President Bola Tinubu has urged the media to support his administration’s proposed tax reforms, describing them as a critical step toward building enduring national wealth and prosperity for all Nigerians.
Represented by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, the President spoke Sunday evening at the 2024 Nigerian Media Merit Awards, held at the Muson Centre in Lagos.
President Tinubu stated that while opinions may differ on the details of the proposed tax reforms, there is a national consensus on the need for a complete overhaul of the current tax administration system.
He is optimistic that through the ongoing dialogue on the tax reforms, there would be many areas of convergence of opinions.
“I will say with every sense of conviction that our policies are deliberate and well-thought-out. We are headed toward the restoration of Nigeria, on a path requiring a comprehensive approach that addresses economic diversification, human capital development, infrastructure development, wealth creation, and inclusive growth.
“Among our various landmark reforms is the one focused on tax, by far one of the most profound steps necessary for setting Nigeria onto the path of enduring national wealth and prosperity for all our people. There is a consensus that the tax administration system in Nigeria requires reform. We may not all agree on every detail of the required reform, but there will be many areas of convergence,” he said,
President Tinubu highlighted that the tax bills before the National Assembly aim to streamline the number of taxes, ease the burden on vulnerable Nigerians, increase the share of taxes going to the states and foster business growth through targeted incentives.
digital age with its unstoppable viral mechanisms that sadly appear to favour falsehoods more than truth,” he stated.
President Tinubu, who expressed gratitude for the courage and determination of the Nigerian media in birthing and defending the nation’s much-cherished democracy, said, Nigerian journalists, home and abroad, are known for distinguishing themselves in every stratum of the profession, winning prizes and global accolades.
As part of his administration’s determination to combat misinformation, disinformation, and hate speech in Nigeria, the President said he had recently approved funding for the take-off of the UNESCO Media and Information Literacy Institute (MIL), the first of its kind in the world, to operate within the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) in Abuja.
He said the MIL aims to equip Nigerians with the skills to differentiate between credible sources and misinformation, fostering critical thinking in an era where fake news, propaganda, and biased reporting can heavily influence public opinion and decision-making.
