Chairman of the Presidential Tax Reforms and Fiscal Policy Committee, Taiwo Oyedele, has defended Nigeria’s newly proposed tax reform bills, addressing criticisms that the bills lack adequate consultation and do not reflect the public’s desires.
Extensive Stakeholder Engagement
Speaking during a Twitter Space conference on Monday, December 30, 2024, titled “Tax Reform Bills: Clarifying the Sticky Issues with Taiwo Oyedele,” he emphasized the unprecedented inclusivity and scope of consultations undertaken before drafting the reforms.
“You’ll never get to the end of consultations. It’s an ongoing process. Even when these laws are passed, we need to continue with the consultations,” he noted.
The committee engaged with over 40 sector groups, including manufacturers, students, farmers, investors, exporters, artisans, and persons with disabilities. Input was also solicited from the general public via newspaper advertisements and social media campaigns.
Oyedele described the consultation process as one of the longest and most inclusive in Nigeria’s history, rivaling those conducted during major constitutional reviews.
“I cannot remember in my adult life any other process where we’ve done more consultations than this,” he added.
Despite extensive efforts, Oyedele acknowledged that participation levels could have been higher.
“In a country of 200 million people, maybe we needed 500,000 people in some of those sessions. People just didn’t pay a lot of attention to what we were doing,” he admitted.
Challenges with State Governors
Engaging critical stakeholders like state governors proved particularly challenging. Oyedele recounted instances of delays, rescheduling, and limited meeting durations, often leaving little room for in-depth discussions.
“We were bounced like four times. The fifth time, they kept us till 1:30 a.m. and gave us 15 minutes. Fifteen minutes will not be enough,” he explained.
The proposed tax reforms have faced stiff opposition in the National Assembly, sparking heated debates. Critics argue that the reforms may impose burdens on specific sectors or lack alignment with Nigeria’s economic realities.
Despite the backlash, Oyedele reiterated the committee’s commitment to ongoing dialogue and adjustments to ensure the reforms meet national needs.
This defense highlights the government’s effort to foster transparency and inclusivity in shaping Nigeria’s fiscal policy amid growing economic challenges.
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