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The Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Epe Branch, Dr. S. O. Jimoh, has thrown his weight behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s ongoing tax reforms, insisting that despite public complaints of multiple taxation, the government’s efforts to harmonise the system are steps in the right direction.
Dr. Jimoh, who spoke during an interview with journalists, said the tax reforms, though not perfect, represent a bold attempt to simplify Nigeria’s complex and cumbersome tax structure.
According to him, “The present government is trying to harmonise all tax regimes. I am not saying what the government is doing is perfect, but it is a step in the right direction. The Nigerian tax system is overly complex, and the new set of laws being enacted is targeted at streamlining it and making it straightforward for both individuals and businesses to understand.”
Dr. Jimoh urged Nigerians to exercise patience, stressing that the reform process is designed to correct such inconsistencies over time.
“There is no system where there won’t be an element of multiple taxation,” he noted. “However, when the law eventually comes into the mainstream, all those lapses will be identified and corrected. The reform is about creating order out of the current disorder. It will take time, but the important thing is that we are on the right track.”
Dr. Jimoh explained that the Tinubu administration’s decision to harmonise these taxes was overdue. He pointed out that the reforms are not only about raising revenue but also about making the system more efficient, transparent, and business-friendly.
“Our tax laws are too cumbersome. You have a situation where businesses are confronted with all sorts of levies from federal, state, and local government agencies. That kind of system discourages compliance. What the government is doing now is to consolidate and harmonise these taxes into a framework that is understandable and less burdensome,” he said.
The NBA Epe Chairman further noted that the tax reforms tie into the federal government’s broader economic recovery plan, which hinges on boosting revenue while creating a conducive environment for businesses.
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“Taxation is a critical part of governance. Without revenue, no government can run effectively. The idea of harmonising taxes is to broaden the base without necessarily increasing the rates. Once the framework is fully in place, both government and taxpayers will benefit. The system will be simpler, compliance will improve, and revenue will grow,” Jimoh emphasised.
He urged professional groups, civil society, and the private sector to support the reforms rather than dismiss them prematurely. According to him, constructive engagement with government agencies would ensure that loopholes are plugged and unnecessary levies eliminated.
While acknowledging the difficulties that taxpayers currently face, Dr. Jimoh argued that reforms of this magnitude are never easy and often attract criticism in their early stages. He described the new legal framework as a work in progress that will undergo further review and fine-tuning.
“No reform is perfect from the onset. What matters is the intention and the direction. The intention here is to fix a system that everyone agrees is broken. As the reforms roll out and are tested in practice, adjustments will naturally follow. That is how systems evolve,” he said.
Dr. Jimoh also highlighted the delicate balance between generating revenue for the state and ensuring fairness to taxpayers. He advised government agencies to avoid arbitrary practices and called for transparency in the way taxes are assessed and collected.
He added that the legal community, including the NBA, has a responsibility to monitor implementation and hold tax authorities accountable to the law.
“As lawyers, part of our duty is to ensure that laws are not only enacted but also implemented fairly. We must continue to engage government on behalf of the people to ensure that taxation does not become a tool of oppression but remains a means of development,” he stated.
The NBA Epe Branch Chairman maintained that while elements of multiple taxation may never be completely eradicated, the reforms are expected to significantly reduce them.
“There will always be one form of overlap or the other in any system, but the important thing is that the government is taking steps to streamline and harmonise. Once the new laws take root, the lapses will become obvious and will be corrected. That is how reform works,” Dr. Jimoh concluded.
