The 36 state governors on the platform of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum have backed the proposed Tax Reform Bills forwarded to the National Assembly by President Bola Tinubu, demanding a new sharing formula if the tax reform bills must see the light of the day.
The governors made this known at the end of a meeting of subnational consultations and engagement on Thursday in Abuja.
The communique of the meeting, read by the Chairman of the NGF and Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, “We, members of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and presidential tax reform committee, convened on the 16th of January 2025 to deliberate on critical national issues, including the reform of Nigeria’s fiscal policies and tax system, and arrived at the following resolutions:
1. The Forum reiterated its strong support for the comprehensive reform of Nigeria’s archaic tax laws. Members acknowledged the importance of modernizing the tax system to enhance fiscal stability and align with global best practices.
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2. The Forum endorsed a revised Value Added Tax (VAT) sharing formula to ensure equitable distribution of resources:
o 50% based on equality,
o 30% based on derivation, and
o 20% based on population.
3. Members agreed that there should be no increase in the VATrate or reduction in Corporate Income Tax (CIT) at this time, to maintain economic stability. The Forum advocated for the continued exemption of essential goods and agricultural produce from VAT to safeguard the welfare of citizens and promote agricultural productivity.
4. The meeting recommended that there should be no terminal clause for TETFUND, NASENI, and NITDA in the sharing of development levies in the bills.
5. The meeting supports the continuation of the legislative process at the National Assembly that will culminate in. the eventual passage of the Tax Reform Bills.