The Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi, has urged the Federal Government to ensure full transparency and public accountability in reforms of Nigeria’s tax system, following reports of a tax cooperation Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Nigeria and France.

In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), Obi said that while international collaboration is not inherently wrong, agreements relating to tax administration, revenue systems, and data management require a high degree of openness because of their direct impact on public trust.

He expressed concern that an agreement of such importance appeared to have been concluded without the full details being made public or a clear explanation of its objectives, scope, and expected outcomes. According to him, transparency is critical in matters that directly affect public revenue and institutional credibility.

Obi noted that he was not opposed to engaging foreign expertise but stressed that such engagements must be clearly justified. He said Nigerians deserve to know the specific gaps such partnerships are meant to fill, why those gaps cannot be addressed locally, and the concrete benefits the country stands to gain.

He further argued that Nigeria is not short of tax expertise, pointing out that the country has a strong pool of qualified tax professionals, advisory firms, and globally recognised consultancies already operating locally. In his view, prioritising external partnerships over strengthening local capacity raises legitimate questions and undermines sustainable institutional development.

The former Anambra State governor said the concerns were heightened by Nigeria’s current economic challenges, noting that over 60 per cent of Nigerians live in multidimensional poverty, youth unemployment remains widespread, small and medium-scale enterprises are burdened by multiple taxes, and government borrowing continues to rise without corresponding productivity gains.

He advised that government policy should focus on simplifying the tax system, plugging revenue leakages, fairly broadening the tax base, and ensuring the prudent use of public resources.

Obi warned that any agreement or policy initiative lacking transparency, public confidence, and clearly defined benefits could further erode trust in government. He therefore called on the Federal Government to publish the full MoU, clearly explain its rationale, and outline the mutual benefits, particularly the tangible advantages for Nigeria.

He concluded by saying that leadership demands openness, accountability, and an unwavering commitment to the interests of the Nigerian people, stressing that decisions of this nature must always be guided by what best serves the nation.

By Akinwale Kasali

Peter Obi, Labour Party,  LP, Presidential Candidate at the 2023 Election has come hard on the Government on the recent ActionAid/Plan International report, which puts Nigeria’s Youth Unemployment rate at 80 per cent.

The two-term former Anambra State Governor said that the statistics is an indictment on Nigeria’s leadership and its economic direction.

Obi noted that these figures represent over 80 million unemployed youths.

He stated that these figures was a staggering reality given the country’s undeniably large population.

Taking to his verified X Handle (Formerly Twitter) Obi accused the President Bola Tinubu-led All Progressives Congress, APC, administration of failing in its responsibility of investing in our youths.

Obi said: “The recent ActionAid/Plan International report, which highlights the devastating fact that over 80 million young Nigerians are unemployed, is an indictment on our leadership and economic direction.

“Nigeria tops the world in the absolute number of unemployed youths due to our large population, with over 80/ million youths without jobs.

“South Africa with a youth unemployment rate of around 60 percent, translates to about six/ million unemployed youths, still more than 70/ million fewer than Nigeria.

“When millions of youths are unemployed, it is not a youth problem, it is a leadership failure. This is the direct result of political greed that has failed to serve the people.

“Nigeria has one of the largest youth populations in the world, with about 75 percent of our citizens under the age of 35. With such a large share of the population young, joblessness at this scale should be a national emergency.

“It is deeply troubling that, rather than invest in these youths as our most productive assets, promoting and supporting MSMEs to drive growth and create employment, we the leaders chose wasteful spending, corruption, unproductive borrowing, and policies that will shrink opportunities and expand poverty, reducing Nigerian youths to easy tools for all forms of vices.

“Nigeria does not lack entrepreneurial and resourceful youths, what we lack are leaders who are intentional about creating opportunities.”

“We need leaders who understand that jobs come from deliberate investments in production and from running a government that is prudent, transparent, and people-centred, that can lift people out of poverty.

“We need leadership that will see the youth as the engine of productivity and growth of a nation. This is the time, more than ever, for the Nigerian youths to get involved and ensure they elect leaders who have their best interest and the best interest of our nation.

“Nigeria deserves competent, credible, compassionate, and capable leadership, one that will create opportunities and empower our young Nigerians. A New Nigeria is possible,” he added.