Northern Nigeria is seeing a surge in opposition to President Bola Tinubu’s proposed tax reform bills, with regional groups and political leaders condemning the measures as harmful to the economic interests of the North. The four bills—aimed at overhauling the country’s tax system—are currently under review in the National Assembly. However, their swift progression has sparked widespread anger in the northern states, with accusations that the reforms favor southern Nigeria, particularly Lagos, at the expense of the North’s economic stability.
The bills—entitled the Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill, the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, the Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, and the Nigeria Tax Bill—passed a second reading in the Senate last week, despite vocal objections from northern lawmakers and leaders. Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele described the bills as crucial for streamlining tax revenue administration across Nigeria, eliminating double taxation, and boosting private sector investment. However, many in the North view the reforms as unfairly burdensome, potentially exacerbating the region’s already dire economic conditions.
The latest flashpoint occurred when the Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, who represents Kano North, presided over the Senate plenary where the bills passed the second reading. Northern youths, particularly from Kano, have sharply criticized Jibrin, accusing him of being insensitive to the needs of his constituents. In an open letter, the Northern Youth Assembly condemned Jibrin’s support for the bills, claiming they would “further relegate the region economically and commercially.” The group expressed outrage that Jibrin appeared to prioritize the interests of southern Nigeria over the pressing challenges facing the North, including poverty, unemployment, and infrastructure deficits.
The opposition has been fueled by concerns that the tax reforms, particularly the proposed increase in VAT, would place an additional burden on already struggling businesses and households in the North. Islamic clerics from the region have also voiced their objections, with some suggesting the bills are being rushed through the legislative process without sufficient consultation. Mansur Ibrahim, a prominent cleric from Sokoto, accused the government of using "force" to push through the reforms, warning that they could harm the livelihoods of ordinary Nigerians.
This mounting resistance has prompted calls from northern leaders, including former governors and religious figures, for the suspension of the bills. The Northern Governors' Forum and the National Economic Council have both raised concerns about the potential negative impacts of the tax reforms on the North’s economic prospects.
Despite the growing backlash, proponents of the reforms argue that they are necessary for modernizing Nigeria’s tax system and ensuring fairness across the country. However, with northern political and religious leaders uniting against the bills, and with further debates and public hearings expected in the coming weeks, the proposed tax reforms face significant hurdles before they can become law.
As tensions rise, the political fallout from the proposed reforms may continue to shape the discourse in the National Assembly, with northern lawmakers vowing to scrutinize the bills further and ensure that the interests of their constituents are not overlooked.
