The Yobe State chapter of the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) Students’ Wing, alongside other stakeholders, has called for the outright rejection of the Tax Reform Bills currently before the National Assembly.
The call was made during a Town Hall Meeting organized by the CNG Students’ Wing, Yobe Chapter, where student unions, policymakers, academics, civil society representatives, community leaders, and youth groups gathered to discuss the implications of the proposed reforms.
Themed “Tax Reform Bills: A Catalyst for Economic Growth or a Burden on the People,” participants voiced strong concerns about the socioeconomic impact of the proposed bills, warning that they could place a significant strain on already struggling citizens and businesses, particularly students.
They noted that other major stakeholders, including the National Economic Council, the Northern Governors’ Forum, the South-East Caucus of the Senate, religious leaders, NGOs, civil society organizations (CSOs), and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), have also expressed opposition to the bills.
In a statement signed by Comrade Adamu Ibrahim Galadima, on Tuesday, the State Coordinator of the CNG Students’ Wing, on behalf of 97 youth and student groups in Yobe State, the coalition declared its unanimous rejection of the bills.
“The proposed tax reform bill is unanimously rejected due to its lack of inclusivity and potential negative impact on various regions and sectors,” the statement read. “The reforms must undergo thorough consultation with all regions and key stakeholders, including civil society organizations, educational institutions, and local governments, to ensure a consensus-driven and equitable approach.”
The participants also urged the Federal Government to shelve the proposed increase in Value Added Tax (VAT) and instead reduce the current VAT rate to 3%.
“This reduction will provide relief to citizens and businesses while encouraging economic activity. Alternative revenue-generating strategies must be explored to avoid placing additional financial pressure on ordinary Nigerians,” the statement added.
Concerns were also raised about the provisions in the bills that propose defunding critical national institutions, such as the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), and the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI).
The stakeholders emphasized the need to enhance funding for these agencies to support the nation’s educational, technological, and industrial growth.
“Agencies such as TETFUND, NITDA, and NASENI are essential for Nigeria’s educational, technological, and industrial advancement,” they said. “The town hall demands an immediate halt to any plans to defund or restructure these parastatals. Their funding and mandates should be strengthened to enhance their capacity to address critical challenges, including research, innovation, and capacity building, which are vital for sustainable national development.”
The statement also called for the discontinuation of the proposed NELFund, arguing that it could burden future generations with unsustainable debt from revolving credit schemes.
The townhall concluded with a strong appeal to the Federal Government to reconsider the proposed reforms and prioritize policies that promote economic inclusivity and sustainable development.
