Tinubu: Tax Reforms Pro-Poor, Will Eliminate Colonial Assumptions; No Tax without Outcry

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has described the recent tax reform as “pro-poor,” emphasising its focus on addressing economic inequalities while acknowledging that tax reforms often provoke dissatisfaction but are crucial for progress. 

In a statement,during a media chat on Monday, he remarked, 

“Every tax situation without outcry is not a tax. You cannot satisfy uniformly the larger community of tax invaders. Look at this tax reform; it is pro-poor…The vulnerable are not to pay taxes.”

The president declared that the tax reforms are non-negotiable, describing them as essential to modernising Nigeria’s fiscal framework. 

“Tax reform is here to stay. We cannot just continue to do what we were doing yesteryears in today’s economy. We cannot retool this economy with the old broken books. The essence of the tax reform is to eliminate colonial-based assumptions in our tax environment,” he said.

The President urged Nigerians to support his administration’s efforts, highlighting the importance of timely decisions. 

“The hallmark of a good leader is the ability to do what you have to do at the time it ought to be done. That is my philosophy. You have given me the mandate to govern; let me govern within the limit of my capacity. I believe I have that capacity, and that is why I went into the race. I am focused on what Nigeria needs and what I must do for Nigerians. It is not going to be eldorado for everybody, but the new dawn is here. I am convinced, and you should be convinced.”

President Tinubu also reiterated his stance on maintaining the size of his cabinet and implementing comprehensive tax reforms, despite public concerns. 

On the size of his cabinet, Tinubu stated, 

“I am not prepared to bring down the size of my cabinet. I saw the need when I put them together. You don’t give somebody an assignment that they cannot fulfil. Job description must be efficient and effective. Let’s pay attention to efficiency. Efficiency and effectiveness are the hallmarks of the philosophy behind that cabinet. I am not ready to shrink a little bit of it; I need them.”

Faridah Abdulkadiri

Follow us on: