Chai! See as Naija don sign new agreement with China again o! Dem don renew di currency swap deal, and this time di total amount na N3.28 trillion (that na about 15 billion yuan or $2.09 billion). Na People’s Bank of China (PBOC) and Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) join their head together to do this one.

Di wahala wey we dey face for dollar shortage go begin reduce small small, as China don agree make Naija use naira for trade instead of dollar. Before, every time Naija wan buy anything from China, e go dey find Aboki to change naira to dollar, and dat one dey cause wahala, especially when dollar dey fly go up like wili wili.

But with dis new deal, naira go be di main currency wey Naija go dey use buy some thing from China. Dis one na good news for everybody wey dey struggle to get dollar just to buy small small things.

But wait o, why China go agree do dis swap deal? Why dem go wan collect naira for trade instead of dollar? Truth be say, China no dey do am just for charity or love for Naija; dem no be father Christmas wey dey give Awoof. Dem dey do business—plenty business. For China, dis na way to strengthen dem own role inside Africa. China sabi say Naija get plenty resources, like oil, wey dem go need for their own industries. So as dem agree to collect naira, China dey ginger to become di biggest player for African economy.

Now, how dis go benefit Naija? Well, you don hear how we dey suffer from dollar shortage, abi? Good. Every time you wan buy some thing from China, you go first run around like person wey chop pepper dey find water, just to get dollar.

But with dis currency swap, Naija go fit pay China directly in naira. E go reduce di stress to dey pursue Aboki, and e go also help Naija save money. As we no need to find dollar to buy from China, e mean say we go fit reduce di cost of financing wey go reduce cost of importation, and small businesses wey dey struggle to get foreign exchange go fit chillax.

But anything wey dey sweet fit dey kill. As dis swap deal resemble good news, e get some things wey we need to consider well well. One of dem be di way China fit use dis deal take control di situation. China sabi do business, dem no just dey do anything because of love. If Naija no handle di deal well, e fit no good.

For example, if di naira no dey stable, or if Naija no get enough foreign exchange to back am up, China fit use that one to pressure Naija, and e go make naira lose weight more pass hungry man.

So, before we dey happy say we don finally free ourself comot from dollar, we need to dey careful because China go dey watch how we go dey handle am. If naira continue to dey fall yakata, China fit do anyhow, and before you know am, maybe we go start to dey find another currency wey we go swap with. Hahahaha.

On top dat one, as we dey use di swap deal, you sabi say USA no too happy when any country try reduce use of US dollars for international trade. USA dey worried say if more countries follow Naija and China, dem go lose part of di control wey dem get for global finance.

USA dey watch this China-Nigeria currency swap deal like hawk. Dem dey feel say if too many countries begin to dey bone US dollars, e go weaken di dollar power for global trade. President-elect Donald Trump don even threaten to put tariffs on countries wey dey support other currencies to replace US dollar.

For di last few years, America don dey put pressure on countries like Brazil, India, and others wey dey try use other currencies, instead of US dollar. And now, China and Naija don come with their own plan to bypass dollar. You think say America go just fold hand and watch? No na! US no wan lose di power of dia dollar.

Dis fit lead to wahala for Naija too and E fit make us enter USA bad book, and USA fit begin dey pressure us to go back to di dollar system. America fit wake up one day con tell Naija, “Ah! Wetin una dey do with China? We no wan hear am again!”

USA fit put sanctions or fit bring new rules to stop di swap deal. As Naija go gain from di deal, Naija still need to dey careful not to vex USA.

But chill small! You sabi as critics get many things wey dem dey talk. Some of dem dey talk say dis currency swap no go solve Naija bigger wahala, say na like plaster on top bullet wound.

Dem talk say Naija problem no be only about forex. Dem dey hala say, “If Naija no fit produce common toothpick for inside di country, how we go sabi reduce import?” Dem dey para say we still dey import too many things wey we suppose dey produce locally.

Ok, make we assume say we dey import garri and pepper join other things wey we dey import, dat one go be bigger wahala. Critics dey shout say if Naija no start to produce things locally, di economy go dey weak like biscuit wey fall inside tea.

Another wahala wey dem dey talk about na di heavy loans wey Naija dey collect from China. Dem dey shout say, “China dey lend us money like person wey dey borrow salt, but when e reach time to pay back, we go fit?”

Dem dey fear say Naija go turn to another thing. Dem dey reason say dis kind borrowing fit put us for serious gbege if we no fit pay back. Na wetin dem call “debt trap.”

Dem critics dey worry say dis swap deal na way to cover up, say Naija still dey owe China plenty money. Dem dey wonder if di swap no be another way to tie Naija down with more Chinese loans and agreements. Dem dey talk say, “Borrow borrow no go fit solve our matter, make we use our head.”

