General News
FG Supports MSMEs with 15% Discount on Logistics Services
The Federal Government, through the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency, has offered a 15 per cent discount on logistics to help small businesses cut their transportation expenses.
It said this was part of efforts to improve business conditions, expand sales, and lower operational costs for Small and Medium Enterprises in Nigeria.
This initiative, in partnership with the Nigerian Postal Service, aims to enhance business conditions, boost sales, and reduce operational costs and will commence on August 26.
Mr Charles Odii, the Director-General of SMEDAN, said this while signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the Postmaster-General of NIPOST, Mrs Tola Odeyemi, on Wednesday in Abuja.
Odii described the collaboration as a direct response to feedback from SMEs regarding the high cost of logistics and its negative impact on sales.
High transport costs severely impact MSMEs in Nigeria by escalating their operational expenses, which diminishes profitability and can limit their competitiveness in the market.
He said, “We are signing today an offer of 15 per cent discount on logistics for small businesses and maybe in another three months the postmaster can make it 50 per cent or review it better.
“This is the best time for this partnership, and in another three months, we are hoping that we can come back here and review what we have done.
“We will articulate clearly how much we helped small businesses in Nigeria save through our monitoring and evaluation department, and then we can continue to see how we can better this partnership.
He added, “The discount offer will commence on Monday, August 26, and will be available to SMEs registered with SMEDAN in two ways: online pickups and walk-ins,” Odii said.
According to him, the feedback received by the agency through its engagements with SMEs revealed that in some cases, the cost of delivery exceeds the cost of items, discouraging sales and limiting commercial opportunities for SMEs in their immediate environment.
The partnership will leverage NIPOST’s national presence and infrastructure, as well as its ongoing reform and modernization efforts under the leadership of Tola Odeyemi, the Postmaster General and CEO of the agency.
On her part, Odeyemi said the partnership was long overdue and would contribute to the achievement of inclusive economic growth, considering that MSMEs, which represent over 90 per cent of businesses in the country and contribute half of the GDP, serve as the backbone of the economy.
Through this partnership, both agencies will utilize their offices and stations nationwide to initiate, process, and fast-track deliveries, ensuring that small businesses can move goods to remote parts of the country efficiently, timely, and affordably.
“So, we are here to partner with you, to partner with your mandates for small and medium enterprises in Nigeria to come on board our platform, as it is a platform for inclusive economic growth.
“I know that this partnership is one for the ages, one that will spur Nigeria’s economic growth. Any MSME that is registered with SMEDAN gets access to a 15 per cent discount, and it runs as long as Nigeria runs.
“Although a 15 per cent discount might not look much, you have to realise that NIPOST prices are already socially oriented,” she said.
The postmaster said that through the partnership, both agencies would utilise their offices and stations nationwide to initiate, process, and fast-track deliveries.
“It will ensure that small businesses can move goods to remote parts of the country efficiently, timely, and affordably.
“To ensure a seamless and positive experience for SMEs, both agencies will maintain a dedicated customer support unit to respond to complaints and address any issues that may arise.
“This unit will provide prompt assistance, ensuring that SMEs can focus on growing their businesses without logistical hurdles.”
Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has unveiled a forward-looking strategy that places satellite-enabled mobile connectivity at the heart of the country’s drive to bridge its long-standing coverage gaps.
The draft Spectrum Roadmap for the Communications Sector for 2025 to 2030 lays out how satellite technologies could help deliver reliable voice and data services to millions of Nigerians who live beyond the reach of conventional mobile networks.
The direction is outlined in the Commission’s draft Spectrum Roadmap for the Communications Sector covering the period.
The proposed approach highlights non-terrestrial networks as a complement to existing mobile infrastructure, especially in areas where terrain, insecurity, or high costs limit the deployment of base stations.
The NCC said D2D satellite technology, which allows standard mobile phones to connect directly to satellites, is gaining traction globally as a means of delivering voice and data services without reliance on ground towers.
According to the regulator, the technology could help close persistent coverage gaps in rural, riverine, and border communities that remain outside the reach of conventional networks.
It also noted that satellite-backed connectivity could improve network reliability by providing alternative links during fibre cuts, power failures, or other disruptions affecting terrestrial systems.
The Commission added that wider adoption of D2D services could support emergency communications, public safety operations, Internet of Things applications, and services such as smart agriculture in underserved regions.
It also pointed to potential investment opportunities through partnerships between mobile network operators and satellite companies, including more efficient use of shared spectrum resources.
Beyond D2D services, the roadmap places emphasis on Low-Earth Orbit satellites to expand broadband access to remote parts of the country.
