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A landmark forum in Kano has brought together business leaders, financial experts, and government representatives to decode and deliberate on Nigeria’s ambitious new tax reforms, signaling a critical push for public buy-in and practical implementation.
By Aminu Garko
Kano, Dec. 20, 2025 (NAN) – In a significant move to bridge the gap between policy and practice, a coalition comprising the Islamic Forum of Nigeria, the Almubarak WAQF Foundation, and the Financial Literacy Ambassadors of Nigeria convened a high-level sensitisation programme. The event, held at the Islamic Forum in Farm Centre, Kano, served as a vital platform to dissect the Federal Government’s recent fiscal policy overhaul for a diverse audience of business owners, bankers, academics, and revenue officials.
Alhaji Dalhatu Gwarzo, Executive Secretary of the Islamic Forum of Nigeria, framed the initiative as essential for national development. “Revenue generation is the lifeblood of a functioning state,” Gwarzo stated. “Our goal is to move beyond mere compliance to fostering a culture of informed contribution. When business owners understand the ‘why’ and ‘how’ of these reforms, they become partners in economic stability, not just taxpayers.” This underscores a strategic shift towards treating tax education as a cornerstone of civic engagement and economic planning.
The reforms, as detailed by guest speaker Saleh Kwaru, represent a fundamental restructuring aimed at three core principles: fairness, efficiency, and sustainability. A pivotal clarification was offered on the operational mechanism: while taxes for civil servants will continue via direct salary deductions (Pay-As-You-Earn), the focus for businesses will shift squarely to taxation on declared profits. This distinction is crucial for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to understand their new financial planning requirements.
Perhaps the most impactful revelation was the scale of the streamlining effort. Gwarzo disclosed that approximately 70 different types of taxes and levies are being reviewed and consolidated. This effort directly targets the long-standing plague of multiple taxation, which has stifled business growth by creating a complex, costly, and often unpredictable fiscal environment for entrepreneurs. [[PEAI_MEDIA_X]] The reform package is explicitly designed to be progressive. Its architecture aims to shield the economically vulnerable, reduce the burden on the burgeoning middle class, and place a greater responsibility on high-net-worth individuals and large corporations. This approach aligns with global best practices for equitable fiscal policy and inclusive growth.
Financial experts at the event elaborated on the anticipated systemic benefits. These include enhanced revenue generation for public services and infrastructure, a significant reduction in tax evasion and avoidance through a simpler, more transparent system, and the fostering of a more predictable business climate to attract investment. The interactive session was particularly vital, allowing participants to voice concerns on practical hurdles—such as record-keeping for profit assessment, digital filing processes, and the timeline for phasing out old levies—which were addressed by the panel.
The broad-based attendance, from the Kano business community to academia and financial institutions, highlights the widespread recognition of these reforms as a watershed moment. The Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Malam Ali M. Ali, was represented by the Kano State Editor, Alhaji Aminu Garko, underscoring the national importance of the dialogue. As Nigeria seeks to [[PEAI_MEDIA_X]] unlock its revenue potential, forums like the one in Kano demonstrate that successful implementation will depend not just on sound policy, but on sustained, grassroots education and stakeholder collaboration to build trust and ensure the reforms achieve their intended, transformative impact. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
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Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani
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