Taiwo Oyedele, Chairman of the Fiscal Policy Committee, warns that revenue leakages are straining Nigeria’s economy. He emphasized the need for efficient tax reforms and government accountability during the National Revenue Summit in Abuja.
The Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reform, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, has clarified that Nigeria is not broke but is grappling with significant revenue leakages, which are being addressed through ongoing reforms.
Oyedele made this statement on Tuesday while speaking at the opening of the 1st National Revenue Assurance Summit held in Abuja. The summit, which brought together representatives from all states and the Federal Capital Territory, was organized by the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) to discuss fiscal challenges and revenue optimization.
Addressing concerns about Nigeria’s financial status, Oyedele explained, “I would not say Nigeria is broke. Instead, we are facing revenue leakages. The focus now is on ensuring that the revenue we generate is properly accounted for and used efficiently for the benefit of the people.” He emphasized that the summit aimed to address these issues by finding ways to harmonize government revenue sources, including tax, government assets, and natural resources.
He also pointed out that the burden of tax collection had largely fallen on the poorest in society, while wealthier individuals and businesses have avoided paying their fair share. “Those who have been paying are mostly the poorest. To fix this, we need to protect vulnerable groups and ensure that those with the capacity to pay contribute adequately,” Oyedele added.
Collaboration between federal, state, and local governments was highlighted as crucial in overcoming these challenges, particularly in the areas of data collection and capacity building. He stressed the importance of reliable data to quickly ramp up revenue generation and reduce inefficiencies in government spending.
“We don’t need incremental progress from a low base; we need a transformational leap in our revenue collection and governance. Transparency, efficiency, and accountability are essential for ensuring that government spending benefits all citizens,” he stated.
Mrs. Hafsat Bakari, Chief Executive Officer of the NFIU, also spoke at the summit, emphasizing the importance of tackling tax evasion and avoidance to improve public services. She assured both state and federal revenue services of NFIU’s support in addressing the challenges of tax collection.
The summit comes as Nigeria continues its efforts to boost economic stability by plugging revenue leakages, improving tax compliance, and ensuring efficient use of government resources.
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