Business
Nigeria will borrow less by blocking revenue leakages – Finance minister

Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, has said Nigeria will borrow less and have more money to finance its capital projects if it is able to block areas of revenue leakage.
She also said one of the best ways to reduce the nation’s debt burden was through collection of more taxes.
She said this at a workshop on tax expenditure organised by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission in Abuja, on Tuesday.
The workshop was aimed at looking at directives on harmonisation of tax expenditure management practices and the monitoring and evaluation of tax transition in ECOWAS member states.
The minister, who was represented at the event by the Director, Technical Services in the Finance ministry, Fatima Hayatu, said the issue of tax expenditure was of great concern for the government.
In the Federal Government’s fiscal performance report, the cost of servicing debt surpassed revenue by N310 billion in the first four months of 2022.
The minister, however, maintained that the debt burden is not beyond what the government could handle.
“If we have more taxes and redirect the taxes to the right fiscal sectors of our economy, we will reduce our debt burden,” Ahmed said.
“It is not as if the debt is beyond what the government can handle. If you look at the ratio of the debt to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), I think the government is doing well.
“The debt is not something that cannot be surmounted. The programme today is to block leakages where the taxes are being diverted. So, if we block leakages, and if it is transparent, Nigeria will borrow less and we will have more money to finance other sectors”.
Ahmed said reforms in tax expenditure management were gaining traction in Nigeria, a development that had resulted in the continuous development of in-house capabilities and internal restructuring in agencies for greater efficiency.
She said the government would commence the “rationalisation of tax exemptions by phasing out antiquated pioneers and other tax incentives” for matured industries.
The minister said contrary to what was obtained in the past, the country was now reaping the benefits of tax exemptions and concessions given to small businesses.
She said, “A lot has changed; the system is more transparent and tax expenditure that the government has given, which is tax for bond, is to encourage ailing and infant industries to be able to do more and employ more youth.
“I am glad to say that the tax expenditure that the federal government has been giving has encouraged industries and manufacturers to stay afloat even with the COVID-19 pandemic and also to say that they have been able to keep their staff. That, to us, is an achievement because we don’t want people to lose their jobs which would reduce the insecurity we are facing.”
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FCT traffic service confirms sale of number plates by touts

FCT traffic service confirms sale of number plates by touts
The Directorate of Road Traffic Services (DRTS), Federal Capital Territory (FCT), yesterday advised residents not to patronise touts in registering their vehicles.
A statement by the Director, DRTS, Abdulateef Bello said: “ The Directorate of Road Traffic Services (DRTS), Federal Capital Territory (FCT), wishes to inform the general public that the current scarcity of vehicle number plates in the FCT is due to irregular and insufficient supply from the National Vehicle Identification Scheme (NVIS) Plant and efforts are ongoing to remedy the situation.
“We also wish to draw the attention of the motoring public to the activities of fraudsters impersonating DRTS officials in the attempt to take advantage of the situation to exploit vehicle owners.
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“The DRTS firmly disassociates itself from these illegal activities and strongly caution members of the public against dealing with any individual either staff or agent who claim to be in position of number plates outside what is uploaded in the DRTS self-service portal (https://selfservice.fctevreg.com).
“Moreover, in order to ensure transparency, the approved costs of number plates and related services are readily available on our official communication platforms, and particularly our website.
“The Directorate therefore encourages the public to stick and insist on the stipulated prices.
‘‘In collaboration with the Security Agencies, the Directorate has intensified efforts to bring these impostors to justice.’’
“We urge the public to report suspicious individuals or illegal activities to the Management of the DRTS. The DRTS remains steadfast in its commitment to delivering transparent, efficient, and accountable services to the motoring public”.
FCT traffic service confirms sale of number plates by touts
Business
Filling stations yet to reduce petrol price after Dangote slashes rate

