KEY POINTS

• Babangida Aliyu calls for better communication on tax reforms.
• Northern governors and the NEC urge bill withdrawal.
• Vice President Shettima advocates innovative security approaches.

Former Niger State Governor and ex-chairman of the Northern Governors Forum, Babangida Aliyu, has condemned the growing opposition to Nigeria’s tax reform bill, attributing the backlash to inadequate communication from the federal government. 

According to Punch, the proposed bills, including the Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill, 2024, the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, 2024, and the Nigeria Tax Bill, 2024, have faced significant resistance since their introduction to the National Assembly.

Aliyu, speaking at the graduation ceremony for the Executive Intelligence Management Course 17 at the National Institute for Security Studies in Abuja on Saturday, criticized both the opposition and the government’s handling of the policy. He argued that many critics had not fully reviewed the bills, leading to misconceptions about their objectives.

Northern Governors, NEC call for bill withdrawal

The Northern Governors Forum, representing 19 northern states, rejected the proposed derivation-based model for Value Added Tax (VAT) distribution outlined in the tax bills during a meeting on October 28. Days later, the National Economic Council (NEC) urged the federal government to withdraw the bills, citing the need for broader consultations.

Aliyu emphasized that while no policy benefits everyone equally, the government must take responsibility for educating citizens on reforms that could spark public concern.

“I was speaking to the NSA in the common room and said many debating the tax bill have not read it,” Aliyu said. “But again, there is the problem of communication; the government should speak more when most people are not literate. You must be the first to explain any major policy, especially one bringing changes, so people can understand it.”

He added: “If the majority benefits and one person is affected, you can only explain it to that person. However, you cannot halt policy implementation for the sake of one individual.”

Vice President calls for innovative security approaches

Vice President Kashim Shettima, represented by Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike at the same event, emphasized the evolving nature of global threats, including cyber warfare, disinformation, and climate migration. He urged leaders to adopt innovative solutions and redefine security paradigms.

“Our world shrinks every day, and no challenge in one nation can be isolated from others,” Shettima said. “Social and economic tensions require modern approaches, not outdated ideas.”

He called on the graduating cohort to transform crises into opportunities, describing the era as a crossroads of “opportunities and vulnerabilities.”

The contentious tax reform bills remain under scrutiny, with stakeholders urging a balance between equitable revenue distribution and national development. The government’s next steps will likely determine the outcome of this policy debate.