Jumoke Oduwole: Tinubu Is A Smart Businessman And Nigeria’s Economy Is Moving In The Right Direction
<p>Tinubu is a smart business person, and Nigeria’s economy is moving in the right direction, says Minister Jumoke Oduwole.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.arise.tv/jumoke-oduwole-tinubu-is-a-smart-businessman-and-nigerias-economy-is-moving-in-the-right-direction/">Jumoke Oduwole: Tinubu Is A Smart Businessman And Nigeria’s Economy Is Moving In The Right Direction</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.arise.tv">Arise News</a>.</p>
Nigeria’s Minister of Trade, Industry and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, has praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic leadership, describing him as a “very smart business person” whose strategic policies are guiding Nigeria’s economy onto the right path despite global economic headwinds.
Speaking during an interview with ARISE NEWS on Monday, Oduwole highlighted President Tinubu’s business acumen, saying, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a very smart business person, even before being a politician. When he looks at the terrain and looks at the global headwinds and where all economies are today, when you look at the Renewed Hope agenda, the eight-point agenda, you’ll see that this economy is moving in the right direction.”
She pointed to the president’s Renewed Hope agenda—an eight-point roadmap for economic transformation—and expressed confidence in its trajectory. “Even the strongest critics will admit that whatever the lag, we’re in the right direction. And the best is yet to come.”
When asked about Nigeria’s response to US tariffs—particularly whether the country might seek to negotiate them down—Oduwole shifted the focus to domestic priorities and the broader vision of the Tinubu administration.
“The US government’s prerogative to put tariffs where they feel is good for their economy,” she said. “We also have to focus on what is good for the Nigerian economy and what will support our investors, domestic investors in particular, who are the best advertisement for foreign investments to thrive in this climate.”
Rather than reacting to US policy moves or demanding reciprocity, Oduwole outlined a strategy rooted in strengthening bilateral trade relationships, championing regional integration, and building investor confidence—particularly through sectors like fertiliser and urea, where Nigerian products are already in high demand globally.
“So we put our attention on focusing on our bilateral trade relationships. We put our attention on focusing on how to galvanize capital and investment across the region. We’re not going to focus on reacting or trying to get reciprocity. We’re going to focus on supporting. For instance, our businesses in the area of fertilizer and urea, that’s an industry that is growing and is going to continue to grow for the next decade to more than. This is a product that is wanted across the world. We have markets for it in Brazil. We have a strong market in the US. And so we’re going to continue to focus on those businesses and see how to support them to thrive.”
<img src="https://www.mtlblog.com/media-library/canada-tax-return-concept-with-canada-revenue-agency-envelope-and-canadian-dollars.jpg?id=60028786&width=1200&height=800&coordinates=93%2C0%2C94%2C0"/><br/><br/><p>While most Canadians stick to the basics when filing their annual tax return, the <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/tag/canada-revenue-agency" target="_blank">Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)</a> allows for a surprising number of unusual (but totally legal) deductions — if you know where to look.</p><p>After giving MTL Blog the lowdown on the most bizarre federal <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/surprising-bizarre-federal-tax-deductions" target="_blank">tax deductions to claim on your personal income tax return in 2023</a>, H&R Block spokesperson Yannick Lemay has confirmed an updated list of this year's weirdest and most surprising deductions for the 2024 tax season.</p><p>So before you hit submit on your return (<a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/quebec-tax-deadline-missed" target="_blank">the deadline is April 30</a>), you might want to double-check if any of these 11 unexpected write-offs apply to you.</p><h3>Marijuana</h3><br/><p>No, your weekend stash doesn't count. But if you have a valid medical document from a healthcare professional and buy your cannabis from a licensed provider, it's eligible as a medical expense. You'll need to be registered with that provider, but the <a href="https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/individuals/topics/about-your-tax-return/tax-return/completing-a-tax-return/deductions-credits-expenses/lines-33099-33199-eligible-medical-expenses-you-claim-on-your-tax-return/details-medical-expenses.html#mrjn" target="_blank">CRA has confirmed</a> this one is fair game.</p><h3>Spray tans and fake eyelashes</h3><br/><p>According to an <a href="https://www.hrblock.ca/en/blog/canadas-most-embarrassing-tax-questions-answered" target="_blank">H&R Block blog post</a> titled "Canada's most embarrassing tax questions, answered," you might be able to write off things like spray tans, bikini waxes, or even eyelash extensions — but only if they're essential to your job and not just for personal upkeep.</p><p> For example, if you're involved in professional modelling, acting, or promotional work that specifically requires those services for a shoot or appearance, the CRA may consider them valid expenses. That said, you'll need official confirmation from your employer. A <span style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">completed<a href="https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/forms-publications/forms/t2200.html" target="_blank"> T2200 form </a>is also</span> required to show that covering these costs is a condition of your employment.