Welcome to Thursday’s roundup of Nigerian newspaper headlines, accompanied by our advocacy-focused calls on issues that impact citizens.
1. Punch: Tax law: N5 trillion VAT windfall for states as new formula begins
Findings from the Punch have shown that the 36 states of the federation are set to receive an estimated N5.07 trillion as their share of Value Added Tax in 2026, following the commencement of a new VAT sharing formula introduced under the National Tax Acts.
Our Take: With states set to receive a larger slice of the VAT pie in 2026, governors must resist the temptation to treat the extra N5.07 trillion as a fresh allowance for political comforts and instead publish clear spending plans showing how the funds will translate into better schools, healthcare, and infrastructure. State Houses of Assembly and citizens should track these allocations closely, because a bigger share of VAT should mean better public services, not bigger convoys or louder excuses.
2. The Guardian: 19 Months after, Govs Explore Gaps in Constitution, Resist LG Autonomy
The Guardian reports that more than 19 months after the Supreme Court ordered financial autonomy for Nigeria’s 774 local government areas, compliance by state governments remains uneven, exposing deep constitutional ambiguities that continue to empower governors to dominate the third tier of government.
Our Take: State governors should stop auditioning for constitutional gymnastics and simply obey the Supreme Court, step back from council treasuries, and let elected chairmen govern, because autonomy is not a magic word to unlock Abuja’s money and then relock it at the state house. Nigerians are watching, and this time, ‘we have complied’ must come with receipts, not rehearsals.
3. The Guardian: Police Bust Child Trafficking Syndicate in Anambra, Rescue 33 Girls
Anambra State Police Command has busted a child trafficking syndicate operating in a compound in Awkuzu, Oyi local government area of the state, rescuing no fewer than 33 underage girls from the place.
Our Take: This rescue must go beyond headlines. The police should expose and prosecute the full trafficking network, while state authorities tighten child protection and monitoring systems. Because if it takes 33 rescued girls for action to happen, then the system is not broken, it is comfortably asleep, and traffickers are clearly enjoying the silence.
4. Daily Trust: Days after nurse’s murder, female lawyer killed, dumped on Abuja road
Two women, a nurse and a lawyer, have been found dead by the roadside in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, within days, sparking renewed concerns over the menace of ‘one-chance’ attacks in the nation’s capital.
Our Take: This is a direct call to the Inspector-General of Police, the FCT Commissioner of Police, the Minister of the FCT, and the Abuja Municipal Area Council to start dismantling ‘one-chance’ networks with visible patrols, intelligence-led arrests, and public updates. Abuja should not require the bodies of a nurse and a lawyer to trigger basic security responses, nor should residents rely on X for crime briefings while expressways double as dumping grounds.
