The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has denied reports that it is opposed to President Bola Tinubu’s proposed tax reform bills.
RMAFC Chairman, Dr. Mohammed Shehu, described the allegations as “false” and “malicious” during a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday.
Shehu clarified that the commission is fully supportive of the bills and has actively participated in the reform process. The tax reform proposal has been a topic of debate in recent weeks, particularly with regards to the allocation and derivation of Value Added Tax (VAT).
“We applaud President Tinubu’s strong commitment to repositioning Nigeria’s revenue base and his bold initiatives to address the country’s fiscal challenges.
“The proposed tax reform bills are a significant step towards integrating untapped revenue sources, enhancing Nigeria’s revenue-to-GDP ratio, and positioning the country favourably among nations with high fiscal performance,” Shehu said.
According to Shehu, the RMAFC has submitted a comprehensive memorandum outlining its position, which aligns with both global best practices and Tinubu’s vision for a fairer and more sustainable fiscal framework for Nigeria.
Shehu said, “Once again, we reiterate our total support for the tax reform, which aligns with our goal of helping the President in his ongoing fiscal reforms. We acknowledge our responsibility to provide professional guidance whenever necessary and pledge to continue working tirelessly to support the President’s vision for a more prosperous Nigeria.
“It is important to recognize that the RMAFC is a critical stakeholder in Nigeria’s fiscal framework. Our mandate is to ensure an equitable revenue-sharing formula among the three tiers of government. We take this responsibility seriously and are committed to providing expert advice to support the government’s fiscal policy objectives.
“In this regard, we have been working closely with the National Assembly to provide technical input on the proposed tax reform bills. Our goal is to ensure that the legislation is robust, effective, and aligns with global best practices.”
He added, “We believe that the proposed tax reform bills have the potential to transform Nigeria’s fiscal landscape. The bills aim to promote fiscal equity, reduce tax evasion, and increase revenue generation. These objectives are in line with the RMAFC’s mandate, and we are committed to supporting their implementation.”
The commission called on the media to promote truth, accuracy, and fairness in their reporting and guide against fake reportage.