By Disun Amosu
Chairman, House Committee on Youths in Parliament, Rep. Ayodeji Alao-Akala has said that the review of the nation’s tax laws has become necessary to address contemporary challenges in fiscal policies and give succour to the youths that most bears the brunt of tax increment
Recall that last week, the Senate and House of Representatives concluded a week-long public hearing on the bills transmitted to the parliament in October 2024 and pledged their readiness to review the proposed legislation in the country’s interest.
Speaking at the National Youth Dialogue on Tax Reform Bills which was held at the National Assembly, Abuja, Alao-Akala noted that young people, particularly those engaged in micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), are among the most affected by taxation policies.
“If we get it right with the youth, we get it right with the country,” he urge young Nigerians to contribute meaningful ideas to the bill
He noted that most low-income earners in Nigeria are youths, struggling to start businesses, rent homes, or make financial progress.
According to him the proposed tax reforms aim to ease this burden by ensuring fairer policies that support entrepreneurship and economic independence.
The Lawmaker insisted that delaying reform any further would be detrimental, emphasizing that “tomorrow never comes; the time to act is now.”
While declaring, the Public hearing open Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas assured the various youth groups that their input will be factored in the review of the proposals ahead of their passage by the parliament.
Represented by Leke Abejide (ADC, Kogi), the Speaker lauded the bills as catalysts of economic growth and national progress.
“These bills will prepare the country to be economically viable, technologically independent of other nations,” he said.
Similarly, a cross section of youth groups at the Public hearing, backed the tax reform bills currently under consideration by both chambers of the National Assembly.
One of the Groups, Alumni Association of the Legislative Mentorship Initiative commended the Federal Government proposals, saying that if implemented, the reforms are capable of changing the nation’s economic narrative.
“This proposed legislation is not merely a collection of fiscal policies; it is a blueprint that will shape the economic trajectory of our nation and more importantly, directly impact the lives of our youth, who largely represent the present and future of Nigeria,” representative of the association, Abubakar Tijani said.
He called for a balanced exchange of views, adding that as good as the bills were, there were areas of uncertainty that needed some clarity for the benefit of Nigerians.
