President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday, January 17, 2025, expressed his appreciation for the Nigeria Governors’ Forum following their unanimous endorsement of the four Tax Reform Bills currently under consideration by the National Assembly.
Tinubu particularly lauded the governors for what he described as “their bold leadership and commitment” to fostering unity among leaders nationwide, transcending regional, ethnic, and political barriers to advance Nigeria’s development.
The President noted that the dialogue between the NGF and the Presidential Committee on Tax and Fiscal Policy Reform highlights the power of constructive conversation in resolving differences.
He said that Thursday’s “productive consultation” between the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and the Presidential Committee on Tax and Fiscal Policy was a commendable example of cooperation between the Federal and State governments.
The President also extended special commendations to the Chairman of the Governors’ Forum, Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq, for successfully galvanising support among his peers for these transformative tax bills to rejuvenate the national economy and enhance Nigeria’s investment climate.
Tinubu also commended the Progressive Governors Forum, the Northern Governors Forum, and all other groups that made the bipartisan resolution of the controversy stirred by the tax bills possible.
He underscored that the primary aim of the Tax Reform Bills, which is pro-poor, is to promote national interests, improve the competitiveness of Nigeria’s economy, and attract both local and foreign investments, stressing that updating the country’s outdated tax laws is essential to this endeavour.
A statement by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, said that Tinubu regards the governors as vital contributors to nation-building and affirmed his commitment to partnering with them to promote economic growth, national harmony, peace, and stability.
Tinubu also encouraged other stakeholders with ideas and suggestions for refining the Tax Bills to engage with the ongoing legislative process at the National Assembly and urged the National Assembly to expedite the legislative process for the crucial bills so that the country can swiftly reap the benefits of the reforms.
