creating remarkable driving experiences.
Jetour known for its luxury offerings is one of China’s most revered auto brands, a marque of Chery Holding Group established in 2018.
It mainly produces crossovers and Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs).
The recognition of Jetour as the Fastest Growing Auto Brand in the country is coming about a year after its introduction into the Nigerian market.
Jetour arrived in Nigeria in the last quarter of last year. And the SUVs available for this market are X70 – Liberty, X70 Plus – Elegance, X90 Plus – Cruise and Dashing.
Chairman of the NAJA Awards Organising Committee, Mr Theodore Opara, said despite being new in the Nigerian market, the brand was quickly able to secure a prominent place for itself in the highly competitive industry and received considerable attention from new car enthusiasts.
The committee, he added, had no difficulty in picking the brand as the fastest growing in the Nigerian auto market.
The name “Jetour” is a combination of the word “jet” and “tour”, which according to the automaker signifies a “convenient journey”. And its models try to depict this connotation in designs and performance.
Jetour Mobility Services said it considered the award a great honour, adding that it was a validation of its commitment to innovation and creating remarkable driving experiences.
The firm celebrates the award on its Facebook page with the following comments:
“We’re honoured to be named the Fastest Growing Auto Brand of the Year at the prestigious NAJA Auto Awards, powered by the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association.
“This achievement is a testament to our commitment to innovation, quality, and creating unforgettable driving experiences.
“A huge thank you to our amazing customers and everyone who has been a part of the journey — your trust propels us forward! Cheers to more milestones ahead!”
Jetour says its focus is to be a leader in mobility as well as provide reasonable travel solutions for individuals and families.
Its goal is to provide an excellent vehicle that demonstrates individuality for today’s young people, it adds.
As in the global market, the brand users in Nigeria are said to be an uncompromising group of individuals, unwilling to settle for less.
Jetour is not only winning in Nigeria, it is also a toast of a section of the Saudi market. One of its models, Dashing, recently won the Best Midsize Crossover Award for 2023-2024.
National Automotive Supply Company, the authorised distributor of Jetour vehicles in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, announced that the new and advanced Jetour Dashing won the “Best Midsize Crossover” award during the awards ceremony of the 11th edition of the “PR Arabia National Automotive Award” in Saudi.
Jetour Dashing was announced as the winner at the ceremony held in mid-November in Jeddah under the patronage of the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation and in the presence of several princes and VIPs, as well as representatives of regional offices of automotive brands.
Business
NNPC rejected Dangote $750m offer to manage Nigeria’s refineries, days Obasanjo
NNPC rejected Dangote $750m offer to manage Nigeria’s refineries, days Obasanjo
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has disclosed that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) rejected a $750 million offer from billionaire businessman Aliko Dangote.
In an exclusive interview with Channels TV, former President Olusegun Obasanjo revealed that in 2007, Dangote offered a staggering $750 million to manage the Port Harcourt and Kaduna refineries.
Obasanjo explained that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), now rebranded as NNPCL, rejected the offer due to its inability to operate the refineries effectively.
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He said, “Aliko got a team together and they paid $750m to take part in PPP (Public–public-private partnership) in running the refineries.
“My successor refunded their money and I went to my successor and told him what transpired. He said NNPC said they wanted the refineries and they can run it. I now said but you know they cannot run it.
“But I was told not too long ago that since that time, more than $2 billion have been squandered on the refinery, and they still will not work,” he added
NNPC rejected Dangote $750m offer to manage Nigeria’s refineries, days Obasanjo
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