News
RMAFC Charts Path For A New Revenue Allocation Formula To Strengthen Fiscal Federalism
Joel Ajayi
The Chairman, Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), Dr. Mohammed Bello Shehu, OFR, has reaffirmed the Commission’s determination to produce a new, equitable, and data-driven Revenue Allocation Formula that reflects Nigeria’s current economic and constitutional realities.
Speaking at a panel discussion tittled, “Recalibrating Nigeria’s Revenue Allocation Formula” held on Monday, 13th October 2025, at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, Dr. Shehu said the existing formula approved in 1992 no longer reflects Nigeria’s fiscal responsibilities, demographic shifts, or governance realities.
He explained that recent amendments to the RMAFC Act have empowered the Commission to engage directly with private sector entities, including oil companies, in verifying and recovering revenues due to the Federation. The Chairman added that beyond allocation, revenue mobilisation and accountability remain central to achieving sustainable development.
Dr. Shehu gave the assurance that the review will ensure fairness, balance, and national cohesion. He therefore urged participants to set aside personal interests and deliberate as patriotic Nigerians.
He said, “Our goal is to design a formular that empowers subnational governments to meet their constitutional obligations effectively while maintaining national cohesion and macroeconomic stability. As we deliberate today, let us approach this dialogue not as representatives of different interests but as custodians of shared destiny. The choices we make here will shape the capacity of governments to deliver education to our children, healthcare to our citizens, and infrastructure to our communities.”
Speaking, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi, CON, Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Planning and Economic Affairs, said, “No matter how brilliant the ideas or technical solutions are, without political consensus and a shared national vision, progress will remain elusive.” He urged stakeholders to build transparency and trust to achieve the desired reform.
The Executive Governor of Kwara State and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum His Excellency Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, who was represented by Dr. Abdulateef Shittu commended RMAFC for creating a neutral platform for dialogue between the federal and subnational governments while pledging the Forum’s support for a just and workable formula.
In his remarks, the Honourable Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, CON commended the Commission’s effort and acknowledged that recalibrating the formula is key to national stability. According to him, “Our Constitution envisages cooperation among all tiers of government in advancing the welfare and security of the people. Equity must begin with revenue mobilisation, not merely allocation.”
In her remarks, Hajiya Hadiza Bala Usman, Special Adviser to the President on Policy Coordination, called for a courageous and conclusive review that aligns fiscal reforms with Nigeria’s development .
The panel session, moderated by Eugenia Abu, featured experts, including Prof. Auwalu Yadudu, Dr. Iyobosa Uwugiaren, Prof. Nazifi Darma, and Prof. Muhammad Muttaka Usman. Discussions covered constitutional, legal, and economic perspectives, with panelists urging a formula that promotes fiscal responsibility, innovation, and subnational accountability.
Some stakeholders at the occasion advised that the subnationals should be empowered to take more responsibilities and resources to take care of the people.
In his vote of thanks, Alhaji Kabir Mashi, OON, Chairman, Revenue Allocation Formula Committee, appreciated all participants for their valuable insights, assuring that the Commission will integrate all recommendations into a fair, balanced, and sustainable revenue formula for Nigeria.
News
Eagle Times Newspaper Will Be Voice for Nigerians – Publisher Chukwunyere Vows
Joel Ajayi
The Publisher of The Eagle Times Nigeria, Sir Ikechukwu Chukwunyere, has pledged that the newspaper will promote accountability, credible journalism and public-interest reporting in its coverage of national affairs.
Chukwunyere made the commitment on Thursday, October 1, 2026, during the official unveiling and launch of The Eagle Times Nigeria.
He said the new media organisation was established not merely to add another newspaper to Nigeria’s media landscape, but to provide a platform committed to serving the public interest.
According to him, the newspaper’s guiding philosophy, “The Voice for the People, The Watchdog for the Nation,” places a responsibility on the organisation to listen to Nigerians, tell their stories, highlight issues affecting their daily lives and scrutinise those entrusted with public responsibilities.
“To be a voice for the people means that we must listen to Nigerians, tell their stories, highlight their concerns and give visibility to issues that affect their daily lives,” he said.
The publisher added that The Eagle Times would be guided by accuracy, fairness, professionalism, credibility and responsible journalism, stressing that the newspaper would not publish stories merely because they were sensational.
“We will verify. We will investigate. We will seek the other side. We will correct our mistakes when we make them,” he said.
Chukwunyere further stated that the newspaper would endeavour to give individuals and organisations the opportunity to respond whenever allegations were made against them.
“Our commitment is not to any political party, government or individual. Our primary commitment is to journalism, to truth and to the Nigerian public,” he said.
He noted that the newspaper was launching at a time when the media industry was undergoing rapid transformation, with audiences increasingly consuming news through digital platforms, including websites, television, podcasts and social media.
He said The Eagle Times would therefore operate as a multimedia organisation, combining its newspaper with digital platforms and The Eagle Times TV to reach audiences across different channels.
According to him, the organisation also intends to create opportunities for young journalists, writers, photographers, producers, digital creators and other media professionals to develop their skills and contribute to journalism and national development.
Chukwunyere said the newspaper’s coverage would include politics, governance, business, economy, security, judiciary, education, health, technology, sports, entertainment, lifestyle and international affairs.
He, however, said the organisation intended to distinguish itself not only by the subjects it covered but by the quality and approach of its journalism.
We want to tell stories that matter, we want to investigate issues that require investigation, we want to highlight Nigerians who are making a difference, and we want to give communities that are often ignored an opportunity to be heard,” he said.
The publisher acknowledged the challenges involved in establishing a newspaper, saying the venture required investment, commitment, professional discipline and the courage to pursue an idea.
He expressed appreciation to the management, editorial, reporting, production and digital teams, as well as families, friends, partners and supporters who contributed to the establishment of the organisation.
Chukwunyere also assured readers, viewers and the newspaper’s digital audience that The Eagle Times would strive to earn their trust and remain accountable to the standards it had set for itself.
He said the newspaper’s success would not be measured only by circulation figures, website traffic or social media followers, but also by the confidence Nigerians placed in its journalism.
“Today, we spread our wings. Today, The Eagle Times takes flight,” he said, reaffirming the newspaper’s commitment to its slogan: “The Voice for the People, The Watchdog for the Nation.”
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