News
Has the government introduced a new fuel tax starting January 2026?
A claim circulated online that Nigerians will pay ₦500 tax on every ₦10,000 spent on fuel from January 2026.
Verdict: MISLEADING.
Yes, a 5% fuel surcharge exists—but it is not a new tax.
The levy originates from the Nigeria Tax Administration Act, signed by President Tinubu on June 26, 2025. It mandates a 5% surcharge on petrol and diesel, collected at the point of sale. Cleaner fuels like LPG, kerosene, CNG, and renewables are exempt.
The Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, clarified that this is not a new tax. It reactivates provisions already contained in the FERMA Act of 2007, which introduced a fuel levy for road maintenance.
Importantly, there is no announced start date for the surcharge.
Conclusion: The claim that Nigerians will begin paying a new fuel tax in January 2026 is misleading. It is not a new tax, and no commencement date has been fixed.
A WhatsApp post, widely forwarded, claimed that the Senate passed a new Cybercrime Act in 2025, signed into law by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Verdict: FALSE.
The post warned Nigerians to “abide” by the so-called law, listing offences like unauthorised access to phones or accounts, punishable by up to five years in prison.
Fact-checks show the claim is fake. The Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act of 2015 remains the operative law. The last amendment came in 2024. Though discussions about further review began in May 2025, no new law has been passed.
Also, the Nigerian Senate has been on recess since July 2025 and did not resume until September 23. No credible media outlet reported any new Act. Even if passed by the National Assembly, a bill still requires Presidential assent before becoming law.
Conclusion: The claim that the Senate passed a 2025 Cybercrime Act is false. No such law exists.
A viral Facebook post claimed that citizens of all African countries can now enter Burkina Faso without a visa.
Verdict: FALSE.
The post, shared by “Africa News Facts,” read: “Burkina Faso opens borders for Africans… all nationals can now enter the country without a visa.”
But checks reveal the government only plans to scrap visa fees—not visas themselves.
A report from Visas News on the Council of Ministers’ meeting of September 11, 2025, confirmed the decision was to remove visa application fees for all African citizens. Security Minister Mahamadou Sana explained that the move reflects Head of State Ibrahim Traore’s pan-African vision.
Official clarification shows African travellers must still apply online, meet requirements, and obtain approval before entering. As of September 12, the e-visa portal still listed fees, and no date has been fixed for the policy rollout.
Conclusion: The claim that Africans can enter Burkina Faso without a visa is false. Travellers will still need a visa, though they may not pay for it once the new policy starts.
💥 Ep.104–WABMA Fake News Debunker:
Has the government introduced a new fuel tax starting January 2026?
