Former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Pantami, has called on the National Assembly to halt further discussions on the contentious tax reform bills currently under consideration.
Pantami reiterated the need for wider consultations involving all relevant stakeholders to address ambiguities and constitutional conflicts.
In a post on his X handle, @ProfIsaPantami, Pantami expressed concerns over several sections of the Nigeria Tax Administrative Bill, 2024, stating that vague definitions and potential regulatory exploitation pose significant challenges.
While acknowledging the bill’s potential to improve tax administration in Nigeria, Pantami outlined specific sections—such as Section 3(3), Section 7(6), and the supremacy clause in Section 141—that require critical review to ensure alignment with the national interest and constitutional provisions.
The former minister also stressed the importance of rebuilding trust between the government and its citizens, which he identified as a critical factor in ensuring the successful implementation of policies.
He urged the legislature to demonstrate leadership by revisiting contentious provisions and creating room for contributions from legal, business, and policy experts.
His words: “Several sections of the bill make me uncomfortable, primarily because they lack clear definitions, which could lead to significant challenges during implementation. Furthermore, regulatory bodies may exploit these ambiguities when developing their regulatory instruments.
“In light of this, I offer two pieces of advice to the National Assembly (NASS):
“i) Suspend Legislative Action for now as some of the challenges could not be addressed by the chambers alone. In leadership, the ability to change one’s mind is a sign of intelligence and empathy, not weakness; and
“ii) Allow for wider consultations on the bills, ensuring that all relevant stakeholders are contacted and any ambiguities are effectively reviewed and addressed.”