President Bola Tinubu has opposed the National Economic Council’s (NEC) recommendation to withdraw a series of tax reform bills currently under legislative review, arguing that the legislative process should be allowed to proceed.
The suggestion for withdrawal came during the 144th NEC meeting, led by Vice President Kashim Shettima.
Governors from 19 northern states, along with traditional leaders, had gathered in Kaduna earlier this week and issued a joint communiqué expressing disapproval of the Nigeria Tax Reform Bill, particularly its proposed adjustments to the distribution of Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue.
In a recent statement by Tinubu’s media aide, Bayo Onanuga, the president urged NEC to let the bills continue through the legislative pathway, emphasizing that ample opportunity exists for modifications.
“President Bola Tinubu has received the National Economic Council’s recommendation that the tax reform bills already sent to the National Assembly be withdrawn for further consultation,” the statement read. “President Tinubu commends the National Economic Council members, especially Vice President Kashim Shettima and the 36 State Governors, for their advice. He believes that the legislative process, which has already begun, provides an opportunity for inputs and necessary changes without withdrawing the bills from the National Assembly.”
He further encouraged NEC to engage in constructive dialogue with stakeholders to address concerns while the bills are still under parliamentary review. Tinubu noted that the proposed reforms were carefully crafted by the Presidential Committee on Tax and Fiscal Policy Reform, a body he established in August 2023 with the goal of fostering a more productive economy and improving conditions for business and investment.
“The Committee worked for over a year and received inputs from various segments of society across the geopolitical zones, including trade associations, professional bodies, different Ministries and Government Agencies, Governors, traders, students, business owners, and the organised private sector,” Tinubu added. “The tax reform bills that emerged were distilled from the extensive work of the Presidential Committee.”
The bills, including the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024 and the Tax Administration Bill, aim to modernize the nation’s tax system and align it with international standards.
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