The Senator representing Ondo South, Jimoh Ibrahim (APC) has urged the Federal Government to replace cash-based palliative programs with food vouchers to curb the mismanagement of billions of naira allocated annually to support poor Nigerians.
Speaking at a media briefing in the Senate on Wednesday, Ibrahim highlighted how food vouchers could eliminate waste, improve food security, and boost Nigeria’s cash-to-GDP ratio.

Ibrahim, who chairs the Senate Committee on Inter-Parliamentary Affairs, criticized the current palliative distribution system, arguing that it often results in mismanagement and diversion of funds.
He proposed food vouchers as a more effective alternative.
“Food vouchers distributed directly to poor Nigerians across all 36 states and 774 local government areas will ensure transparency and accountability, unlike the N15 billion palliatives given to state governors that are often mishandled,” he said.
Ibrahim emphasized that Nigeria’s cash-to-GDP ratio remains alarmingly low at 1.52%, compared to 5–10% in developed countries.
He explained that replacing cash with food vouchers would reduce the volume of money in circulation, thereby improving the ratio and strengthening the economy.

“Our cash-to-GDP ratio was only 1% when President Tinubu took office, but it has since increased to 1.52%. Food vouchers will further boost this, offering a dual benefit of reducing cash reliance and addressing food insecurity,” he noted.

Higher Taxes for the Wealthy
The senator also called for increased taxation on the wealthy, particularly those who own luxury assets such as private jets and expensive properties.
He argued that Nigeria’s tax system does not adequately target the rich.

“The wealthy in Nigeria are under-taxed. Those purchasing luxury items should contribute more to national development. Closing these loopholes will generate additional revenue,” he added.
Ibrahim lauded the Tinubu administration’s economic reforms but insisted that introducing food vouchers would complement these efforts by ensuring that palliatives reach the most vulnerable.

“President Tinubu’s reforms are commendable, but adopting food vouchers will enhance transparency and ensure that the funds are used effectively to improve the lives of ordinary Nigerians,” he concluded.

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has initiated a sweeping investigation into Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank), MTN Nigeria, and Air Peace over widespread consumer complaints.
The inquiry, set to begin on December 3, 4, and 5, aims to address concerns about poor service delivery, exploitative practices, and potential violations of consumer rights.

FCCPC Director of Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu, announced the investigation in a statement on Sunday, emphasizing the Commission’s commitment to protecting consumer rights and ensuring market accountability.
GTBank will be probed over numerous reports of network failures that have left customers unable to access their funds or use banking applications.

MTN Nigeria faces scrutiny for persistent complaints of undelivered data services, unexplained data depletion, and inadequate customer support.
Air Peace will address allegations of exploitative ticket pricing, particularly concerning significant price hikes for advance bookings on certain domestic routes.
The FCCPC stated that the investigations are being conducted under the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018, citing Sections 17, 18, 32, 33, 80, 110, 111, 112, and 113.
These sections empower the Commission to investigate practices that undermine consumer rights, distort markets, or create unfair competition.

The inquiries aim to provide a platform for resolving consumer grievances, clarifying business practices, and enforcing compliance with regulatory standards.
The Commission has mandated the companies to appear before it on designated dates to provide information and responses to the allegations.

“This action reflects the FCCPC’s dedication to safeguarding consumer rights, fostering a fair marketplace, and ensuring accountability across key sectors,” Ijagwu said.

Consumers are encouraged to continue reporting instances of poor service delivery or exploitative practices through FCCPC’s official channels to aid in the ongoing investigations.

A devastating fire swept through a spare parts market in the Idumota area of Lagos State on Friday night, destroying properties worth hundreds of millions of naira.
Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, confirmed the incident in a statement on Saturday.
He reported that multiple buildings housing car spare parts shops were engulfed by the blaze, which began around 10:20 p.m.
“Following distress calls via the 767/112 Toll-Free Emergency Lines, LASEMA activated its Emergency Response Teams from Lekki, Cappa, and Alausa,” Oke-Osanyintolu said.

Emergency responders, including LASEMA’s Shark and Tiger Response Teams, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, and the Federal Fire Service, worked together to contain the inferno. Their swift response prevented the fire from spreading to adjacent buildings.

While the cause of the fire remains unknown, no casualties or injuries were reported. “Dampening down” operations have commenced to eliminate remaining hot spots, and salvage efforts to recover valuable goods are ongoing.

Law enforcement agencies were on-site to manage the crowd and ensure safety during the firefighting and recovery operations.

The incident is a significant blow to traders, many of whom lost their entire stock of goods. The full extent of the damage is still being assessed, but affected traders are now left counting their losses, with hopes pinned on further recovery efforts.