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No More VAT On Land, Buildings, And Rent, Oyedele Confirms

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Taiwo Oyedele, Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, has confirmed that land, buildings, and rent are fully exempt from Value Added Tax (VAT) under the Nigeria Tax Act 2025.

These reforms, which took effect in January 2026, are designed to lower property transaction costs, stimulate real estate investment, and provide relief to tenants.

Oyedele explained that the new law, which has already commenced, was designed to reduce the cost of housing, encourage investment in real estate and provide relief for tenants and small businesses across the country.

According to him, land and buildings are specifically exempt from VAT under the new tax regime. This means that individuals buying land or completed buildings will no longer pay VAT on such transactions. He added that the exemption also applies to rent, making both residential and commercial rent completely free from VAT.

He said the removal of VAT on land, buildings and rent is expected to lower the overall cost of property transactions and ease the financial burden on Nigerians seeking accommodation.

Oyedele also explained that where VAT is charged on certain construction materials or services, contractors can now recover the VAT paid on their assets and overhead costs. He said this input VAT credit will reduce construction expenses and make it easier for developers to manage their projects.

He dismissed claims circulating in some quarters that the Nigeria Tax Act 2025 introduces a 25 per cent tax on construction funds, bank balances or business expenses. He described such claims as false and misleading.

Writing on his WhatsApp platform on Sunday, Oyedele said, “Contrary to the misinformation seeking to create fear, panic and disaffection, the Nigeria Tax Act 2025 has already commenced and does not impose a 25 per cent tax on construction funds, bank balances, or business expenses.”

He said the law does not tax money kept in bank accounts, does not impose any levy on transfers used to buy building materials and does not introduce any 25 per cent construction or business cost tax. He also clarified that there is no postponement of implementation until 2027, as being alleged in some messages circulating online.

According to him, the focus of the new tax law is to make housing more affordable and stimulate growth in the property sector.

On construction contracts, Oyedele disclosed that the Withholding Tax rate has been reduced to two per cent. He said the lower rate will help developers retain more cash during project execution and reduce their dependence on expensive borrowing.

In addition, he said mortgage interest paid by individuals who are building their own homes can now be deducted for tax purposes. “Mortgage interest is tax-deductible for individuals developing an owner-occupied residential house,” he said. He explained that this provision will encourage more Nigerians to take steps towards owning their homes.

For landlords, the law allows property owners earning rental income to deduct related expenses such as repairs, insurance and agency fees before calculating their tax liability. Oyedele said this will reduce the tax burden on property owners and may encourage better maintenance of buildings.

He also addressed the concerns of tenants, noting that the law provides direct rent relief. According to him, individuals can claim rent relief of up to N500,000, capped at 20 per cent of their annual rent. He said this measure will increase the disposable income of low-income earners and help ease the pressure of rising accommodation costs.

Oyedele added that lease agreements with an annual value below N10 million, or ten times the annual minimum wage, are exempt from stamp duty. He said this will reduce the cost of formal tenancy agreements, particularly for small businesses and ordinary Nigerians.

On incentives for investors, he said individuals will no longer pay Capital Gains Tax when they dispose of a dwelling house or an interest in one. According to him, this exemption will encourage more investment in residential property.

He also disclosed that Real Estate Investment Trusts will enjoy Companies Income Tax exemption if they distribute at least 75 per cent of their dividend or rental income within 12 months after the end of their financial year. He said this move is expected to attract institutional investors into the housing sector and increase the supply of homes.

The law also provides incentives for companies involved in manufacturing building materials such as iron, steel and domestic appliances. Oyedele said such companies can qualify for tax exemptions under the economic development incentive scheme for up to 10 years. He noted that this will promote local production and reduce dependence on imported materials.

He further stated that there is scope for reducing the Companies Income Tax rate for large businesses from 30 per cent to 25 per cent, a move he said would improve Nigeria’s competitiveness and attract more private sector investment.

Oyedele said the new tax framework also protects workers and small businesses. He explained that the taxable value of employer-provided accommodation is limited to the annual rental value and capped at 20 per cent of the employee’s annual gross income, excluding the rental value. This, he said, ensures that workers are not overtaxed on housing benefits provided by their employers.

He added that small companies will benefit from zero per cent Companies Income Tax. Such companies will also be exempt from charging VAT and will not have Withholding Tax deducted from their invoices and payments. According to him, this will give small contractors and suppliers more room to grow.

“Claims suggesting a new tax on building materials or bank funds are false and misrepresent the law,” Oyedele said.

He maintained that the overall goal of the Nigeria Tax Act 2025 is to make housing more affordable, promote real estate development, support local manufacturing of building materials and grant meaningful rent relief to tenants.

Ending his message with a call for calm and careful reading of the law, Oyedele said, “Fact not fear, evidence beats emotion. If anyone makes an alarming claim or tries to misinform you, ask them, ‘Where is it in the law?’”

He added that with the new tax laws in place, housing costs should reduce and rent should go down, not up.

 

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Oyo 2027: Adelabu Quits As Power Minister To Focus On Guber Race

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The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu has formally resigned from his position in the Federal Government to pursue his governorship ambition in Oyo State.

In a resignation letter dated April 22, 2026, and addressed to the President, Adelabu stated that his resignation will take effect on April 30, 2026, to enable him to focus on his governorship ambition in Oyo State.

The letter, routed through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, stated that he was stepping down with “a deep sense of honour and profound gratitude.”

