Economy
Ways and Means: Senate passes N22.9 trillion presidential request after 4 months delay

After four months delay, the Nigeria Senate on Wednesday passed the sum of N22.71 trillion ‘Ways and Means’ spending incurred by the executive arm of government along with N180.463 billion interest incurred, totalling N22.900 trillion .

Ways and Means are loans or advances given by the Central Bank of Nigeria to the Federal Government to enable it cater for short term or emergency finance to fund delayed government expected cash receipt of deficit.

President Muhammadu Buhari had in December 2022, forwarded to both chambers of the National Assembly for approval, N23.7 trillion Ways and Means Spending, out of which N819.536 billion was targeted to be part of N1trillion earmarked for execution of critical capital projects in the 2022 fiscal year.
While both the Senate and the House of Representatives, approved the N819.536 billion component of the N22.7 trillion Ways and Means approval request, they refused to consider the over N21 trillion balance spendings made.
Consequently, the Senate in January this year, set up a special committee headed by the leader, Senator Ibrahim Gobir representing APC Sokoto East, to interface with relevant offices and officials of the executive for detailed explanations on how the money was spent.
Senator Gobir in his presentation of the report adopted by the Senate said: ” The Ways and Means balance was initially N19,326,745,239,660.20 as at 30 June, 2022 but later grew to N22,719,704,774,306.90 as at 19th December, 2022 as a result of financial obligations to the on-going capital projects and additional expenditures which includes domestic debt service gaps and interest rate.
“That the Senate on Wednesday, 28th December, 2022, approved the sum of N819, 536,937,813 of the one trillion naira additional request made by Mr. President, Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces leaving an outstanding balance of N180,463,062,187 being the accrued interest on the sum.
“That the House of Representatives earlier approved the additional one trillion naira Ways and Means Advances requested by Mr. President CommanderIn-Chief of the Armed Forces to enable the smooth implementation of the supplementary budget.
“That part of the Ways and Means monies were given to State Governments as loans to augment budgetary short fall in their various States etc”.
He added that the Special Committee after exhaustive deliberations, recommends as follows: (1) That the restructuring sum of N22, 719,703,774,306.90 (Twenty-Two Trillion Seven Hundred and Nineteen Billion Seven Hundred and Three Million Seven Hundred and Seventy-four Thousand Three Hundred and Six Naira Ninety Kobo) only for Ways and Means Advances be approved because the advances were made to ensure that the government does not shutdown;
“( 2) That the Senate further approve the sum of %180,463,062,187 (One Hundred and Eighty Billion Four Hundred and Sixty Three Million Sixty Two Thousand One Hundred and Eighty Seven Naira) only being the balance of the supplementary budget and the interest accrued on the Ways and Means
( 3)That if there Is a need to exceed the 5% threshold of the prior year’s revenue, recourse must be made to the National Assembly for approval;
(4)That the Federal Government should begin the process of recovering the portion of the Ways and Means given as the loans to State Governments as further deferment of the repayment of the loans by the States will not be healthy for the economy;
(5) That the Federal Government through the Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning , should expedite action on the repayment of the loans through treasury bilis and bond issuances; and
” (6) That the National Assembly will not condone future increase in the Ways and Means without seeking the approval of the National Assembly.”
President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan in his remarks after the approval said though approval for Ways and Means request by the executive from the legislature, are not peculiar to Nigeria but procedures and processes for that must be followed henceforth.
“The one approved today was done for national interest and national emergency . Any other requests of such , must follow the laid down procedures and processes”, he said.

Economy
2025 Revenue: FG, States, LGAs share N1.678 trillion

A total sum of N1.678 trillion, being February 2025 Federation Account Revenue, has been shared to the Federal Government, States and the Local Government Councils.

The revenue was shared at the March 2025 Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) meeting held in Abuja; chaired by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun.

