By Adedapo Adesanya

President Bola Tinubu has directed the immediate release of approved funds for the maintenance of Nigeria’s space assets in line with the National Space Policy and Programme.

He reiterated his administration’s commitment to the realisation of Nigeria’s space policy and programme as outlined in the revised 25-year roadmap for space development.

“I hereby approve that the cost of the implementation of the approved revised 25-year roadmap for the implementation of the national space policy be forwarded to the Federal Executive Council for consideration and approval,” he said.

The President, who was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, approved on Tuesday during the first meeting of the National Space Council held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

“Nigeria will not watch the new frontier unfold from the sidelines. We will participate, we will compete, we will contribute. Our space ambitions must be anchored in outcomes, accountability and national value.

“We must build a programme that serves the farmer in the field, the teacher in the classroom, the entrepreneur in the market, the soldier on duty, the researcher in the laboratory and the policy maker who must plan with evidence rather than guesswork. This is how a nation turns attitude into advantage.”

President Tinubu assured that his administration, through the Renewed Hope Agenda, is committed to developing the society “by engaging relevant human resources for the socio-economic improvement of our nation.

“We shall be steadfast in providing the required support to the success of the space programme as well as relevant resources needed for its growth and the successful realisation of the mandate of the nation’s space agency,” he added.

The President noted that his administration’s investments in the sector are prompted by the opportunities in outer space “as a new frontier for human development, as a stimulus for increased technological advancement and economic diversification.”

By Adedapo Adesanya

The federal government has banned the mounting of roadblocks for the collection of taxes and levies nationwide as part of a sweeping reform of the country’s tax administration system.

It also signed a new Presumptive Tax Framework (PTF) aimed at bringing millions of small and informal businesses into the formal economy through simplified tax processes.

According to the Executive Secretary of the Joint Revenue Board (JRB), Mr Olusegun Adesokan, the new framework expressly prohibits the use of roadblocks by tax officials to collect levies, which has been heavily criticised by businesses and transport operators.

“It also bans the mounting of roadblocks for the collection of taxes,” he said.

He further disclosed that the framework outlaws cash collection by tax authorities and promotes the use of technology-driven payment systems to ensure transparency and accountability.

“Apart from encouraging the use of technology for payment of taxes and cash collection, it bans all forms of cash collection by tax authorities,” Mr Adesokan added.

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun, described the PTF as a key component of the tax reform programme under the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Mr Edun said the framework is designed to expand the nation’s tax base while protecting small businesses from excessive burden.

According to him, the presumptive tax system will rely on clear indicators such as business category and turnover levels rather than complex accounting requirements.

“The objective of presumptive taxation is not to overburden small businesses, but to provide a fair, simple and predictable framework for tax compliance,” he said.

He stressed that the government’s fiscal strategy is anchored on widening the tax net instead of increasing tax rates.

“Our fiscal strategy is anchored on expanding the tax base rather than increasing tax rates. Inclusion drives sustainability,” the minister said.

Mr Edun noted that micro and small enterprises form the backbone of Nigeria’s economy and that the framework seeks to reduce compliance costs while creating a structured pathway for them to transition into the formal sector.

He added that the regulations would provide clarity for tax authorities across the country and protect taxpayers from arbitrary assessments.

“These regulations provide clarity to tax authorities and protect taxpayers from arbitrary assessments. The system will be transparent, rules-based and nationally consistent,” he said.

He also said that strengthening non-oil revenue through a broader tax base would enhance the government’s capacity to fund infrastructure, security, social investment and economic growth.

The minister explained that the regulations were developed in collaboration with the JRB to ensure alignment between federal and state tax administrations.

Earlier, Mr Adesokan described the framework as a major step towards making the tax system fairer for ordinary Nigerians.

He said the reform reflects President Tinubu’s commitment to ensuring that the tax system supports economic growth rather than placing pressure on struggling citizens.

“This revolution is another demonstration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to taxing prosperity and not poverty,” he said.

Mr Adesokan disclosed that businesses with an annual turnover of up to N50 million would be exempted from tax under the new arrangement.

“It ensures that our nano and small businesses with an annual turnover of 50 million naira are exempted from tax,” he said.

He explained that the exemption would allow small entrepreneurs to retain capital for growth before eventually entering the tax system, while other informal businesses above the threshold would be subject to a simplified turnover-based tax rate.

By Dipo Olowookere

The chairman of the Ayobo-Ipaja Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Mr Agbaje Lukmon Abiodun, has taken a bold and decisive step towards restoring environmental order in the council.

He has deployed smart and space-saving cleaning equipment to clear heaps of accumulated waste along the road median on the Camp Davies/Isefun Road, Ayobo.

The council chief expressed optimism that the intensive clean-up operation would directly tackle the long-standing issue of indiscriminate refuse dumping in the area.

He disclosed that he took this step because indiscriminate waste disposal poses serious environmental and safety risks to residents and commuters within the axis.‎

At the clean-up exercise, the Head of Environmental Development, Mrs Babajide Racheal, who represented the chairman, reiterated his administration’s zero-tolerance stance on environmental violations, calling on residents to take collective responsibility by properly disposing of waste through approved Private Sector Participation (PSP) operators.‎

“We will no longer tolerate actions that endanger public health and degrade our environment. Together, we must build a cleaner, safer, and healthier community,” Mr Agbaje stated.

As part of ongoing sanitation reforms, the council has strengthened monitoring mechanisms and enforcement strategies, including strict penalties for defaulters.

‎He reaffirmed his dedication to preserving the cleanliness and aesthetic appeal of Camp Davies/Isefun Road and the surrounding communities.‎

This clean-up campaign reflects the administration’s broader commitment to sustainable environmental management, improved infrastructure, and enhanced public health standards across the LCDA.‎