NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA

Nigeria Customs explains 4% FOB levy suspension

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By Muhammad Nur Tijani

The Kano/Jigawa Customs Area Command held a stakeholders’ meeting on Wednesday to explain the four per cent Free On Board (FOB) collection and its suspension.

 

Customs Area Comptroller, Dalhatu Abubakar, said that the new revenue law benefits all stakeholders, including exporters, importers, and customs agents.

 

He explained that the FOB collection had been temporarily suspended due to the termination of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) contract with service providers.

 

Abubakar assured that the NCS would resume direct collection of the four per cent FOB once the suspension is lifted.

 

“The FOB collection suspension is due to the termination of our contract with service providers.

 

“We are engaging stakeholders during this period to raise awareness about the levy’s importance,” Abubakar said.

 

The Comptroller noted that the suspension aligns with the NCS’s efforts to transition to direct levy collection by the service.

 

He added that the suspension period would enable the NCS to educate stakeholders on the necessity of the four per cent FOB, legally backed by Section 18 (1) of the NCS Act (2023).

 

“Our aim today is to discuss the ongoing FOB suspension.

 

“This engagement is ongoing, and we will invite you again in the coming weeks to further explain the levy’s purpose and significance,” Abubakar stated.

 

The Comptroller explained that the four per cent FOB, also known as the Financial Customs Service Operation (FCSO), is essential for NCS operations and stakeholder interactions.

 

According to Abubakar, the levy is legally mandated and vital for smooth customs operations.

 

Stakeholders at the meeting were educated on the benefits and legal basis of the FOB, while some expressed concerns about the additional financial burden. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo

Nigeria Customs suspends implementation of 4% FOB charge

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Suspension

By Martha Agas

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has suspended implementation of the four per cent charge on the Free On-Board (FOB) value of imports.

The Spokesman of the service, Abdullahi Maiwada, made this known in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.

According to him, the FOB charge is calculated based on the value of imported goods, including cost of goods and transportation expenses incurred up to the port of loading.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the NCS on Feb.5 announced that it was implementing a four per cent charge on the FOB value of imports.

Maiwada said that the move was in line with the provision of Section 18 (1) of the Nigeria Customs Service Act (NCSA) 2023.

The announcement has received criticism from experts and stakeholders in the sector, who said the move would worsen the country’s inflation rate.

Dr Chinyere Almona, Director-General of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said the implementation was abrupt and lacked due consultation with stakeholders, as required by the provisions of the NCSA 2023.

The Spokesman said the suspension was sequel to ongoing consultations by Mr Wale Edun, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, with stakeholders.

He said the revised implementation timeline would be announced following the conclusion of the consultation.

He explained that the suspension period would allow the service to further engage with stakeholders while ensuring proper alignment with the Act’s provisions for the sustainable funding of its modernisation initiatives.

“This suspension will enable comprehensive stakeholder engagement and consultations regarding the Act’s implementation framework.

“The timing of this suspension aligns with the exit of the contract agreement with the service providers, including Webb Fontaine, which were previously funded through the one per cent Comprehensive Import Supervision Scheme (CISS).

“This presents an opportunity to review our revenue framework holistically, “ he said.

Maiwada explained that the previous funding arrangement which was repealed by the NCSA 2023, separated the one per cent CISS and the seven per cent cost of collection.

He said it created operational inefficiencies and funding gaps in customs modernisation efforts.

According to him, the new Act addresses the challenges by consolidating no less than four per cent of the Free-on-Board (FOB) value of imports to ensure sustainable funding for critical customs operations and modernisation initiatives.

He said the transition period would allow the service to optimise the management of these frameworks to better serve its stakeholders and the nation’s interests.

He said that NCS was already implementing several digital solutions, including the recently deployed B’Odogwu clearance system, which aims to automate trade operations and align the service with international standards.

He noted that stakeholders were already benefiting from the system, through faster clearance times and improved transparency.

He said the NCS remained committed to implementing the provisions of the Act in a manner that best serves stakeholders while fulfilling its revenue generation and trade facilitation mandate.(NAN)

Edited by Muhyideen Jimoh

NLC suspends nationwide rally over proposed telecom tariff hike

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Suspension

By Joan Nwagwu

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has suspended its planned  nationwide rally over proposed 50 per cent telecommunications tariff hike.

Mr Emmanuel Ugboaja, General Secretary of the NLC disclosed this in a statement addressed to all its state councils and affiliates on Tuesday in Abuja.

It would be recalled that the NLC’s National Administrative Council (NAC) had declared a one-day mass rally at all Nigerian Telecommunications Commission (NCC) offices nationwide in response to the tariff hike.

“Following our resolution, the Federal Government invited us to a meeting, where an agreement was reached to establish a 10-member committee to address key concerns raised by Congress.

“As a result, our protest has already achieved success, as the government has conceded to some of our demands without the need for an actual demonstration.

“In light of this development, we will now pursue other decisions of Congress on this matter,” he said.

Ugboaja commended NLC members for their support and encouraged them to keep their fingers crossed as they continue to engage with the federal government.(NAN)

Edited by Rotimi Ijikanmi

Violation: JAMB suspends law programme in 8 institutions

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Suspension

By Funmilayo Adeyemi

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) says it will not conduct admissions for Law programme in eight institutions following the suspension of the Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) programme.

A statement signed by the Public Communications Advisor of JAMB, Dr Fabian Benjamin, in Abuja said the Council of Legal Education (CLE) for the 2025/2026 academic session had suspended law programmes for violating regulatory procedures.

