Business
FG okays finance bill, to cut import duty on buses, others
The Federal Government plans to reduce the import duties and levies being paid on buses, tractors and other vehicles used for mass transit as a way to cut the cost of transportation and reduce inflation rate in the country.
This is part of the package of the new finance bill approved by the Federal Executive Council on Wednesday.
Minister of Finance, Budget And National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, gave the indication while speaking with state house correspondents after the FEC meeting in Abuja, adding that bill would now be transmitted to the National Assembly for consideration and passage into law.
Ahmed said the bill was coming with some reforms that would improve the country’s tax laws and reduce some taxes especially for small businesses in addition to those already reduced in the 2019 finance bill.
She said, “These reforms will commence and will be closely followed by the cessation rules for small businesses as well as providing incentives for mass transit by reducing import duties and the levies for large tractors, buses and other vehicles. The reason for us is to reduce the cost of transportation, which is a major driver of inflation, especially food production.
“In the last finance bill, 2019, we reduced taxes from 30 per cent to 20 per cent for enterprises that have a turnover of between N25m and N100m.”
Ahmed also assured that there will be no increase in taxes, adding, “We also have proposed measures to create a legal instrument that supports a crisis intervention fund such as, the crisis intervention that we have had to put in place for COVID-19.
“So we hope that we don’t have other crises but we need to create such a fund so that it is available and it is legislated for. “We are also amending the Fiscal Responsibility Act to enhance fiscal efficiencies and also to control the cost revenue ratios of government-owned enterprises so that we will be able to realise more operating surpluses from these enterprises.”
The minister said, “In producing this bill, what we were doing was amending provisions in 13 different taxes which include the Capital Gains Tax Act, Companies Income Tax Act (CITA), Industrial Development (Income Tax Relief) Act (IIDITRA), Personal Income Tax Act (PITA), Tertiary Education Trust Fund Act, Customs & Excise Tariff (Consolidation) Act, Value Added Tax Act (VATA), Federal Inland Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, the Fiscal Responsibility Act and the Public Procurement Act.
“Some highlights of these provisions include amendments that we have had to make to provide incremental changes to tax laws. These amendments include providing fiscal relief for corporate taxpayers, for instance, by reducing the applicable minimum tax rate for two consecutive years; so from 0.5 per cent to 0.25 per cent.”
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Business
Dangote Refinery Announces New Petrol Price as Crude Oil Eases
Dangote Refinery Announces New Petrol Price as Crude Oil Eases
The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has announced a ₦75 reduction in the gantry price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, lowering the rate from ₦1,250 to ₦1,175 per litre in a move expected to influence Nigeria’s downstream fuel market.
In a notice issued to fuel marketers, the refinery said the adjustment takes effect from midnight on June 16, 2026, and applies to all outstanding but yet-to-be-loaded gantry volumes, which will be repriced at the new rate. The company also reduced its coastal petrol price per metric tonne from ₦1,595,790 to ₦1,495,215, reflecting a broader downward review across its pricing structure.
The refinery explained that the decision was influenced by the easing of geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, which had previously driven up global energy costs and caused volatility in the international oil market. It added that improved diplomatic engagements around key global shipping routes, including the Strait of Hormuz, have helped stabilize crude oil movement and pricing.
The international oil market had experienced significant pressure in recent months following tensions between major global powers, which pushed crude prices above $120 per barrel at the peak of the crisis. However, with renewed diplomatic discussions and easing tensions, crude prices have begun to stabilize, recently trading around the $80 per barrel range, offering some relief to refining and import costs globally.
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Since crude oil is the primary raw material for petrol production, changes in global prices directly affect refined product pricing across markets, including Nigeria.
The latest price adjustment positions the Dangote refinery as one of the most competitive suppliers in Nigeria’s deregulated downstream sector. Industry data from market tracking platforms indicate that petrol is currently being sold by some marketers at around ₦1,240 per litre, depending on logistics, location, and distribution costs.
The reduction is expected to gradually influence retail pump prices nationwide, although final consumer prices will still depend on transportation costs, dealer margins, and regional supply dynamics. Regulatory oversight is provided by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, which continues to monitor pricing trends and market stability in the downstream sector. Major industry players such as NNPC Limited are also expected to adjust their pricing strategies in response to shifts in the refinery’s ex-depot rates.
The latest petrol price reduction in Nigeria is expected to bring moderate relief to consumers already grappling with fluctuating fuel costs. However, analysts note that despite lower ex-depot prices, retail fuel prices may vary across states due to logistics costs and supply chain factors. If global crude oil prices remain stable or continue to decline, further downward adjustments in fuel prices may be possible in the coming weeks.
Dangote Refinery Announces New Petrol Price as Crude Oil Eases
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Business
SERAP Takes NNPCL to Court Over Alleged ₦5.9bn Rebranding Expenditure
SERAP Takes NNPCL to Court Over Alleged ₦5.9bn Rebranding Expenditure
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has dragged the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to court over an alleged ₦5.9 billion expenditure linked to the incorporation, transition and rebranding of the former Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) into NNPCL.
The lawsuit, filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja and marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1248/2026, seeks an order compelling NNPCL to provide a comprehensive account of how the funds were spent and whether all approvals and procurement procedures were properly followed.
