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Trump in Tweet, Threatens Military Action against Terrorists Killing Christians in Nigeria

Trump in Tweet, Threatens Military Action against Terrorists Killing Christians in Nigeria

*Orders US Department of War to prepare for possible action 

*Vows to cut economic aid*We are preparing for action, says Hegseth

Festus Akanbi in Lagos, Deji Elumoye and Michael Olugbode in Abuja

United States President, Mr. Donald Trump, yesterday said he had ordered the Department of War to prepare for possible military operations in Nigeria over the killing of Christians.
He also threatened to immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria.
He added that the US would carry out military action against the country to completely wipe out those he described as the Islamic terrorists responsible for the killing of Christians.  

This is just as the US Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, in his reaction, said the killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria and anywhere must immediately come to an end.
In a related development, Senator Ted Cruz also vowed to advance legislation aimed at tackling the enforcement of Sharia and blasphemy laws in Nigeria, following Trump’s redesignation of the country as a “Country of Particular Concern”.
Trump had on Friday designated Nigeria a ‘Country of Particular Concern,’ citing alleged widespread killings of Christians and rising religious intolerance.

“Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria,” Trump posted on Truth Social.
“Thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter. I am hereby making Nigeria a ‘Country of Particular Concern’— But that is the least of it,” he added.

The ‘Countries of Particular Concern’ is a list of nations the US considers to have engaged in religious freedom violations.
The list includes: China, Myanmar, North Korea, Russia, Pakistan, among others, according to the State Department website.
The US President emphasised that action must be taken when people are persecuted for their faith.
Barely 24 hours after designating Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern,” Trump, in a remarkable twist last night, threatened military action against Nigeria.

He ordered the US Department of War to prepare for possible military action against Nigeria.
“If the Nigerian Government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the U.S.A. will immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria, and may very well go into that now disgraced country, ‘guns-a-blazing,’ to completely wipe out the Islamic terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities,” Trump posted on social media.

“I am hereby instructing our Department of War to prepare for possible action. If we attack, it will be fast, vicious, and sweet, just like the terrorist thugs attack our CHERISHED Christians!” he added.
While reacting to the development, US Secretary of War Hegseth said the killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria and anywhere must immediately come to an end.

In a tweet on his X handle yesterday, he added that his Department of War was preparing for action to protect Christians from Islamic terrorists.
 Hegseth stressed it is either the Nigerian Government protects Christians, or the US would kill the Islamic terrorists who are committing what he described as “horrible atrocities”.
“The killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria – and anywhere-must end immediately. The Department of War is preparing for action. Either the Nigerian Government protects Christians, or we will kill the Islamic Terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities,” the tweet read.

Also speaking on the issue, US Rep. Riley Moore (R-WV) affirmed President Trump’s threat to take military action against Nigeria.
He said, “President Trump has provided a forewarning that if you do not correct the current state of inaction to stop the killing of our brothers and sisters in Christ in your country. The days of the US looking the other way are over—it will never happen on Trump’s watch.

“I urge you to cooperate with us in preventing this atrocity that worsens every day. We want your people to live in peace – all of them, especially Christians.
“‘The President has been clear. I would not test his resolve. Many have tried and all have failed.
“We will not allow the gates of hell to prevail against the faithful.”
US Senator Ted Cruz Pushes Bill against Sharia, Blasphemy Laws in Nigeria

Meanwhile, United States Senator Cruz has vowed to advance legislation aimed at tackling the enforcement of Sharia and blasphemy laws in Nigeria.
In a statement released on his official website, Cruz, a Republican senator from Texas, said the move aligns with his long-standing efforts to protect Christians allegedly facing religious persecution in Nigeria.

 “I am deeply gratified to President Trump for making this determination,” the statement read. “I have fought for years to counter the slaughter and persecution of Christians in Nigeria, and this year introduced legislation that will lock in the designation made today.”
Cruz added that his proposed legislation would introduce additional sanctions and accountability measures against Nigerian officials who “implement or support blasphemy and Sharia laws.”

