Vice President Kashim Shettima on Wednesday defended the federal government’s ongoing tax reform agenda, insisting that the policy is aimed at easing the financial burden on businesses and low-income earners while stimulating economic growth.
Speaking at an interfaith Ramadan and Lent breaking of fast hosted at the State House, where he represented President Bola Tinubu, Shettima said the reforms were designed to simplify Nigeria’s tax system and eliminate the confusion and duplication caused by multiple levies.
“The same people who are shouting hoarse that the tax reform is meant to pulverise further and pauperise the poor are far from the truth,” Shettima said.
“We have to go out and tell the truth to the people. We have to educate them.
”We have to mount the pulpits and take our government to the Nigerian people and tell them the truth.”
He urged government officials and stakeholders to actively communicate the objectives and benefits of the reforms, emphasising that the administration remains focused on improving the welfare of citizens and lifting many out of poverty without increasing financial burdens.
Highlighting the gains of the economic reforms, Shettima pointed to the unification of exchange rates, the strengthening of foreign exchange reserves, and the removal of the fuel subsidy.
He explained that the subsidy, though not part of President Tinubu’s inaugural agenda in 2023, was consuming resources necessary for national development.
“Three years down the road, the economy has bounced back,” he said, stressing that the reforms signal decisive leadership and courage, tackling challenges previous administrations had avoided.
The Vice President thanked attendees, which included members of the Federal Executive Council, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, presidential advisers, and agency heads, for their support and called on them to continue championing the government’s reform agenda.
