NEWS
Tax Bills Will Cripple Northern States’ Ability To Pay Workers – Gov Zulum
Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum has voiced strong opposition to the tax reform bills currently under review in Nigeria’s National Assembly, arguing that their passage could severely hinder the development of the northern region and exacerbate economic difficulties nationwide.
The tax reform bills, which were presented to the National Assembly by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in September, have sparked significant backlash, particularly from northern leaders.
Northern governors, traditional rulers, and the Northern Elders Forum have all expressed concern, claiming the reforms do not serve the nation’s interests.
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In an interview with BBC Hausa, Governor Zulum criticized the rapid progression of the bills, pointing out that they have received expedited attention in contrast to other pieces of legislation that have taken years to pass.
“We condemn these bills transmitted to the National Assembly. They will drag the north backward,” Zulum stated.
He also highlighted that the negative impact would not be confined to the north but would extend to other regions, including parts of the South West and South East.
The governor also questioned the urgency behind the bills, recalling the protracted timeline for the passage of other significant legislation.
“There’s a petroleum bill that was presented, but it took almost 20 years before it was finally passed. But this one was transmitted and is already receiving legislative attention within a week,” Zulum noted.
He called for a more cautious approach to ensure long-term benefits for future generations.
Zulum warned that the bills could lead to severe fiscal challenges, particularly for northern states, with the potential to hinder their ability to pay civil servants.
“If these bills scale through, we will not be able to even pay salaries. And if we paid, it won’t be sustainable the following year,” he said.
When asked whether the tax reforms would worsen poverty, hunger, and insecurity in the north, the governor answered in the affirmative, stating that the proposals would have detrimental effects on the entire country.
“Yes, including security,” Zulum added. He also pointed out that opposition to the bills is not only coming from the north but also from southern regions such as Lagos, which has voiced similar concerns.
Despite his strong objections, Zulum clarified that his position was not a political attack on President Tinubu, whom he supported in the recent elections.
“This is not against the government. We supported and voted for him. But these bills will not mean good for us,” he said.
The governor also addressed rumors that lawmakers could be influenced by lobbying or kickbacks to support the bills, though he refrained from making direct allegations.
“There are rumors around, but we are not certain. But you know we are in Nigeria!” Zulum said. He urged fellow Nigerians to act with patriotism, emphasizing the importance of considering the welfare of future generations.
In addition, Governor Zulum appealed directly to President Tinubu to reconsider the tax reform bills, urging him to listen to the concerns raised by northern leaders and ensure that any legislation passed benefits the nation as a whole.
“We are appealing to the President to listen to us and address our concerns,” he added
Oil marketers have warned that Nigerians may soon pay as much as ₦1,500 per litre for Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, as global oil prices surge following the escalating conflict involving Iran in the Middle East.
The National President of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), Dr. Billy Gillis-Harry, issued the warning on Tuesday while speaking on a television programme on the impact of the global crisis on fuel prices.
According to him, the current volatility in the international oil market has already pushed petrol prices above ₦1,000 per litre at the depot level, with the ex-depot price from the Dangote Petroleum Refinery now standing at about ₦1,175 per litre.
He explained that once logistics, transportation, and other operational costs are added, the final pump price could rise significantly, possibly reaching ₦1,500 per litre in the near future.
Despite concerns about the rising cost of fuel, Gillis-Harry noted that steady availability of petroleum products from the Dangote Refinery remains a major relief for Nigeria, stressing that consistent supply is better than a nationwide fuel scarcity.
He added that the refinery’s production capacity is helping to stabilize supply across the country at a time when global markets remain highly unstable.
The latest price adjustment by the Dangote Refinery marks the fourth review within two weeks. Petrol prices increased from ₦995 per litre to ₦1,175 per litre, while diesel rose from ₦1,430 to about ₦1,620 per litre.
The development comes amid a sharp spike in international crude oil prices triggered by fears of supply disruptions due to the ongoing Middle East conflict.
Brent crude recently climbed above $102 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) rose to around $101 per barrel.
Industry analysts say the rising oil prices are already having a ripple effect on Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector, forcing depot operators and fuel marketers to adjust their prices in response to the global market trend.
Meanwhile, the management of Dangote Petroleum Refinery has stated that although Nigeria introduced a crude-for-naira arrangement to support local refineries, the facility still purchases crude oil at international market prices, leaving it exposed to global price fluctuations.
The United Nations has raised the alarm over a dramatic surge in attacks on schools worldwide, reporting a 166% increase between 2021 and 2024.
The rise highlights the escalating dangers faced by children in conflict zones.
United Nations Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, Nada Al-Nashif, revealed the figures during the annual meeting of the UN Human Rights Council on the rights of the child on Monday.
The session, themed “Mainstreaming the Rights of Children in Armed Conflict: Prevention and Protection,” focused on protecting children amid global conflicts.
Al-Nashif noted that the attacks were particularly concentrated in Sudan, Ukraine, the Gaza Strip, Myanmar, and Ethiopia, where children remain among the most vulnerable victims.
“In 2024, armed conflict directly affected nearly one in six children globally—about 470 million children,” she said. “Years of lost education, trauma, and lasting mental scars shape societies for generations. Long after the fighting subsides, children continue to face deadly risks.”
She highlighted Gaza as having the world’s highest number of child amputees per capita, warning that the impact of war goes far beyond immediate violence.
In Lebanon, government figures show that more than 450,000 people were displaced in less than a week, with at least 394 fatalities, including 83 children, during the 2024 conflict with Israel.
Al-Nashif also stressed the disproportionate risks for displaced children, who are more likely to die from disease linked to unsafe water and sanitation than from direct violence.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, a 2025 cholera outbreak killed 340 children, underscoring the long-term consequences of conflict.
She called on states to uphold their international obligations to protect children, insisting that protecting children is “both a legal obligation and a humanitarian moral imperative.”
Also speaking at the council, Vanessa Frazier, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, warned that violence against children continued at extreme levels in 2025.
She urged mainstreaming child protection across peace, security, humanitarian, human rights, and development efforts, emphasizing that children should actively participate in shaping policies designed to safeguard them.
Frazier highlighted her office’s global campaign, “Prove It Matters,” aimed at amplifying children’s voices in conflict resolution and peacebuilding.
The UN report underscores the urgent need for coordinated international action to protect children and ensure their safety in conflict zones worldwide.
Portugal officially inaugurated its new president, Antonio Jose Seguro, on Monday, pledging to bring stability to a nation shaken by political uncertainty and natural disasters.
Seguro, the centre-left candidate, won last month’s presidential run-off against far-right rival Andre Ventura, following weeks of catastrophic storms that killed at least seven people and caused approximately €4 billion ($4.6 billion) in damage.
Speaking at his swearing-in ceremony in Lisbon’s parliament, Seguro emphasized cooperation with the minority right-wing government and vowed to end the country’s “electoral frenzy.”
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“I will do everything I can to put an end to this electoral frenzy,” he said, pointing to the inability of previous governments to complete their terms.
Amid global crises, including conflicts in the Middle East and a more isolationist US approach under President Donald Trump, Seguro stressed the importance of multilateralism.
“The force of law has been replaced by the power of the strongest,” he remarked.
Seguro succeeds Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, a conservative who leaves office at 77 after serving two five-year terms.
While the Portuguese presidency is largely ceremonial, Seguro’s leadership signals a commitment to political stability and international engagement.
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