Human rights groups have often criticised the use of blasphemy laws, citing incidents where individuals accused of blasphemy were killed by mobs or sentenced to death by religious courts.
Recall that in early September, Cruz had proposed a bill seeking to protect “persecuted” Christians in Nigeria.

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*Orders US Department of War to prepare for possible action  *Vows to cut economic aid*We are preparing for action, says Hegseth Festus Akanbi in Lagos, Deji Elumoye and Michael Olugbode

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Nigeria Protects Citizens of all Faiths, Will Never Encourage Religious Persecution, Tinubu Replies Trump

Nigeria Protects Citizens of all Faiths, Will Never Encourage Religious Persecution, Tinubu Replies Trump

*Rejects designation of Nigeria as ‘Country of Particular Concern’ 

*Claims of Christian killings in Nigeria gross exaggeration, says Onanuga

*Ndume urges Tinubu to enlist Anyaoku, Akinyemi, Kingibe, others in negotiation with US

Deji Elumoye, Michael Olugbode and Sunday Aborisade in Abuja

President Bola Tinubu yesterday declared that the Nigerian government protects citizens of all faiths and will never encourage religious persecution.
Similarly, the Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, also dismissed reports suggesting that thousands of Christians are being slaughtered in Nigeria, insisting that such claims were grossly exaggerated.

This is just as a former Senate Leader and senator representing Borno South, Ali Ndume, has urged President Tinubu’s administration to deploy Nigeria’s most experienced diplomats and international statesmen, such as Chief Emeka Anyaoku, Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, Ambassador Babagana Kingibe, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, and Amina Mohammed, to lead the engagement with Washington.

Trump had on Friday designated Nigeria a ‘Country of Particular Concern,’ citing alleged widespread killings of Christians.
Barely 24 hours later, the American leader, last night, threatened military action against Nigeria.
Reacting to the US president’s earlier designation of the country as a ‘Country of Particular Concern’, President Tinubu, in a six-paragraph statement, explained that “Nigeria stands firmly as a democracy governed by constitutional guarantees of religious liberty.

“Since 2023, our administration has maintained an open and active engagement with Christian and Muslim leaders alike and continues to address security challenges that affect citizens across faiths and regions.
“The characterisation of Nigeria as religiously intolerant does not reflect our national reality, nor does it take into consideration the consistent and sincere efforts of the government to safeguard freedom of religion and beliefs for all Nigerians.
“Religious freedom and tolerance have been a core tenet of our collective identity and shall always remain so. Nigeria opposes religious persecution and does not encourage it.

“Nigeria is a country with constitutional guarantees to protect citizens of all faiths.
“Our administration is committed to working with the United States government and the international community to deepen understanding and cooperation on the protection of communities of all faiths.”  
In its reaction, the federal government, through the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, explained that Nigerians of all faiths have long lived, worked, and worshipped together peacefully.
The federal government also stated that the Tinubu administration remains committed to fighting terrorism, strengthening interfaith harmony, and protecting the lives and rights of all Nigerians.

Appreciating the global concern for human rights and religious freedom in Nigeria, the federal government, however, rejected Trump’s tag of a “Country of Particular Concern” on Nigeria, insisting that the claim of genocide against Christians does not reflect the situation on the ground.
The statement reads: “The Federal Government of Nigeria notes the recent remarks by U.S. President Donald J. Trump alleging large-scale killings of Christians in Nigeria and calling for the country’s designation as a ‘Country of Particular Concern.”

“While Nigeria appreciates global concern for human rights and religious freedom, these claims do not reflect the situation on the ground. Nigerians of all faiths have long lived, worked, and worshipped together peacefully.
“Under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Nigeria remains committed to fighting terrorism, strengthening interfaith harmony, and protecting the lives and rights of all its people.

