Suspend 2026 Tax Reform – Afenifere Tells Tinubu Govt, Calls For National Economic Audit

The pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere has called on the Federal Government to suspend the implementation of the 2026 Tax Reform Act, scheduled to take effect from January 1, 2026, citing concerns over content integrity, tax sovereignty and fiscal governance.

The group also urged the Federal Government to withhold the presentation of the 2026 Budget until a comprehensive review of Nigeria’s fiscal framework is carried out.

It was reported that Afenifere made the call in a statement jointly signed by its Leader, HRH Oba Oladipo Olaitan, and the National Publicity Secretary, Prince Justice Faloye, on Friday, December 19, 2025.

The organisation raised the alarm over alleged discrepancies between the gazetted version of the Tax Reform Act and the version passed by the National Assembly, referencing claims earlier made by Rep. Abdulsammad Dasuki (PDP-Sokoto).

According to Afenifere, the allegation raises serious constitutional concerns that must be independently investigated.

The group demanded an independent audit involving relevant committees of the National Assembly and external auditors, warning that any proven breach of legislative procedure must attract stiff sanctions.

“The implementation of the Tax Reform Bill should be suspended until proven otherwise by both the National Assembly committee and external auditors. If found to be true, those responsible for this grave constitutional breach must be held accountable and duly punished,” the statement read.

Afenifere also condemned reports that the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) outsourced the development and administration of Nigeria’s tax system to foreign entities, describing the move as a major threat to national security and data sovereignty.

The group warned that relinquishing control of sensitive fiscal and personal data could expose the country to economic exploitation.

“These are extremely important data protection and national security issues, because a foreign nation administering our tax system gives the nation and its business class undue advantage to analyse and exploit our economic system,” Afenifere said.

“Both governmental and consumer data are gold mines to those in control or with unfettered access.”

Describing the outsourcing of tax administration as economic recolonisation, the organisation drew parallels with Nigeria’s pre-independence struggle, stressing that fiscal autonomy was central to the nation’s quest for independence.

Afenifere also faulted what it described as the neglect of local content, insisting that Nigeria has the human capacity to manage its tax system.

“Afenifere is confident that Nigeria has able tax accountants, tax lawyers and information system developers that can build and efficiently manage our tax system, and if need be we can study and replicate any tax system, including that of the French in Nigeria,” the statement added.

The group criticised practices in some Francophone African countries where capital transfers require approval from foreign capitals.

“With the current high unemployment rate, our government should focus on local content and only when necessary, like in rocket science, should we give jobs to foreigners. Taxation is not rocket science but social science,” it said.

On fiscal management, Afenifere called for a National Economic Audit Emergency, citing recent disclosures by the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, that Nigeria recorded a $20bn revenue shortfall in 2025, despite earlier claims that revenue targets had been met.

The organisation noted that only about ₦10.7 trillion was realised from a projected ₦40.8 trillion revenue for 2025, describing the wide gap as evidence of systemic failure in budget planning and fiscal governance.

Afenifere further criticised the country’s rising public debt profile, arguing that deficit financing has failed to improve the living conditions of Nigerians.

According to the group, the mounting debts have coincided with the removal of subsidies, rising energy and communication costs, and policies that continue to deepen poverty across the country.

The organisation reiterated its call for economic sovereignty, increased investment in social welfare such as housing, education and healthcare, and a halt to what it described as prebendalist governance practices.

“Summarily, just as Afenifere has called for concerted efforts to improve national security, it is also calling for our continued economic sovereignty and prosperity,” the statement said.

“Afenifere calls for the review of the 2026 Tax Reform and continues the call for social welfarism in housing, education, health and economic liberating infrastructure, instead of prebendalist contracts to feed the boys.”