Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, has raised concerns that the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) could be abolished if the four controversial Tax Reform Bills currently under review by the National Assembly are enacted into law.
Zulum made this statement during an appearance on Channels TV’s Sunday Politics program, aired on Sunday night.
He clarified that neither he nor any Northern governor was opposed to President Bola Tinubu’s administration, but stressed the need for more dialogue and consultation before passing the bills into law to avoid disadvantaging the states.
The four contentious bills are: the Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill, 2024 -SB.583; the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, 2024-SB.584; the Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, 2024-SB.585; and the Nigeria Tax Bill, 2024-SB.586.
Zulum expressed concerns about the implications of these bills, particularly regarding the proposed role of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).
If passed, the bills would grant the FIRS exclusive power to handle tax collection across the country, a move Zulum questioned, given whether the agency is equipped with the necessary infrastructure to take on this responsibility.
Additionally, Zulum warned that if the bills are passed, only Lagos and Rivers states would benefit, leaving 34 other states at a disadvantage.
He urged the federal government to provide convincing data to support the proposed reforms, asserting, “Let them give us facts and figures, let them convince us.”
President Tinubu had submitted the four executive bills to the National Assembly in October, and on November 28, the Senate passed the bills’ second reading.
The House of Representatives is expected to debate the legislation on Tuesday.