“Nigeria will continue to engage constructively with the Government of the United States to deepen mutual understanding of regional dynamics and the country’s ongoing peace and security efforts.”
US senator Ted Cruz had proposed a bill seeking to protect “persecuted” Christians in Nigeria.
But President Tinubu said allegations of religious genocide in Nigeria were unfounded, noting that the country is built on the faith and resilience of its people.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, had also faulted some US lawmakers for relying on what he described as “inaccurate and misleading data” to accuse Nigeria of carrying out a Christian genocide.
On October 14, the Nigerian Senate set up a 12-member ad hoc committee to develop a comprehensive position paper in response to growing international concerns over alleged state-backed persecution of Christians in Nigeria.

Claims of Christian Killings in Nigeria Gross Exaggeration, Says Onanuga

On his part, the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Onanuga, has described reports suggesting that thousands of Christians are being slaughtered in Nigeria as a gross exaggeration.

Onanuga was reacting yesterday to a post by the United States Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, who alleged that radical Islamists and Fulani militias were responsible for the “ongoing slaughter of thousands of Christians” in Nigeria.

Rubio said on X on Friday, “The ongoing slaughter of thousands of Christians in Nigeria by radical Islamists and Fulani ethnic militias is both tragic and unacceptable. As @POTUS said, the United States stands ready, willing, and able to act.”

Responding to Rubio via his official X handle, Onanuga wrote, “What we do have are sporadic attacks on some villages by bandits and terrorists, and the attacks are religiously insensitive. Christians, Muslims, churches, and mosques are attacked randomly.”

He maintained that insecurity in Nigeria is not driven by religion, stressing that both faith communities have suffered from violent attacks across the country.

“What our country requires from America is military support to fight these violent extremists in some states of our country, not designation as a nation of particular concern,” Onanuga added.

In another reply to Rubio, Onanuga said: “Secretary Rubio, Muslims’ lives matter too.”

 Also reacting, former Kaduna Central lawmaker, Senator Shehu Sani, argued that the American leader was “misinformed by anarchists, lackeys, and apprentices of neocolonialism” seeking to profit from division and discontent.

Sani, in a post shared on his X handle yesterday, described the claim as “falsehood and misinformation,” insisting that the killings and kidnappings in Nigeria were not driven by religion.

Ndume Urges Tinubu to Enlist Anyaoku, Akinyemi, Kingibe, Others in Negotiation with US

Meanwhile, a former Senate Leader and senator representing Borno South, Ndume, has urged the President Tinubu’s administration to urgently open diplomatic talks with Washington

Ndume warned that failure to address the issue swiftly could have grave diplomatic and economic consequences for Nigeria, including sanctions, restrictions on security cooperation, and damage to the nation’s global image.

In a statement he personally signed and released in Abuja yesterday, Ndume accused both the federal government and the Nigerian Senate of failing to act promptly after US Congressman Riley Moore raised the same concern weeks earlier.

Ndume said, “I have alerted the government before now; I even moved a motion in the Senate.

“Nigeria is a sovereign state, but we cannot afford to ignore this kind of misrepresentation. It’s not about what the United States can do to us, but the misconception and the ripple effects of classifying us as a country of concern.”

The senator said the government’s lack of proactive engagement gave room for the U.S. to act unilaterally without hearing Nigeria’s side of the story.

Ndume said, “We should engage the American government by presenting facts and figures. We should demand that they hear from the Nigerian government and from the Muslim community.

“The killings are not targeted at Christians alone; Muslims and other Nigerians have also been victims. The violence is driven by terrorism, not religion.”

He said, “Before things get out of hand, Nigeria should engage seasoned diplomats like Chief Emeka Anyaoku, Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, Babagana Kingibe, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, and Amina Mohammed of the United Nations. They can help us explain the realities on the ground.”

He further advised the government to work closely with the US Embassy in Abuja, noting that American officials based in Nigeria already possess credible intelligence on the complexity of the country’s security situation.

