Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has voiced strong support for the tax reform agenda introduced by President Bola Tinubu, arguing that much of the criticism surrounding the policy stems from a lack of proper understanding of its content and long-term objectives.
Speaking on the reforms, Otti revealed that several provisions within the new framework mirror ideas he publicly advocated nearly a decade ago regarding Nigeria’s fiscal restructuring and revenue strategy.
According to the governor, his earlier analyses emphasised the need for a more efficient tax system capable of broadening the revenue base, improving compliance, and reducing the country’s overreliance on volatile oil earnings. He noted that upon reviewing the current legislation, he found that many of those recommendations had been incorporated.
Otti also commended Taiwo Oyedele, who chairs the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, praising the committee’s work and suggesting that public attacks on its leadership are often driven by misinformation rather than substantive policy concerns.
Mixed Reactions Nationwide
The tax reform initiative has generated a wide spectrum of reactions from economists, business leaders, and political stakeholders. Supporters see it as a necessary step toward modernising Nigeria’s fiscal environment, while critics have raised concerns about implementation challenges, potential burdens on businesses, and the short-term impact on households.
However, Otti maintained that the framework is rooted in sound economic principles designed to stabilise public finances and create a more predictable revenue system for national development.
Push for Sustainable Revenue Model
The governor stressed that meaningful reform of Nigeria’s tax architecture is essential for strengthening economic resilience, improving government capacity to fund infrastructure and social services, and aligning fiscal policy with global best practices.
By linking the reforms to ideas he championed years earlier, Otti signalled that the current policy direction reflects a broader, long-standing conversation among economic thinkers about how to reposition Nigeria’s fiscal foundation for sustainable growth.
