Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin, the House of Representatives member representing Kiru/Bebeji Federal Constituency of Kano State, has expressed confidence that the controversial tax reform bills presented by President Bola Tinubu will ultimately be passed into law.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics program, Jibrin dismissed concerns that the bills are “dead on arrival” and clarified that not all northern leaders are opposed to the reforms.
Jibrin acknowledged the significant resistance the bills have encountered, particularly from northern groups, but he maintained that there is no unanimous opposition to the proposals from the region.
He further emphasized that once the bills are passed, Nigerians will see that they are not detrimental to the country’s interests, including those of the northern region.
His words: “The idea that these bills are ‘dead on arrival’ is not a consensus in the North.
“I am confident that these bills will go through the proper processes in the National Assembly and will be passed. Hundreds of clauses in these bills are issues we have been pursuing for ages.
“These are important reforms that Nigerians will benefit from once they are properly reviewed and enacted.”
The tax reform bills, which have sparked significant debate, face opposition from various groups, including some northern political figures and regional organizations.
The National Executive Council had previously advised President Tinubu to withdraw the bills, and Senator Ali Ndume of Borno South described them as “dead on arrival.”
Despite the opposition, Jibrin insisted that the bills were not doomed and expressed optimism about their future passage.
He suggested that the bills would undergo rigorous scrutiny in the National Assembly, leading to eventual approval.
According to Jibrin, the proposed reforms align with long-standing objectives that will benefit Nigeria’s development and fiscal health.
“We are committed to ensuring that the tax reforms go through proper deliberations and are thoroughly examined.
“The work we are doing will allow Nigerians to review all the details and see that these reforms are in their best interest,” Jibrin added.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Federal Government is advancing key tax reform initiatives, driven by dual aims: increasing revenue efficiency and meeting conditions to unlock a $750 million World Bank loan under the Accelerating Resource Mobilisation Reforms (ARMOR) program.
The loan is part of a $2.25 billion package approved by the World Bank in June 2024, designed to strengthen Nigeria’s economic stability and support its vulnerable populations.
The ARMOR program, a cornerstone of Nigeria’s tax reform drive, focuses on three main areas: expanding Value-Added Tax (VAT) and excise tax collections, improving tax and customs administration, and enhancing the transparency of oil and gas revenues.
