Leading with Integrity: Values, Systems and Service in Public Life – Soji Apampa
In this commentary, @sojapa argues that sustainable growth depends on building systems that reward ethical conduct, enforce accountability, and reduce the friction that undermines trust in public and private institutions.
From governments and businesses to investors, integrity delivers measurable returns through lower transaction costs, stronger governance, improved access to capital, and more resilient institutions.
A compelling reminder that lasting leadership is measured not only by personal values, but by the systems and institutions that continue to deliver long after the leader has left.
Cc: @IntegrityNGR
proshare.co/articles/leading…
Integrity Organization Limited Gte. retweeted
Rebranding simple dishonesty as being 'sharp' or 'street-smart' is one of those norms we need to disfavor.
We’ve created a culture where finding a loophole or exploiting a system is celebrated as a 'hack.' But let’s call it what it is: a micro-erosion of our values.
Big corruption doesn't start at the top; it is cultivated in the quiet, private choices we make when we think no one is watching but our screen. Clicking 'not received' on a package we’ve already opened isn't clever—it’s the exact same spirit of deceit we complain about in others, just on a smaller budget.
If we want a better society, we have to start by redefining what it means to be truly smart. Real intelligence builds and sustains; it doesn't bypass and break.
Relearning good values starts in our immediate circles. Let's teach someone today that character isn't what we do for show—it's the standard we hold ourselves to when we think we can get away with a shortcut.
People are making videos on TikTok showing people how they can scam “TEMU” and bypass their 20k minimum order.
Tomorrow now when Temu bands Nigeria from shopping from them, let us not act like we don’t know the reason behind it.
They go as far as telling people how if they receive their goods, they should still click on not received yet so they can get a refund.
All we ever know in this country is how to scam people. Tufiakwa!!!
Integrity Organization Limited Gte. retweeted
"Leave them. They don't mean any harm. That's how things are done here." or "Don't mind them. That's how they behave." Followed by laughter to dispel the effects of what one just witnessed and nudge the observer into acceptance without causing a scene.
You must have heard these statements or variations of them, or even heard yourself say them. That is one of the top signs you have accepted negative norms and built a life around them.
The simple fact of the matter is that some negative norms build on the back of already existing ones. That is why ignoring them does not work. Speaking against them consistently is the best course of action.
Read this article to know more signs and how to fix a negative norm.
Integrity Organization Limited Gte. retweeted
You can be the voice of change in a broken system.
One of the worst things you can do is misuse an opportunity when you are in a position to influence change.
There is always someone willing to work for the good of everyone. Find them. Work with them. Build with them.
Integrity does not thrive in silence. Be vocal about your stance, attract the right people, and work together to create the kind of lasting impact that moves society forward.
Integrity Organization Limited Gte. retweeted
We have a habit in Nigeria of waiting until something is completely broken before we decide to fix it.
And right now, some norms are breaking right in front of us, and nobody is batting an eyelid.
This one is about clout chasing and Creators fabricating stories and writing misleading captions just to farm engagement money.
We made a full video on this and five other norms we can no longer afford to ignore. Watch it here: youtu.be/VaTIBekA5Hs
What are the norms you've observed that shock you? Tell us in the comments 👇
Link to join the Integrity Generation WhatsApp Community: chat.whatsapp.com/KecZlLxZ5v…
Integrity Organization Limited Gte. retweeted
What is that one house-hunting experience you cannot forget?
Let us know in the comments.
Integrity Organization Limited Gte. retweeted
Our podcast last week addressed this question: "Why do so many of us keep waiting for someone to come and fix things?" Watch Here: youtu.be/E9db0HM2ml4?si=Es0U…
Today, we want to shine the light on Nigerians who saw something wrong and did something about it quietly, without anyone applauding them.
Film a 2-minute video. Tell us what you noticed and what you did about it. Post it on your timeline, tag us, and use #IntegrityGenerationChallenge.
We want your story to inspire someone else to fix something in their own corner.
Integrity Organization Limited Gte. retweeted
If littering carried a ₦50,000 fine enforced on the spot, how clean do you think Lagos would be in a year?
Integrity Organization Limited Gte. retweeted
Everybody wants a better Nigeria. Not everybody wants to be responsible for it.
What are your thoughts on this?
youtu.be/E9db0HM2ml4?si=yJ0T…
Integrity Organization Limited Gte. retweeted
If you’re working, building, or making decisions within any profession, what you do next always matters.
If you want to be part of a community that is intentional about doing things right, not just talking about it, then the Integrity Generation is where you should be.
Watch this video to the end and decide for yourself.
Join the Integrity Generation today:
chat.whatsapp.com/HqGoJcY3gX…
Integrity Organization Limited Gte. retweeted
Don’t be so quick to judge Arinze.
There’s something deeper here you might be missing.
Most people will scroll past it.
Don’t be most people.
Go and see it for yourself.
