The Northern Economic Development Forum has expressed strong support for the tax reforms introduced by President Bola Tinubu, reassuring the Northern region that the new policies will bring significant benefits. The forum’s endorsement comes amid opposition from Northern governors who have raised concerns about the potential impact of the reforms on their people.

While Northern governors have urged the National Assembly to reject the proposed Tax Reform Bills, claiming they could harm the interests of the region, the Northern Economic Development Forum believes the reforms are a step toward modernizing Nigeria’s tax system and enhancing the region’s development.

According to a statement from the forum, which was signed by Dr. Mustapha Ibrahim Gusau, there is no reason to oppose the bill without fully understanding its contents. The forum emphasized that the new tax laws aim to streamline tax processes, simplify financial obligations for businesses and individuals, and establish a unified revenue service across the country.

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The forum has already begun plans for a widespread awareness campaign across the 19 states in the north to garner support for the reforms. It reassured the public that the laws are designed not to introduce new taxes, but to optimize the existing tax frameworks, making the system more efficient and equitable.

Key aspects of the proposed tax laws, which include the Nigeria Tax Act, Nigeria Tax Administration Act, and the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, were outlined by the forum. These laws aim to address potential misunderstandings about the reforms and clarify their goals.

The forum further stressed that the new tax laws would not increase current tax rates or introduce new taxes. Instead, the reforms seek to redistribute tax obligations more fairly, without placing additional financial burdens on Nigerians. They also promise not to cause job losses but to create new opportunities, particularly in the small and medium enterprise (SME) sector, by simplifying compliance.

Additionally, the forum highlighted that the reforms would harmonize revenue collection across the country, promoting efficiency in government spending and fostering a transparent and accountable tax system.