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*Rejects designation of Nigeria as ‘Country of Particular Concern’  *Claims of Christian killings in Nigeria gross exaggeration, says Onanuga *Ndume urges Tinubu to enlist Anyaoku, Akinyemi, Kingibe, others in negotiation

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PDP’s Leadership Crisis Deepens as Party Suspends National Secretary, Anyanwu, Three Others

PDP’s Leadership Crisis Deepens as Party Suspends National Secretary, Anyanwu, Three Others

*Refers suspended NWC members to disciplinary committee 

*Anyanwu’s faction fights back, suspends Damagum, others

Chuks Okocha in Abuja

The crisis rocking the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) further degenerated yesterday when the National Working Committee (NWC) suspended the National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN); National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu; Deputy National Legal Adviser, Okechukwu Osuoha; and National Organising Secretary, Umaru Bature, for one month.
However, the suspension has plunged the party deeper into crisis as fresh divisions have emerged within its leadership, with Anyanwu’s faction, backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, announcing the suspension of the Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum, and five other members of the NWC.
The suspension of Anyanwu and other members of the NWC comes on the heels of the judgment of the Federal High Court on Friday, which stopped the party’s planned national convention.
Disclosing this while addressing journalists, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, said the decision followed an emergency NWC meeting held yesterday at the party’s office, Legacy House, Maitama, Abuja.
Ologunagba stated that in line with Section 36(2) of the PDP Constitution, the Deputy National Secretary, Setonji Koshoedo, will assume the role of acting National Secretary, while the National Director of Legal Services, Jacob Otorkpa, has been assigned to manage the affairs of the Legal Department.
He stated: “The NWC has reviewed the party’s activities, especially in the recent past, and some decisions were taken. You will recall that on August 8, 2025, the party issued a reprimand to members over anti-party activities, and from then till now, the party reviewed the activities of some members working against the party, and the NWC reached the following decisions today.
“For all these anti-party activities as contained in the constitution of the party vis-à-vis the activities of those individuals, what we have identified as majorly constituting the offences under our constitution is anybody who breaches any part of the constitution or manifesto, or says or does anything under Section 58; any member that says or does anything that will bring the party to disrepute, hatred, or contempt, disobeys or neglects to carry out lawful directives of the party or any organ or officer of the party, or engages in any conduct likely to cause disaffection among members of the party, or likely to cause disaffection in the conduct of the business of the party.
“The NWC considered these and other actions in line with the constitution of the party and came to the following decisions: The National Legal Adviser, Kamal Ajibade (SAN), is suspended for 30 days and is referred to the National Disciplinary Committee of the party. The Deputy National Legal Adviser, Okechukwu Osuoha, is also suspended for 30 days in line with the constitution and referred to the Disciplinary Committee as may be necessary. During the period of suspension, they cease to function in the capacity of their respective offices.
“The National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature, is suspended for a period of one month and referred to the National Disciplinary Committee. The National Secretary, Sen. Samuel Anyanwu, is suspended for one month and referred to the National Disciplinary Committee. In the case of the National Secretary, pursuant to Section 36(2) of the Constitution as amended in 2017, the Deputy National Secretary, Setonji Koshoedo, shall act as National Secretary.”
“In the case of the Legal Adviser and Deputy Legal Adviser, the Director of Legal Services has been empowered and directed to oversee the department during the period of suspension,” he explained.

He restated that the party would go ahead with the November 15 and 16 national convention.

Recall that despite the plan to hold its National Elective Convention in Ibadan, Oyo State, on November 15 and 16, the PDP remains engulfed in internal tension.

Supporters of the Minister of the FCT, Wike, have continued to express dissatisfaction with the leadership of the acting National Chairman, Ambassador Damagum.

Their discontent stems from unresolved disputes over the South-South zonal leadership and the control of party structures in states such as Cross River, Akwa Ibom, and Plateau.

There are also deep disagreements over the micro-zoning formula ahead of the convention, further widening the rift within the party.

These lingering issues eventually escalated into a legal showdown aimed at stopping the convention from taking place.

On Friday, the Federal High Court in Abuja issued an interim order restraining the PDP from proceeding with its planned convention in Ibadan until further notice.

