The Niger Delta Youth Congress (NDYC) has formally declared its strong and unambiguous support for the newly introduced national tax regime, describing it as one of the most intellectually grounded, globally consistent, and forward-looking economic reforms undertaken by the Nigerian state in recent decades.
According to the NDYC, the tax reforms should be understood not as an isolated policy choice of a single administration, but as a structural correction to decades of fiscal distortion, institutional weakness, and unsustainable dependence on volatile revenue sources. The Congress noted that for far too long, Nigeria has operated an economy where government spending has been detached from productive revenue generation, a situation that has weakened public institutions, distorted accountability, and constrained long-term development planning.
The NDYC stated that taxation is a foundational pillar of modern statehood across the world. In advanced and emerging economies alike, governments rely on structured and predictable tax systems to finance infrastructure, social services, security, innovation, and human capital development. Countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, and several Asian and African economies have long embraced tax reforms as instruments for economic stability, competitiveness, and inclusive growth. Nigeria, the Congress emphasized, cannot reasonably expect to chart a different path while aspiring to similar levels of development and global relevance.
In its assessment, the NDYC explained that the new tax regime represents a decisive move away from an uncoordinated and opaque system toward a harmonized, transparent, and professionally administered framework. The reforms are designed to simplify existing tax laws, eliminate duplication across federal and subnational authorities, strengthen compliance through institutional efficiency rather than coercion, and expand the tax net to capture economic activities that have historically remained outside the formal system. This approach, the Congress argued, promotes fairness by reducing the disproportionate burden previously borne by a narrow segment of compliant taxpayers.
The Congress further expatiated that a well-structured tax system enhances economic discipline at all levels of government. With clearer revenue streams and stronger administration, fiscal planning becomes more strategic and less reactionary. Governments are compelled to prioritize efficiency, reduce waste, and justify public expenditure to citizens who now have a clearer understanding of how national resources are generated. In this sense, the NDYC maintained that taxation is not merely a revenue tool but a democratic mechanism that strengthens the social contract between the state and the people.
Addressing concerns raised in some quarters, the NDYC stressed that the reform agenda is not inherently anti-people, nor is it designed to stifle small businesses or impoverish vulnerable citizens. Rather, the Congress pointed out that modern tax systems deliberately incorporate thresholds, exemptions, and incentives to protect micro and small enterprises while encouraging growth, formalization, and job creation. When properly implemented, the new regime has the capacity to unlock productivity, attract investment, and create a more predictable business environment that benefits both local entrepreneurs and foreign investors.
The NDYC placed particular emphasis on the long-term and non-partisan nature of the reforms. It noted that these tax laws are institutional in character and will outlive the current administration. Future presidents, regardless of political affiliation, will inherit a more coherent fiscal architecture that enables better governance and economic management. In this regard, the Congress described the reforms as a national asset rather than a political trophy, warning that attempts to undermine them for short-term political gain would ultimately harm the collective future of the country.
From a regional perspective, the NDYC observed that a stronger and more reliable national revenue framework holds significant promise for the Niger Delta. Improved fiscal capacity enhances the ability of government to invest in critical infrastructure, environmental remediation, education, healthcare, and youth employment. Moreover, by rewarding economic activity and productivity, the new tax structure encourages states to diversify their economies, deepen local value chains, and reduce overdependence on federal allocations.
The Congress also addressed the broader narrative surrounding economic reform in Nigeria, cautioning against the culture of resistance to change that has historically stalled progress. It argued that while reforms may generate discomfort in the short term, the absence of reform produces far greater and more enduring hardship. Nations that have achieved sustainable prosperity, the NDYC asserted, did so by confronting difficult realities and building institutions capable of supporting long-term growth.
In concluding its statement, the Niger Delta Youth Congress called on Nigerians to approach the new tax regime with sobriety, intellectual engagement, and a sense of national responsibility. The Congress urged stakeholders to prioritize constructive dialogue, evidence-based critique, and institutional strengthening over sensationalism and political opportunism. It reaffirmed its belief that the tax reforms, if faithfully implemented, represent a critical step toward economic maturity, fiscal stability, and a more accountable Nigerian state.
The NDYC reiterated that Nigeria’s future cannot be sustained on sentiment, improvisation, or avoidance of hard choices. It must be anchored on systems that work, institutions that endure, and policies that serve both present and future generations. In this context, the Congress maintained that the new tax regime is not merely a policy adjustment, but a defining statement about the kind of nation Nigeria intends to become.