Economy
Multiple Taxation Hinders Business Growth—Elumelu
By Dipo Olowookere
Chairman of Heirs Holdings, Mr Tony Elumelu, has appealed to government to urgently address the issue of multiple taxation in the country, pointing out that the problem has continued to hinder the growth of businesses in Nigeria.
Speaking on Thursday at the Lagos Business School Alumni Association 2017 Conference, the former Group Managing Director of United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc also noted that the restructuring of government regulations and taxation will go a long way in providing friendly environment to the business community as well as increase the revenue of government.
Mr Elumelu, who was guest speaker at the occasion, spoke on the conference theme ‘The Effects of Multiple Government Regulations and Taxation on Business Growth in Nigeria.’
During his address, the Chairman of UBA Plc emphasized the need for government to embark on radical approach that would shape behaviours of entrepreneurs and business owners towards payment of taxes in a more obligatory manner.
According to Mr Elumelu, who also is the Chairman of Transcorp Plc, submitted that, “Multiple regulations hinder business growth; and we need to regulate our tax laws and practices in a manner that would create enabling environments for businesses, particularly start-ups and SMEs to thrive in the economy.
“If taxes are well regulated for businesses, there would be increase in government revenue, more businesses would grow, thereby helping to curb unemployment and improving the economy significantly.”
The business mogul stressed the need for a comprehensive reorientation exercise across all tax agencies that would ensure that officers have the right values required for the job and that due process is followed at all times in government regulations for businesses.
“We should use tax as a dynamic fiscal tool to shape corporate behaviour and ensure that our business climate is conducive for investors to thrive for a more robust economy that will in turn increase the tax base,” he said.
Mr Elumelu thanked the LBS for addressing real challenges that business communities face exemplified by choosing the topic of discourse, which is very vital to Nigeria’s economic growth.
He also applauded the institution’s faculty for helping to sharpen the competitiveness of professionals by bridging the gap in knowledge acquisition.
In his presentation of the Economic Outlook for 2018, Dr Biodun Adedipe, Founder/Chief Consultant of B. Adedipe Associates, advised Nigeria to deviate from operating a mono-cultural economy which has proved detrimental to its growth.
“While thinking of ways to grow our economy to a sustainable level, we must realise that mono-cultural economy has not helped our cause. Over dependence on hydro-carbon and imports have done more harm than good.
“Therefore, I strongly advocate import substitution because no country grows sustainably by importation alone. We must produce and grow locally to be self-sufficient, and we must create environments for small businesses to grow to attain that level,” he said.
On his part, Chairman of Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS), Mr Hamzat Ayodele Subair, who was represented by Tokunbo Akande, revealed that before now, the lack of viable data on financial record had hampered the process of effective tax systems in the state, and the rest of Nigeria.
He however assured that the Lagos State government, through the LIRS, is working hard to harmonise its tax practices by creating a single billing system where each tax payer would have a complete list of his or her tax schedule to avoid multiplicity of tax systems and agents.
Head of Tax and Corporate Advisory Services at PwC Nigeria, Mr Taiwo Oyedele, examined tax administration and taxation of businesses during the panel discussion, and revealed that the multiple arms of government had led to multiplicity of agencies which had replicated themselves in the nation’s tax systems.
“The solution we need is to have sound institutions, put our best foot forward and coordination among all levels of government operations,” he said.
LBS Faculty and Professor of Legal, Social and Political Environment of Business, Prof. Olawale Ajai, who was the Conference Chairman, stated that business growth should generate economic growth for the nation, which is why citizens should encourage the growth of small scale businesses.
According to him, “it is on policy makers to facilitate regulatory frameworks that would enable economic growth in Nigeria.”
“A reorientation of policy makers and tax administrators is critical to the nation’s economic success and we must collaborate and partner to bring about an enabling environment for local businesses,” he added.
On her part, President of Lagos Business School Alumni Association and MD/CEO Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria, Mrs Bola Adesola, expressed that the objectives of the association was to promote continuous education for members, support LBS in its aims and objectives, render service to society especially in the area of public and private management.
She also welcomed the latest additions to the Alumni Association and urged them to continue taking the opportunities afforded to them and be ambassadors of the great institutions.
Dean of Lagos Business School, Dr Enase Okonedo, thanked Mr Elumelu and the other speakers for the insight and knowledge shared.
She also expressed gratitude to the Alumni for their contributions to the school and society. She disclosed that Alumni had continuously contributed to education; renovated and built schools, and have been commended by government at all levels for their efforts.
She applauded their efforts at adding value to the society and encouraged them to be the change they want to see in society.
The 2017 Lagos Business School Alumni Association was hosted by Chief Executive Programme (CEP 24) and International Management Programme (IMP02) Classes.
Nonso Ezeh, CEP 24 Class President, and Oba Segun Aderemi, IMP02 Class President, thanked all the alumni present and extended their greetings to the institution for impacting positively on the society.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Managing Director of Lekki Port LFTZ Enterprise Limited, Mr Wang Qiang, says the port has reached half of its designed operational capacity, with steady growth in container throughput since September 2025, reflecting increasing confidence by shipping lines and cargo owners in Nigeria’s first deep seaport.
“We already reached 50 per cent of our capacity now, almost 50 per cent of the port capacity.
“There is consistent improvement in the number of 20ft equivalent units (TEUs) handled monthly,” he said.
Mr Qiang explained further that efficient multimodal connectivity remains critical to sustaining and accelerating growth at the port.
According to him, barge operations have become an important evacuation channel and currently account for about 10 per cent of cargo movement from the port.