It also proposes better utilisation of Geostationary Orbit satellites and the exploration of high-altitude platforms, such as stratospheric balloons, to support mobile backhaul and rural connectivity.
The policy signals come shortly after Airtel Africa announced an agreement with SpaceX to introduce Starlink-powered direct-to-cell services in Nigeria.
The NCC’s roadmap is expected to shape future spectrum allocation, licensing decisions, and technology adoption across the telecommunications sector.
General News
House of Reps Releases Certified Copies of Tax Reform Acts amid Gazette Discrepancy Claims
House of Representatives has released certified true copies of the four tax reform Acts signed into law by President Bola Tinubu, addressing public concerns over alleged discrepancies between legislative versions and circulated gazetted documents.
Tax Reform Acts
House spokesperson, Akin Rotimi, disclosed this in a statement, noting that Speaker Tajudeen Abbas directed the immediate publication of the Acts—including endorsement and presidential assent pages—for public verification, in collaboration with Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The move followed allegations raised by Rep. Abdulsamad Dasuki on the House floor, highlighting inconsistencies between Bills passed by the National Assembly and executive gazetted versions, which he warned could erode legislative integrity and public trust.
Abbas constituted a seven-member ad hoc committee chaired by Rep. Aliyu Betara, with members including Idris Wase, Sada Soli, Adedeji Faleke, Igariwey Iduma, Fred Agbedi and Babajimi Benson, to investigate the alleged alterations, unauthorised circulation and preventive measures.
The committee’s mandate includes probing circumstances around the discrepancies, while Abbas ordered internal verification and public release of certified copies to dispel doubts and safeguard legislative records. Legal experts, tax professionals and civil society had demanded clarification and implementation suspension amid heated debates triggered by Dasuki’s intervention.
The released laws comprise the Nigeria Tax Act, 2025; Nigeria Tax Administration Act, 2025; National Revenue Service Establishment Act, 2025; and Joint Revenue Board Establishment Act, 2025, described as foundational to modernising Nigeria’s tax system.
These reforms aim to enhance compliance, curb inefficiencies, eliminate overlaps and bolster fiscal coordination across federal, state and local tiers, following extensive stakeholder consultations, committee reviews and plenary debates under Abbas’s leadership.
Rotimi reassured Nigerians: “The National Assembly is an institution built on records, procedure, and institutional memory. Every Bill, every amendment, and every Act follows a traceable constitutional and parliamentary pathway.”
He emphasised that only National Assembly-certified versions hold authority, urging the public, institutions and stakeholders to disregard all other circulating documents as unofficial.
MultiChoice, a CANAL+ company, has retained the distribution rights to 12 Warner Bros. Discovery thematic channels following the signing of a new multi-year, multi-territory agreement between CANAL+ Group and Warner Bros. Discovery, marking a significant expansion of their long-standing partnership.
MultiChoice
The new deal, which spans several regions across Africa and Europe, covers the distribution of HBO Max as well as the renewal of selected Warner Bros. Discovery thematic channels. It represents a major milestone in the companies’ international collaboration and strengthens content offerings across MultiChoice Group territories.
MultiChoice disclosed that this agreement builds on earlier partnerships concluded in Europe. “It builds on the landmark agreements concluded in France in 2024,including the renewal of the exclusive pay-TV window for Warner Bros. Pictures films just six months after their theatrical release in France and the integration of HBO Max within select CANAL+ group offers – as well as in Poland in 2025, with the renewal of the distribution agreement for 22 thematic channels (including TVN 24 and Eurosport) and 4 free-to-air channels (including TVN).”
Under the renewed arrangement, MultiChoice Group will continue to distribute 12 Warner Bros. Discovery thematic channels across its territories, with some channels offered on an exclusive basis. CNN International and Cartoon Network will remain exclusive to South Africa while being distributed non-exclusively in other markets. Cartoon Network Porto will be exclusive in Angola and Mozambique and non-exclusive elsewhere. Other channels such as Discovery Channel, TLC, HGTV, Food Network, TNT Africa, Travel, ID and Cartoonito will be offered on a non-exclusive basis.
According to the partners, the deal reinforces CANAL+ Group’s channel portfolio on the continent. “This agreement enables CANAL+ Group to strengthen its entertainment, kids, news, and documentary channel offerings in African markets.”
The agreement is also expected to improve access for CANAL+ Group subscribers to Warner Bros. Discovery’s premium content through HBO Max and selected channels, including globally recognised series and films, further extending the studio’s international reach while consolidating MultiChoice’s content offering in key markets.
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