General News
World Bank Asks Nigeria to Raise Public Health Taxes to Boost Revenue

The World Bank has suggested that Nigeria could significantly boost its public revenue and human capital investments by raising public health taxes.

The recommendation was made in its latest Nigeria Development Update, From Policy to People: Bringing the Reform Gains Home, released in early October.
These taxes cover excise duties on goods harmful to health, such as tobacco, alcohol, and sugary beverages.
Although Nigeria is West Africa’s largest consumer market, the Bank notes that its current tax rates on these products remain among the lowest within ECOWAS and worldwide.
Currently, Nigeria applies an ad valorem rate of 20% on spirits, compared to 45–50% in most countries of the economic bloc, and 30% on tobacco, far below Togo (100%), Senegal (65%), or Ghana (50%).
With this “significant untapped potential,” the World Bank said the federal government should leverage such taxes to sustainably broaden its revenue base, as the measure would benefit both fiscal balance and equity.
These taxes “improve improve health outcomes while generating additional revenues (The Task Force on Fiscal Policy for Health, 2024).31 Importantly, they also increase tax progressivity, as they impact mainly the richest households: only 5 percent of the poorest consume sugary drinks compared to 80 percent among the richest, and only 3 percent of the poorest consume alcoholic beverages, compared to 18 percent in the richest group,” the report stated.
If efficiently collected, the Bank added, the additional revenue could be directed toward priority spending such as universal health coverage, helping the country achieve lasting productivity gains.
“International experience, such as the Philippines and South Africa, shows that well-designed health taxes can both strengthen health systems and mobilize financing,” the World Bank concluded.
Observers note that the recommendation comes at a sensitive time for Nigerian authorities.
Earlier this year, the Federal High Court in Abuja suspended the collection of a 10-naira ($0.0068) levy per liter of sugary drinks, calling the 2022 measure “null and void.”
General News
FG Orders Installation of 5000 CCTV Cameras for Surveillance in Plateau

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the immediate installation of 5,000 CCTV cameras across identified flashpoints in Plateau State as part of urgent measures to address the worsening security situation in the state.

The President gave the directive during an emergency visit to Plateau on Thursday, where he held a brief stakeholders’ meeting at the Yakubu Gowon Airport following the recent killings in Angwan Rukuba, Jos, where at least 28 persons were killed by unidentified gunmen.
Tinubu also approved the formation of a delegation of key stakeholders to engage in further deliberations on lasting solutions to the security challenges in the state.
He condoled with families of the victims and directed that support be provided to cushion their losses.
President Bola Tinubu while expressing deep sympathy to families of victims said the installation of surveillance cameras was part of a deliberate move towards addressing the kind of attacks that befell residence of the recent attack in the State.
In his remarks, Governor Caleb Mutfwang appreciated the President’s visit and show of concern, but expressed worry over the recent wave of attacks in the state, describing the situation as disturbing and requiring urgent attention.
The meeting had in attendance, former Governors, serving and former National and State Assembly members, traditional rulers, government appointees as well as relatives of those killed in the Angwan Rukuba attack.
General News
FG Rolls Out N12Bn Digital Research Clusters to Boost Innovation Economy

Federal Government yesterday unveiled a N12 billion investment in digital economy research, marking a strategic shift towards knowledge-driven development as Nigeria positions itself as a key player in the global digital landscape.

Declaring the launch of the National Digital Economy Research Clusters under the Building Resilient Digital Infrastructure for Growth (BRIDGE) project, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, said the initiative mobilises over 200 researchers from universities and research institutions nationwide to produce data-driven solutions for pressing national challenges.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, Tijani described the programme as an essential complement to infrastructure expansion, including the ongoing deployment of 90,000 kilometres of fibre optic cable across the country.
He stressed that sustainable growth in the digital sector now hinges on robust research, innovation and evidence-based policies rather than infrastructure alone.
“As Nigeria expands its digital economy, attention is shifting from infrastructure to the knowledge that drives it,” the minister stated, adding that the sector was emerging as a major contributor to national GDP.
The research clusters will tackle critical areas including connectivity, digital public infrastructure, skills development, job creation, online safety and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.
Tijani explained that the project aims to bolster Nigeria’s research capacity while ensuring local insights guide policy and technology adoption.
The Federal Ministry of Education is collaborating to synchronise academic research with national priorities and advance specialised training.
Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, underscored universities’ evolving role as hubs of innovation and problem-solving beyond traditional learning.
The BRIDGE project aligns with broader government strategies to promote digital inclusion, spur economic growth and elevate Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global digital economy.
Observers note that the programme’s impact will depend on effectively converting research findings into implementable policies across sectors.
For the administration, the message is clear: a resilient digital economy demands not just infrastructure, but the intelligence to power it.
General News
Myitura Launches Women-Focused Healthcare Financing Solutions to Bridge Access Gap

In commemoration of Women’s Month, health-tech platform Myitura has released a new white paper addressing the critical gaps in healthcare financing for women in Nigeria.

Titled “Closing the Gap: Healthcare Financing for Women in Nigeria,” the report highlights how high out-of-pocket costs, limited insurance coverage, and socio-economic factors continue to prevent women from accessing timely healthcare.
According to the report, over 70% of healthcare expenses in Nigeria are paid out-of-pocket, disproportionately affecting women who often delay care due to financial and social constraints.
“When women can afford to take care of their health early, we don’t just save lives; we strengthen families, communities, and the economy,” said Chialuka Kelechi, MyItura’s Chief of Staff.
Key Insights from the White Paper:
- Preventable conditions often escalate due to delayed care
- Women are more likely to deprioritize their own health
- Affordable, structured healthcare financing can significantly improve outcomes
Introducing a Women’s Health Initiative
As part of its commitment, Myitura is launching affordable women-focused health packages (powered by Mediloan), starting at ₦58,180, designed to encourage preventive care and early detection.
The package provides access to:
- Fasting/Random Blood Sugar
- Urinalysis
- Electrolytes
- Urea
- Creatinine
- Pap Smear Submitted slides
- HIV I & II Rapid (Qualitative)
- Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Screening (Rapid)
- Hepatitis C Virus Screening (Rapid)
- Abdominopelvic Ultrasound
- Ongoing support via the Myitura platform
Access:
Women can access these packages by downloading the Myitura app, which makes healthcare more accessible and convenient.
Myitura is a health-tech platform focused on improving access to healthcare through financing, technology, and preventive care solutions.
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