Benjamin listed the affected universities as follows: Kwara State University, Malete, Kwara State, Bingham University, Karu, Nasarawa State, Redeemers University, Ede, Osun State and Western Delta University, Oghara, Delta State.

Others are Taraba State University, Jalingo, Taraba State, Arthur Jarvis University, Akpabuyo, Cross River State, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State and Nigerian Police Academy, Wudil, Kano State.

Benjamin said that the suspension of the Law programme at the Nigerian Police Academy, Wudil, Kano State, would last for two academic sessions, specifically, the 2025/2026 and 2026/2027 sessions.

“As a result, JAMB will not approve any admissions for candidates seeking to enroll in the Law programme at the aforementioned universities for the 2025/2026 academic session.

” Furthermore, the ban on registration for the Law programme at the Nigerian Police Academy will extend into the 2026/2027 academic session,” he said. (NAN)

Edited by Benson Iziama
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Lagos school suspends teacher seen in video abusing toddler

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By Deborah Akpede

The Christ Mitots School in Ikorodu, Lagos State, has suspended a 45-year-old teacher, Stella Nwadigo, seen in a video abusing a three-year-old pupil for his inability to write numbers.

The school confirmed the suspension in a statement issued by its management on Thursday.

A two-minute video which went viral on Wednesday had shown the teacher slapping the toddler for not learning number writing fast.

The video attracted public condemnation, which led to the teacher’s arrest.

In the statement, the school condemned the teacher’s action, describing it as unacceptable.

“We are aware of a deeply troubling incident involving a teacher engaging in physical discipline of a student in a manner that is completely unacceptable.

“As an institution that is deeply committed to fostering a culture of respect, care and dignity, we are horrified by this incident and wish to make it clear that such actions will not be tolerated.

“In response, the teacher involved has been suspended indefinitely, while a thorough investigation is being conducted,” it said.

The school said that its immediate and decisive action reflected its zero-tolerance for misconduct and its obligation to safeguard every child under its care.

“As such, we have an open door policy to provide students, parents and guardians with a safe space to voice any concerns without fear,” it said.

The school said it had apologised to the pupil and his family.

“We have reached out to them to express our regret.

“We ask for the public’s patience and understanding as we work to address this matter responsibly and comprehensively.

“We will be organising mandatory training sessions for teachers to reinforce child protection protocols, emphasise positive disciplinary practices, and cultivate greater sensitivity in interactions with students, ” it added.

According to the school, it has also introduced a whistle-blowing system to encourage prompt reporting of inappropriate behaviour. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng.)

Edited by Edith Bolokor/Ijeoma Popoola

FG lifts 5-year ban on mining exploration in Zamfara

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By Martha Agas

The Federal Government has lifted the ban on mining exploration and other related activities in Zamfara, after five years.

The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake disclosed this at a press briefing on Sunday in Abuja.

Alake said the move was made following significant improvement on the security situation in the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls  that the Federal Government banned all forms of mining activities in Zamfara in 2019, following alarming reports of banditry and its link to illegal mining.

Alake  said that insecurity in the state had been reduced to a manageable level to facilitate the operation of legitimate mining activities.

He said that reversing the ban would support efforts to boost the country’s economic profile, particularly as the state possessed critical minerals in commercial quantities needed for energy transition.

“The nation has a lot to gain from reawakened economic activities in a highly mineralised state like Zamfara that is imbued with vast Gold, Lithium, and Copper belts,” he said.

The minister explained that the ban had created a vacuum, which was exploited by illegal miners to rob the nation of its resources.

“The concomitant result was the colossal loss of revenue to the affected communities, local government, the state and the Federal Government as legitimate owners were forced to shut down operations,” he explained.

According to Alake, President Bola Tinubu is determined to address insecurity in the country by deploying intelligence-gathering and other security operations to neutralise merchants of insecurity

He stated that Tinubu’s strategy had led to the neutralisation of key bandit commanders, thereby significantly reducing incidents of insecurity across the nation.

“ A recent success was the capture of one of the most wanted bandit commanders, Halilu Sububu, in a covert operation in Zamfara.”

According to him,  the government is responsible for  protecting lives and property, and contingency plans have already been made to protect mining operators in Zamfara and other states.

He further explained that the strategies adopted to achieve the feat were increased intelligence gathering by relevant security agencies, who would work alongside the mining operators.

The minister stated that  lifting of the ban would also facilitate better regulation of mining activities in the state.

He added that the host communities would also benefit from the ban lift through the implementation of corporate social responsibility projects by the mining companies.

According  to him,  the move will ensure the country benefits from the state’s rich mineral resources, and the significant contributions of the sector to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product.

In another development, the minister explained the provisions of its Memorandum of Understanding(MOU) with France, on boosting mining in the country.

He reassured that the agreement does not imply Nigeria was relinquishing control over its mineral resources or entering into any military pact with France.

NAN recalls that the minister on Dec. 1,  announced an MOU with France to develop joint projects to promote and diversify the value chain of the critical minerals in the solid minerals sector of both countries.

The partnership is also to open opportunities for the remediation of more than 2,000 abandoned pits in the country through environmental rehabilitation and post-mining projects intervention plans.

“The high point of the MOU is on training and capacity building for our mining professionals.

“We need all the assistance we can get in terms of capacity, technical, and financial support from abroad, and that wasn’t even the first we are signing,” he said. (NAN)

Edited by Chioma Ugboma

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