Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has called on the Federal Government to ensure transparency and consistency in the implementation of President Bola Tinubu’s ongoing tax reforms, stressing that public trust depends on accountability.
Delivering the maiden Distinguished Parliamentarian Lecture organized by the House of Representatives Press Corps, Dogara described the reforms as the “most audacious overhaul” in Nigeria’s fiscal history.
He urged government to deploy revenues transparently into infrastructure, power, industries, schools, and hospitals, noting that such measures could cement President Tinubu’s legacy.
Dogara recalled that the President inherited a fragile economy riddled with distortions excessive deficit financing through Ways and Means, dual exchange rates that enriched a few, and a staggering ₦22.7 trillion printed before Tinubu took office.
According to him, these conditions made urgent reforms inevitable.
He explained that the reforms, set to become fully operational in January 2026, are designed to simplify the tax regime, broaden the net, improve compliance, and align domestic laws with global standards.
Addressing concerns over a 5% fuel surcharge, he clarified that it was not a new tax but a restatement of provisions in the FERMA Act, 2007, and would exclude household energy products such as kerosene, cooking gas, or CNG.
While applauding the bold steps, Dogara warned of challenges around interpretation, manpower, technology, and short-term compliance costs.
In his remarks, Speaker of the House, Dr. Tajudeen Abbas, represented by the House Spokesperson, Akin Rotimi praised Tinubu’s reforms as a decisive step towards fairness and transparency, citing the creation of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms as a milestone.
The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), represented by Mr. Olufemi Olarinde, reaffirmed its commitment to press freedom and called for stronger collaboration with the media to deepen public understanding of fiscal reforms.
Civil society and media leaders also weighed in.
CISLAC Executive Director Auwal Rafsanjani urged effective implementation to prevent leakages and strengthen fiscal stability.
NUJ FCT Chairman, Grace Ike, stressed the need for transparency and proper deployment of revenues to infrastructure.
Chairman of the House Press Corps, Gboyega Onadiran, explained that the Distinguished Parliamentarian Lecture was designed to clarify national issues and bridge the gap between the legislature and the public.
Reporting by Tanimu Salihu