Shettima defends Tinubu’s tax reforms, says policies target poverty reduction

Stanley Ihedigbo

Vice President Kashim Shettima has assured Nigerians that the Federal Government’s new tax reforms are designed to ease economic pressure on citizens rather than worsen their living conditions.

According to the Special Adviser to the President (Information & Strategy), Bayo Onanuga, speaking in Abuja, the Vice President said the reforms would eliminate the burden of multiple taxes and levies imposed on small businesses and low-income earners, thereby helping to reduce poverty across the country.

Shettima spoke on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at an interfaith breaking of fast organised at the State House to mark the periods of Ramadan and Lent.

The gathering brought together members of the Federal Executive Council, the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, special advisers, senior special assistants, and heads of federal agencies and parastatals.

According to the Vice President, the tax reforms were carefully planned and structured to improve the livelihoods of Nigerians despite criticisms from some political opponents.

“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.

He stressed the need for government officials to actively educate the public about the objectives and benefits of the reforms, urging them to serve as advocates of the administration’s policies.

“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 added.

The Vice President said the administration remains deeply concerned about the economic challenges facing Nigerians and is introducing policy measures aimed at lifting citizens out of poverty without increasing their burdens.

Highlighting the impact of the government’s economic reforms, Shettima noted improvements in the nation’s foreign exchange reserves, the streamlining of exchange rates, and the removal of the long-standing fuel subsidy.

He said the subsidy regime had for years benefited only a small group while draining national resources that could have been invested in development.
Shettima praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for demonstrating courage in confronting economic challenges that previous administrations avoided.

According to him, the removal of the fuel subsidy was not initially planned for announcement during the President’s 2023 inauguration, but became necessary after it was discovered that the policy was severely weakening the country’s finances.

“Three years down the road, the economy has bounced back,” the Vice President said, expressing optimism about Nigeria’s economic recovery.

He also thanked members of the administration and government officials for their continued support and partnership in implementing the government’s reform agenda.

“On behalf of the President, I want to thank you all for comradeship, support and partnership,” Shettima stated.

The Vice President further urged public officials to remain proactive in communicating the achievements of the administration while countering what he described as misinformation and false narratives being spread by opposition parties.