News March 04, 2026 NCDC alarms over rising Lassa fever in 18 states

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has raised concern over increasing Lassa fever cases across 18 states and 67 Local Government Areas (LGAs).

The agency attributed the sustained transmission and rising fatalities to operational gaps at the state level, urging urgent action to strengthen outbreak response and control measures.

Director-General of NCDC, Dr Jide Idris, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.

He said that Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Edo and Benue accounted for more than 80 per cent of confirmed cases recorded during the 2026 peak transmission season.

Idris described as particularly worrisome the growing infections among healthcare workers, with 28 confirmed cases and three deaths reported so far this season.

He said field investigations showed most transmissions were occurring in known endemic areas, but weak implementation of established response frameworks had contributed to the continued spread and higher case fatality rate.

According to him, gaps identified include infections in general outpatient and maternity settings, poor adherence to Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) protocols, and inadequate pre-positioning of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

He added that delayed patient presentation due to financial barriers, inconsistent activation of State Incident Management Systems, weak contact tracing, persistent stigma and poor isolation centre standards were also driving transmission.

Idris emphasised that outbreak response implementation and health service delivery fell primarily under state governments within Nigeria’s federal structure, urging them to strengthen accountability and resource allocation.

He called on affected and high-risk states to urgently activate and closely monitor their Incident Management Systems, ensuring timely coordination and efficient outbreak response at all levels of healthcare delivery.

He also urged the immediate release of response funds, strict enforcement of Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) compliance in public and private health facilities, and continuous availability of PPE and other critical supplies.

The NCDC boss also advocated accelerated financial protection mechanisms to reduce late presentation and high fatality rates, alongside institutionalised rodent control and environmental sanitation measures under a One Health approach.

He advised healthcare workers to maintain a high index of suspicion and adhere strictly to IPC guidelines.

He also urged the public to keep environments clean, prevent rodent entry into homes, store food safely and seek early medical care when symptoms appeared.

Idris noted that Lassa fever was treatable, with improved outcomes when detected early, adding that Nigeria was also responding to other epidemic-prone diseases including Cerebrospinal Meningitis, Diphtheria, Mpox and Cholera.

He reiterated NCDC’s toll-free emergency line, 6232, for reporting suspected cases and obtaining further information.(NAN)

News March 04, 2026 FG bans cash tax collection, roadblocks

The Federal Government has prohibited cash collection of taxes and banned the mounting of roadblocks for revenue enforcement, as part of fresh regulations to implement Nigeria’s new tax laws nationwide.

The Executive Secretary (ES) of the Joint Revenue Board, Mr Olusegun Adesokan, made this known during the signing of the Presumptive Tax Regulations and Guidelines on the Implementation of the Tax Laws in Abuja on Tuesday.

He said that the new framework was designed to end informal, coercive and fragmented tax practices, particularly at the subnational level.

“It bans all forms of cash collection by tax authorities.

“It also bans the mounting of roadblocks for the collection of taxes,” he said.

Adesokan said that the regulations would entrench transparency and equity in tax administration, especially within the commerce and informal sectors.

“These regulations are another demonstration of his commitment to taxing prosperity and not poverty,” the ES said.

He said that nano and small businesses with an annual turnover of N12 million or below would be exempted under the presumptive tax regime.

“Our nano and small businesses with an annual turnover of N12 million and below are exempted from tax,” Adesokan said.

He said that the framework introduced a one per cent tax rate on turnover for other categories of informal businesses, while encouraging the use of technology-driven payment systems.

“It also introduces a tax rate of one per cent of turnover on all other categories of informal businesses,” he said.

Adesokan noted that the guidelines provided a uniform structure for subnational governments in taxing the commerce sector and integrating operators into the formal system through a Tax Identification platform.

“These regulations constitute the framework for taxing the commerce sector.

” The alignment of states behind the framework signalled a coordinated national approach,” he said.

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun, said that the signing marked a transition from legislative approval to operational enforcement of the tax reforms enacted in 2025 and early 2026.

“With the signing of these regulations, we are transitioning from regulation to structured implementation of the tax reforms,” Edun said.

He said that the regulations was a simple and transparent framework for applying presumptive tax anchored on transparency, fairness, clarity, indeed, equity, and economic inclusion for Nigerians.

“Our aim is to ensure consistency, prevent arbitrary assessments and to protect small businesses while ensuring the continuous growth of the Nigerian economy,” the minister said.

Edun said that the reforms were not intended to raise tax rates but to broaden the tax base in a structured manner.

“We will expand the tax base, not raising taxes, but expanding so that each bears his rightful contribution to the common cause,” he said.

