Economy
VAT Rises 14.2% to N1.78trn as CIT Slumps 28.2% to N1.77trn in Q3 2024
By Adedapo Adesanya
Value Added Tax (VAT) payments made in Nigeria rose by 14.2 per cent in the third quarter (Q3) of 2024 to N1.78 trillion from the N1.56 trillion recorded in the second quarter (Q2) of 2024, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
VAT is a consumption tax levied on goods and services, usually at each stage of production or distribution where value is added. In Nigeria, VAT is currently at 7.5 per cent as amended in the Finance Act of 2019.
A breakdown showed that local payments recorded were N922.87 billion, Foreign VAT Payments were N448.85 billion, while import VAT contributed N410.62 billion in Q3 2024.
However, on a year-on-year basis, VAT collections in Q3 2024 increased by 88 per cent from Q3 2023
On a quarter-on-quarter basis, human health and social work activities recorded the highest growth rate with 250.4 per cent, followed by the activities of households as employers, undifferentiated goods- and services-producing activities of households for own use with 102.1 per cent.
On the other hand, water supply, sewerage, waste management and remediation activities had the lowest growth rate with a negative 41.9 per cent drop, followed by activities of extraterritorial organizations and bodies with 36.1 per cent.
In terms of sectoral contributions, the top three largest shares in Q3 2024 were manufacturing with 22.2 per cent; information and communication with 20.9 per cent; and mining & quarrying activities with 18.9 per cent.
Nevertheless, the NBS data showed that activities of households as employers, undifferentiated goods- and services-producing activities of households for own use recorded the least share with 0.01 per cent, followed by activities of extraterritorial organizations and bodies with 0.01 per cent and water supply, sewerage, waste management, and remediation activities with 0.03 per cent.
In a related development, Company Income Tax (CIT) for the quarter under review was reported at N1.77 trillion, indicating a slump of 28.2 per cent on a quarter-on-quarter basis from N2.47 trillion in Q2 2024. However, on a year-on-year basis, CIT collections in Q3 2024 increased by 1.37% from Q3 2023.
CIT refers to taxes imposed on the profit of companies domiciled in the country. It is charged on net profit after other expenses and deductions have been removed from the revenue.
Local payments received in Q3 were N920.91 billion, while Foreign CIT Payment contributed N852.29 billion in Q3 2024.
On a quarter-on-quarter basis, electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply recorded the highest growth rate with 47.5 per cent, followed by public administration and defence and compulsory social security with 19.3 per cent.
On the other hand, accommodation and food service activities had the lowest growth rate as it receded by 73.3 per cent, followed by financial and insurance activities with a 70.0 per cent slide.
In terms of sectoral contributions, the top three largest shares in Q3 2024 were manufacturing with 25.5 per cent, followed by mining and quarrying with 18.4 per cent; and information and communication with 15.1 per cent.
Nevertheless, the activities of households as employers, undifferentiated goods- and services-producing activities of households for own use recorded the least share with 0.004 per cent, followed by water supply, sewerage, waste management, and remediation activities with 0.03 per cent and Activities of extraterritorial organizations and bodies with 0.08 per cent.
Economy
CSCS Raises NASD Exchange by 0.04%
By Adedapo Adesanya
Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) Plc kept the NASD Over-the-Counter (OTC) Securities Exchange in the green territory by 0.04 per cent on Friday, July 16.
The securities depository company added N2.50 to its share price to settle at N95.14 per unit from the preceding session’s N92.64 per unit.
However, FrieslandCampina Wamco Nigeria Plc slid during the session by N5.85 to N141.81 per share from N147.66 per share.
But when the bourse closed for the day, the market capitalisation increased by N1.08 billion to N2.593 trillion from N2.592 trillion, while the NASD Security Index (NSI) appreciated by 1.80 points to 4,320.67 points from 4,318.87 points.
During the session, the value of securities slid by 38.9 per cent to N63.5 million from N104.1 million, the volume of securities went down by 34.5 per cent to 1.2 million units from 4.8 million units, and the number of deals declined by 15.4 per cent to 33 deals from 39 deals.
Great Nigeria Insurance (GNI) Plc was the most traded stock by value on a year-to-date basis, with 3.4 billion units valued at N8.4 billion, followed by Infrastructure Credit Guarantee (Infracredit) Plc with 2.3 billion units worth N6.5 billion, and CSCS Plc with 75.4 million units traded for N5.3 billion.
