Taiwo Oyedele, Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, has revealed the intense backlash he and his family have faced over the controversial tax reform bills. Speaking during the presentation of a report by the League of Northern Democrats (LND) technical committee in Abuja on Thursday, Oyedele disclosed that Nigerians have cursed him, but he remains steadfast in his mission to reform the nation’s tax system.
The tax reform bills have sparked widespread debate across the country, particularly in the northern region, where many governors and leaders argue the reforms are designed to favor Lagos State and other narrow interests while disadvantaging the North. These concerns also led to heated confrontations in the National Assembly.
Despite the backlash, Oyedele emphasized that his work was grounded in public service and aimed at revolutionizing Nigeria’s tax system. He stated that the committee’s recommendations were the result of robust discussions and were not influenced by any external body or individual.
“Even on social media, you need to see the number of people cursing me and my family,” he shared. “I don’t take it personally. I just review the comments for anything useful we can work on. Public service isn’t about being praised—it’s about being accountable to the people.”
Oyedele noted that the tax reforms were crafted through a collaborative effort involving representatives from all geopolitical zones, over 20 government institutions, and diverse groups, including people with disabilities.
“I’ve said this before, and I’ll say it again: no one dictated anything to us—not the World Bank, IMF, United Nations, the President, governors, or ministers. Every provision in those bills emerged from rigorous debates by our committee, which represents the nation.”
He acknowledged that no law is perfect, even after enactment, and stressed the importance of continuous engagement to refine the system.
“Engagements don’t end with the passage of bills. Feedback helps us assess implementation and identify areas for improvement. I assure you that every point raised today will be carefully considered. If there’s superior reasoning, we’ll adopt it because we have no agenda other than the agenda for Nigeria,” Oyedele concluded.
