Abuja: President Bola Tinubu has reiterated his commitment to undertaking bold and comprehensive reforms to reposition the country’s fiscal architecture for resilience, inclusiveness, and economic growth. Tinubu made this statement during the 27th Annual Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) Tax Conference in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Tinubu, who was represented by the Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, emphasized that the central pillar of these reforms is taxation. He stated, “I believe that a robust, transparent, and fair tax system is essential not only for financing government operations but also for creating an environment of accountability, stability, and long-term development.”
The president highlighted the government’s deliberate steps to restructure and modernize tax administration and the legal framework. He noted that the establishment of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms marked a significant turning point. The committee’s mandate includes simplifying the tax system, broadening the tax base, curbing leakages, and ensuring alignment between fiscal policy and national development objectives.
Tinubu underscored the importance of implementation for the success of any reform, stating that the conference provided an opportunity for all stakeholders to explore how policies and laws could be translated into practical and measurable outcomes. He encouraged tax professionals and policymakers to engage meaningfully and craft pathways that will strengthen Nigeria’s tax institutions, boost revenue, and ultimately improve the lives of Nigerians.
Vice President Sen. Kashim Shettima, represented by Dr. Tope Fasua, Special Adviser to the President on Economic Affairs, also addressed the conference. He remarked that the theme of the conference demonstrated CITN’s acknowledgment of the centrality of government revenue generation in achieving growth and development. Shettima highlighted the dual responsibility of the taxpayer and the tax administrator in the focus on the tax aspect of revenue.
Mr. Samuel Agbeluyi, the 16th President of the CITN Council, emphasized taxation’s role as a powerful instrument for promoting equity, redistributing wealth, incentivizing growth, and funding public services. Agbeluyi stressed that for taxation to serve developmental goals, policy formulation, legal framework, and implementation mechanisms must be harmoniously aligned.
Agbeluyi acknowledged Nigeria’s significant challenges in various sectors, advocating for sustainable solutions anchored in the tax system. He praised the efforts of the Tinubu-led administration, noting that the work of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms reflects a commitment to sustainable socio-economic development through an effective and efficient taxation system.