Vice President Kashim Shettima has assured Nigerians that the Federal Government’s new tax reforms are designed to improve livelihoods and reduce poverty, not to impoverish citizens.
Speaking on behalf of President Bola Tinubu at an interfaith breaking of fast for Ramadan and Lent at the State House in Abuja on Wednesday, Shettima said the reforms would eliminate the burden of multiple levies and charges on small businesses and low-income earners.
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.
The Vice President dismissed claims by critics that the tax reforms were intended to further disadvantage the poor, describing such assertions as inaccurate. He said the reforms were carefully conceptualised and implemented to enhance economic stability and lift more Nigerians out of poverty without imposing additional hardship.
“The same people who are shouting that the tax reform is meant to pauperise the poor are far from the truth. We must go out and tell the people the facts,” he said, urging government officials to actively communicate the administration’s policies and achievements.
Shettima highlighted key outcomes of the broader economic reform programme, including growth in Nigeria’s foreign exchange reserves, the streamlining of multiple exchange rates, and the removal of the longstanding fuel subsidy.
He commended President Tinubu for what he described as the courage to confront structural economic challenges that previous administrations had avoided. According to him, although subsidy removal was not initially outlined in the President’s 2023 inaugural address, it became necessary due to the significant strain it placed on public finances.
“Three years down the road, the economy has bounced back,” the Vice President said, expressing appreciation to government officials for their support and partnership.
He further urged members of the administration to remain steadfast advocates of the government’s reform agenda and to counter misinformation from opposition parties with verified facts about the impact of ongoing policies.
