The Niger Delta Youth Congress (NDYC) has strongly opposed the Tinubu administration’s proposed Tax Reform Bill, describing it as a significant step backward for equity and shared prosperity in Nigeria.
The NDYC asserts that this bill, which claims to address Nigeria’s fiscal challenges, disproportionately benefits a few industrialized states while sidelining historically marginalized regions like the Niger Delta. For decades, the Niger Delta’s oil wealth has fueled the nation’s economy, yet the region continues to grapple with poverty, environmental degradation, and systemic neglect. This bill, by centralizing tax administration and favoring industrialized states, further entrenches these inequalities and undermines federalism.
Historically, Nigeria embraced a vision of shared development, with resources from the groundnut pyramids of the North funding infrastructure projects in the South. The NDYC laments that the proposed reforms abandon this legacy, promoting policies that widen the gap between privileged regions and underdeveloped areas.
The NDYC is also deeply concerned about the bill’s opaque and rushed drafting process, which excluded critical stakeholders, including civil society organizations and representatives from marginalized communities. Such a lack of consultation undermines the bill’s legitimacy and threatens Nigeria’s unity.
Moreover, the NDYC argues that the reforms offer little relief to struggling Nigerians. While proponents claim the bill reduces tax burdens on low-income earners, the reality is that it favors large corporations and wealthy states, leaving small-scale entrepreneurs and ordinary families vulnerable amid rising inflation and economic hardships.
The NDYC calls on the National Assembly to reject this bill and push for reforms that promote inclusivity, fairness, and shared prosperity. Only by addressing regional imbalances and fostering unity can Nigeria build a just and equitable future.