Catholic Bishops Urge Fairness and Compassion in Nigeria's Tax Reforms

Catholic bishops from the Ibadan ecclesiastical province have called on the Federal Government to ensure that ongoing tax reforms are implemented with fairness, transparency, and compassion. The appeal was made in a communiqué issued at the conclusion of their first provincial meeting for the year, held in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The bishops, led by Chairman Gabriel Abegunrin and Secretary John Oyejola, expressed concern that the reforms have sparked widespread anxiety, particularly among Nigeria's poor and vulnerable citizens. They emphasized that the policy "must be guided by fairness, transparency and accountability," and urged the government to "give the reforms a human face."

In their statement, the clerics warned that economically insensitive policies risk deepening social inequality and tension. They argued that taxation should not become an excessive burden on citizens already grappling with inflation, unemployment, and high living costs. While asking Nigerians for patience, the bishops also stressed that tax authorities must demonstrate clear accountability in how revenues are managed.

Beyond taxation, the communiqué addressed other pressing national issues. The bishops lamented the prolonged strike by health workers, describing the resulting limited access to essential healthcare as "tragic and unacceptable." They also criticized the poor condition of major road networks, especially in the southwestern region, and pointed to underperformance in some federal and state ministries.