Business
ICPC INAUGURATES ANTI-CORUPTION UNIT IN FIRS
ICPC INAUGURATES ANTI-CORUPTION UNIT IN FIRS
Determined to entrench transparency and accountability in tax collection processes and operations at the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), the chairman, Zacch Adedeji, has constituted a 12-member Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU) with the mandate to ensure zero tolerance for unethical acts and corruption within the revenue-collecting agency.
The body, which is to collaborate with anti-graft agencies, was inaugurated by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) at the Revenue House in Abuja, on Tuesday.
Speaking at the event, Adedeji, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr Tayo Koleosho, urged the newly inducted members of the anti-corruption unit to live above board, saying “He who comes to equity must come with clean hands.”
A statement by Dare Adekanmbi, Special Adviser on Media to the FIRS chairman, said Adedeji charged members of the unit to reflect the core values of the agency which he said abhor corruption, tasking them to bring integrity and transparency to bear in their roles and responsibilities.
“The easy part of being a member of FIRS anti-corruption unit has just been done. The real work starts now. The FIRS Executive Chairman, Dr Zacch Adedeji believes that he who comes to equity must come with clean hands.
“The staff of FIRS and by extension the taxpayers as well as the general public should be able to relate with the integrity you bring to this responsibility,” Adedeji said.
The Coordinating Director, Support Services Group, Mohammed Lawal Abubakar, noted that the FIRS will continue to provide support for the anti-corruption unit and urged the inductees to be good examples of people imbued with honesty and integrity.
ICPC chairman of the ICPC, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, who was represented by the Director, System Study and Review of ICPC, Mr Olusegun Adigun, said the FIRS ACTU members would be supported to deliver on their mandate.
“With this inauguration, the Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit of the FIRS has been empowered to deliver on its mandate which includes: periodic sensitisation of staff on the ills of corruption; examination of systems, processes and procedures that are prone to corruption and offering solutions; developing and reviewing code of ethics for staff and ensuring compliance with same; monitoring budget and its implementation by the FIRS, coordinating the deployment of the ethics and integrity scorecards and undertaking preliminary investigation into complaints and reports received.
“The ACTU is not set up as a parallel authority to the management. Rather, they are to work closely with the management to build a reputable agency. I therefore implore the FIRS to see the unit in this light and support it by providing conducive environment for it to function, provide funds and office accommodation as well as incorporate members in various standing committees as contained in the extant circular of the Federal Government,” said the ICPC chief.
The Director of the anti-corruption unit, Hajia Sa’adatu Yero, praised Adedeji for being truly intentional about strengthening the anti-corruption unit.
Yero said: “ACTU is entrusted with the critical responsibility of preventing corrupt practices within the Service through effective implementation of the anti-corruption measures and mechanisms. ACTU strives to eliminate unethical practices, ensuring the highest standards of integrity and transparency in the operations at FIRS.
“ACTU of FIRS is made up of representatives of the various groups in the Service and other relevant functions. Since its inception, the unit has been performing exceedingly well by collaborating with both internal and external stakeholders such as the ICPC, the Nigerian Police Force and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to ensure all corruption and unethical risks of the Service are tackled effectively.
“ACTU of the Service was recently rated among the best in the country scoring 79.95% in the 2022 Ethics and Integrity Scorecard survey. The Executive Chairman FIRS in his commitment to eliminate all forms of corrupt practices in the Service decided to approve the appointment of a Director to head the Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit as chairman and Director-ACTU who will oversee all aspects of the anti-corruption activities of the Service,” she said.
Captions:
ACTU-FIRS 1…
L-R, Chief of Staff to the chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Mr Tayo Koleosho; Coordinating Director, Support Services Group, M.L Abubakar; and representative of the chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and Director, System Study and Review of ICPC, Mr Olusegun Adigun, handing copies of anti-corruption manual to FIRS management representatives during the inauguration of Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU) at the Revenue House in Abuja on Tuesday.
ACTU-FIRS 3….
A cross section of members of FIRS Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU) being sworn in at the Revenue House in Abuja on Tuesday.
Photo credit: FIRS Media Unit
Nigeria’s Inflation Drops to 15.10% as NBS Reports Deflationary Trend
Nigeria’s headline inflation rate declined to 15.10 per cent in January 2026, marking a significant drop from 27.61 per cent recorded in January 2025, according to the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report released by the National Bureau of Statistics.
The report also showed that month-on-month inflation recorded a deflationary trend of –2.88 per cent, representing a 3.42 percentage-point decrease compared to December 2025. Analysts say the development signals easing price pressures across key sectors of the economy.
Food inflation stood at 8.89 per cent year-on-year, down from 29.63 per cent in January 2025. On a month-on-month basis, food prices declined by 6.02 per cent, reflecting lower costs in several staple commodities.
The data suggests a sustained downward trajectory in inflation over the past 12 months, pointing to improving macroeconomic stability.
The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has consistently attributed recent economic adjustments to ongoing fiscal and monetary reforms aimed at stabilising prices, boosting agricultural output, and strengthening domestic supply chains.
Economic analysts note that while the latest figures indicate progress, sustaining the downward trend will depend on continued policy discipline, exchange rate stability, and improvements in food production and distribution.
