Prof. Usman Yusuf: Tinubu’s Lagos Tax Model Risks Overburdening Citizens

Professor Usman Yusuf, a prominent member of the Northern Elders Forum and former NHIS Executive Secretary, has criticized the proposed Tax Reform Bill under review by the National Assembly....CONTINUE READING>>>

In an interview, Yusuf highlighted critical flaws in the bill, including poor communication, lack of transparency, and over-reliance on taxation. He argued that the Tinubu administration’s attempt to replicate the Lagos tax model on a national scale is ill-timed and unsuitable for a population grappling with economic hardship.

He emphasized that Nigerians are already facing severe challenges due to the removal of fuel subsidies, the Naira’s devaluation, and skyrocketing living costs. Introducing additional taxes, he warned, would worsen the financial strain on citizens.

Yusuf advocated for expanding the tax net to include those outside the system rather than imposing more taxes on those already overburdened. He urged the government to prioritize economic stabilization and poverty alleviation before pursuing aggressive tax reforms.

He also criticized the lack of public engagement in the policy-making process, accusing the government of relying on consultants and rushing policies through the National Assembly. Yusuf expressed concern that many lawmakers had not even read the bill, undermining legislative oversight.

Trust in government remains a major issue, according to Yusuf, who noted that past policies, such as the abrupt removal of fuel subsidies and the floating of the Naira, have eroded public confidence.

“President Tinubu is bringing the Lagos model of tax to the national stage,” Yusuf stated. “But you cannot overtax citizens to a point where they cannot pay.”