Filling stations yet to reduce petrol price after Dangote slashes rate
For the second time in one week, Dangote Petroleum Refinery has announced a reduction in the price of premium motor spirit (PMS) otherwise known as petrol.
With effect from yesterday (April 16th, 2025), the gantry price (ex-depot price) of petrol would now go from N865 to N835.
This would be the second price reduction within a week as Dangote Refinery earlier slashed the price from N880 to N865 per litre.
However, as of yesterday, prices are yet to change at most filling stations including the retail outlets belonging to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
While marketers welcomed the decision by Dangote, they however expressed mixed reactions over what they called, “arbitrary” reduction which portends losses to the market.
Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer of Dangote Industries, Anthony Chiejina, in a statement said, “High-quality Dangote petrol will now be available at the following prices across all our partner retail outlets….”
He said key partners, including MRS, AP (Ardova), Heyden, Optima Energy, Hyde and Techno Oil, will offer petrol at N890 per litre, down from N920 in Lagos.
In the South West, the price will be N900 per litre, reduced from N930 while in the North West and North Central, the price will be N910 per litre, lowered from N940.
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In the South East, South South, and North East, the price will be N920 per litre, down from N950.
The statement said, “These price reductions reaffirm our commitment to providing high-quality petrol at affordable rates, benefiting consumers across the nation. In addition, we are working collaboratively with our partners to ensure equitable reflection of this price reduction.
“Dangote Petroleum Refinery has consistently worked to reduce the prices of petrol and other refined petroleum products, ensuring the continued benefit of Nigerian consumers. For example, in February, the refinery reduced prices twice by N125. In addition, products such as diesel and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) have also experienced significant price reductions due to the refinery’s sustained efforts.
“We anticipate that this latest reduction in PMS prices will generate a positive ripple effect throughout various sectors of the economy, providing much-needed relief to consumers and contributing to broader economic growth, particularly during the Easter season.
“Dangote Petroleum Refinery remains steadfast in its commitment to ensuring a steady supply of premium-quality petroleum products, with sufficient reserves to meet domestic demand, along with a surplus for export. This strategy is designed to support the stability of the domestic market while also contributing to the growth of Nigeria’s foreign exchange reserves.”
The refinery however called on industry stakeholders, including marketers and distributors, to continue sourcing their products from the refinery, ensuring that the benefits of these price reductions are fully realised across the country.
It was learnt that the reduction in price of crude oil was one of the reasons behind the price change.
Global crude oil price has been experiencing volatility in recent times as the US tariff war rages.
Crude oil edged more than 2% higher on Wednesday following expectations of tensions easing in the US-China trade war.
At 1:28 p.m. ET, Brent crude was trading up 2.09% at $66.02, while the US benchmark, West Texas Intermediate (WTI), was trading up 2.12% at $62.63.
But as of 8 p.m. yesterday, Brent Crude further dipped to 65.77.
As of the time of filing this report, most filling stations across the country are yet to adjust their pump prices with a litre of PMS still sold as much as N990 in some parts of Nigeria.
In Kano, some independent stations were selling at N990 while the NNPC and MRS were selling at N945. In Maiduguri, Bornu State, a litre was sold at between N950 and N980.
In Abuja, NNPCL sells at N950 per litre while other major stations sell between N955 and N960.
There are indications that NNPCL would also adjust its pump price as it is always the case when Dangote slashes its price but as of the time of filing this report, the price adjustment has not been done.
Filling stations yet to reduce petrol price after Dangote slashes rate
Daily Trust
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Easter travels: ABC Transport injects 2025 Toyota Hiace buses into operations

Easter travels: ABC Transport injects 2025 Toyota Hiace buses into operations
Ahead of Easter, ABC Transport Plc has added a fleet of brand new, 2025 model Toyota Hiace buses to its operations.
This, it said in a statement, was a strategic move to enhance customer satisfaction and operational reliability.
It aligns with the company’s mission of providing safer, more reliable, and comfortable travel experiences, particularly during the busy Easter season.
The new vehicles, which are equipped with state-of-the-art GPS trackers and speed limiter devices, are part of ABC Transport’s historic culture of prioritising passenger safety.
These features, which are standard across the company’s entire fleet, allow for real-time monitoring and ensure adherence to safe driving practices.
Apart from the fleet upgrade, ABC Transport recently concluded its quarterly Pre-Peak Season Crew Seminar, aimed at reinforcing the company’s commitment to safety, maintenance, and customer service ethics.
It said the seminar provided a platform to engage all crew members, focusing on best practices in vehicle handling, passenger care, and emergency preparedness.
Speaking on the importance of these initiatives, Managing Director of ABC Transport Plc, Mr. Jude Nneji, said, “Safety and service excellence are at the heart of everything we do at ABC Transport.
“The addition of these modern vehicles, coupled with our crew’s enhanced training, ensures that passengers can travel with peace of mind and enjoy an exceptional travel experience, even during the high-demand Easter season.”
The 2025 Toyota Hiace buses, known for their durability and fuel efficiency, also feature air-conditioned interiors and spacious seating, making them ideal for long-distance travel.
Designed to handle Nigeria’s road conditions, these vehicles further solidify ABC Transport’s reputation as a leader in the intercity transport sector.
Industry analysts view this dual approach—upgrading fleet technology and investing in human capital—as a testament to ABC Transport’s commitment to staying ahead of the curve.
This is also in line with the trend of new fleet injections and investments that have been noticed at ABC Transport since late last year following the acquisition of over 50 heavy duty trucks in their Haulage and Logistics subsidiaries as well as wide adoption of CNG in its Haulage division.
ABC Transport Plc is Nigeria’s foremost provider of intercity and regional transport services, known for its focus on innovation, safety, and customer satisfaction.
It is also the most diversified and only publicly quoted transport company in Nigeria listed on the Nigerian Stock exchange.
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