NIGERIA SIX THINGS TO EXPECT FROM BUHARI'S 2016 BUDGET

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday presented the 2016 Appropriation Bill before a joint session of the Senate and House of Representatives, as the nation faces an economic crisis made worse by fuel scarcity and falling Naira.

If properly implemented, the budget presents measures that could help the country chalk out path to development. From job creation initiatives to social security program, PREMIUM TIMES' National Assembly correspondent, Hassan Adebayo, lists six key things to expect in 2016.

1. Tax reduction for small businesses: "This budget is the platform for putting more Nigerians to work," Mr. Buhari said, adding that "Nigeria's job creation drive will be private sector led." "We will encourage this by a reduction in tax for businesses as well as subsidizing funding for priority sectors such as agriculture and solid minerals."

2. 500,000 teaching jobs: As an emergency measure to address the "chronic shortage" of teachers in public schools across the country, the president promised that 500,000 unemployed graduates and NCE holders would be trained and deployed in partnership with state and local governments. He said, "These graduate teachers will be deployed to primary schools, thereby, enhancing the provision of basic education especially in primary in our rural areas." A similar approach was implemented under late Umar Yar'Adua through Federal Teachers Scheme, FTS.