Vice President Kashim Shettima has assured Nigerians that the federal government’s ongoing tax reforms are designed to improve livelihoods and reduce the burden on small businesses and low-income earners.
Shettima made the remarks on Wednesday in Abuja while representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at an interfaith breaking of fast held at the State House to mark the religious seasons of Ramadan and Lent.
According to the Vice President, the planned tax reforms will eliminate multiple levies and charges that have long weighed heavily on businesses and vulnerable citizens across the country.
He stressed that the policies were carefully designed to support economic growth and alleviate poverty, contrary to criticisms from political opponents.
“The same people who are shouting hoarse that the tax reform is meant to pulverise and pauperise the poor are far from the truth,” Shettima said.
He urged government officials and stakeholders to actively educate Nigerians on the benefits of the reforms and to counter misinformation surrounding the administration’s economic policies.
The Vice President noted that the federal government remains concerned about the economic hardship faced by citizens and is deploying policy instruments aimed at lifting millions out of poverty without increasing their financial burden.
Highlighting progress made under the current administration, Shettima pointed to improvements in Nigeria’s foreign exchange reserves, the unification of exchange rates, and the removal of the long-standing fuel subsidy.
He commended President Tinubu for demonstrating the political courage to implement reforms that previous administrations had avoided.
Shettima also explained that the removal of the fuel subsidy was not initially included in the President’s 2023 inaugural address but became necessary after it became clear that the system was draining national resources needed for development.
“Three years down the road, the economy has bounced back,” he said.
The Vice President further thanked members of the Federal Executive Council, heads of government agencies, and senior aides for their continued support and partnership in implementing the administration’s reform agenda.
He encouraged officials to remain vocal in sharing accurate information about government achievements and to challenge false narratives being spread by opposition groups.
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