Read the full story on our LinkedIn: linkedin.com/feed/update/urn…
Integrity Organization Limited Gte. retweeted
𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚 𝐓𝐚𝐱 𝐀𝐜𝐭 2025 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐃𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐍𝐎𝐓 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐚 25% 𝐓𝐚𝐱 𝐨𝐧 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐬 𝐨𝐫 𝐅𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐬
We are aware of a recent video claiming that the new tax laws will commence in 2027 and alleging the imposition of a 25% tax on funds for building materials and other transactions.
Both claims are incorrect. Contrary to the misinformation seeking to create fear, panic and disaffection, the Nigeria Tax Act 2025 has already commenced and does not impose a 25% tax on construction funds, bank balances, or business expenses. Instead, it contains provisions specifically designed to reduce the cost of housing, rent and real estate development.
𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚 𝐓𝐚𝐱 𝐀𝐜𝐭, 2025
Relevant provisions to make housing more affordable, encourage real estate development, and support small business property contractors and low-income renters include:
1. 𝑳𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓 𝑪𝒐𝒔𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝑩𝒖𝒊𝒍𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑷𝒓𝒐𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒕𝒚 𝑫𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒑𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕
𝘝𝘈𝘛 𝘌𝘹𝘦𝘮𝘱𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘯 𝘓𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘉𝘶𝘪𝘭𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 (𝘚.185(𝘭)): Land and buildings are now specifically exempt from Value Added Tax (VAT).
𝘐𝘯𝘱𝘶𝘵 𝘝𝘈𝘛 𝘊𝘳𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘵𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘴: Where VAT is chargeable on any materials or service, contractors can now recover VAT on their assets and overhead costs, which lowers overall construction costs.
𝘙𝘦𝘥𝘶𝘤𝘦𝘥 𝘞𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘛𝘢𝘹 (𝘞𝘏𝘛): A lower 2% WHT rate is applicable on construction contracts, helping to conserve cash flow and reduce financing pressure on developers.
𝘓𝘰𝘢𝘯 𝘐𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘋𝘦𝘥𝘶𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 (𝘚.30(2)(𝘪𝘷)): Mortgage interest is tax-deductible for individuals developing an owner-occupied residential house.
𝘋𝘦𝘥𝘶𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘙𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘭 𝘌𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘦𝘴 (𝘚.20): Property owners who earn rental income can deduct related costs such as repairs, insurance, and agency fees.
2. 𝑫𝒊𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒕 𝑹𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒆𝒇 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝑹𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑻𝒆𝒏𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒔
𝘙𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘙𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘧 (𝘚.30(2)(𝘷𝘪)): Individuals can claim relief up to ₦500,000 (20% of annual rent), increasing disposable income for low-income earners.
𝘝𝘈𝘛 𝘌𝘹𝘦𝘮𝘱𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘯 𝘙𝘦𝘯𝘵 (𝘚.185(𝘭)): The VAT exemption on land and buildings also covers rent which is fully exempt from Value Added Tax.
𝘚𝘵𝘢𝘮𝘱 𝘋𝘶𝘵𝘺 𝘙𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘧 (𝘚.134): Lease agreements with an annual value below ₦10,000,000 (or 10 times the annual minimum wage) are exempt from stamp duty.
3. 𝑰𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒔 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝑰𝒏𝒗𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑫𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒔
𝘊𝘢𝘱𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘭 𝘎𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘴 𝘛𝘢𝘹 𝘌𝘹𝘦𝘮𝘱𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 (𝘚.51(1)): Individuals pay no Capital Gains Tax (CGT) when disposing of a dwelling house or an interest in one.
𝘙𝘌𝘐𝘛 𝘐𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘴 (𝘚.162(𝘤)): Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) are exempt from Companies Income Tax (CIT) when distributing at least 75% of their dividend or rental income within 12 months after the financial year-end.
𝘗𝘳𝘪𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘚𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘰𝘳 𝘐𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘴: Manufacturing of building materials such as iron, steel, and domestic appliances qualifies for specific tax exemption under the economic development incentive scheme for up to 10 years.
𝘙𝘦𝘥𝘶𝘤𝘦𝘥 𝘊𝘰𝘳𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘛𝘢𝘹 𝘙𝘢𝘵𝘦 (𝘚.56): Scope for the reduction of companies income tax rate for large businesses from 30% to 25%.
4. 𝑷𝒓𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝑾𝒐𝒓𝒌𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑺𝒎𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝑩𝒖𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒔
• 𝘊𝘢𝘱 𝘰𝘯 𝘏𝘰𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘉𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘧𝘪𝘵 𝘛𝘢𝘹 (𝘚.14(6)): The taxable value of employer-provided accommodation is limited to the annual rental value, subject to a maximum of 20% of the employee's annual gross employment income, excluding the rental value.
• 𝘚𝘮𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘙𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘧: Suppliers and contractors who qualify as small companies benefit from 0% Companies Income Tax (CIT), exemption from charging VAT and no deduction of Withholding Tax (WHT) from their invoices and payments.
5. 𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒊𝒔 𝑵𝑶𝑻 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑻𝒂𝒙 𝑳𝒂𝒘
The Act does not:
• Tax money in bank accounts or bank balances.
