A significant rift has emerged among northern Nigerian leaders over the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's economic reform agenda.
Clash of Northern Voices
The Concerned Northern Elders Forum has publicly condemned a recent statement by the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) attacking the activities of the FIRS. In a press statement issued on Tuesday, December 16, and signed by Dr Nasir Manguno, the group accused the NEF of misrepresenting the true aspirations of Nigeria's northern region.
The concerned elders described the NEF's position as "a calculated distortion" and warned that silence in the face of such statements would amount to complicity. They insisted that the NEF's criticism of the FIRS, its Executive Chairman, and President Tinubu's reforms does not reflect the collective conscience of northern elders or align with the region's progressive expectations.
Defending Reform and Accusing Sabotage
The group framed the NEF's renewed criticism as "the politics of sabotage" that coincides with political recalibration by opposition interests. They alleged these interests are seeking to weaponise the North against necessary economic reforms.
"The North is not against reform. The North is against failure, and it will not be dragged backward by voices sponsored to fear progress," the statement declared. The forum outlined what it considers the true priorities for the North:
- Job creation
- Infrastructure development
- Education
- Accountability
The elders argued that achieving these goals requires strong institutions, fair taxation, and fearless leadership. They expressed full backing for the FIRS leadership and President Tinubu's economic reform agenda, praising the President for choosing courage over convenience in pursuing reforms after inheriting a weakened economy.
FIRS Clarifies and Reforms Detailed
Amid the controversy, the FIRS has moved to clarify its recent Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with France's tax authority. The service stressed that the agreement is focused solely on capacity building and knowledge sharing. It firmly stated that the MoU does not grant the French authority access to Nigerian taxpayer data or digital systems, reaffirming its commitment to data protection and transparency.
Furthermore, details of the incoming tax reforms were highlighted. Under the new regime set to begin in January 2026, approximately 95% of Nigerian citizens will be exempt from paying taxes. The burden will shift primarily to the highest earners in a bid to ensure wealthier Nigerians contribute more fairly to national development while reducing pressure on low-income groups.
As part of this broader modernization effort, the FIRS will also undergo a name change to create a more business-friendly tax system. The concerned elders concluded their statement with a firm historical perspective, insisting that history favours reformers and not obstructionists.