Presiding over the case marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/2025, Justice James Omotosho ruled that the convention must be suspended until the party aligns its actions with the provisions of its constitution, the 1999 Constitution, and the Electoral Act 2022.

The case was instituted by three aggrieved members of the PDP, Austin Nwachukwu, the Imo State PDP Chairman; Amah Abraham Nnanna, the Abia State PDP Chairman; and Turnah Alabh George, the PDP Secretary for the South-South zone.

They prayed the court to halt the convention, arguing that it contravened both the Electoral Act and the party’s internal rules.

According to them, the PDP failed to conduct valid congresses in 14 states before issuing the notice for the convention.

In his final judgment, Justice Omotosho found merit in their claims.

He held that the PDP violated its own constitution, the 1999 Constitution, and INEC’s guidelines by failing to conduct proper state congresses and by neglecting to issue the required 21-day notice to INEC. Consequently, he ordered that the planned convention be stopped until the party rectifies all internal irregularities in line with the law.

Anyanwu’s Faction Fights Back, Suspends Damagum, Others

Meanwhile, Anyanwu’s faction, backed by Wike, has announced the suspension of the Acting National Chairman, Damagum, and five other members of the NWC.
 Briefing journalists in Abuja yesterday on behalf of the factional NWC, Anyanwu announced the party’s National Vice Chairman (North-central), Mohammed Abdulrahman, as the Acting National Chairman.
 According to him, “Unfortunately, some people may say that the National Secretary, National Organising Secretary, who has the responsibility of monitoring everything, and the National Legal Adviser, who is responsible for all legal issues, were purportedly suspended.
 “On this note, we decided to suspend the National Chairman of the party, Ambassador Ilya Damagum, for incompetence, financial misconduct, and disregard for court judgment. He has been suspended for one month and should face the disciplinary committee,” he said.
The suspended national secretary also announced the suspension of the National Publicity Secretary, Ologunagba; Deputy National Vice Chairman (South), Taofeek Arapaja; National Financial Secretary, Daniel Woyenguikoro; National Youth Leader, Sulaiman Kadade; and the Deputy National Secretary, Setonji Koshoedo, for 30 days, adding that all of them will face a disciplinary committee to show cause why they should not be expelled.
 “Therefore, we are announcing the National Vice Chairman (North Central) to serve as the Acting National Chairman, Mohammed Abdulrahman,” Anyanwu added.

He also hailed the court judgement that canceled the National Convention of the party, saying it is victory for PDP.

“We want to commend the judiciary over the judgment of yesterday, which is a victory for entire PDP members all over. Nobody can claim victory of the judgment of the court. It is a judgment against impunity, against illegality,” he said.

Fayose Congratulates PDP New National Chairman,  Urges Him to Unite Party

A new twist was however added the disagreement in the party when former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, congratulated the new factional acting National Chairman of the party, Abdulrahman.

Fayose, who urged Abdulrahman to urgently bring peace and unity to the party, said there was no better time to have a new direction for the party than now.

In his reaction, the former Ekiti governor said the PDP was in dire need of a new direction and the new acting national chairman should step in immediately to provide it.

“I congratulate the new chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Mohammed Abdulrahman. I urge him to unite the party and restore confidence in its members.

“Most importantly, he should look into the shenanigans and injustice done in states like Ekiti and others with a view to correcting them in accordance with the party constitution and existing court pronouncements.

“He should also be a team player and ensure the emergence of a new National Working Committee through a valid National Convention, which should be done immediately after outstanding congresses are held in states and zones, and those done against court judgments are revisited,” Fayose said.

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*Refers suspended NWC members to disciplinary committee  *Anyanwu’s faction fights back, suspends Damagum, others Chuks Okocha in Abuja The crisis rocking the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) further degenerated yesterday

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Edun: Sustained Reforms, Inclusive Financing Key to Accelerating Growth Beyond 4%•FG committed to dismantling structural barriers to business growth, Edun, Uzoka-Anite insist

Edun: Sustained Reforms, Inclusive Financing Key to Accelerating Growth Beyond 4%•FG committed to dismantling structural barriers to business growth, Edun, Uzoka-Anite insist

Nume Ekeghe

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, has reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to sustaining ongoing economic reforms and deepening inclusive financing as key drivers of accelerated growth beyond four per cent.