Some people still dey reason say China dey use style dey influence Naija with di swap. Dem dey shout say, “China dey use us do ‘Beta Pikin’ project, how we go fit handle am?” Dem critics dey fear say China dey take advantage of Naija economic weakness to dey push dia own agenda, and dem no too trust wetin fit happen in the future as e be like say dia way no pure.

And dem dey vex say all di big big projects wey dem dey do no dey really solve grassroots problems. Dem dey talk say, “All di railway and big projects no bad, but what about light and water wey people need for house?” Dem dey argue say if dem no fix di basic infrastructure like power, clean water, and healthcare, all di big project no go make sense.

Dem dey talk say make Naija government no put all dia eggs for one basket. Na so dem dey talk am o, say, “As we dey follow China waka, make we still dey look other options, make we no put hand for one side alone.”

Na di kind things wey dem critics dey talk about o. E good make we still dey hear wetin dem dey talk, because dem fit get small point inside di plenty shout.

Na so di whole thing be. For now, Naija need to focus on how dem go fit manage di swap well, focus on how dem go fit balance di risks, to make sure say we no enter more gbese for di future.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu don send Tax Reform Bills go National Assembly make dem check am. Dis new bills dey try make the tax system easy and beta for all di people wey dey pay tax for Nigeria.

Di bills no just dey talk about normal tax mata but e include Nigeria Tax Bill, Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) Establishment Bill, Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, and Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Bill. Na all dis bills show say Tinubu and him team, wey Taiwo Oyedele dey lead, don try well well since Tinubu enter seat.

Di main aim be to make Nigeria revenue beta and make tax fair for all the people wey dey pay am. But as the bills land, 19 Northern governors don dey vex dey oppose the reform, especially for di idea wey go use derivation-based system to dey share di Value Added Tax (VAT) among di states.

Dem dey fear say dis new system go put dem for tight corner especially for dia states wey no too get industries. Dis talk na when Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) meet for Kaduna.

Plenty traditional rulers, military people like General Christopher Musa, and other stakeholders follow for di meeting. The meeting show say governors and other groups dey worried sake of di tax reforms matter.

According to Governor Muhammad Yahaya, wey dey chair NSGF, di forum no dey happy about di Tax Reform Bills. Di main wahala na for di new way dem plan to share VAT.

Normally, dem dey share VAT based on where company headquarters dey, but dis new derivation-based system go mean say states like Lagos and Rivers wey dey produce plenty resources go collect more, while Northern states wey no get industries go suffer. The governors dey argue say dis system no fair and e no dey give all states equal share.

After di meeting end, governors con dey call make fairness dey across all national policies and con dey warn say no part of Nigeria suppose suffer from any unfair decision. No be say dem dey oppose policies wey fit grow Nigeria, dem dey demand fairness to make sure di North and other regions no lose out from di tax reforms.

Di discussion no end there. During National Economic Council (NEC) meeting recently, plenty governors still show say dem no happy with di reforms.

Even plenty APC governors wey dey dia, no still agree make di reforms waka go front. Governors like Alex Otti from Abia and Chukwuma Soludo from Anambra follow join di discussions late for night for Abuja but di meeting no reach any final decision.

Dis con make plenty people dey wonder if everything pure for dis reforms. Di tax reforms wey dem dey bring come include Nigeria Tax Bill and Nigeria Tax Administration Bill wey dey try make taxes simple for individuals and businesses.

One major reason for dis reforms na to remove wahala and confusion for Nigeria tax system. According to di new reforms, all taxes go now dey operate under one simple framework to make am easier for taxpayers to understand and follow.

Di reforms also dey try reduce di financial pressure for people wey no too get money. For example, di reforms propose say personal income tax rates go drop for people wey dey collect less than N800,000 annually.

In fact, people wey dey collect low moni no go pay personal income tax again. Tax rate go follow income level, people wey dey collect more moni go pay more tax.

Dis system wey dem carry come go make tax fair and e go make sure say everybody pay according to wetin dem collect. One of di tins wey scatter belli for di reforms na di derivation-based model wey dem wan use to dey share di VAT among di states for Nigeria.

Dem say di model go favour states like Lagos and Rivers wey get heavy consumers and producers of VAT-related goods. Dats why di Northern governors no gree.

Dem dey talk say dis new model dey political and e also get economic wahala. Governors like Babagana Zulum from Borno warn say dis new VAT-sharing system go cause serious katakata for millions of people wey dey live for place where industries no too dey.

Di National Economic Council (NEC) also talk about dis matter for dia meeting wey dem do for Abuja. Dem con yarn say make President Tinubu withdraw di Tax Reform Bills and make him do proper consultation with all di governors first.

But President Tinubu no dey back down. After all di calls, he still wan make di reforms waka with no further delay.

Di reforms get Nigeria Tax Bill wey dey try join all tax laws to one simple law. Dis law go remove all tax structures wey get k-leg and e go make tax payment easy.

