General News
FG Targets 40% GDP Growth by 2030 Through AfCFTA

The Federal Government has set an audacious target of achieving 40 percent growth in Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2030, leveraging the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to expand exports, attract investments and boost industrial productivity across key sectors.

This comes as the government steps up efforts to fully tap into the opportunities offered by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), with renewed emphasis on strengthening the technical capacity of trade institutions and private-sector players to drive effective implementation and position Nigeria as a major force in intra-African trade.
The National Coordinator of the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office, Mr. Olusegun Awolowo, said the government has stepped up implementation through an advanced training initiative on the Rules of Origin, a vital component that determines goods’ eligibility for preferential treatment under AfCFTA.
According to him, the initiative is part of a strategic partnership with the World Customs Organisation (WCO) under the EU-WCO Rules of Origin for Africa Programme and is being facilitated by the Nigeria Customs Service, led by Comptroller-General Adewale Adeniyi.
He noted that the training reflects the Tinubu administration’s determination to make AfCFTA work for Nigerian manufacturers, exporters, and service providers.
“The renewed effort prioritises economic diversification, industrial expansion and regional integration. Effective implementation of AfCFTA could increase Nigeria’s GDP by as much as 40 per cent by 2030 if the right structures and human capacity are developed.
“In line with President Tinubu’s mandate, we are driving AfCFTA implementation through targeted capacity building for businesses and developing a new cadre of experts who understand the practical application of the AfCFTA Rules of Origin.
“This initiative forms part of a nationwide intervention aimed at demystifying AfCFTA instruments for Nigerian enterprises and ensuring that our private-sector players can compete effectively within Africa’s single market,” he explained.
He added that the programme aims to empower Nigerian enterprises to master product-specific rules, enhance compliance with trade requirements, and gain greater access to markets across the continent.
Awolowo said that without building local expertise, other African countries could benefit more from AfCFTA than Nigeria.
He said the Coordination Office is working closely with the Customs Service and the private sector to ensure local businesses are not left behind as Africa moves toward a borderless trade environment.
Also speaking, a representative of the WCO, Faith Mathenge, highlighted the importance of human capital development in unlocking AfCFTA’s full potential.
She said the WCO and the European Union are providing technical assistance and continuous training to bridge knowledge gaps in Rules of Origin and customs procedures.
Mathenge noted that the EU-WCO Programme aims to enhance the capacity of customs administrations and private operators to implement AfCFTA efficiently.
She said Nigeria’s active participation demonstrates its commitment to regional trade integration and competitiveness.
“The EU-WCO Origin for Africa Programme is fully committed to supporting the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office and its stakeholders. We will continue to provide technical assistance, knowledge exchange, and institutional support to ensure that Nigeria maximises AfCFTA’s immense opportunities,” she said.
Representing the National Coordinator, Mr. Olusegun Olutayo, a senior trade expert, reaffirmed that a deeper understanding of Rules of Origin would help local industries reduce dependence on imports, expand production, and compete favourably in the continental market.
He emphasised that Nigeria’s vast population and industrial potential give it a natural advantage in AfCFTA, provided its human and institutional capacities are well developed.
General News
NRS Extends Saturday Tax Office Operations Nationwide Ahead of Rev360 Rollout

The Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) has announced the extension of weekend tax office operations across the country as part of preparations for the rollout of the Rev360 Phase I Tax Administration System.

In a public notice issued in Abuja on May 7, the Service stated that all Emerging, Medium, Large, and Government Business Offices nationwide will now open on Saturdays from May 8 to June 27, 2026.
According to the notice, the offices will operate between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
The NRS explained that the initiative is aimed at providing additional taxpayer support and improving service delivery during the implementation of the new tax administration platform for Medium and Emerging Taxpayer segments.
The Service noted that the extended Saturday operations are designed to assist taxpayers requiring guidance with the new system, facilitate seamless compliance during the June peak Companies Income Tax filing period, and improve access to tax services outside regular weekday hours.
It encouraged taxpayers to take advantage of the initiative to resolve tax-related matters, seek necessary guidance, and ensure timely compliance with their tax obligations.
“The NRS remains dedicated to delivering efficient, transparent, and taxpayer-focused services,” the statement read.
The notice was signed by Zacch Adedeji, PhD, Executive Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service. “You say Transformation, We say Rev360.”
General News
NCS, Gowon University Partner on Research, Development

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Yakubu Gowon University have moved to formalise a strategic alliance aimed at advancing national security research, border management studies, and student welfare.

Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, made this known during a visit by the University’s Vice Chancellor Professor Hakeem Fawehinmi, to the headquarters of the agency yesterday in Abuja.
Adeniyi noted that the collaboration marks a significant step in bridging the gap between paramilitary operations and academic research. “I have a long institutional history with this university,” CGC Adeniyi remarked.
He noting that previous attempts to sign a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) were interrupted by leadership transitions and that the Service is now committed to a phased implementation of support, focusing on projects with the highest impact on the learning environment.
Adeniyi said “For us, beyond legacy, what matters most is impact. We understand the realities facing Nigerian universities, from transportation challenges to infrastructure gaps.
“Our interest is to support initiatives that will create a conducive learning environment and positively impact students.”
He also stressed the importance of the university in relation to its status of the nation’s capital u University. He pledged to support the institution in meeting the demands of its 40,000-strong student population.
Responding, Professor Fawehinmi highlighted the university’s Centre for Defence and Migration Studies as a critical hub for the partnership.
He suggested that the centre could provide the NCS with specialised research into national security and executive training for officers.
“Support in areas such as mass transit buses, ICT infrastructure, research facilities, and professional collaboration will significantly strengthen our capacity,” the Vice Chancellor noted, adding that as the only conventional public university in the Federal Capital Territory, the institution carries enormous responsibilities.
General News
CRMI Warns of Risks, Sees Gains in UAE Exit from OPEC

Chartered Risk Management Institute of Nigeria (CRMI) has highlighted potential benefits for Nigeria such as increased production flexibility, expanded market share, and improved revenue prospects following the United Arab Emirates’ decision to exit the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

However, the Institute cautioned that these opportunities come with significant risks, including exposure to price volatility, reduced protection from coordinated supply management, intensified competition, and mounting fiscal pressures.
In a statement signed by Victor Olannye, registrar/chief executive officer, described the development as a major shift in global oil governance, with far-reaching implications for market stability and international energy dynamics.
Olannye noted that the move could trigger increased oil price volatility, heightened geopolitical tensions, and disruptions across global energy supply chains.
He urged corporate organisations, public institutions, financial bodies, and risk professionals to reassess their risk frameworks and strengthen resilience in response to evolving global realities.
He identified key risks to include a potential weakening of OPEC cohesion, oil price instability, geopolitical uncertainty, supply chain disruptions, macroeconomic volatility, and the possibility of further exits by member states.
In line with its mandate to promote sound risk management and support national development, the Institute advised corporate organisations to implement robust risk management frameworks, adopt dynamic hedging strategies, and diversify their business portfolios.
Financial institutions and investors were also urged to reassess energy-related risks, strengthen portfolio diversification, and enhance risk disclosure practices.
CRMI further called on government and policymakers to reinforce fiscal buffers, accelerate economic diversification, and promote the transition to renewable energy.
Individual risk professionals were encouraged to upskill in geopolitical risk analysis and energy economics while developing expertise in scenario planning and predictive analytics.
The Institute emphasised the need for stakeholders to reposition proactively to navigate the evolving geo-economic landscape. It also projected possible scenarios, including fragmentation of global oil governance structures, increased reliance on market-driven pricing mechanisms, and an acceleration of global energy transition efforts.
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