According to SERAP, the disputed amount comprises about ₦2.9 billion reportedly spent on incorporation expenses from petroleum product proceeds and another ₦2.9 billion allegedly charged by the National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS) to crude oil revenues for the transition process.
The rights group is asking the court to direct NNPCL to release a detailed reconciliation statement showing all financial transactions related to the expenditure. SERAP is also seeking information on contractors involved in the rebranding exercise, the services they rendered, and the amounts paid to them.
In addition, SERAP wants NNPCL to disclose the identities and official positions of government officials who approved and authorized the expenditure. The organization argues that Nigerians have a constitutional right to know how public resources were utilized during the transformation of NNPC into NNPCL.
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The suit was filed by SERAP’s legal team, including Oluwakemi Agunbiade, Kehinde Oyewumi and Andrew Nwankwo. According to the organization, transparency and accountability are essential in the management of public funds, particularly in the oil and gas sector, which remains one of Nigeria’s most important sources of revenue.
SERAP maintained that the public deserves answers regarding who approved the spending, who received the funds, and whether the expenditure represented value for money. The organization further argued that the alleged failure to account for the funds raises concerns about public trust and good governance.
The lawsuit also references concerns reportedly raised by the Senate Committee on Public Accounts, which questioned the size of the expenditure and reportedly called for further explanations and legislative scrutiny.
Before approaching the court, SERAP had written to President Bola Tinubu, urging him to direct anti-corruption agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), to investigate the reported spending and identify those responsible for approving and receiving the funds.
According to SERAP, the matter goes beyond financial disclosure and touches on broader issues of accountability, transparency and responsible management of national resources. The organization contends that failure to provide details of the expenditure may be inconsistent with constitutional provisions designed to promote openness in public administration.
SERAP also cited Nigeria’s obligations under international anti-corruption frameworks, including the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which emphasize transparency and accountability in the management of public resources.
The transformation of NNPC into NNPCL followed the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021, which restructured the national oil company into a commercially oriented limited liability company wholly owned by the Federal Government. The transition was officially unveiled in July 2022 as part of efforts to reform Nigeria’s petroleum industry and improve operational efficiency.
As of the time of filing this report, no hearing date has been fixed for the case, while NNPCL has not publicly responded to the allegations contained in the lawsuit.
SERAP Takes NNPCL to Court Over Alleged ₦5.9bn Rebranding Expenditure
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Auto
Toyota Celebrates Customers, Partners as Zenith Bank Clinches Top Honour
Toyota Celebrates Customers, Partners as Zenith Bank Clinches Top Honour
Toyota (Nigeria) Limited celebrated customer loyalty, strategic partnerships and industry excellence at its 2026 Awards and Customers’ Night in Lagos, with Zenith Bank, AGL Motors and leading automotive journalists emerging among the biggest winners.
The event, which coincided with Toyota Nigeria’s 30th anniversary celebrations, attracted customers, dealers, government officials, financial institutions, media practitioners and other stakeholders who have contributed to the company’s growth over the past three decades.
A major highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Evergreen Customer of the Year Award to Zenith Bank Plc in recognition of its status as Toyota Nigeria’s most consistent customer over the last five years.
The award came with a brand-new Toyota Starlet Cross, presented by the company’s Chairman and founder, Chief Michael Ade-Ojo.

Managing Director of Toyota Nigeria Limited, Mr. Kunle Ade-Ojo; Chairman of TNL, Chief Michael Ade.Ojo, and MD/CEO, AGL Motors Ltd, Alhaji AbdulAfeez Gabar Lado, at the presentation of the 2025 best customer award to AGL Motors at the Toyota Awards in Lagos.
AGL Motors received recognition as Customer of the Year after recording the highest volume of Toyota vehicle purchases in 2025. The Nigerian Army and Zenith Bank finished as first and second runners-up respectively in the category, with winners receiving office equipment worth several millions of naira.
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Toyota Nigeria also used the occasion to honour members of the media for their contributions to automotive journalism and public understanding of developments in the sector. Theodore Opara of Vanguard won the Journalist of the Year Award, while Mike Ochonma of Transport World and Rasheed Bisiriyu of Newstrends emerged first and second runners-up respectively.
In his address, Managing Director of Toyota Nigeria, Mr. Kunle Ade-Ojo, described the annual gathering as a celebration of the enduring relationships that have shaped the company’s success since it commenced operations in 1996.
“Tonight is a moment of reflection, celebration and renewed commitment,” he said, noting that the event underscores Toyota’s customer-first philosophy and appreciation for the loyalty and trust of its stakeholders.
According to him, Toyota Nigeria has grown into one of the country’s most trusted automotive brands through its commitment to quality products, reliable after-sales support and continuous investment in customer satisfaction.
Ade-Ojo assured customers that despite prevailing economic challenges, the company would continue to introduce initiatives aimed at making vehicle ownership easier and more accessible for Nigerians.
He also expressed appreciation to dealers, customers, suppliers, consultants, financial institutions and employees for their support over the years, describing them as critical partners in Toyota Nigeria’s journey and future growth.
Toyota Celebrates Customers, Partners as Zenith Bank Clinches Top Honour
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