Positive buzz over jollof rice by Hilda Baci

The social media buzz surrounding Hilda Baci’s colossal Jollof Rice event is lively and varied, but predominantly celebratory. Key highlights include:

•​Hilda Baci cooked what could be the largest pot of Jollof rice ever, using a custom-built vessel with a capacity of over 22,600 litres. The cooking process took hours and involved more than 300 people, attracting thousands of enthusiastic spectators in Lagos. This event aligns with her status as a former Guinness World Record holder for a previous cooking marathon and showcases Nigerian pride in Jollof Rice as a cultural symbol.

•​Social media hashtags like #HildaBaci and #GuinnessWorldRecord trended, with high engagement from Gen Z, millennials, food enthusiasts, and celebrities, celebrating the enormous culinary achievement as a symbol of Nigerian culture and success.

•​Reactions from those who sampled the Jollof ranged from praise for its smoky, rich flavour and texture to criticism regarding inconsistencies in seasoning, with some portions being overly salty or undercooked. The scale of the event made uniform cooking challenging, but the overall mood remained positive, emphasising its cultural and historical importance over perfect taste.

•​Humorous and critical comments appeared online, including frustrations from those who waited long hours for food only to complain afterwards, highlighting the social dynamics of such significant public food events.

•​The giant pot partially collapsed during or after the event, which became a viral talking point and meme material on social media, though it did not diminish the achievement.

•​Video reactions, Instagram Reels, and YouTube clips showcase a wide range of responses from the public, with many expressing excitement, surprise, and pride about the event.
Overall, social media coverage of Hilda Baci’s Jollof rice endeavour shows a lively mix of national pride, cultural celebration, culinary respect, and casual critique typical of a major public event in Nigeria’s social media scene.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DOixfzMDaHF/

The Guinness World Records has a detailed narrative on Hilda Baci’s quest.
https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2025/9/did-hilda-baci-just-win-the-jollof-wars-for-nigeria-chef-cooks-up-largest-ever-serving.

THE NEW TAX LAWS WILL ALSO TAX FOREIGN COMPANIES SELLING TO NIGERIANS

“The new tax laws require foreign companies providing services to Nigeria to register for tax and include VAT in their invoices.

Under the new tax laws, a service is deemed to take place in Nigeria if it is provided to and consumed by a person within the country, regardless of where the provider is based.
This provision effectively brings digital services such as streaming platforms, online advertising, cloud computing, and software subscriptions into Nigeria’s tax net.”

Una don hear??

Ndi ‘register your company abroad’ to escape Nigerian tax.

If you register a foreign company, please ensure that you don’t sell to us in Nigeria. You will pay Nigerian tax, oh.

Facebook is paying, oh.

Go and verify.

Culled from Facebook

No Separate TIN for Banking
The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has clarified that no separate TIN is required to open or operate a bank account. Your NIN (for individuals) or CAC registration number (for businesses) is automatically linked to your Tax ID in the national database. When you provide your NIN during banking processes, the system retrieves your Tax ID automatically.

The clarification stemmed from a deluge of posts and advisories on one aspect of the revised tax policy.

Who Needs a Tax ID?

• Taxable Persons: Individuals or businesses with taxable income are required to have a Tax ID. This includes entrepreneurs, professionals, and companies.

• Non-Taxable Persons: Individuals without taxable income (e.g., those earning below the taxable threshold) are not required to obtain a Tax ID.

• Businesses and Entities: All registered businesses, NGOs, and government agencies must have a Tax ID linked to their CAC registration.

How to Obtain a Tax ID

• For Individuals: Your NIN automatically serves as your Tax ID. If you need to register, use your NIN to apply online or at tax offices for free79.

• For Businesses: Your CAC registration number is linked to your Tax ID. If your business was registered without a TIN, apply online or at tax offices with your CAC documents.

• Diaspora Nigerians: Use your NIN to apply online for a Tax ID if needed for banking or investments in Nigeria.

Deadline and Penalties

• Deadline: From January 1, 2026, taxable persons without a Tax ID may face restrictions on banking, insurance, and investment services.

• Penalties: Non-compliance may result in sanctions under the Nigeria Tax Administration Act (NTAA).

Benefits of the New System

• Simplified Compliance: The integrated system reduces paperwork and eliminates the need for multiple identifiers.

• Reduced Fraud: Linking Tax IDs to verified registries (NIN/CAC) helps eliminate duplicate or false identities.

• Financial Inclusion: The system ensures seamless banking access while promoting transparency and compliance.

The latest updates confirm that Nigeria’s tax system is now linked with national identity databases, making compliance easier for citizens and businesses. No separate TIN is needed for banking; your NIN or CAC number automatically functions as your Tax ID. Taxable persons should ensure compliance by 1 January 2026 to avoid restrictions on financial services.

The 2026 Trap

From January 1, 2026:

– No bank account without a Tax Identification Number (TIN).
– No business operation without a TIN.
– No access to financial services without a TIN.
– Even your stockbrokers will start requesting a TIN.

Whether you are a market woman like Mama Ngozi, a student, a civil servant, a Yahoo boy, a small business owner, or even a foreigner living in Nigeria, if you do not have a Tax ID, your financial life is blocked.

This is not a rumour. It’s the law.

You might be wondering…Why is the government doing this?

Here are the secrets behind the new Tax Law:

1. To catch ghost money: Too much untracked cash is flowing in Nigeria. The government wants to know who is earning what.

2. To expand the tax net: Nigeria’s tax-to-GDP ratio is among the lowest in the world. Less than 10% of Nigerians pay tax. That era is ending.

3. To track transactions: Every account, transfer, and business transaction will now be linked to your TIN. No hiding.

As your Financial Literacy Advocate, let me share some of the secrets experts will not tell you about the new tax policy:

TIN is your new identity.

Forget BVN or NIN; the government is shifting power to TIN. That’s the master key.

Banks will block you silently.

Don’t expect fanfare. One day in January 2026, you’ll open your app and see: “Service Unavailable – Provide TIN.”

It’s not only for companies.

Many Nigerians believe that only registered companies require a TIN. That’s a big lie. Every individual who operates a bank account must have one.

This is about control, not just tax.

The truth? It’s not only about collecting taxes. It’s about building a database of Nigerians’ financial lives.

The government will now track your income, spending, and transfers.

If you’re reading this, understand one thing: 2026 is the year Nigeria will separate those who prepared from those who will cry.

Don’t just sit and complain about government wahala. Act now.

Because in 2026, love won’t pay your bills… but your TIN will open your account.