The National Civil Society Council of Nigeria (NCSCN) has taken a strong stance against the Federal Government’s proposed tax reforms, which have drawn widespread criticism from its affiliate member organizations. The NCSCN, a coordinating platform for over 600 civil society associations, NGOs, humanitarian foundations, and community development organizations, has vowed to confront these controversial reforms head-on.
According to Mazi Oscar David Kalu, the Director of Programmes and Organization, the Council has received numerous petitions and complaints from its affiliates urging civil protests to occupy Federal Government establishments to express their dissatisfaction with the “unfriendly” tax reforms.
The Council has scheduled a world press conference for Thursday to address these concerns and outline its position. This development follows criticism from the Arewa Civil Society, which condemned Northern Governors for opposing the tax reform bill, arguing that the reforms would disproportionately disadvantage the Northern region.
The proposals include an increase in Value-Added Tax (VAT) from 7.5% to 15% by 2030 and a revision of the VAT distribution model, which is perceived to favor the South at the expense of the North.
The NCSCN’s world press conference is expected to provide clarity on its stance and reveal its action plan in response to the contentious tax reform proposals.
