The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, has defended the National Assembly’s approval of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s tax reforms, saying the initiative is intended to expand national revenue, strengthen the economy and improve funding for critical sectors.
Barau gave the clarification while responding to questions from students during a distinguished personality lecture organised by the Department of Political Science, University of Ilorin.
He joined the session virtually due to technical issues affecting his flight.
A student had asked how the tax reform would benefit young Nigerians and what the parliament was doing to reduce inequality.
Responding, Barau said the new tax framework was crafted to make Nigeria look inwards rather than continue depending solely on petroleum.
According to him, several untapped sectors would now be compelled to contribute more meaningfully to national earnings.
“The new tax policy is crafted in a way to allow the country to have more revenue and ensure the country looks inward rather than depending on petroleum alone,” he said.
Barau explained that the additional revenue expected from the reform would help finance critical national projects in education, healthcare, road construction and industrial development.
He stressed that investments in these sectors would stimulate economic activity and boost job creation for young Nigerians.
“We have a lot of potential and things that will come into the tax that will improve the revenue for our country. Once the tax laws begin to get implemented, there will be more money to fund education, healthcare, build more roads and build more companies that will allow jobs to be created,” he said.
The lawmaker added, “This will create more activities for the economy, and by the time you leave school, you will have jobs. The reform will translate into significant economic growth and enhance national prosperity once fully implemented.”
‘No Christian Genocide in Nigeria’
Commenting on claims of persecution of Christians, Barau dismissed the allegation, stressing that the security crisis in Nigeria is rooted in criminality, not targeted attacks against any religious group.
According to him, more Muslims have been killed by Boko Haram and other violent groups.
He insisted that the Nigerian government did not act based on statements credited to former U.S. President Donald Trump, noting that security agencies and all arms of government had been working together long before such comments were made.
The Deputy Senate President emphasised that insecurity is a global phenomenon, citing developments in Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Benin Republic and even the United States.
Barau reiterated the commitment of the National Assembly to deepening democracy through effective oversight, checks and balances and purposeful representation.
He said the legislature must remain strong, independent and accountable to retain public trust and promote good governance.
Speaking at the event, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Egbewole (SAN), urged students to apply the knowledge gained from the lecture to contribute to national development.
He reaffirmed the university’s readiness to support initiatives that advance nation-building.
The Acting Head of the Political Science Department, Dr Abdulkareem Edun, thanked the Deputy Senate President for supporting the establishment of a student legislative chamber, installation of solar power and the endowment of a scholarship in his honour.
A representative of the Kano and Hausa community at the university, Mallam Sani Ali, described Barau as “a generous leader whose patience and character have distinguished him.”
The President of the National Association of Political Science Students, Hellen Agbudeloye, also appreciated Barau for honouring the lecture and responding to students’ concerns despite his tight schedule.
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