As the National Assembly moves closer to passing four critical tax reform bills, Nigerians are demanding that lawmakers incorporate concerns raised by individuals, businesses, and key stakeholders during public hearings. Many fear that despite the extensive engagement, the legislature may prioritize political interests over public input.
The bills—Nigeria Tax Bill 2024, Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, and Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Bill—were introduced by President Bola Tinubu’s administration to overhaul the country’s tax structure. However, they have sparked nationwide debate, particularly over the proposed periodic increase in Value Added Tax (VAT).
While the Senate swiftly moved the bills through second reading, the House of Representatives initially resisted, citing the need for broader consultation. A compromise was later reached after a revised proposal, brokered between state governors and the tax reform committee, promised a fairer VAT distribution formula—50% equality, 30% derivation, and 20% population.
Despite this, concerns remain. Legal and economic analysts, including Senior Advocate of Nigeria Mike Ozekhome and constitutional lawyer Abdul Mahmud, warn that the public hearing may have been a mere formality, with final decisions already shaped by political considerations. They argue that the growing influence of state governors and the executive over the legislature could silence public input.
Meanwhile, the House Committee on Finance, led by James Faleke, has assured Nigerians that all stakeholder submissions will be reviewed before the bills return for a final reading next week. However, critics insist that unless civil society and professional bodies push back, the process risks becoming a rubber-stamp exercise that prioritizes political expediency over economic justice.
With the final passage imminent, all eyes are now on the National Assembly to see whether it will uphold public interest or bow to political pressure.