The meeting was attended by the Accountant General of the Federation, Shamseldeen Ogunjimi.
The total distributable revenue of N1.678 trillion comprised distributable statutory revenue of N827.633 billion, distributable Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue of N 609.430 billion, Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL) revenue of N35.171 billion, Solid Minerals revenue of N28.218 billion and Augmentation of N178 billion.
According to a communiqué issued by the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), total gross revenue of N2.344 trillion was available in the month of February 2025. Total deduction for cost of collection was N89.092 billion while total transfers, interventions, refunds and savings was N577.097 billion.
The communiqué stated that gross statutory revenue of N1.653 trillion was received for the month of February 2025. This was lower than the sum of N1.848 trillion received in the month of January 2025 by N194.664 billion.
Gross revenue of N654.456 billion was available from the Value Added Tax (VAT) in February 2025. This was lower than the N771.886 billion available in the month of January 2025 by N117.430 billion.
The communiqué stated that from the total distributable revenue of N1.678 trillion, the Federal Government received total sum of N569.656 billion and the State Governments received total sum of N562.195 billion.
The Local Government Councils received total sum of N410.559 billion and a total sum of N136.042 billion (13% of mineral revenue) was shared to the benefiting States as derivation revenue.
On the N827.633 billion distributable statutory revenue, the communiqué stated that the Federal Government received N366.262 billion and the State Governments received N185.773 billion.
The Local Government Councils received N143.223 billion and the sum of N132.374 billion (13% of mineral revenue) was shared to the benefiting States as derivation revenue.
From the N609.430 billion distributable Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue, the Federal Government received N91.415 billion, the State Governments received N304.715 billion and the Local Government Councils received N213.301 billion.
A total sum of N5.276 billion was received by the Federal Government from the N35.171 billion Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL). The State Governments received N17.585 billion and the Local Government Councils received N12.310 billion.
From the N28.218 billion Solid Minerals revenue, the Federal Government received N12.933 billion and the State Governments received N6.560 billion.
The Local Government Councils received N5.057 billion and a total sum of N3.668 billion (13% of mineral revenue) was shared to the benefiting States as derivation revenue.
The Augmentation of N178 billion was shared as follows: Federal Government received N93.770 billion, the State Governments received N47.562 billion and the Local Government Councils received N36.668 billion.
In February 2025, Oil and Gas Royalty and Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL), increased significantly while Value Added Tax (VAT), Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT), Companies Income Tax (CIT), Excise Duty, Import Duty and CET Levies recorded decreases.

Economy
Protesters urge president Tinubu to protect Diaspora housing investments along Lagos-Calabar coastal highway

A group under the aegis of Renewed Hope Concern Citizens (RHCC) on Friday staged a peaceful protest, calling for President Bola Tinubu’s intervention in protecting housing investments owned by Nigerians in the diaspora along the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway.

The protesters gathered in front of the United States Embassy in Abuja, carrying banners with inscriptions such as; Minister of Works, Senator Umahi should revert to the original gazetted alignment as promised. Enough is Enough; Association of Nigerian Diaspora Investors (ANDI) has cried enough, please intervene to save their energy to promote, support, and assist the Renewed Hope Administration; Renewed Hope Concern Citizens want Diaspora Investments to be protected and given adequate attention among others

“As committed stakeholders in the nation’s economic progress, we have consistently supported the government’s vision, particularly in revitalizing Nigeria’s infrastructure and energy sector. While we acknowledge the administration’s positive strides, recent developments have raised concerns about the misalignment of energy policies, particularly regarding the 2006 Gazetted alignment.
“We urgently call on the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, to restore the 2006 Gazetted alignment to ensure continued growth and stability in Nigeria’s energy sector,” said Hon. Tayo Agbaje, Chairman of RHCC, while addressing journalists.
The group refuted the Minister’s claim that an underground cable warranted the removal of structures in Okun Ajah, Lagos and outlined several reasons why President Tinubu’s intervention is crucial.
According to them, The 2006 Gazetted alignment has long provided a stable and predictable framework, essential for maintaining investor confidence in Nigeria’s energy sector.
“Diaspora investors contribute significantly to job creation, business growth, and the overall economy, making their protection vital to sustaining these contributions.
“The President should investigate the Minister of Works’ claim about the underground cable allegedly interfering with the 2006 Gazetted plan.
“Restoring the alignment will reinforce Nigeria’s commitment to a stable investment climate, boosting foreign investor confidence and attracting much-needed capital for infrastructure development.
“Deviating from established policies creates uncertainty, undermining both current and future foreign investments.
“Maintaining the 2006 Gazetted alignment will signal Nigeria’s dedication to long-term economic stability, further reassuring both local and international investors,” the group stated.
The RHCC reaffirmed its support for the Association of Nigeria in Diaspora Investments (ANDI) in its quest to uphold the 2006 Gazetted alignment plan of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.
They urged the government to act swiftly to protect diaspora investors, as this will strengthen Nigeria’s investment future and ensure continued economic success under the Renewed Hope Administration.

Economy
Ogunjimi promises to collaborate with ex-Accountants-General in taking treasury house to greater heights

The newly appointed Accountant General
of the Federation, Mr Shamseldeen B. Ogunjimi said he would collaborate and tap from the wealth of experiences of all Former Accountants -General of the Federation to bring the nation treasury to a greater height.

Mr Ogunjimi disclosed this while receiving two Former Accountants-General of the Federation, Dr John Naiyeju and Dr Ibrahim Dankwambo in his office in Abuja.

Speaking earlier, Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo suggested the upgrading of the Treasury Academy, Orozo owned by the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF) to a Degree (University) awarding Institute.
Also, Dr. John K. Naiyeju charged the new Accountant-General to carry along everyone and advised him to make staff welfare his priority.
In a related development, the Accountant-General of the Federation expressed his willingness to work with all professional organisation that will bring positive development to the nation, especially, his professional and Academy colleagues of the doctorate class.
Mr Ogunjimi called on his classmates to come up with ideas and suggestions that will enhance the management of the nation’s treasury that will positively affect the economy development.
In his remarks, the Chairman Forum of Doctorate Students, Ibrahim Aliyu said that they were in Treasury House to congratulate one of their own and assured him of their support towards his successful tenure.

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