Peter Obi, the former Anambra State governor and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, has issued a strong demand for the Federal Government to make all Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) concerning tax administration completely transparent.
Concerns Over Secret Tax Deal with French Firm
In a statement made on 17 December 2025, Obi reacted specifically to reports of a tax cooperation MoU between Nigeria and a company based in France. He expressed deep concern that an agreement with direct consequences for public revenue and data management was concluded without the full terms being disclosed to the Nigerian people.
"It is therefore worrisome that an agreement of this significance appears to have been concluded without the full terms being made public, and without a clear effort to explain its objectives, scope, and expected outcomes to Nigerians," Obi stated.
The Call for Openness and Local Capacity Building
While acknowledging that international cooperation is not inherently bad, Obi stressed that agreements involving taxation require a higher standard of openness due to their profound impact on citizens and national institutions. He argued that transparency is fundamental for building trust in Nigeria's ongoing tax reform efforts.
Obi pointedly questioned the rationale behind prioritizing external partnerships. He demanded clear answers on:
- The specific gaps the foreign engagement is meant to address.
- Why these gaps cannot be filled using local expertise.
- The measurable benefits Nigerians will gain from such deals.
He highlighted that Nigeria possesses abundant tax professionals, advisory firms, and internationally recognised consultancies already operating within the country. Sustainable reform, in his view, should focus on strengthening these local institutions rather than creating excessive dependency on external arrangements.
Broader Economic Context and a Final Plea
Obi linked his concerns to Nigeria's difficult economic reality, where more than half of the population lives in multidimensional poverty, youth unemployment is high, and small businesses are burdened by multiple taxes. With government borrowing rising without corresponding improvements in productivity, he argued policy must focus on simplifying the tax system and closing revenue leakages.
He warned that any policy initiative lacking transparency risks deepening public distrust. Obi, therefore, made a final plea for the government to publish the full text of the tax cooperation MoU, clearly explain its rationale, and spell out the mutual benefits for Nigeria in practical terms.
"Leadership demands openness, accountability, and commitment to the interests of the Nigerian people. Decisions of this nature must always be guided by what best serves the nation," he concluded.