The minister said that the regulations were developed in collaboration with the Joint Revenue Board to ensure alignment across federal, state and local governments.

“Our role is to ensure that tax administrations are coordinated, not fragmented, deliver results and impact to all Nigerians,” Edun said.

The minister said that the reforms bring broader growth objectives, adding that the economic expansion had exceeded four per cent in the last quarter of 2025 but required further acceleration.

“We are trying to get to seven per cent GDP growth, the President’s said the target by 2030 is one trillion dollars economy,” Edun said.

He said that the implementation would be closely monitored to safeguard fairness, and an ombudsman mechanism had been introduced.

The Chairman of the National Tax Policy Implementation Committee, Mr Joseph Tegbe, said that the signing was a decisive shift from policy intention to practical execution.

He said that the reforms were not about imposing new burdens but correcting distortions in the system.

“It is not about imposing new volumes but restoring order where there has been fragmentation and replacing arbitrariness with transparency, ” the chairman said.

Tegbe said that the informal sector employs more than 80 per cent of Nigeria’s workforce but has historically contributed little to structured public revenue due to systemic weaknesses.

“The informal sector employs more than 80 per cent of the workforce yet its contribution to structured public revenue has been disproportionately low, not because they are unwilling to pay but because our framework was either too complex or did not reflect operational realities,” he said.

Tegbe said that sustainable development required sustainable revenue mobilisation and that the committee would work with tax authorities to ensure di

sciplined and transparent rollout of the new framework.(NAN)

News March 04, 2026 Abuja-Kaduna highway reaches 80% completion, as FG set date for delivery

The Federal Government has confirmed that the long-delayed Abuja-Kaduna highway has reached 80 per cent completion, with 60 kilometres of the redesigned concrete pavement already delivered. Officials say the remaining stretch is scheduled for completion by the end of April.

The Federal Ministry of Works disclosed this during an inspection tour, part of the ongoing National Media Tour, reaffirming the government’s commitment to fast-tracking one of Nigeria’s most strategic transport corridors.

The project, now handled by Infouest Nigeria Limited, was re-awarded following the termination of its previous contract with Julius Berger Nigeria PLC.

Chukwuma Kalu, Controller of Works on the project, described the highway as “the heartbeat of the nation,” stressing that its completion remains a top infrastructure priority.

“As you know, the history of this project has been quite challenging. There were issues with the former contractor, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, and the project was terminated and re-awarded to Infouest Nigeria Limited to ensure faster delivery,” Kalu said.

He explained that the government redesigned the road from asphalt pavement to Continuous Reinforced Concrete Pavement to ensure durability, quality, and longevity. The highway links the North-Central and North-West regions to Abuja and serves as a critical corridor connecting Lagos to northern Nigeria.

Providing a progress update, Kalu said the project comprises a 40.5-kilometre dual carriageway CRCP section (81 kilometres combined lanes), a 17.3-kilometre asphalt section linking the Kano-Zaria road, and a 6.63-kilometre dual asphalt overlay in Kano State

“Out of the 81 kilometres of CRCP, 60 kilometres are complete, with 21 kilometres remaining. We are confident of delivering before the end of April,” he said, adding that construction teams are working day and night shifts to meet the deadline.

Robert Turner, Senior Project Manager at Infouest Nigeria Limited, reiterated the company’s commitment: “We give our full commitment to finishing everything by the end of April. It will serve the country economically, socially, and in terms of connectivity.”

The Abuja-Kaduna highway is among Nigeria’s busiest federal roads, serving commuters, freight operators, and interstate travellers. Its redesign using rigid concrete pavement is expected to reduce maintenance frequency compared to traditional asphalt surfaces.

News Politics March 04, 2026 Why I parted ways with Atiku – Adamawa Gov, Fintiri

Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State has clarified the circumstances surrounding his political separation from former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

Fintiri explained that their split was strictly based on differences in political affiliation.

Speaking on Channels Television, the governor stressed that although they now belong to different political parties, he still maintains a cordial relationship with Atiku.

He noted that individuals who are genuinely committed to Nigeria’s development should regard one another as partners in nation-building, adding that his current political position supports a southern presidential candidacy.

Fintiri dismissed claims of any communication breakdown, insisting that their political differences have not strained their personal relationship.

“There is no strained communication with the former vice president because of political differences,” he said.

“Nothing has gone wrong. We have simply chosen different political paths. I am now in the APC, while they are in another party.”

Business News March 04, 2026 Inflation fears deepen as oil Jumps, strengthening dollar

The U.S. dollar remained strong while the euro weakened as surging energy prices rattled global markets.

The shift followed data released on Tuesday showing that eurozone inflation rose more than expected in February, even before tensions involving Iran escalated.

