Temitayo Orebajo, Director, Tax Policy and Advisory Department, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) says all Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) are expected to register for tax purposes and obtain Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN).
Orebajo said this in Abuja on Thursday at a webinar on CSOs’ tax responsibilities and compliance.
He said the webinar was aimed to promote CSO’s understanding and knowledge of their tax responsibilities.
The webinar was organized by FIRS and the European Union Agents for Citizen-Driven Transformation (EU-ACT), a Non-Governmental Organisation.
The webinar is to provide an opportunity for CSOs to engage the FIRS on parts of tax regulations that concern them, and the challenges and bottlenecks they face in their bid to stay compliant.
Orebajo said that the CSOs were statutorily required to maintain accurate records of employees, proper books of accounts for tax purposes.
He said that failure to comply would attract appropriate penalties under the extant tax laws.
Orebajo said that VAT on goods purchased by NGOs for use in humanitarian donor-funded projects was at zero rates under the value-added tax.
“The NGO itself is not exempted from VAT where the organization procures contracts or purchases goods that are not directly used in humanitarian donor-funded projects.
“Likewise, any service procured or consumed by NGO is liable to VAT, except where such service is exempted under the VATN Act,” he said.
Orebajo said that NGOs were required under the Pay As You Earn (PAYE) obligation to deduct tax at source from salaries and another emolument of the employees, directors, officers among others.
According to him, the obligations under the Companies Income Tax Act (CITA) in section 25 of CITA provide tax relief to any company making donations to an organization listed under the fifth schedule to CITA.
He said that such donation must be made out of its profits for the year of assessment and total donation shall not exceed 10 per cent of the total profits of the company for the said year of assessment.
“Donation is not of capital nature, except where the donations are made to universities or other tertiary or research institutions and should not exceed 15 per cent of total profits or 25 per cent of tax payable.
“NGOs requiring to be listed under the fifth schedule to CITA may apply to the Minister of Finance through FIRS,’’ Orebajo said.
He advised the organizations to see the importance of returns to the government because most of them take payment to the government for granted.
Mrs. Nneka Esomeju, of the Joint Tax Board, said that the rule of minimum wage was exempted from tax but added that corps members are to pay tax when other things are added.
Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa has extended a heartfelt felicitation to Muslim faithfuls across Nigeria and beyond on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan.
The Lagos Speaker seized the occasion to urge Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora to continue supporting and praying for the country and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
While congratulating the Muslim ummah on the joyous occasion of Eid al-Fitr, Dr. Obasa, in a statement by his media office, emphasised the need to uphold the festival’s inherent values of forgiveness, compassion, charity, and patience beyond this season.
“As we celebrate with excitement and enthusiasm, let us remember that Eid al-Fitr is a moment of thanksgiving, joy, and spiritual renewal. Importantly, let us hold on to the spirits of love, tolerance, kindness, and compassion that we learnt in the holy month,” Obasa stated.
The Speaker urged Nigerians to pray for the country and the President for his transformative efforts and relentless sacrifices to enthrone and entrench a better nation.
“In President Tinubu, we have a leader who is committed to the progress, prosperity, and peaceful co-existence of all. All we need to do as a people is support and pray for him. I do not doubt that his visionary leadership and Renewed Hope blueprint will guide Nigeria back to the right path,” Dr Obasa stated.
Though on recess, the Speaker reiterated the commitment of the Lagos State House of Assembly to promoting religious harmony and policies that will engender and ensure the development and overall well-being of Lagosians nay Nigerians.
He assured that under his leadership, the state legislature will continue to work together in peace and harmony with the primary objective of ensuring economic prosperity while supporting initiatives that enhance the socio-economic growth of the state and Nigeria at large.
Concluding, Dr. Obasa said, “On behalf of my family, colleagues, and the management and staff of the Assembly, I wish our Muslim brothers and sisters a beautiful, bounteous, and blessed celebration.”
