Here is a roundup of some Nigerian newspaper headlines, accompanied by our advocacy-driven demands for government action in addressing citizens’ concerns.

1. The Guardian: Amid Weak Social Services, States Stake Nearly N200billion  on Renovations

State governors are facing public backlash for prioritising multi-billion-naira state house face-lifts at the expense of essential services –healthcare, education and infrastructure –which the country is in dire need of turning around the economy.

Our Take: State governors must resist the urge to turn government houses into five-star resorts while schools crumble, hospitals gasp for life, and roads resemble obstacle courses. It is time to shift focus from painting walls to fixing lives.

Dear citizens, while your governors upgrade their air-conditioned offices, don’t just admire the fresh paint, ask who is paying for it and what is being neglected. Demand budgets that serve the people, not the egos. A state-of-the-art office means little if the people outside it can’t access basic services. Let’s call for governance that renovates realities, not just ceilings.

2. Vanguard: 20 Soldiers, Scores of Bandits Die in Niger Clash

No fewer than 20 soldiers were reportedly killed by bandits, who stormed two military camps in Mariga Local Government Area of Niger State on Tuesday, while several others were injured. However, an unspecified number of the bandits were gunned down by the soldiers during the gun battle that ensued.

Our Take: The killing of 17 soldiers in Niger State should serve as a wake-up call to the Federal Ministry of Defence, the National Security Advisor, Nuhu Ribadu, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede and state governments in conflict-prone areas to urgently strengthen security operations with actionable strategies, not just military deployments and media briefings. The National Assembly must also intensify oversight on security funding to ensure resources are used where most needed. As citizens mourn these losses, they must also demand accountability and a clear roadmap from those in power, because our brave soldiers should not continue to die in battles that poor leadership helps prolong.

3. Daily Trust: Tinubu to Sign Tax Reform Bills Today

Daily Trust reports that President Bola Tinubu will on Thursday sign into law four tax reform bills.

The four bills, the Nigeria Tax Bill, the Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, and the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Bill, were passed by the National Assembly after extensive consultations with various interest groups and stakeholders across the country.

Our Take: As President Tinubu prepares to sign the new tax reform bills into law, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), the Joint Tax Board (JTB), and the Federal Ministry of Finance must ensure that these reforms do not become yet another burden on already struggling Nigerians. The reforms must prioritise transparency, fairness, and ease of compliance for citizens and small businesses alike.