Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has said that meaningful reform of Nigeria’s tax system must be anchored on trust, openness and accountability

Story: Written by Joseph December 17,2025

Obi made the remark on Wednesday via his verified X handle while reacting to reports of a tax cooperation Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Nigeria and France.

He noted that although international partnerships are not wrong in themselves, agreements involving taxation, revenue administration and data systems require a high degree of transparency because of their direct impact on public confidence.

According to him, it is troubling that such a critical agreement appears to have been finalised without making its full details public or clearly explaining its purpose, scope and expected benefits to Nigerians. He stressed that transparency is non-negotiable in matters affecting public revenue and institutional credibility.

Obi said he is not opposed to the use of foreign expertise but insisted that such engagements must be properly justified, with clear explanations of the gaps they intend to fill, why those gaps cannot be addressed locally, and the tangible benefits Nigerians will gain.

He pointed out that Nigeria has no shortage of tax professionals, advisory firms and internationally recognised consultancies capable of supporting tax reforms, questioning why external partnerships are prioritised over strengthening local capacity.

The former Anambra State governor added that the concerns come at a time of deep economic hardship, with over 60 percent of Nigerians living in multidimensional poverty, rising youth unemployment, heavy tax burdens on small businesses and increasing government borrowing.

In his view, policy focus should be on simplifying the tax system, blocking revenue leakages, fairly expanding the tax base and ensuring prudent use of public funds.

Obi warned that any policy or agreement lacking transparency and measurable benefits risks further weakening public trust. He therefore urged the Federal Government to publish the full MoU, clearly explain its rationale and spell out the specific benefits Nigeria stands to gain.

“Leadership requires openness, accountability and a clear commitment to the welfare of the people,” he stated, adding that national interest must always guide such decisions.