• Tax transfers for buying building materials.
• Introduce a 25% construction or business cost tax.
• Delay implementation until 2027.
𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧:
Claims suggesting a new tax on building materials or bank funds are false and misrepresent the law. Rather, the new tax law specifically introduced measures to make housing more affordable, promote real estate development, incentivise manufacturing of building materials, and grant rent reliefs to tenants to enhance their disposable income.
𝐅𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐋 𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐃:
“Fact Not Fear”, evidence beats emotion. If anyone makes an alarming claim or tries to misinform you, ask them “Where is it in the law?”
With the new tax laws, housing should become more affordable and rent should go down NOT up!
— 𝘗𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘍𝘪𝘴𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘗𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘛𝘢𝘹 𝘙𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘴 𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘦
Integrity Organization Limited Gte. retweeted
Join us this Thursday, 22nd January, as we discuss “Boss Wants You to Do Something Shady: A Survival Guide for Young Professionals.”
We’ll be talking through real workplace situations and sharing practical tactics you can use when you’re faced with difficult ethical decisions at work.
Read it, then join us during the live session with your questions and observations.
The meeting details are as follows:
Venue: Zoom Live
Time: 12:00 PM
Link: us06web.zoom.us/j/8685467753…
Integrity Organization Limited Gte. retweeted
Dr. Rabiu Olowo, Executive Secretary of the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRC), on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to strengthening corporate governance through closer collaboration with professional bodies, during a courtesy visit by the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ICSAN), led by its President, Mrs. Uto Ukpanah, FCIS. President/Chairman of the Governing Council ICSAN, in Lagos.
Welcoming the ICSAN delegation, Dr. Olowo described the FRC as a key pillar of regulatory assurance and expressed support for the institute’s collaboration proposals, noting the importance of strategic partnerships in addressing evolving governance challenges. He highlighted the strong alignment between both institutions, pledged the Council’s support for ICSAN’s activities, and reaffirmed the FRC’s commitment to structured engagement with relevant professional bodies.
Dr. Olowo also welcomed the proposed bill to reposition the institute as the Chartered Governance Institute, underscored the need for stronger governance practices in the private sector, and identified the proposed ICSAN Chairman/CEO Forum as a valuable platform for advancing leadership and accountability.
In her remarks, Mrs. Ukpanah thanked the Council for the engagement and noted that the visit coincided with ICSAN’s 60th anniversary. She reaffirmed the institute’s longstanding partnership with the FRC, highlighted efforts to reposition ICSAN through a bill before the National Assembly, and expressed the institute’s interest in deeper collaboration with the Council to promote improved governance standards across Nigeria.
Integrity Organization Limited Gte. retweeted
PUBLIC NOTICE | FILING REQUIREMENTS OF PUBLIC SECTOR ENTITIES UNDER THE FRC ACT
The Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRC) reiterates the statutory requirement for all Public Sector Entities to file annual reports and financial statements in line with the provisions of the FRC Act (as amended).
Strict compliance with stipulated timelines is essential to promoting transparency, accountability, and sound public financial management. Non-compliance will attract applicable regulatory sanctions.
All affected entities are advised to take immediate action and ensure registration and filing via the National Repository Portal.
🔗 Visit: frcnigeria.gov.ng
🔗 Filing Portal: lnkd.in/dEEnjAvh
#FRCNigeria #PublicNotice
Integrity Organization Limited Gte. retweeted
Join us today by 4pm. Unpack what it means to have and maintain your integrity in today's workplace culture.
Character still matters. And it always will.
That’s why Lola Adekanye, Regional Hub Director at CIPE Africa, is joining us live to talk about street-smart integrity, how to build a career you won’t regret 10 years from now.
⏰ 4:00 pm | Tomorrow Live on Zoom
Save the date.
us06web.zoom.us/j/8494429640…
Integrity Organization Limited Gte. retweeted
Integrity still wins.
The Integrity Generation proves that choosing the ethical path can still lead to success, despite corruption.
Join us tomorrow, 18 Dec, 4pm for live insights onwith Mr.Soji Apampa @sojapa and other experts.
Please share this with your network.
Meeting link: us06web.zoom.us/j/8494429640…
Integrity Organization Limited Gte. retweeted
“From January 2026, The New Tax Law makes you eligible to claim input credit for VAT.” - @taiwoyedele, Chairman, @fiscalreformsng
Watch full video👇🏽
proshare.co/articles/nigeria…
YouTube: youtu.be/fvPGUhfrCYY
#taxreforms
#newtaxlaw
Integrity Organization Limited Gte. retweeted
Persons with disabilities face higher risks of exploitation by organised crime, yet their voices are often missing in policy.
UNODC engaged them directly to ensure Nigeria’s new national strategy reflects their lived experiences.
#StopOrganizedCrime #DisabilityInclusion

























