The Northern Elders’ Forum (NEF) has called on the Federal Government to halt the implementation of its proposed Tax Reform Bills, citing a lack of stakeholder engagement and potential adverse effects on Northern Nigeria and the entire nation.

In a statement signed by its Chairman of the Management Board, Al-Amin Daggash, the NEF emphasized the need for extensive dialogue with experts and critical stakeholders before proceeding with such significant reforms.

Daggash outlined the forum’s concerns:

• Lack of Consultation: The government failed to secure stakeholder buy-in through early engagements with experts and regional representatives.

• Poor Communication Strategy: There has been insufficient public awareness and mass enlightenment on the purpose and impact of the reforms.

• Inadequate Planning: The proposed reforms lack a transparent and inclusive implementation mechanism aligned with global best practices.

The NEF stated that while it is not opposed to meaningful reforms, such policies must adhere to global standards of public policy-making. “Reforms must be meticulously planned to achieve society’s desired outcomes,” Daggash said.

The forum urged the Federal Government to review the tax reforms process and ensure that it incorporates broader input to address national and regional concerns effectively.