Tinubu praises governors for supporting tax reform bills, highlights pro-poor agenda

President Bola Tinubu on Friday reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to advancing Nigeria’s economic growth and investment climate through the proposed Tax Reform Bills.

Describing the measures as “pro-poor,” Tinubu emphasized that their primary objectives are to serve national interests, enhance Nigeria’s economic competitiveness, and attract both domestic and foreign investments.

The President’s remarks followed the Nigeria Governors’ Forum’s (NGF) unanimous endorsement of the four Tax Reform Bills currently under consideration by the National Assembly.

Tinubu lauded the governors for demonstrating bold leadership and fostering unity across regional, ethnic, and political lines to prioritize the nation’s development.

In a statement issued by his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu commended the productive collaboration between the NGF and the Presidential Committee on Tax and Fiscal Policy.

The President specifically praised the NGF Chairman, Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq, for rallying his colleagues to support the transformative reforms aimed at rejuvenating the nation’s economy.

“Thursday’s consultation between the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and the Presidential Committee on Tax and Fiscal Policy is a commendable example of cooperation between the Federal and State governments,” the statement read.

The President also extended his gratitude to other key stakeholder groups, including the Progressive Governors Forum and the Northern Governors Forum, for their role in achieving a bipartisan resolution on the tax bills.

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Highlighting the critical need to modernize Nigeria’s outdated tax laws, Tinubu noted that these reforms would stimulate economic activity, improve investment conditions, and support the administration’s broader agenda of economic recovery and growth.

“The primary aim of these Tax Reform Bills is to promote national interests, improve the competitiveness of Nigeria’s economy, and attract investments,” Tinubu reiterated, emphasizing the measures’ pro-poor orientation.

He also praised the dialogue between the NGF and the Presidential Committee on Tax and Fiscal Policy Reform, describing it as a testament to the power of constructive conversation in resolving differences.

The statement further underlined Tinubu’s recognition of governors as essential contributors to nation-building.

The President expressed his commitment to partnering with state governments to advance economic growth, national harmony, and peace.

Tinubu also urged other stakeholders with innovative ideas for refining the bills to engage with the ongoing legislative process at the National Assembly.

Finally, he called on lawmakers to expedite their review and approval of the bills to enable the country to benefit swiftly from the reforms.

The Tax Reform Bills represent a cornerstone of the Tinubu administration’s economic agenda, signaling a unified effort to transform Nigeria’s fiscal policies and drive sustainable development.