Nigeria’s organised labour movement has cautioned citizens against accepting any tax legislation that lacks transparency or appears compromised, warning that flawed fiscal policies could further erode public trust and deepen economic strain.
Speaking as part of his 2025 Christmas message, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, Joe Ajaero, stressed that credible taxation must be anchored on fairness, accuracy, and broad public ownership.
According to him, any tax framework suspected to have been altered or manipulated undermines confidence in governance and should not be embraced.
Moreover, Ajaero argued that a just tax system must prioritise equity, particularly by ensuring that wealthy individuals and corporations contribute their fair share, while policies that disproportionately burden ordinary Nigerians are eliminated.
He noted that social stability depends heavily on how taxation impacts vulnerable citizens.
“Taxation should be a tool for development, not a weapon against the poor,” Ajaero said, adding that laws perceived as rushed or politically engineered often create long-term economic and social consequences.
Furthermore, the labour leader called for patience in the lawmaking process, insisting that it is preferable to develop legislation through inclusive consultation rather than push through laws riddled with inconsistencies.
He reaffirmed the NLC’s readiness to mobilise workers nationwide to resist policies that worsen living conditions.
Meanwhile, the House of Representatives has moved to address concerns surrounding alleged inconsistencies in recently gazetted Tax Reform Acts. An ad hoc committee set up to investigate the matter has pledged to conclude its work promptly.
The panel, chaired by Muktar Aliyu Betara, was constituted following a privilege motion raised during plenary over discrepancies between tax laws passed by the National Assembly and their published versions.
The committee held its inaugural meeting on December 23, where members agreed on an accelerated timeline for the probe.
In addition, lawmakers on the panel said resolving the issue swiftly is critical to preserving legislative integrity, safeguarding due process, and restoring public confidence in Nigeria’s lawmaking process.
The committee is expected to submit its findings to the House once deliberations are completed.