Vice President Kashim Shettima has assured that the Federal Government’s ongoing tax reforms will eliminate the burden of multiple levies on small businesses and low-income earners, helping to reduce poverty across Nigeria.
Representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at an interfaith breaking of fast for Ramadan and Lent at the State House in Abuja on Wednesday, March 5, 2026, Shettima defended the reforms against criticism from political opponents.
He described the changes as carefully designed to simplify the tax system while protecting vulnerable groups from excessive charges.
“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, but we have to go out and tell the truth to the people,” Shettima said.
“We have to educate them. We have to mount the pulpits and take our government to the Nigerian people and tell them the truth.”
Shettima urged government officials, party loyalists, and leaders to actively defend and promote the administration’s policies, emphasizing genuine concern for Nigerians’ welfare.
He highlighted key economic measures — including improved foreign exchange reserves, unified exchange rates, and fuel subsidy removal — as bold decisions that previous administrations avoided.
“Three years down the road, the economy has bounced back,” he said.
The Vice President noted that while fuel subsidy removal was not in the President’s 2023 inaugural speech, it became necessary to stop the drain on national resources.
Shettima called on officials to intensify public engagement, share factual information about the administration’s achievements, and counter misinformation from opposition parties.
“On behalf of the President, I want to thank you all for comradeship, support and partnership,” he added.
The event was attended by members of the Federal Executive Council, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, special advisers, senior special assistants, and heads of agencies and parastatals.
