The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, has emphasized the transformative impact of the Home-Grown School Feeding Programme (HGSFP), describing it as a dual-purpose initiative that fosters education and drives local agricultural development.

Speaking through the FCT Focal Person on Social Investment Programme (SIP), Hajia Maijidda Adamu Kuku, at an interactive session with stakeholders across the six area councils of the FCT, Mahmoud highlighted the programme’s reliance on locally sourced produce.
Special Adviser on Media to the minister Austine Elemue, in a statement quoted the minister to have indicated that the approach, is to empower farmers, strengthen the rural economy, and enhance community participation.
Mahmoud affirmed the FCT Administration’s commitment to facilitating the programme’s effective implementation by fostering collaboration among stakeholders.
“Regular interactive sessions like this are vital to reflect on successes, address challenges, and chart a sustainable path forward,” she said.
She commended the efforts of government officials, school administrators, farmers, cooks, and development partners, stressing the administration’s determination to ensure inclusivity and leave no school behind in the programme.
The Minister also called for innovative ideas and practical solutions to sustain the programme’s impact, urging stakeholders to work in synergy to confront emerging challenges.
Senior Special Assistant to the President on School Feeding Programme, Dr. Yetunde Adeniyi,
underscored the initiative’s national importance, citing its role in improving school enrollment and learning outcomes.
“Since its inception, thousands of children have benefited from nutritious meals, leading to increased attendance and retention in schools,” she noted.

Adeniyi encouraged stakeholders to prioritize transparency, accountability, and active community involvement to ensure the programme’s longevity and effectiveness.

FCT Programme Operations Officer, Hauwa Abubakar, outlined the objectives of the stakeholders’ dialogue, emphasizing its focus on enhancing service delivery through transparency, accountability, and linkages with other empowerment initiatives in the FCT.

World Food Programme representative, Agnes Mungatia, further stressed the importance of collaboration, urging stakeholders to unite efforts to amplify the programme’s reach and impact.

The Home-Grown School Feeding Programme has remained a beacon of hope, providing nutritious meals to children while empowering local farmers. With continued commitment from stakeholders, the programme promises to sustain its role as a cornerstone of education and rural development in Nigeria.

The Federal Capital Territory Internal Revenue Service (FCT-IRS) has called on private companies, Ministries, Departments, Agencies (MDAs), and other employers of labor within the Federal Capital Territory to file their employees’ annual tax returns for 2024 by January 31, 2025.

This directive is in line with Section 81 of the Personal Income Tax Act (PITA) 2011 (as amended) and PAYE regulations, which mandate employers to submit detailed annual returns of emoluments paid to employees and total taxes deducted for the preceding year.
A statement issued on Sunday by the Corporate Communications Manager of the Service, Mustapha Sumaila urged Employers are required to use the forms prescribed by FCT-IRS for this purpose.
The statement quoted the Acting Executive Chairman of FCT-IRS, Mr. Michael Ango, whike speaking at a stakeholders’ engagement recently tobhave emphasized the importance of compliance, warning that failure to meet the deadline would attract penalties and sanctions.
He encouraged voluntary compliance, highlighting its role in fostering accountability and easing tax administration.

“We urge all private organizations, MDAs, government enterprises, and sole proprietorships within the FCT to fulfill their tax obligations.
Beyond avoiding sanctions, this compliance will contribute significantly to the development of the FCT and support the Honourable Minister, Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike CON, in his vision of transforming the FCT into a modern city,” Ango stated.

The FCT-IRS reiterated its commitment to efficient tax administration and calls on all stakeholders to cooperate in building a financially sustainable capital territory.

The Centre for Reform and Public Advocacy has condemned the Federal Capital Territory Internal Revenue Service (FCT-IRS) over plans to collect revenues on behalf of the six Area Councils in the FCT, calling the move unconstitutional and illegal.

In a statement released on Tuesday in Abuja, the group’s Head of Legal Unit, Mr. Kalu Agu Kalu, argued that the FCT-IRS Act of 2015 limits the agency’s authority to collecting revenues solely for the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).

“For clarity, the six Area Councils are not departments under the FCTA but are constitutionally established as the third tier of government, with their functions and powers clearly defined by the Constitution,” Kalu said.

The group criticized Acting FCT-IRS Chairman, Mr. Michael Ango, for attempting to undermine the autonomy of the Area Councils, which had been affirmed by the Supreme Court.

Ango had announced during the FCT-IRS 2024 end-of-year media briefing that the agency would take over revenue collection for the Area Councils starting in 2025. He explained that the goal was to simplify compliance for taxpayers and improve transparency and accountability.

Ango added that the decision was based on the directive of FCT Minister, Mr. Nyesom Wike, and included plans to harmonize revenue administration across the FCT.

In response, the advocacy group rejected the justification, insisting that such powers were not granted by the FCT-IRS Act or the Nigerian Constitution.

“The Taxes and Levies Act, LFN 2004, explicitly makes revenue collection by unauthorized persons a criminal offense,” Kalu stated.

The group revealed it had filed a lawsuit at the FCT High Court seeking an injunction against the FCT-IRS to prevent it from implementing the policy. It also warned taxpayers that payments made to the FCT-IRS instead of the Area Councils could lead to double taxation.

“Any taxpayer who pays revenues meant for the Area Councils to the FCT-IRS does so at their own risk and should be ready to pay again when approached by the Area Councils,” Kalu warned.

The group further threatened to initiate private criminal prosecution against the FCT-IRS chairman if the agency proceeds with the controversial policy.

“We call on all stakeholders to resist any unlawful policy aimed at undermining Nigeria’s constitutional order and the autonomy of local government authorities,” Kalu said.

The case is currently before the FCT High Court, and the group urged the FCT-IRS to maintain the status quo pending the court’s decision.