Part of di reforms dey include removing old laws like di old Petroleum (Drilling and Production) Regulations. Dem even include a supremacy clause wey go make dis new tax system di main tax law for Nigeria.

Dis means say if any old law clash with dis new one, di old law go take back seat. Although critics dey talk say di reforms go cause hardship, if you look am well, you go see say dem dey try make tax payment easy, especially for small business owners and regular individuals.

As dem bring simple processes come with tax rates wey no dey pepper for bodi, e fit reduce financial burden for plenty people. Tinubu and him government dey try solve tax revenue wahala for Naija as part of him Renewed Hope campaign promise.

Dis reforms na bold steps wey fit create stable fiscal system for di country. But, plenty work dey wey dem go do, and people and governors dey expect fair treatment and equity on top dis reforms.

Di success of dis reforms go depend on how federal government and governors go work together. Nigeria really need dis reforms to make tax system better for di future.

But if government and all di parties wey dey involve fit settle dia differences, di reforms go work well for everybody. For now, di debate still dey on, but we dey wait to see wetin go happen next.

Tinubu waka comot Abuja as e dey go France to carry Nigerian matter go meet President Macron. Di visit go last three days, and dem say na better collaboration tinz full am—agriculture, security, education, health, youth waka, innovation, and energy matter go take front seat. Di talk na to find how both countries go rub minds and carry opportunity give better partnership. If you wan hear beta story wey dey sweet belle, read dis News in Nigerian Pidgin.

As Tinubu go reach France, na serious presidential reception dem go give am. For Les Invalides, di old French military museum wey don tanda for over 350 years, dem go receive Tinubu and Madam Oluremi. From dia, dem go waka enter Palais de l’Élysée where President Macron and Madam Brigitte go dey wait with belle full of plans. Di ceremonial welcome sef go be beta style wey dem no dey give anyhow.

Tinubu no just go dey look face o; di man and Macron go sharply begin dey strategize. Di two leaders go begin harmonize plans to build better exchange programs for youth. Di tin na to improve how our youths sabi automation, entrepreneurship, and even leadership matter. Macron talk say if youths sabi all dis tinz, e go help for both countries’ progress. Di kontri sef go benefit from beta innovation for di future.

Wetin go sweet pass di fact be say, during di visit, Macron and Tinubu go attend di France-Nigeria Business Council session. Na beta level private-sector gist go full di meeting. Dem go yarn on how investments go dey help di economic level for di two countries. As dem go dey talk solid minerals and trade, Tinubu go nod him head say na di kain waka wey Nigeria need now.

Di diplomatic waka no go stop dia o! Madam Brigitte and Madam Oluremi Tinubu go get dia own powwow. Madam Oluremi go carry di matter of Renewed Hope Initiative wey dey empower women, pikin dem, and di less privileged go meet di French First Lady. Dem two women go nod dia head as dem go dey talk wetin go help make dis empowerment move dey strong.

As di visit go dey go, wetin go sweet everybody pass na di state dinner wey Macron go host for Tinubu and him entourage. Na better food, better wine, and political yarns go take full dat evening. E remain make Macron learn how to do Amala, but dem no go include dat for di dinner menu.

You sabi say Tinubu don waka plenty since him enter office? Dis France waka na di 32nd one since him sit down for dat top chair. Di man don carry him bag go 17 countries and don log 278 flight hours. Na only pilot wey dey fly dat kain waka dey beat dis record. From Malabo to New York to Dubai and di rest, e remain make we dey use Google map track Tinubu journey. Di France waka na di fifth for Europe, and dem dey hope say all di waka go bring better things come Naija.

Back to di main matter, di key focus na energy transition. Tinubu dey reason how Nigeria go use am balance di wahala of fuel subsidy removal and green energy wey everybody dey yarn about. Macron sef go dey talk how France fit contribute small help to di matter. Di thing dey show say na collaboration tinz go dey move Nigeria forward if dem handle di partnership well.

Tinubu no dey waka alone o; di man carry him top government officials follow body. Di officials dey important for di whole talk. If dem no follow, na who go remember all di agreements wey dem go make?

Las las, di three-day waka go get better summary: agriculture go improve, innovation go grow, and security matter go dey addressed. If you think say na small waka, abeg think again. Di youths sef no go dey left out as dem go gain better training for automation and other technological skills. Even women and pikin dem wey dey under di Renewed Hope Initiative go see di impact.

So you wey dey read dis, e be like say better days fit dey ahead for Naija if all dis collaboration take shape. If dem go implement all di agreement wey Tinubu and Macron go sign, e sure say na win-win for everybody. If no be so, di waka go just be one of di regular diplomatic tourism wey no dey reach anywhere. But for now, make we dey hope say di matter go better. News in Nigerian Pidgin go continue to give you beta updates.