This is just as the Chairman of the Committee of Bank CEOs and Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, Oliver Alawuba, commended the coordinated efforts of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Ministry of Finance, noting that their recent policy measures have significantly eased pressure on the foreign exchange market and restored investor confidence.

Meanwhile, Edun and the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, have reaffirmed the federal government’s determination to remove structural distortions, multiple extortions, and policy bottlenecks that continue to stifle business growth and investment in Nigeria.

Speaking yesterday at the 2025 Fellowship Investiture of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) in Lagos, Edun lauded the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for maintaining monetary discipline under its current policy stance, describing the measures as critical to curbing inflation and safeguarding the stability of the financial system.

He noted that while significant progress had been recorded since the reform agenda commenced on May 29, 2023, the next phase must prioritise inclusive growth, particularly through expanded credit access for young entrepreneurs and small businesses.

“Monetary policy under Cardoso (CBN governor) has stabilised the financial system in a most commendable way. We recognise and thank his efforts. Of course, it is a team effort, and those eye-watering interest rates have to be paid by the fiscal side, but the fight against inflation is one that we all have to participate in; so, we understand those tight monetary policies,” Edun said.

He emphasised that economic growth must translate into opportunities for Nigeria’s youthful population, adding that over 400,000 graduates enter the labour market annually.

“We now have what I would say is our President’s agenda, rapid growth accelerating above 4 per cent, well above 4 per cent, and we look forward to continuing. We have sustained efforts on reforms since May 29, 2023. We have stayed the course, but we need inclusivity. That inclusivity means good-paying jobs for our young people,” he said.

The minister further charged the financial sector to play a more active role in driving grassroots growth.

 “The finance and banking industry, we have more work to do because we must finance their ideas, we must deepen the capital markets and banking credit markets down to small SMEs. They should not have to go to Silicon Valley,” Edun added.

Also speaking, Chairman of the Committee of Bank CEOs and Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc,  Alawuba, commended the coordinated efforts of the CBN and the Ministry of Finance.

He noted that their recent policy measures have significantly eased pressure on the foreign exchange market and restored investor confidence.

“We also thank the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, and indeed the Governor of Governors, the CBN governor. We have seen the difference. Thank you for the way you have rescued Nigerians,” Alawuba said.

According to him, the economy has shown remarkable improvement in the past year, especially in the foreign exchange market.

“Today, things are better on the economy side than they were a year ago. As a banker a year ago, if you met a customer, he would ask, ‘Do you have dollars for me?’ Today, if you meet a customer, you would ask him, ‘Do you have any need for dollars at all?’ Thanks to the efforts of the minister, the Central Bank, and the coordinated economic team,” he said.

Alawuba also urged the newly inducted CIBN Fellows and Senior Members to uphold professionalism and integrity by championing three critical missions, bridging the digital divide, strengthening trust, and fostering collaboration across the banking industry

At the event, the CBN’s Deputy Governors in charge of Corporate Services and Operations, Ms. Emem Usoro and Dr. Bala Bello, were conferred with Distinguished Honorary Fellows of the Institute, while the Director of Strategy and Innovation Management at the CBN, Monsurat ModesolaVincent, was inducted as an Honorary Senior Member.

Meanwhile, Edun and the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, have reaffirmed the federal government’s resolve to dismantle structural barriers, eliminate multiple extortions, and clear the policy bottlenecks that continue to frustrate business growth and private investment in Nigeria.

Speaking at the inaugural Government–Private Sector Dialogue Series (GPS) in Lagos, both ministers described the initiative as a defining shift toward a more open, responsive, and participatory model of economic governance—one that places the private sector at the centre of decision-making and policy implementation. The session brought together leaders from key regulatory agencies, including the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Bank of Industry (BoI), Nigeria Customs Service, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), NAFDAC, NEXIM Bank, and NOTAP, as well as representatives of manufacturing, technology, export, and service sectors who presented practical solutions to improve the ease of doing business.

