‘You Can’t Tax Hunger’ — Opposition Flags Concerns Over Tinubu’s Proposed Tax Plan
By Luminous Jannamike
ABUJA — Nigeria’s opposition on Wednesday cautioned that the Federal Government’s proposed tax reforms could worsen the country’s ongoing social and economic challenges, accusing the administration of placing additional burdens on citizens already struggling with poverty, insecurity, and rising living costs.
At a press briefing in Abuja, the National Opposition Movement (NOM) described the planned measures as punitive and poorly timed, asserting that they threaten the livelihood of ordinary Nigerians rather than introducing meaningful fiscal reform.
Hon. Chile Igbawua, speaking on behalf of the group, was joined by former Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Solomon Dalung, as well as representatives of civil society and allied political organizations.
The opposition highlighted what it called a looming multidimensional crisis in Nigeria, citing worsening hunger, unemployment, insecurity, homelessness, and a decline in overall quality of life.
Rather than tackling these pressing issues, NOM argued, the Tinubu administration is prioritizing political and elite interests over the welfare of citizens.
“Nigeria stands at the edge of a multidimensional national failure. Life has never been so short, brutish, and difficult for ordinary citizens,” the movement said.
According to the group, global development indicators rank Nigeria among countries with the lowest quality of life, trailing even some of its less wealthy West African neighbors. It warned that continued governance failures in Africa’s most populous nation could have wide-ranging effects on democracy, security, and development across the region.
The opposition expressed particular concern over what it called the most exploitative tax regime in Nigeria’s history, to be implemented at a time when households and businesses are still adjusting to the removal of fuel subsidies, currency depreciation, rising food prices, and higher electricity tariffs.
“This is not tax reform. It is an attack on the livelihood of ordinary Nigerians,” Igbawua said.
Criticism centered on requirements that all adults, including the unemployed, file tax returns, and obligations for businesses to report employees earning below taxable thresholds. NOM described these provisions as “mindless” in a country grappling with high unemployment, weak digital infrastructure, and fragile institutions.
The group warned that small and medium-sized enterprises, already under strain, could face collapse without adequate government support.
“You cannot tax hunger. You cannot tax poverty. And you cannot tax people into prosperity,” the movement declared.
Beyond taxation, NOM accused the Tinubu administration of entrenched corruption, state capture, and secrecy, claiming that public institutions increasingly serve elite and personal interests. The group pointed to unresolved corruption cases, opaque agreements involving revenue agencies, and allegations against top regulators as evidence of declining accountability.
“Nigerians are being asked to pay more without receiving anything in return — no better hospitals, schools, security, or jobs,” the statement said.
The opposition expressed solidarity with organized labor, commending the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) for resisting policies that have deepened poverty for millions.
The National Opposition Movement called for an immediate suspension of the tax plan, nationwide consultations involving labor, civil society, professionals, small businesses, and state governments, and the implementation of strong social protection measures linked to any future reforms.
It urged the government to focus taxation on luxury consumption, excess profits, monopolies, and corruption rather than burdening low-income earners.
“Nigeria does not suffer from low taxation. It suffers from waste, corruption, mismanagement, and policy arrogance. Government failure should not be solved by billing its victims,” the group said.
NOM warned that proceeding with the tax plan without broad consultation would make the government solely responsible for any social or economic fallout.
“Nigeria is hurting, and the suffering people have limits. President Tinubu should let Nigerians breathe,” the opposition concluded.
