General
Stakeholders Hail Ambode’s 50% Slash of Land Use Charge
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State has been commended for approving the downward review of the amended Land Use Charge Law 2018 to 50 percent for commercial property as well as other LUC waivers that will give economic succour to owners of property and taxpayers in Lagos State.
Lagos State Commissioner for Finance, Mr Akinyemi Ashade, at a media briefing on Thursday at the Baguda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa, Ikeja, announced the slashing of the fee by 50 percent.
He explained that the “Lagos State government took this important decision for the good of the people” and as a government “committed to the welfare of its citizens and which understands the importance of continuously engaging the populace.”
In addition, Mr Ashade stated that the review to the amended LUC Law 2018, which was received with mixed feelings in the state, came as a result of widespread dialogue with stakeholders such as the Organised Private Sector, Nigeria Bar Association, Real Estate Investors & Developers, Landlord & Resident Associations, Community Development Associations, Civil Society Organizations, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industries (LCCI), Nigeria Institute of Estate Surveyors & Valuers and several other professional groups.
Furthermore, the Commissioner of Finance appreciated and commended property owners of all categories who have been performing their civic duties faithfully by paying the LUC.
“Consequently, as a result of these new measures, those who have paid the original amount will be awarded tax credits to the extent of the excess amount paid and carried forward to next year,” he said.
He also thanked Lagosians for their support and trust while encouraging them to participate effectively in the legislative proceedings.
“We appreciate you for trusting the current administration with the responsibility of investing the revenue from LUC in infrastructure renewal and overall development of our State. We promise we will continue to make your tax work for you,” the Commissioner said at the conference attended by members of the media in the state and other relevant stakeholders.
He disclosed that the after effect of the review of the amended LUC law means owners of property in Lagos State can now reap the benefits and waivers as follows:
COMMERCIAL PROPERTY OWNERS, who are undoubtedly the stakeholders mostly impacted by this amended Law will be granted 50 percent discount. This means a commercial property valued at N20 million which was earlier billed N91, 200 will now pay N45,600 per annum.
PROPERTY OCCUPIED BY OWNER AND THIRD PARTY & PROPERTY USED FOR INDUSTRIAL AND MANUFACTURING PURPOSES will now enjoy 25 percent discount. This means that a N20 million property expected to pay N30,720 will now pay N23,040 per annum.
OWNER-OCCUPIED PROPERTY will enjoy 15 percent discount. For a N20 million property, this used to be N9,120. Now, it is N7,752 per annum.
Additionally, the penalty regime for late payment of LUC has been waived completely. Therefore, LUC payers who have received their bills will no longer be penalized for late payment of bills issued in 2018, thereby providing additional relief to LUC payers.
Apart from the earlier stated ones, other rates and reliefs will remain unchanged and will be implemented as stipulated by the Law.
These include 40 percent general relief, 10 percent for 70 years and above, 10 percent for properties owned by persons living with disability and 10 percent for properties that are 25 years old and so on and so forth.
Owners of Property across all categories will now be allowed to make payments by instalments. This will help to reduce the burden of taxation on Lagos citizens.
Executive Director of Centre for Public Accountability (CPA), Comrade Femi Lawson, who was elated at the new LUC review, praised the administration of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for its empathy with the people of the state.
“This review shows a government which shares in the pain and concerns of the citizens of this state. Not only did they listen to our agitations but also LASG took action to allay our fears and worries by bringing the LUC rates down and introducing some other tax burden relief measures. This is surely a pro-people government,” Comrade Lawson said.
Similarly, Mr Thomas Aderinola, a real estate investor in Lagos State, said the downward review of the amended LUC law by as much as 50 percent was a reassuring indication that the LASG is a listening government.
“Imagine this huge waiver of 50 percent. It shows that the state government is sensitive to needs and is working for the interest of the people. We all can see what Governor Ambode is doing in the state in terms of Infrastructural development,” he said.
More importantly, Mr Aderinola applauded the government for introducing some other waivers like the instalment payment and the newly set up People’s Tribunal to resolve LUC payment cases in the state.
“With developments like these, we will be happy to show our commitment to the growth of Lagos by paying our taxes as at when due,” he opined.
By Adedapo Adesanya
Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that the latest United States airstrikes on Islamic State West African Province (ISWAP) targets in northwest Nigeria were conducted at the request of the Nigerian government.
