- Taiwo Oyedele revealed he and his family have faced curses from Nigerians due to the controversial tax reform bills he proposed
- Despite the backlash, Oyedele remains committed to improving Nigeria’s tax system, emphasizing accountability and inclusivity in the reform process
The Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, Taiwo Oyedele, has revealed that he and his family have faced curses from some Nigerians due to the controversial tax reform bills.
Oyedele made this disclosure on Thursday during the presentation of a report by the League of Northern Democrats (LND) Technical Committee, which reviewed the tax reform bills.
He stated that despite the vitriol, he remains undeterred, viewing his role as a public service to foster economic change in Nigeria.
The tax reform bills have sparked widespread debates, particularly in the North, where some governors and leaders argue that the reforms are designed to benefit Lagos State and a select few while disadvantaging the region.
Oyedele, however, defended his committee’s work, asserting that its recommendations were arrived at through extensive discussions and engagements, uninfluenced by any external parties or interests.
“Even on social media, you need to see the number of people cursing me and my family,” Oyedele said. “I don’t take it personally. I just look for any useful comment we can work on. It’s public service; you’re not meant to be appreciated or praised every time. It doesn’t happen anywhere in the world.”
He emphasized the committee’s accountability to the public, adding that its focus was on improving the quality of Nigeria’s tax system.
Oyedele highlighted the inclusivity of the committee’s process:
“There’s not a single person in the world—from the World Bank, IMF, UN, the president, governors, ministers, past or present—who dictated anything to us.
Everything in those bills came from debates within the committee, which represents all geo-political zones and includes over 20 government institutions, as well as engagement with diverse groups, including persons with disabilities.”
He stressed that engagement and feedback would remain critical to improving the laws even after the passage of the bills.
“I assure you that every point sent to us will be carefully considered, and we will respond with explanations. Superior reasoning and arguments will always guide our decisions because we have no agenda other than the agenda for Nigeria,” Oyedele concluded.
The chairman reaffirmed his dedication to transparency and accountability, underscoring that the reform process aims to create a better and more equitable tax system for the nation.
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