As Muslims across the world celebrate Eid-el-Fitr, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan, the Baba Adeen of Alimosho Federal Constituency, Hon. Bisi Yusuf, has extended his warm greetings to the Muslim faithful.
In his Eid message titled “Eid Mubarak!”, Hon. Yusuf emphasized the enduring blessings of Ramadan and expressed optimism that the prayers offered during the sacred period would bring divine favor to individuals, families, and the nation.
“The prayers we made—for ourselves, our families, and our great nation—will not go unanswered, In Sha Allah,” the Alimosho All Progressives Congress apex leader assured.
He urged Muslims to continue upholding the core values of Ramadan, including peace, love, patience, and charity, stressing that these principles are essential in fostering unity and driving national progress.
“By lifting one another, strengthening our communities, and working for national progress, we bring positive change to our land,” the two-term former chairman of Ayobo-Ipaja Local Council Development Area stated.
Hon. Yusuf also prayed for the prosperity of Nigeria and divine guidance for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as he steers the country toward a brighter future.
“May Allah bless our dear nation and guide President Tinubu as he leads us toward a brighter and greater Nigeria,” he added.
The three-term member of the Lagos State House of Assembly concluded his message with a heartfelt Eid greeting to all Muslims: Barka Da Sallah!
President Bola Tinubu on Friday signed the N54.99 trillion 2025 Budget of Restoration into law, emphasizing that discipline and diligence would guide its implementation. The signing ceremony, held in Abuja, was attended by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbass, and Senate Committee Chairman on Appropriation Sen. Solomon Adeola.
In his address, President Tinubu expressed optimism about Nigeria’s economic future, stating, “Today, we take another bold step in our nation’s journey of economic recovery, stability, and growth with the signing of the 2025 Budget of Restoration. We reaffirm our commitment to securing our future, rebuilding prosperity, and ensuring that every Nigerian shares in the dividends of governance.”
Reflecting on the challenges faced in the past year, the President highlighted the government’s economic discipline and reforms that have yielded positive results. He pointed to a national GDP growth of 3.86% in the final quarter of 2024, marking the fastest growth in three years. Revenues also surged to N21.6 trillion from N12.37 trillion, while the fiscal deficit was reduced from 6.2% in 2023 to 4.17% in 2025.
“These achievements were made possible through economic discipline and strategic reforms,” Tinubu noted. “Forex reforms have restored investor confidence, and we are witnessing the stabilization of our markets. The minimum wage increase to ₦70,000 has also boosted the purchasing power of workers. Infrastructure development is progressing rapidly, with key projects such as the 750km Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the 1,068km Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway,” he added.
The President expressed gratitude to the National Assembly for their swift passage of the budget and called for continued collaboration in its implementation. “We have no dust on our faces or tears in our eyes. We walked together as brothers and sisters. Though the initial outlook was turbulent, we can now see signs of progress,” he said.
He also outlined priority areas in the budget, such as national security, infrastructure, energy, healthcare, education, and human capital development. An increased allocation for agriculture and food security was highlighted as crucial for boosting local food production and preventing hunger across the nation. Additionally, more funds for social welfare programs are set to support vulnerable groups, including youth and women.
However, the President made it clear that the budget’s success hinges on fiscal responsibility. “We cannot spend what we do not have,” he said. He emphasized the need to ensure that every naira spent is backed by actual revenue, with a focus on expanding government earnings and fostering public-private partnerships.
Tinubu also pledged accountability from all government agencies, promising that each department would be held responsible for ensuring prudent spending and delivering value for money. He further explained that efforts would be made to redefine amendments within the Appropriations Act to ensure smooth budget implementation.
Senate President Akpabio assured Tinubu of the National Assembly’s full support, acknowledging that the President inherited a struggling economy and has successfully navigated its recovery through his leadership and expertise.
Finance Minister Wale Edun added that the successful passage of the budget was the result of continuous collaboration and analysis between the executive and legislative arms of government.
As Nigeria embarks on the implementation of the ambitious budget, all eyes will be on the government to fulfill its promise of economic restoration and growth.