Global stock markets extended losses on Wednesday, with the dollar hovering near a three-month high in Asia. Investors pulled back from the euro amid growing conflict in the Middle East, fueling concerns over a prolonged spike in energy costs.

The euro declined by 0.2 percent to $1.1590, marking its third straight day of losses after earlier touching its lowest level since late November.

Markets continued their selloff as fears of rising inflation spread across equities and bonds. The escalation came after Israeli and U.S. forces launched strikes on Iranian targets, prompting investors to shift toward safer assets and cash holdings.

Oil and gas prices surged globally as the attacks disrupted Middle Eastern energy exports. Iran’s retaliatory strikes on ships and energy facilities led to navigation closures in the Gulf and production halts stretching from Qatar to Iraq.

Brent crude climbed 1.9 percent to $82.94 per barrel — its highest level since July 2024 — bringing total gains since Friday to 14 percent. European gas prices have jumped 70 percent since the end of last week.

The British pound dropped 0.3 percent to $1.3323.

Meanwhile, the U.S. dollar index, which tracks the greenback against six major currencies, rose 0.1 percent to 99.208 after earlier reaching its strongest level since November 28.

The dollar edged down 0.2 percent against the yen to 157.52. It also gained 0.1 percent against the Chinese yuan in offshore trading at 6.9287 yuan, following mixed February PMI data that showed weaker official activity figures but stronger private-sector results.

The Australian dollar fell 0.6 percent to $0.6996 despite data indicating stronger fourth-quarter GDP growth, while the New Zealand dollar inched up 0.1 percent to $0.5898.

In the cryptocurrency market, Bitcoin slipped 0.4 percent to $67,776.69, and ether declined 0.5 percent to $1,958.81.

News March 04, 2026 FG bans roadblocks, cash tax collection nationwide

The Federal Government has outlawed the mounting of roadblocks and the cash collection of taxes as part of new regulations to enforce Nigeria’s recently enacted tax laws across the country.

The Executive Secretary of the Joint Revenue Board, Mr Olusegun Adesokan, announced this in Abuja during the signing of the Presumptive Tax Regulations and Implementation Guidelines. He explained that the new measures are aimed at eliminating informal, coercive and fragmented tax practices, particularly at the subnational level.

According to him, all forms of cash tax collection by authorities are now prohibited, alongside the use of roadblocks for revenue enforcement.

Adesokan said the regulations are designed to promote transparency, fairness and equity in tax administration, especially within the commerce and informal sectors. He noted that nano and small businesses with an annual turnover of ₦12 million and below would be exempted under the presumptive tax regime.

For other informal businesses, the framework introduces a one per cent tax on turnover and encourages the adoption of technology-driven payment systems. He added that the guidelines provide a uniform structure for states to tax the commerce sector and integrate operators into the formal system through a Tax Identification platform, signalling a coordinated national approach.

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun, described the signing as a move from legislative approval to full implementation of the tax reforms passed in 2025 and early 2026. He said the framework ensures consistency, prevents arbitrary assessments, protects small businesses and supports economic growth.

Edun stressed that the reforms are not intended to increase tax rates but to broaden the tax base in a structured manner, ensuring every citizen contributes fairly. He added that the regulations were developed in collaboration with the Joint Revenue Board to guarantee alignment across federal, state and local governments.

The Chairman of the National Tax Policy Implementation Committee, Mr Joseph Tegbe, said the reforms mark a shift from policy discussions to practical execution. He explained that the initiative seeks to correct systemic distortions, restore order and replace arbitrary practices with transparency.

Tegbe observed that although the informal sector accounts for more than 80 per cent of Nigeria’s workforce, its contribution to structured public revenue has remained low due to complex systems and operational gaps. He assured that the committee would work closely with tax authorities to ensure a disciplined and transparent rollout of the new framework.

News March 04, 2026 Fintiri submits three commissioner nominees to Adamawa Assembly

Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State has forwarded the names of three commissioner nominees to the State House of Assembly for screening and confirmation.

The nominees submitted on Tuesday are Sali Idris (Maiha LGA), Engr. Muhammed Suleiman (Mubi North LGA), and Chubado Mohammed (Jada LGA).

In a related development, the Assembly also received the name of Iliya Gaji (Mubi North LGA) for screening and confirmation as a member of the Adamawa State Independent Electoral Commission (ADSIEC).

The nominations were conveyed in separate letters sent to the Assembly by Governor Fintiri and read during plenary by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Bathiya Wesley.

Speaker Wesley subsequently directed the Clerk of the House to notify the nominees to appear before the Assembly, along with their curriculum vitae, on Monday, 9th March 2026, for screening.