The January report provides one of the clearest indications yet that inflationary pressures, which surged in early 2025, may be moderating.
Nigeria’s headline inflation rate declined to 15.10 per cent in January 2026, marking a significant drop from 27.61 per cent recorded in January 2025, according to the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report released by the National Bureau of Statistics.
The report also showed that month-on-month inflation recorded a deflationary trend of –2.88 per cent, representing a 3.42 percentage-point decrease compared to December 2025. Analysts say the development signals easing price pressures across key sectors of the economy.
Food inflation stood at 8.89 per cent year-on-year, down from 29.63 per cent in January 2025. On a month-on-month basis, food prices declined by 6.02 per cent, reflecting lower costs in several staple commodities.
The data suggests a sustained downward trajectory in inflation over the past 12 months, pointing to improving macroeconomic stability.
The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has consistently attributed recent economic adjustments to ongoing fiscal and monetary reforms aimed at stabilising prices, boosting agricultural output, and strengthening domestic supply chains.
Economic analysts note that while the latest figures indicate progress, sustaining the downward trend will depend on continued policy discipline, exchange rate stability, and improvements in food production and distribution.
The January report provides one of the clearest indications yet that inflationary pressures, which surged in early 2025, may be moderating.
Alpha Morgan to Host 19th Economic Review Webinar
In an economy shaped by constant shifts, the edge often belongs to those with the right information.
On Wednesday, February 25, 2026, Alpha Morgan Bank will host the 19th edition of its Economic Review Webinar, a high-level thought leadership session designed to equip businesses, investors, and individuals with timely financial and economic insight.
The session, which will hold live on Zoom at 10:00am WAT and will feature economist Bismarck Rewane, who will examine the key signals influencing Nigeria’s economic direction in 2026, including policy trends, market movements, and global developments shaping the local landscape.
With a consistent track record of delivering clarity in uncertain times, the Alpha Morgan Economic Review continues to provide practical context for decision-making in a dynamic environment.
Registration for the 19th Alpha Morgan Economic Review is free and can be completed via https://bit.ly/registeramerseries19
It is a bi-monthly platform that is open to the public and is held virtually.
Visit www.alphamorganbank to know more.
GTBank Launches Quick Airtime Loan at 2.95%
Guaranty Trust Bank Ltd (GTBank), the flagship banking franchise of GTCO Plc, Africa’s leading financial services group, today announced the launch of Quick Airtime Loan, an innovative digital solution that gives customers instant access to airtime when they run out of call credit and have limited funds in their bank accounts, ensuring customers can stay connected when it matters most.
In today’s always-on world, running out of airtime is more than a minor inconvenience. It can mean missed opportunities, disrupted plans, and lost connections, often at the very moment when funds are tight, and options are limited. Quick Airtime Loan was created to solve this problem, offering customers instant access to airtime on credit, directly from their bank. With Quick Airtime Loan, eligible GTBank customers can access from ₦100 and up to ₦10,000 by dialing *737*90#. Available across all major mobile networks in Nigeria, the service will soon expand to include data loans, further strengthening its proposition as a reliable on-demand platform.
For years, the airtime credit market has been dominated by Telcos, where charges for this service are at 15%. GTBank is now changing the narrative by offering a customer-centric, bank-led digital alternative priced at 2.95%. Built on transparency, convenience and affordability, Quick Airtime Loan has the potential to broaden access to airtime, deliver meaningful cost savings for millions of Nigerians, and redefine how financial services show up in everyday life, not just in banking moments.
Commenting on the product launch, Miriam Olusanya, Managing Director of Guaranty Trust Bank Ltd, said: “Quick Airtime Loan reflects GTBank’s continued focus on delivering digital solutions that are relevant, accessible, and built around real customer needs. The solution underscores the power of a connected financial ecosystem, combining GTBank’s digital reach and lending expertise with the capabilities of HabariPay to deliver a smooth, end-to-end experience. By leveraging unique strengths across the Group, we are able to accelerate innovation, strengthen execution, and deliver a more integrated customer experience across all our service channels.”
Importantly, Quick Airtime Loan highlights GTCO’s evolution as a fully diversified financial services group. Leveraging HabariPay’s Squad, the solution reinforces the Group’s ecosystem proposition by bringing together banking, payment technology, and digital channels to deliver intuitive, one-stop experiences for customers.
With this new product launch, Guaranty Trust Bank is extending its legacy of pioneering digital-first solutions that have redefined customer access to financial services across the industry, building on the proven strength of its widely adopted QuickCredit offering and the convenience of the Bank’s iconic *737# USSD Banking platform.
About Guaranty Trust Bank
Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) is the flagship banking franchise of GTCO Plc, a leading financial services group with a strong presence across Africa and the United Kingdom. The Bank is widely recognized for its leadership in digital banking, customer experience, and innovative financial solutions that deliver value to individuals, businesses, and communities.
About HabariPay
HabariPay is the payments fintech subsidiary of GTCO Plc, focused on enabling fast, secure, and accessible digital payments for individuals and businesses. By integrating payments and digital technology, HabariPay supports innovative services that make everyday financial interactions simpler and more seamless.
Enquiries:
GTCO
Group Corporate Communication
[email protected]
+234-1-2715227
www.gtcoplc.com
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