According to reports, the US struck at ISWAP targets in Jabo, Sokoto State, on Christmas night.
The ministry described the operation as a product of established counterterrorism cooperation between both countries.
In a press statement issued on Friday, the Ministry said the strikes were “undertaken following formal engagement and with the full knowledge and coordination of the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
“The Government of Nigeria wishes to clarify that the airstrikes conducted by the United States against Islamic State elements in parts of northwest Nigeria were carried out at the request of Nigerian authorities and in line with existing bilateral security cooperation frameworks,” the statement said.
The Ministry stressed that Nigeria “remains firmly in control of all counterterrorism operations within its sovereign territory,” adding that international partners only provide support “where such assistance aligns with Nigeria’s national security objectives.”
According to the statement, the strikes form part of Nigeria’s broader strategy to “degrade terrorist capabilities, disrupt logistics networks, and protect civilian populations from violent extremist threats.”
The Foreign Ministry further emphasised that the federal government “will continue to work with trusted international partners to confront terrorism, banditry, and transnational criminal networks that threaten national and regional stability.”
Reacting to concerns around sovereignty, the Ministry said:
“At no time was Nigeria’s sovereignty compromised. All actions were conducted with due respect for Nigeria’s laws, institutions, and command structures.”
The statement also cautioned against mischaracterising Nigeria’s security challenges, noting that extremist violence “has affected communities across religious and ethnic lines and should not be framed in sectarian terms.”
Nigeria reaffirmed its commitment to a multi-layered response combining military operations, intelligence sharing, community engagement, and socio-economic interventions, adding that counterterrorism efforts remain focused on protecting lives and restoring stability.
The US Africa Command (AFRICOM) said the strikes were carried out in Sokoto State and that multiple militants were killed.
US President Donald Trump described the strikes as “powerful and deadly,” saying they were directed at Islamic State militants responsible for violent attacks on Christians in Nigeria.
The Nigerian government has clearly denied that only Christians are affected by the killings, saying the terror spread across all faiths.
Meanwhile, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has warned that “more to come” as part of sustained efforts against extremist groups.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The United States government gave some terrorists in Nigeria a Christmas gift that sent many of them to the great beyond.
On Thursday, December 25, 2025, the United States President, Mr Donald Trump, directed his country’s military to launch air strikes on camps of members of the dreaded Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in Sokoto State.
According to Mr Trump, the military action, which he threatened to carry out a few weeks ago if the Nigerian government does not stop the killing of Christians in the country, occurred on Thursday night.
“Tonight, at my direction as Commander in Chief, the United States launched a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS Terrorist Scum in Northwest Nigeria, who have been targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians, at levels not seen for many years, and even Centuries!
“I have previously warned these Terrorists that if they did not stop the slaughtering of Christians, there would be hell to pay, and tonight, there was.
“The Department of War executed numerous perfect strikes, as only the United States is capable of doing.
“Under my leadership, our country will not allow radical islamic terrorism to prosper. May God bless our military, and Merry Christmas to all, including the dead terrorists, of which there will be many more if their slaughter of Christians continues,” Mr Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.
In a video on X, formerly known as Twitter, the Department of War of the United States posted the below video of the air strikes;
https://twitter.com/DeptofWar/status/2004351717131903272
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The presidency has reacted to speculations that Mr Femi Gbajabiamila has been removed as the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu.
It was alleged that Mr Gbajabiamila has been replaced with the President’s Principal Private Secretary, Mr Hakeem Muri-Okunola.
Mr Muri-Okunola went to Abuja to take up this role after leaving as the Head of Service of the Lagos State Civil Service.
Reacting to the reports on social media on the purported removal of Mr Gbajabiamila, a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, the presidency said no such change has been made.
In a statement signed on Thursday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, members of the public were advised to disregard the report as “there is absolutely no truth to this story.”
“The Chief of Staff remains in his position. The Principal Private Secretary likewise remains in his role. Hakeem Muri-Okunola has not replaced Femi Gbajabiamila as Chief of Staff.
“The viral claim is a fabrication by mischievous purveyors of fake news whose sole aim is to create disharmony within the government.
“We reiterate that news media should always verify their information before publishing or sharing on social media,” the statement said.
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