The National Orientation Agency (NOA) is working on translating President Bola Tinubu’s new tax reform plans into 36 different Nigerian languages. This is to help people understand the changes better and get involved.
During a meeting in Maiduguri, Inuwa Kobi, speaking for NOA’s leader Lanre Issa-Onilu, said it’s important to clear up any wrong ideas about these reforms.
The bills are designed to make tax systems easier to understand, stop people from being taxed multiple times, and help those with lower incomes. They include special rules like not taxing people who earn less than N100,000 a year and charging smaller amounts to small business owners.
The NOA is using TV and radio, flyers, and working with community groups, local leaders, and religious figures to share information with the public. They are also running radio shows in Hausa, Kanuri, and English to reach more people.
The proposed bills under consideration in the National Assembly include:
- The Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill, 2024 (SB.583).
- The Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, 2024 (SB.584).
- The Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, 2024 (SB.585).
- The Nigeria Tax Bill, 2024 (SB.586).
Concerns center around fears that the reforms could reduce the share of federal allocations some states get from the government, which might cause economic instability.