Edun disclosed that the government, working with the legislature, judiciary, and other stakeholders, had concluded work on the 2025 Tax Acts, which will take effect on January 1, 2026. The new legislation, he said, is designed to enhance fairness, transparency, and efficiency across the tax system. “The aim is to make the system fairer, clearer, and more efficient, and of course to spread the tax net as wide as possible so that everybody gets a chance to contribute accordingly. Rather than having an extra federal layer collecting and making us internationally uncompetitive, we want to reduce the number of payment points and improve transparency,” he explained.

The finance minister also announced plans to roll out the National Single Window Project in the first quarter of 2026, a digital trade platform that will automate customs processes, integrate data across agencies, and cut administrative costs. The initiative, he said, will leverage artificial intelligence to curb rent-seeking, streamline documentation, and make Nigeria’s trade system more competitive globally.

He stressed that the reforms under President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda go beyond stabilising the macroeconomy, adding that they are intended to entrench transparency, accountability, and productivity. “These efforts must be sustained, continued, and built upon,” he said, reaffirming the administration’s commitment to maintaining open dialogue with the private sector to ensure reforms translate into measurable growth.

On her part, Uzoka-Anite described President Tinubu as “the most business-friendly president that Nigeria has had in recent history,” adding that his instruction to ministers was clear: government must work hand-in-hand with the private sector to remove every obstacle hindering enterprise. “The Renewed Hope Agenda is not just a policy framework; it is a deliberate effort to rebuild the foundations of our economy so that businesses can thrive free from the constraints of uncertainty, inflation, and poor infrastructure,” she said.

While acknowledging the short-term pains triggered by fiscal and monetary reforms, Uzoka-Anite maintained that policies such as fuel subsidy removal, exchange rate unification, and fiscal discipline were necessary to restore confidence and attract investment. “These actions have sent a clear message to investors at home and abroad that Nigeria is open for serious business once again,” she said.

The minister also outlined ongoing initiatives to improve access to finance for small and medium enterprises through institutions such as the Bank of Industry (BoI), Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN), and the Presidential Initiative on Consumer Credit. She commended the work of Mr. Taiwo Oyedele’s Tax Reform Committee, which she said had simplified Nigeria’s tax regime and helped reduce multiple taxation. “These are not abstract policies; they are practical, targeted measures designed to allow the spirit of enterprise to flourish in a modern and competitive Nigerian economy,” she noted.

Reiterating the government’s commitment to balanced regional development, Uzoka-Anite assured that the South-east would play a central role in the ongoing economic renewal. She cited the rehabilitation of the Enugu–Onitsha Expressway, the completion of access roads to the Second Niger Bridge, and the establishment of new industrial clusters aimed at positioning the region as a manufacturing hub for West Africa. “To our brothers and sisters in the Southeast, the Federal Government sees you, values you, and is committed to ensuring that our region is not left behind,” she affirmed.

Uzoka-Anite also revealed that discussions between the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment and the Lagos State Government had led to the creation of a Lagos–Igbo Consultative Council, designed to strengthen collaboration between the state and the Igbo business community. She urged Nigerian entrepreneurs to move from “survival mode to influence mode,” stressing that sustained engagement with policymakers was essential to shaping the business environment.

“As a minister, I am working every day to stabilise our economic environment, restore confidence, and create a fairer playing field for enterprise. While the government can create the framework, it is entrepreneurs like you who will build the future. Reforms may be painful before they are fruitful, but if we stay the course, the long-term dividends—stronger currency, lower inflation, modern infrastructure, and inclusive growth—will benefit all. Let us choose partnership over pessimism, progress over politics, and renewed hope for our businesses, our communities, and our nation,” she said.

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Nume Ekeghe The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, has reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to sustaining ongoing economic reforms and deepening inclusive financing as key