“Why North is jittery over tax reform Bills” – Sen. Natasha

Sen. Natasha on tax Bill

…Seeks revitalisation of North’s socio-economic, cultural heritage Chairman of the Senate Committee on Local Contents, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has explained why some critical stakeholders in the northern part of the country are nervous over the proposed tax reform Bills being considered by the 10th National Assembly. Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi-Central senatorial district in the red chamber, yesterday said the region was ill-prepared for such fiscal legislation. She, therefore, called for the revitalisation of Northern Nigeria’s socio-economic and cultural heritage to boost the economic fortunes of the region. According to a…

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Tax Reform Bills: League of Northern Democrats commends Govs.’ Forum, but calls for clarity over ‘derivation’

LND expresses support

The League of Northern Democrats, (LND), has expressed its support for the Nigeria Governors’ Forum’s (NGF) recent endorsement of a revised Value-Added Tax (VAT) sharing formula, but raised a significant concern over the definition of the word: “derivation”. In a statement released following the NGF’s meeting with the Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, on January 16, 2025, LND acknowledged the NGF’s proposal to allocate VAT revenue as follows: 50% based on equality, 30% on derivation, and 20% on population. This formula, the…

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Tax Reform Bills: “NGF’s stance insufficient; there’re other consideration”, Ndume insists

Ndume on tax reform Bills

Senator representing Borno-South, Mohammed Ali Ndume, has said recommendations of Nigeria Governor’s Forum (NGF) on tax reform Bills is a welcome development but not enough, as according to him, there are still sections of the Bills that require further clarification. The Bills, currently before the National Assembly, have suffered heavy criticisms especially in northern Nigeria, with many describing the pieces of legislation as anti-North agenda of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration. Ndume, who has been critical of some of the policies of the present government, maintained that instead of bringing…

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Tinubu hails Govs. on endorsement of tax reform initiatives

Presidency on LGAs

President Bola Tinubu has commended the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, (NGF), over its unanimous endorsement of the four Tax Reform Bills currently under consideration by the 10th National Assembly. This is as he urged the 10th NASS to expedite legislative action on the Bills so that the country can swiftly reap the benefits of the reforms. According to President Tinubu, in a press statement issued yesterday by his Special Adviser, (Information and Strategy), Bayo Onanuga, “Thursday’s productive consultation between the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and the Presidential Committee on Tax and Fiscal…

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Arewa group condemns Northern Govs. for backing tax reform Bills 

Arewa group condemns Northern Govs.

The Arewa Youths Consultative Forum, (AYCF), has condemned the recent volte-face by Northern Governors regarding the national tax reform Bills. In a statement issued yesterday by its National President, Yerima Shettima, the group frowned at the way Northern governors joined their colleagues after generating needless controversy and misleading the public, they now capitulated to the reforms. The statement noted that “AYCF, from the outset, has maintained that these reforms, despite potential short-term challenges, are essential for Nigeria’s overall development. “We view the governors’ actions as a betrayal of the trust…

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NGF back Tax Reform Bills, proposes 50:30:20 VAT ratio

NGF back tax reform

The Nigeria Governors’ Forum, (NGF), has finally supported the proposed tax reform Bills of the Bola Tinubu-led administration currently under consideration at the 10th National Assembly. The NGF also unanimously rejected an increase in the Value-Added Tax (VAT) rate, while proposing a revised sharing formula for distribution . According  to a communiqué issued yesterday, after 2-day sub-national consultation meeting between the governors and the Presidential Tax Reform Committee, led by Taiwo Oyedele, in Abuja. NGF Chairman and Kwara State governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq disclosed that the Forum endorsed a revised VAT-sharing…

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“Suspend or withdraw tax reform Bills, or face consequences in 2027” – CNG warn Northern lawmakers

CNG warn Northern lawmakers

The Coalition of Northern Groups, (CNG), has pledged to continue its opposition to the Federal Government’s tax reform Bills currently before the 10th National Assembly, demanding the suspension or withdrawal of the proposed legislation. Recall that some northern lawmakers have also signified their opposition to the tax reform Bills. Both groups have called for the withdrawal or suspension of the Bills. The CNG warned of significant political consequences, including potential voter backlash in the 2027 elections. During a town hall meeting in Damaturu, CNG National Coordinator Aliyu Charanchi criticized the…

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Tax reforms Bills: “Govs. limited knowledge responsible for criticism” – Oyedele 

Oyedele on tax reform

Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele, yesterday advised critics of President Bola Tinubu’s Tax Reform Bills to study the documents for informed opinions. Recall that Tinubu on October 3 last year transmitted his four tax reform Bills to the 10th National Assembly for approval. They consist of: the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024, the Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, and the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Bill. Since he unveiled the Bills, Tinubu has come under intense criticism, particularly from…

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Tax reform Bills:”I stand by my comment” – Bauchi Gov. replies Presidency

Bauchi Gov. replies

…Says he can’t be threatened Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, on Tuesday sent an unequivocal reply to the Presidency, saying he stands by his comment on the proposed tax reform Bills by President Bola Tinubu. “I cannot be threatened as a governor. I stand by my comments. It is not meant to malign, insult or to do anything to the contrary other than mean well,” Mohammed said, during a television programme on 2024 Year-end review. The chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum warned that the Presidency should…

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Northern politicians ask Tinubu to reconsider tax reform Bills

Northern politicians

Some northern politicians have advised President Bola Tinubu to respect the position of the National Economic Council on the controversial tax reform Bills. Recall that President Tinubu declared last Monday that the tax reforms had come to stay, ruling out the possibility of withdrawing them from the 10th National Assembly as the governors had demanded. However, Northern members of the 10th NASS, the League of Northern Democrats, (LND), and the Northern Elders’ Forum, (NEF), have expressed dismay with President’s insistence that there will be no reversal on the controversial tax…

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