.As Tinubu directs mandatory health insurance implementation across MDAs
.Says in just two years, Nigeria is now respected globally
The Presidency welcomes the latest revenue figures for January–August 2025, showing that Nigeria is achieving unprecedented growth in non-oil collections, a direct result of reforms to improve the government’s fiscal position, strengthen compliance, and digitise tax administration.
President Bola Tinubu made a pointed reference to this positive growth trajectory in non-oil revenue mobilisation yesterday while addressing a delegation of the Buhari Organisation led by Senator Tanko Al-Makura, which a section of the media has reported out of context.
The President highlighted the significant growth in non-oil revenues accruing to the Federation, federal, state, and local governments. From January to August 2025, total collections reached N20.59 trillion, a 40.5% increase from N14.6 trillion recorded in 2024. This strong performance aligns with projections, placing the government firmly on course to achieve its annual non-oil revenue target.
The President also said that the Federal Government is no longer borrowing from local banks to buttress the strong fiscal performance since the start of the year.
The President commented on tax revenues, which do not include dollar oil receipts, where targets are not being met because of the slump in the crude oil market.
As part of this administration’s inclusive growth policy, resources are being directed closer to the people. Therefore, increased revenues have translated into record FAAC disbursements. For the first time in history, monthly allocations to states and local governments crossed ₦2 trillion in July 2025, providing subnational governments with greater fiscal space to fund food security, infrastructure, and social services.
Notwithstanding, these increases in revenues do not yet match the President’s ambitions for expenditures on education, health, and infrastructure; therefore, all efforts are being made to address these gaps.
Commenting on the figures, Bayo Onanuga, Spokesperson to President Bola Tinubu, stated, “Nigeria’s fiscal foundations are being reshaped. For the first time in decades, oil is no longer the dominant driver of government revenue. The combination of reforms, compliance, and digitisation powers a more resilient economy. The task ahead is to ensure that these gains are felt in the lives of our citizens and in better schools, hospitals, roads, and jobs.”
What You Need to Know
– Record Revenues: Nigeria mobilised ₦20.59 trillion in eight months, the most substantial collection in recent history.
– Non-Oil is Now the Engine: With ₦15.69 trillion collected, non-oil revenues account for three out of every four naira, showing a fundamental shift away from oil dependence.
– Beyond Inflation: While inflation and FX revaluation contributed, the uplift is primarily reform-driven — digitised filings, Customs automation, tighter enforcement, and broadened compliance.
Customs Overperformance: ₦3.68 trillion was collected in H1, ₦390 billion above target, and already 56% of the full-year goal. This reflects systemic changes, not one-off windfalls.
States’ Fiscal Space Expanded: FAAC allocations reached ₦2 trillion in July for the first time, giving states resources to strengthen local development.
– On Track, Not Overclaiming: The government affirms collections are ahead of pro-rata expectations, with final validation to be published by the Budget Office at the end of the year.
Revenues are rising, the base is broadening, and reforms are working. The priority is translating these numbers into real relief for citizens by putting food on the table, creating jobs for young people, and investing in roads, schools, and hospitals.
.As Tinubu directs mandatory health insurance implementation across MDAs
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In another development, President Bola Tinubu has directed the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) to issue a service-wide circular to all Ministries, Extra-Ministerial Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) on the implementation, n of mandatory health insurance in line with the National Health Insurance Act, 2022.
However, President Tinubu called for further, closer and constructive engagement with the Private Sector on the Act to ensure that businesses are not unduly constrained.
The President’s directive covers five key areas.
First, all MDAs must enrol their employees in the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) health insurance plan. Where desired, MDAs may take up supplementary private insurance coverage in accordance with the NHIA Act.
All entities participating in public procurement must present a valid NHIA-issued Health Insurance Certificate as part of their eligibility documentation.
This certificate confirms compliance with the mandatory health insurance requirement and serves as a condition precedent for continuing any procurement-related engagement.
The Presidential directive also compels all MDAs to require applicants to present valid NHIA Health Insurance Certificates as a precondition for issuing and renewing licenses, permits, and other official approvals.
According to the directive, the NHIA will establish a digital platform to enable easy verification of Health Insurance Certificates, ensuring transparency and accessibility.
