The Northern Youth Assembly, known as Majalisar Matasan Arewa, has sent a bold message to northern representatives in the National Assembly, urging them to reject President Bola Tinubu’s proposed tax reform.
In an open letter shared with the press in Kano on Thursday, the group accused the administration of introducing reforms that would place more burdens on everyday Nigerians, especially those in the North.
The letter was jointly signed by the group’s President, Dr. Ali Idris Mohammed, and Secretary General, Dr. Garba Abduljafiz.
The letter began with a statement expressing the Assembly’s unified opposition.
“The Northern Youth Assembly, on behalf of the 19 Northern States leadership, wishes to express our firm resolve as a united voice to convey our unequivocal rejection of the proposed tax reform bill put forth by the Tinubu administration,” the letter declared.
According to the Northern Youth Assembly, the proposed tax reform bill could bring increased hardship to Nigerians who are already struggling with the country’s tough economic climate.
“As representatives of Northern youth, we believe that this proposal, in its current form, will disproportionately affect the economic livelihoods and aspirations of our people,” the letter continued.
The Assembly argued that the proposed tax changes fail to reflect the economic realities faced by Nigerians today.
They voiced their concerns that the reforms could increase the financial burden on low- and middle-income earners, creating additional economic pressure on families and businesses.
“Increased Economic Burden: the proposed tax reforms threaten to impose a greater financial strain on low- and middle-income earning citizens, who already grapple with economic challenges,” the letter stated.
According to the group, the reforms are unlikely to generate growth or improve opportunities for the average Nigerian.
They warned that the new tax laws could worsen poverty, especially in the North, where the region has already been grappling with economic challenges and high poverty rates.
“Rather than spurring growth and opportunity, the reforms risk creating further hardship for the majority of Nigerians, particularly in the North, where poverty rates remain high and economic development lags behind other regions,” the letter read.
Another major issue raised by the Northern Youth Assembly is that the proposed reforms fail to address the country’s rising youth unemployment rates.
They criticized the government for prioritizing taxes over creating job opportunities and economic inclusion programs that would benefit young Nigerians.
“The Northern region suffers from particularly high rates of youth unemployment, and we find it deeply concerning that this reform prioritizes additional taxation over the creation of opportunities for economic inclusion and job creation,” the letter added.
The Northern Youth Assembly emphasized that youth need support, not barriers, to economic participation.
“Our youth need support, not added barriers to economic participation,” the Assembly stated.
The group further noted that the proposed reforms would hit Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) particularly hard.
They argued that these small businesses are essential to the economy and provide jobs and livelihoods to millions of Nigerians.
The Assembly warned that the proposed tax changes could stifle the growth of small businesses, affecting young entrepreneurs and startups in particular.
“SMEs are the backbone of our economy and a crucial means of livelihood for millions of our citizens. The tax burdens proposed in this bill would stifle the growth of small businesses, making it harder for young entrepreneurs to establish and sustain their ventures,” the Assembly noted.
They urged the government to prioritize the welfare of small businesses and consider providing support mechanisms for their growth, rather than imposing additional financial burdens.
“We believe that any policy affecting taxation must consider the welfare of SMEs and provide support mechanisms to foster their growth,” the letter concluded.
The group expressed worry that the reforms appear to be designed to please international organizations like the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) rather than serving the interests of Nigerian citizens.