The Northern Economic Development Forum (NEDF) has backed President Bola Tinubu’s proposed tax reforms, stating that the North stands to benefit significantly from the changes.
The Forum’s support follows opposition from Northern governors, who urged the National Assembly to reject the tax bills, fearing potential disadvantages for the northern region.
In response, the NEDF called for calm, encouraging a thorough understanding of the bills before reaching conclusions.
In a statement by the the forum’s spokesperson, Dr. Mustapha Ibrahim Gusau, noted that the proposed reforms aim to modernise and unify Nigeria’s tax landscape, benefiting both the North and the entire country.
According to Dr. Gusau, the reform package—which includes the Nigeria Tax Act, Nigeria Tax Administration Act, Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, and Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Act—does not seek to increase the number of taxes but instead focuses on optimizing the current framework.
“These laws will not raise tax rates or add to financial burdens. They are designed to make tax obligations fairer and streamline processes for easier compliance,” he said.
The NEDF spokesman also said they have organised an awareness campaign across the 19 northern states to educate the public on the potential benefits of the reforms.
Dr. Gusau explained that the reforms could bring efficiency to government spending, promote transparency, and update tax laws to reflect current economic realities.
He urged northerners to embrace the changes and avoid unnecessary tension, emphasising that the reforms align with international standards and could stimulate long-term economic growth.
The forum argued that widespread support for the reforms could foster economic resilience, enable job creation, and improve revenue collection across northern states.
