Former presidential spokesman, Dr. Doyin Okupe, has described critics of the proposed Tax Reform Bills as enemies of Nigeria, emphasizing that the bills are designed to benefit the poor and promote national development.
In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, Okupe stated that no rational individual should oppose reforms aimed at protecting vulnerable citizens and combating corruption.
“Any right-thinking human being who has taken the time to understand the tax reforms in the past two months and still opposes them is an enemy of the country,” Okupe said.
He added, “These reforms propose that the majority of poor people should not pay taxes. How can anyone oppose that?
“These bills ensure that companies are not taxed arbitrarily; instead, taxation will be based on actual revenue and profit generated, not turnover. Businesses with a turnover below ₦50 million are exempted. Why would anyone challenge this?”
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Okupe, who also served as Director-General of Mr. Peter Obi’s Presidential Campaign Organisation, highlighted that passing these reforms would help reduce corruption.
On Regional Opposition
Commenting on opposition from northern regions to the Tax Reform Bills before the National Assembly, Okupe said there was no justifiable reason for their stance. He argued that Nigeria’s reliance on oil revenue was unsustainable, necessitating a shift to taxation as a primary revenue source.
“In most countries, taxation is the major source of government revenue. But here, we depend on oil and simply ask what we can allocate for the next 12 months. This approach is flawed,” he said.
Okupe praised the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) for its improved revenue generation over the past year but lamented Nigeria’s low tax-to-GDP ratio, one of the lowest globally.
“Our population is high, and our landmass is vast. We need significant revenue for development. This tax reform acknowledges that while we need money, we cannot overburden already struggling citizens. The reforms target those who can afford to pay, such as individuals spending millions in nightclubs, rather than workers earning ₦70,000 monthly,” Okupe explained.
Speed and Timing of the Bills
Okupe dismissed concerns over the timing and speed of the bills, stating that addressing economic and financial challenges required urgency. He emphasized that the reforms would boost states’ internally generated revenue, ultimately improving citizens’ welfare.
Addressing Corruption
Okupe called on President Bola Tinubu to oversee revenue-generating agencies to eliminate corruption and prevent financial leakages. He advocated for the adoption of advanced technologies by agencies such as Customs, Immigration, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), and NIMASA to enhance transparency.
“With emerging technologies in place, corruption can be tackled effectively. Once these reforms take effect, corruption will be eradicated,” he added.
President Tinubu’s Position
President Bola Tinubu had earlier urged the National Assembly to pass the bills, which include the Nigeria Tax Bill, the Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, the Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Bill, and the Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill.
During a recent media chat, Tinubu reiterated that the reforms aim to eliminate outdated, colonial-era assumptions in Nigeria’s tax system and establish a fairer, more efficient framework.