</p><h3>Sunglasses and swimming goggles</h3><br/><p>But only if they're prescription, in which case both are eligible for the medical expense tax credit.</p><p> This is a good one to keep in the back of your mind for the future. If you're thinking of getting a new pair of shades or swim goggles and you have a diagnosed vision impairment, you might as well make them prescription so you can claim them.</p><h3>Vitamins</h3><br/><p>Well, more specifically, Vitamin B12... and only if prescribed as "therapy for a person with pernicious anemia (either by injection, pills or other methods)," according to the <a href="https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/individuals/topics/about-your-tax-return/tax-return/completing-a-tax-return/deductions-credits-expenses/lines-33099-33199-eligible-medical-expenses-you-claim-on-your-tax-return/details-medical-expenses.html#mrjn" target="_blank">Government of Canada</a>. </p><p>The weirdest part is that absolutely no other vitamins or supplements are eligible to be claimed as medical expenses, so it's a pretty niche benefit. If you have pernicious anemia, this one's for you.</p><h3>Condoms</h3><br/><p>As odd as it may sound, yes, in certain situations, even <a href="https://www.hrblock.ca/en/blog/canadas-most-embarrassing-tax-questions-answered" target="_blank">condoms can qualify as a legitimate business expense</a>. According to <a href="https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/businesses/topics/sole-proprietorships-partnerships/business-expenses.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com" target="_blank">the CRA</a>, any purchase that's considered a reasonable cost directly tied to earning income may be tax-deductible, including the GST/HST you paid on it. </p><p>So, if you run an adult production company where such items are essential to your operations, they could very well make the list.</p><h3>Digital news subscriptions</h3><br/><p>You can claim a credit for digital news subscriptions, but only if the outlet is on the <a href="https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/individuals/topics/about-your-tax-return/tax-return/completing-a-tax-return/deductions-credits-expenses/deductions-credits-expenses/digital-news-subscription/list-qualifying-digital-news-subscriptions.html#wb-auto-4" target="_blank">CRA's approved list</a>. </p><p>The credit covers 15% of what you spent, up to a maximum of $500. If you share the subscription with someone else, like a roommate or partner, you can split the credit between you, as long as the total doesn't go over the limit.</p><h3>Lingerie</h3><br/><p>Strippers are known for taking off their clothes, but buying those outfits could actually be a tax write-off.</p><p>Clothing usually doesn't qualify as a business expense, so the designer jeans you bought for your 9-to-5 likely won't make the cut. But if you're a performer and your outfits are strictly for work, like costumes used on stage or in production, they may be deductible. </p><p>The key is that they can't double as everyday wear.</p><h3>Firefighting</h3><br/><p>Being a firefighter will get you a tax deduction, but only if <a href="https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/individuals/topics/about-your-tax-return/tax-return/completing-a-tax-return/deductions-credits-expenses/line-31220-volunteer-firefighters-amount-line-31240-search-rescue-volunteers-amount.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">you're a volunteer</a>. You can claim up to $6,000 (previously $3,000) for the volunteer firefighters' amount or search and rescue volunteers' amount, but not both. </p><p>Also, you must have completed 200 hours of eligible volunteering at either service.</p><h3>Food (but only if you're burning serious calories)</h3><br/><p>Claiming lunch as a business expense is usually a no-go, unless you're a bike or foot courier.</p><p>In a <a href="https://taxinterpretations.com/content/356370?utm_source=chatgpt.com" target="_blank">1998 case</a>, a bike courier convinced the Federal Court that the extra food he ate for energy was a legit business expense — like gas for a car. The CRA doesn't usually allow food write-offs, but this ruling set a rare precedent.</p><p>So, if you're burning a ton of calories at work, your snacks might be claimable. Just be ready to defend it.</p><h3>Crutches</h3><br/><p>While you'd probably only buy crutches if you really needed them, you can claim them without a doctor's note. That means even if you picked up a pair of crutches for a costume or to pull off a prank, they can still qualify as a medical expense under the <a href="https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/individuals/topics/about-your-tax-return/tax-return/completing-a-tax-return/deductions-credits-expenses/lines-33099-33199-eligible-medical-expenses-you-claim-on-your-tax-return/details-medical-expenses.html#mrjn" target="_blank">CRA's guidelines</a>. Strange, but true.</p><h3>Living with your parents</h3><br/><p>This might not be exactly what you're thinking...</p><p>But if you've renovated your home to add a separate suite for a senior or adult with a disability — like an aging parent — you could qualify for the <a href="https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/individuals/topics/about-your-tax-return/tax-return/completing-a-tax-return/deductions-credits-expenses/multigenerational-home-renovation.html" target="_blank">Multigenerational Home Renovation Tax Credit</a>. It's a refundable credit of up to $7,500 (15% of up to $50,000 in renovation costs). To be eligible, the space must be self-contained (with its own entrance, kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom), and the relative needs to live there within 12 months of the work being done.</p><p><em><br/></em></p><p><em><br/></em></p><p><em><br/></em></p><p><em><br/></em></p><p><em><br/></em></p><p><em><br/></em></p><p><em><br/></em></p>
