Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser on Policy Communication to President Bola Tinubu, has stated that the tax reform bills currently before the National Assembly are a fulfillment of the President’s campaign promises.
Speaking on Trust TV’s Sunday Politics programme, Bwala clarified that the bills, including the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024 and the Tax Administration Bill, aim to streamline the country’s tax framework.
“Remember when he went on campaign, he campaigned on those promises. And it is encapsulated in his manifesto, actually. So he is trying to make good his promise to the Nigerian people,” Bwala said.
The Nigeria Tax Bill 2024 introduces a fiscal framework for taxation, while the Tax Administration Bill seeks to harmonize all tax laws, reducing disputes.
Additional bills include the Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Bill, which will replace the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) Act, and the Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill, which will create a tax tribunal and ombudsman.
While critics argue that the presidency is overly focused on the bill’s passage, Bwala refuted this, saying, “There is no obsession there. It is passion to deliver on good governance.”
Addressing concerns that the bills unfairly target the North, Bwala noted, “A lot of them have not looked at the bill. I mean, some of the proponents of the bill are Northerners.”
Bwala highlighted key benefits, including tax exemptions for individuals earning less than ₦800,000 annually, a reduced corporate income tax rate from 30% to 25%, and reliefs for businesses with incomes below ₦50 million.
“The bill harmonizes tax laws to benefit private citizens, income earners, small-scale businesses, and companies. It ensures efficient administration and reduces the burden on Nigerians,” he explained.
Bwala concluded by urging stakeholders to assess the bill’s provisions objectively, emphasizing its potential to drive economic growth and provide tax relief for vulnerable groups.