Finally, the directive compels all MDAs to work with the NHIA to develop internal procedures to verify the authenticity of the submitted Health Insurance Certificates and ensure consistent compliance monitoring.
The presidential directive aims to expand health coverage, safeguard workers, reduce out-of-pocket health expenditures and promote accountability in public and private sector engagements.
The NHIA Act, 2022, stipulates compulsory health insurance for Nigerians and mandates NHIA to ensure health coverage for all persons in Nigeria and undertake necessary measures to achieve its objectives.
Three years after the Act was enacted, national health insurance coverage remains alarmingly low despite recent progress in the health sector.
.Says in just two years, Nigeria is now respected globally
Also, President Bola Tinubu declared on Tuesday that his administration’s bold economic reforms, which aim to restore Nigeria to its enviable position, are achieving favourable results.
The President said that the country’s economy is now stable and attracting interest from around the world.
He stated this at the State House when he received His Imperial Majesty, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Oladunni Olaoye, Orumogege III, the Soun of Ogbomosoland, in audience with some other royal fathers.
President Tinubu said, ” Years of neglect and self-deception, fake records, smuggling, and all of that denied Nigeria the necessary revenue for progress and development.
“Then we were confronted again with arbitrage trading of currency, an illusion of selling papers, corruption all over the place, and the integrity of the country and its economy being extremely and adversely challenged.
“We had to take those actions. With your prayers, patience, perseverance and great understanding, I’m glad to tell you today that the economy is stabilised. The bleeding has stopped. Haemorrhage is gone; the patient is alive.”
The President also said the establishment of NELFUND was to ensure that no student would drop out because of poverty.
He affirmed that everybody has a right to education as it is the “greatest weapon you can give to human beings against poverty; that’s what we are doing. We have remained aggressive on our infrastructure. And it’s just two years.”
President Tinubu thanked the Soun of Ogbomoso for crediting his administration with the bold decisions taken immediately upon resumption of office.
He noted that the people of Ogbomosoland were already feeling the modernisation and transformation introduced by the monarch, who promised to strengthen traditional institutions.
The President promised to engage the Ministers of Power, Water Resources, Agriculture, and Works to look into the visiting monarch’s requests, stating they can make Nigeria self-sufficient in agriculture.
Thrc Soun commended the President for his incredible strides, which “only a bold leader could have recorded. Removing fuel subsidy has shown us that it is the right decision, and we can see the effects.”
Oba Ghandi Olaoye said the foreign exchange reforms and introduction of NELFUND have made it easier for many students to continue their schooling without considering dropping out.
The monarch also commended the President for awarding the contract for dualization of the Oyo-Ogbomosho Road, which had been abandoned for decades, pointing out that the road would spur economic activities as a significant gateway to the North.
The paramount ruler, however, requested the President’s intervention in the water and power supply in Ogbomoso, the upgrading of the General Hospital in the town into a Federal Medical Centre, as well as the establishment of a research institute to enhance the development and transformation of the famous ‘Ogbomoso mangoes and cashew nuts’ into a viable agricultural enterprise.
Oba Olaoye thanked the President for appointing Ogbomoso sons to his administration, notably the Federal Inland Revenue Service Chairman, Zacch Adedeji, and the DG of the Bureau of Public Procurement, Debo Adedokun.
On the entourage of the Soun of Ogbomosoland were five other Kings representing the five councils in Ogbomosoland, namely High Chief Samuel Otolorin, the Areago of Ogbomosoland; HRM, Oba Oyetunji Adeyeye, the Alajaawa of Ajaawa; HRM Oba Bolarinwa Ezekiel Olajide, the Onisapa of Isapa; HRM Oba Babatunde Amao, the Aale Oke-elerin, and HRM Oba Prof. Akinola John Akintola, the Olokin-apa of Okin-apa.
Others were High Chief Ogundare Oluwakemi Rebecca, Iyalode of Ogbomosoland; Prof. Sola Adepoju, former DG Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria; Chief Tunji Olaniyi, a businessman, and Alhaji Abdul Ganiyu Atanda Owodunni, the Aare Musulumi of Ogbomosoland.
Also present was the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Chief Sunday Dare, a prominent ‘son of the soil’ who doubles as the Agbaakin of Ogbomosoland.
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