
Representatives of youth groups, student bodies and community-based organisations across the seven states of the Northwest have called for more constructive engagements on the tax reform bills
The News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN) reports that they convened at the Arewa House, Kaduna, on Thursday at a
one-day symposium, themed “Tax Reform Bills: Between the Facts and Politics.”
This was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the event, signed by Hamza Umar, National Coordinator, Nigeria First Project Initiative; Bishir Dauda, National Secretary, Muryar Talaka Awareness Initiative; and Sadi Garba, Coordinator, Coalition of Northern Nigerian Students’ Forum.
The participants commended the public debates surrounding the four tax reform bills presented to the National Assembly.
They described the engagement as a hallmark of democratic governance and emphasized the need for active citizen participation in shaping the reforms.
The communiqué highlighted the potential benefits of the tax reform bills, including enhanced revenue generation, reduced dependency on oil, a more equitable tax system, and support for sustainable economic growth.
However, the participants expressed concern over the politicisation, regionalisation, and ethnic sentiment infiltrating the discourse.
They accused certain political actors of using the reforms as tools for blackmail and division, prioritising personal interests over national progress.
The gathering emphasised that Northern Nigeria, blessed with abundant natural resources, fertile land, and a vibrant population, has the potential to achieve economic self-sufficiency.
The participants urged northern leaders to harness these resources through innovative strategies and reduce reliance on federal allocations.
The communiqué also called on citizens, particularly Northerners, to actively engage in upcoming public hearings on the tax bills, presenting their views constructively and using established democratic channels.
It also encouraged state governments to diversify revenue sources by prioritizing agriculture, solid minerals, and livestock development to boost income and create jobs.
The participants commended President Bola Tinubu for his initiatives, including the establishment of the Ministry of Livestock Development,
“They also include the appointment of a Northerner to head the ministry, the creation of the Northwest Development Commission, and policies such as local government autonomy and the student loan scheme,” the communiqué added.
It concluded with a call for accountability, transparency, and visionary leadership from northern state governors
While calling on them to uplift the region, it urged Nigerians to reject divisive rhetoric surrounding the tax reform bills, particularly from political actors with hidden agendas ahead of the 2027 general elections. (NAN)