• Telecoms expect NCC’s approval as it suggests a 100% tariff hike
• ASUU opposes the FG’s removal of education tax
• FG reveals that tax reform will improve workers’ welfare
• Rhodes-Vivour expresses desire in the 2027 Lagos gubernatorial election
• Naira depreciates to ₦1,541/$ in the official market

Across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, these are the five top Nigerian news stories you shouldn’t miss.

Telecoms expect NCC’s approval as it suggests a 100% tariff hike

Telecommunication companies in Nigeria have met with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in hopes of increasing the tariff fees for all Nigerians by 100%.

Though the government has yet to approve this request, the Telecoms have proposed that inflation has heavily affected operational costs, thereby seeking to address the change in tariff fees. 

The Chief Executive Officer of MTN Nigeria, Karl Toriola, made the revelation in an interview; however, he was unsure if the government would approve of the request as he believed that the telecommunications industry was facing harsh financial pressures.

ASUU opposes the FG’s removal of education tax 

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has asked for more knowledge on the federal government’s proposed removal of the education tax, as it publicly opposes the proposition.

The union’s President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, described the proposal as a threat to the survival of Nigerian universities. He claimed that ASUU would meet with the two Ministers of Education, Tunji Alausa and Suwaiba Ahmad, for more clarity on this and other issues concerning the education sector.

“The plan to eliminate the education tax should not stand. We have sent letters to the Presidency, the Senate President, and other stakeholders regarding this.”

FG reveals that tax reform will improve workers’ welfare 

The federal government has asked that the people not villainise the tax reforms as not only was it here to stay, but it would also enhance the welfare of Nigerian workers.

The Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, Taiwo Oyedele, highlighted some significance of the tax reforms, stating that lowly-paid workers earning around ₦1 million annually (₦83,000 monthly) would have complete exemption from the Pay As You Earn (PAYE) tax.

“The bills in their current form are the most pro-workers tax reforms in Nigerian history,” he said.

Rhodes-Vivour expresses desire in the 2027 Lagos gubernatorial election

The 2023 Lagos State gubernatorial candidate for Labour Party (LP), Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, has expressed his interest in once again running for the position of Lagos State’s governor in 2027.

The politician revealed in an interview that he would not easily give up on his ambition, although he did not state whether he would continue to pursue his dream under the banner of the Labour Party.

In the 2023 gubernatorial election, Rhodes-Vivour acquired 312,329 votes, placing second behind Babajide Sanwo-Olu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who got 762,134 votes.

Naira depreciates to ₦1,541/$ in the official market 

The naira depreciated in the official market on the first day of trading in 2025, as it sold at ₦1,541/$, compared to its closing trading report of 2024 (₦1,535/$).

According to reports, some authorised dealers are trading at the rate of ₦1,545 per dollar, which is considered an improvement from the ₦1,550/$.

In the black market, the naira trades at ₦1,655/$, down from its previous rate of ₦1,670/$.