Mr Qiang mentioned that the ongoing Lagos–Calabar Coastal Road project would help ease congestion and improve access to the port.
He said that rail connectivity remained essential, particularly given the scale of industrial activities emerging within the Lekki corridor.
He said that Nigeria Government was concerned about the cargoes moving through rail and that the development would enhance more cargoes distribution outside the port.
Mr Qiang reiterated that Lekki port was a fully automated terminal, noting that delays may persist until all stakeholders, including government agencies, fully aligned with end-to-end digital processes.
He explained that customs procedures, particularly physical cargo examinations, and other port services should be fully digitalised to significantly reduce cargo dwell time.
“We must work together very closely with customers and all categories of operations for automation to yield results.
“Integration between the customs system, the terminal operating system and customers is already part of an agreed implementation schedule.
“For automation to work efficiently, all players must be ready — customers, government and every stakeholder. Only then can we have a fantastic system,” Mr Qiang said.
He also stressed that improved connectivity would allow the port to effectively double capacity through performance optimisation without expanding its physical footprint.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The series 1 of the N10 billion Commercial Paper (CP) issuance of Legend Internet Plc recorded an oversubscription of 19.7 per cent from investors.
This reaffirmed the strong confidence in the company’s financial stability and growth trajectory.
The exercise is a critical component of Legend Internet’s N10 billion multi-layered financing programme, designed to support its medium- to long-term growth.
Proceeds are expected to be used for broadband infrastructure expansion to deepen nationwide penetration, optimise the organisation’s working capital for operational efficiency, strategic acquisitions that will strengthen its market position and accelerate service innovation.
The telecommunications firm sees the acceptance of the debt instruments as a response to its performance, credit profile, and disciplined operational structure, noting it also reflects continued trust in its ability to execute on its strategic vision for nationwide digital infrastructure expansion.
“The strong investor participation in our Series 1 Commercial Paper issuance is both encouraging and validating. It demonstrates the market’s belief in our financial integrity, operational strength, and long-term vision for digital infrastructure growth. This support fuels our commitment to building a more connected, competitive, and digitally enabled Nigeria.
“This milestone is not just a financing event; it is a strategic enabler of our expansion plans, working capital needs, and future acquisitions. We extend our sincere appreciation to our investors, advisers, and market partners whose confidence continues to propel Legend Internet forward,” the chief executive of Legend Internet, Ms Aisha Abdulaziz, commented.
Also commenting, the Chief Financial Officer of Legend Internet, Mr Chris Pitan, said, “This achievement is powered by our disciplined financing framework, which enables us to scale sustainably, innovate continuously, and consistently meet the evolving needs of our customers.
“We remain committed to building a future where every connection drives opportunity, productivity, and growth for communities across Nigeria.”
By Adedapo Adesanya
President Bola Tinubu will, on Friday, present the 2026 Appropriation Bill to a joint session of the National Assembly.
The presentation, scheduled for 2:00 pm, was conveyed in a notice issued on Wednesday by the Office of the Clerk to the National Assembly.
According to the notice, all accredited persons are required to be at their duty posts by 11:00 am on the day of the presentation, as access into the National Assembly Complex will be restricted thereafter for security reasons.
The notice, signed by the Secretary, Human Resources and Staff Development, Mr Essien Eyo Essien, on behalf of the Clerk to the National Assembly, urged all concerned to ensure strict compliance with the arrangements ahead of the President’s budget presentation.
The 2026 budget is projected at N54.4 trillion, according to the approved 2026–2028 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP).
Meanwhile, President Tinubu has asked the National Assembly to repeal and re-enact the 2024 appropriation act in separate letters to the Senate and the House of Representatives on Wednesday and read during plenary by the presiding officers.
The bill was titled Appropriation (Repeal and Re-enactment Bill 2) 2024, involving a total proposed expenditure of N43.56 trillion.
In a letter dated December 16, 2025, the President said the bill seeks authorisation for the issuance of a total sum of N43.56 trillion from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation for the year ending December 31, 2025.
A breakdown of the proposed expenditure shows N1.74 trillion for statutory transfers, N8.27 trillion for debt service, N11.27 trillion for recurrent (non-debt) expenditure, and N22.28 trillion for capital expenditure and development fund contributions.
The President said the proposed legislation is aimed at ending the practice of running multiple budgets concurrently, while ensuring reasonable – indeed unprecedentedly high – capital performance rates on the 2024 and 2025 capital budgets.
He explained that the bill also provides a transparent and constitutionally grounded framework for consolidating and appropriating critical and time-sensitive expenditures undertaken in response to emergency situations, national security concerns, and other urgent needs.
President Tinubu added that the bill strengthens fiscal discipline and accountability by mandating that funds be released strictly for purposes approved by the National Assembly, restricting virement without prior legislative approval, and setting conditions for corrigenda in cases of genuine implementation errors.
The bill, which passed first and second reading in the House of Representatives, has been referred to the Committee on Appropriations for further legislative action.
-
Feature/OPED6 years agoDavos was Different this year
-
Travel/Tourism9 years ago
Lagos Seals Western Lodge Hotel In Ikorodu
-
Showbiz3 years agoEstranged Lover Releases Videos of Empress Njamah Bathing
-
Banking7 years agoSort Codes of GTBank Branches in Nigeria
-
Economy3 years agoSubsidy Removal: CNG at N130 Per Litre Cheaper Than Petrol—IPMAN
-
Banking3 years agoFirst Bank Announces Planned Downtime
-
Banking3 years agoSort Codes of UBA Branches in Nigeria
-
Sports3 years agoHighest Paid Nigerian Footballer – How Much Do Nigerian Footballers Earn