He wrote, “I write with a deep sense of honour and profound gratitude to formally tender my resignation as the Honourable Minister of Power of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This resignation is to take effect on 30th April 2026, in order to allow sufficient time for a smooth and orderly handover of responsibilities.”

Adelabu thanked the President for the opportunity to serve, describing his appointment as a privilege.

He said, “Your Excellency, I remain sincerely grateful for the privilege and confidence you reposed in me by appointing me to serve our great nation in this capacity.

“It has been a rare honour to contribute to national development under your leadership and to play a role in advancing reforms in the power sector—one of the most critical foundations of Nigeria’s industrial growth and economic transformation.”

The former minister said his resignation was to enable him focus fully on his governorship ambition in Oyo State, citing provisions of the amended electoral law.

He added, “My decision to step down is informed by my intention to focus fully on my gubernatorial ambition in Oyo State. This aspiration, which dates back to 2016 during my service as Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, ultimately led to my voluntary resignation from the Central Bank in 2018 in order to pursue the same goal.”

“In line with the provisions of the Amended Electoral Act 2026, which preclude political office holders from contesting elections, I consider it both appropriate and necessary to resign at this time.”

Adelabu’s exit marks a major political development ahead of the next electoral cycle, particularly in Oyo State, where he is expected to contest the governorship election.

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Wale Edun, Musa Dangiwa Resigned Voluntarily, Not Sacked – Presidency

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The Presidency has clarified that Wale Edun (former Finance Minister) and Ahmed Musa Dangiwa (former Housing Minister) voluntarily resigned from their positions and were not sacked by President Tinubu.

In a statement released this evening April 22, presidential media aide, Bayo Onanuga, said that contrary to public opinions, Wale Edun resigned on health grounds while Dangiwa also tendered his resignation and thanked the President for the opportunity given him to serve in the Federal Executive Council.

Onanuga stated that Edun, who clocked 70 on Monday and has battled recent ill health, fittingly submitted his resignation letter on his birthday, thanking the President for the opportunity to serve Nigeria.

“It has been a pleasure and privilege to serve your administration and the Renewed Hope Agenda, Under your leadership, Nigeria has emerged stronger, more resilient and more internationally respected. I wish you and the administration every success in the future” he wrote

Onanuga stated that on Tuesday, before the Office of the Secretary of the Government of the Federation announced his departure from the Cabinet, Edun paid a valedictory visit to the President at the Villa and held an hour-long discussion with the president and then left to focus on his private businesses.

The presidential aide stated that President Tinubu has expressed deep appreciation to Edun and Dangiwa for their dedicated service and significant contributions to the administration’s economic reform programme and wished them continued success in their future endeavours.

‘’In the same vein, the President has urged the new Minister of Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, to consolidate ongoing reforms and advance the administration’s fiscal and economic objectives with renewed focus, discipline, and innovation.

President Tinubu will shortly send the ministerial nominee for housing, Muttaqha Rabe Darma, also from Katsina, like Dangiwa, to the Senate for confirmation” the statement concluded

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Unity Bank, Experts Advocate Green Investment, Climate Innovation To Drive Economic Resilience

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Nigeria’s retail lender, Unity Bank Plc, alongside leading climate innovation experts, has called for increased investment in the green economy and the adoption of frontier technologies as critical pathways to driving economic resilience and reducing the impact of climate change on vulnerable populations across Africa.

The call was made during a thought-provoking webinar hosted by the Bank to commemorate this year’s Earth Day, themed “The True Cost of Climate Change and Who Pays?”. Climate experts and stakeholders convened to examine the human, economic, and institutional costs of climate change, while spotlighting practical solutions to address its growing impact.

In his opening remarks, Unity Bank’s Head of Strategy and Innovation, Ibukun Coker, emphasised the urgency of addressing climate risks from both a societal and business perspective.

He said: “Climate change is no longer a distant or abstract challenge. It is an existential threat with direct consequences for individuals, businesses, and economies. At Unity Bank, we recognise the role institutions must play in incorporating sustainability in project financing, supporting businesses and promoting solutions that build resilience in communities where we operate.”

The webinar featured Chinwe Udo-Davis, Founder and CEO of Instollar, and Oluwatosin Ajide, Programme Manager at the Nigeria Climate Innovation Centre, both of whom provided insights into the drivers of climate change and the pathways to mitigation and adaptation.

Speaking during the session, Udo-Davis highlighted the disproportionate burden which climate change places on underserved communities and the need for inclusive solutions.

“The true cost of climate change is not evenly distributed. Communities with the least resources are often the most affected, whether through energy poverty, environmental degradation, or limited access to sustainable alternatives. Addressing this imbalance requires intentional investment in clean energy solutions that are both accessible and scalable.”

Ajide underscored the importance of coordinated, system-wide approaches in tackling climate challenges, particularly through innovation and policy alignment.

“Climate change is fundamentally a structural problem, and its solution requires a paradigm shift: from innovation and policy to financing and implementation. Stakeholders must work collaboratively to drive solutions that are sustainable and inclusive.”

The session also explored emerging opportunities in climate technology, renewable energy, and ecosystem financing, reinforcing the role of innovation and cross-sector collaboration in building long-term resilience.

By hosting the webinar, Unity Bank continues to demonstrate its commitment to advancing sustainability-focused dialogue and supporting initiatives that promote responsible growth and environmental stewardship.

The initiative underscores the Bank’s broader strategic focus on environmental sustainability as well as its commitment to financial inclusion.

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