GNI Plc also ended the day as the most traded stock by volume on a year-to-date basis, with 3.4 billion units exchanged for N8.4 billion, followed by Infracredit Plc with 2.3 billion units sold for N6.5 billion, and Resourcery Plc with 1.1 billion units transacted for N415.7 million.
Economy
First Holdco Drives Nigerian Bourse’s 0.54% Growth
By Dipo Olowookere
The bulls regained control of the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited on Friday after surrendering power to the bears a day earlier as a result of mild selling pressure.
Yesterday, the Nigerian bourse rebounded by 0.54 per cent, mainly due to the gains recorded by First Holdco and others.
Data harvested by Business Post indicated that the industrial goods and energy sectors were flat, while the banking index chalked up 3.13 per cent. The insurance space expanded by 1.08 per cent, and the consumer goods counter rose by 0.21 per cent.
Consequently, the All-Share Index (ASI) went up by 1,316.52 points to 243,462.13 points from 242,145.61 points, and the market capitalisation grew by N850 billion to N157.057 trillion from N156.207 trillion.
The market breadth index was bullish during the last trading session of this week, printing 31 appreciating stocks and 23 depreciating stocks, representing strong investor sentiment.
First Holdco led the advancers’ log after it climbed 9.97 per cent to N95.95, Haldane McCall appreciated by 9.94 per cent to N3.65, LivingTrust Mortgage Bank soared by 9.73 per cent to N3.72, LASACO Assurance jumped by 5.26 per cent to N2.00, and Thomas Wyatt gained 5.10 per cent to quote at N3.09.
On the flip side, Red Star Express declined by 9.50 per cent to N20.00, Omatek slipped by 6.08 per cent to N1.70, C&I Leasing shrank by 5.93 per cent to N5.55, Jaiz Bank crashed by 5.03 per cent to N8.50, and Livestock Feed fell by 3.89 per cent to N8.65.
As for the activity chart, market participants bought and sold 685.9 million equities for N42.7 billion in 44,134 deals on Friday versus the 498.5 million equities worth N34.9 billion traded in 39,484 deals on Thursday, implying a rise in the trading volume, value, and number of deals by 37.59 per cent, 22.35 per cent, and 11.78 per cent, respectively.
Investors’ darling for the day was First Holdco, with a turnover of 225.9 billion units valued at N21.0 billion, Guinea Insurance sold 53.4 million units for N45.2 million, Zenith Bank traded 41.5 million units worth N4.7 billion, Access Holdings exchanged 29.1 million units valued at N720.6 million, and UBA exchanged 27.5 million units for N1.2 billion.
Economy
Freight Forwarders Seek Wider Sensitisation on Green Tax, Others
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The Africa Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria (APFFLON) has appealed to the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to deepen its sensitisation on the newly introduced Green Tax Surcharge Policy.
The chairman of APFFLON, Mr Akeem Ayobiojo, made this plea on behalf of his colleagues on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at the Customs House in Abuja, during a stakeholders’ engagement with the agency.
He also called for improvements in the administration of Pre-Arrival Assessment Reports and Post Clearance Audit and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Mr Ayobiojo stated that freight forwarders were happy to work with the customs, commending the organisation for implementing Chapter 99, describing it as a major relief for manufacturers.
He, however, emphasised that a deeper understanding of the new tax was necessary for his members, saying more predictable procedures would reduce delays and unexpected costs for importers and freight forwarders.
In his remarks, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Mr Adewale Adeniyi, assured manufacturers, freight forwarders and other players in the nation’s trade sector that the NCS would continue to engage them on fiscal policies affecting their businesses, saying sustained dialogue remains key to resolving implementation challenges and improving the country’s trading environment.
He also promised them the service’s resolve to enhance and facilitate trade, acknowledging that, “Your feedback is important because it helps us understand what is happening in the field, and where necessary, we will take your concerns to the Federal Ministry of Finance and other relevant government institutions.”
Speaking about Authorised Economic Operator (AEO), Mr Adeniyi further explained that Nigeria would not lower the standards required under the Authorised Economic Operator Programme as the initiative is guided by global benchmarks established by the World Customs Organisation (WCO).
On her part, the Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs for Tariff and Trade, Ms Caroline Niagwan, clarified that electric vehicles can be imported without payment of duty only by holders of Import Duty Exemption Certificate (IDEC) issued by the Federal Ministry of Finance.
She also urged importers facing classification disputes to take advantage of the Advance Ruling system, noting, “Once an Advance Ruling is issued based on genuine documentation, importers have certainty on classification, valuation or origin before the goods arrive, thereby reducing unnecessary disputes during clearance.”


