Nigeria’s opposition movement on Wednesday warned that the Federal Government’s proposed tax regime could exacerbate the country’s worsening social and economic crisis. The group accused the administration of imposing harsh fiscal policies on citizens already burdened by poverty, insecurity, and rising living costs.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja, the National Opposition Movement (NOM) described the planned tax measures as punitive and ill-timed, arguing they threaten the survival of ordinary Nigerians rather than constituting genuine reform.
Hon. Chile Igbawua addressed the briefing on behalf of the movement, joined by leaders including former Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Solomon Dalung, as well as representatives from civil society and allied political blocs.
The group stated that Nigeria is on the verge of multidimensional ‘failure,’ highlighting worsening insecurity, hunger, unemployment, homelessness, and a declining quality of life. It criticized the Tinubu administration for prioritizing political interests and elite preservation over the welfare of citizens.
“Nigeria stands at the edge of a multidimensional national failure. At no time in our history has life been so short, so brutish and so miserable for ordinary citizens,” the movement said.
According to NOM, global development indicators now rank Nigeria among countries with the lowest quality of life worldwide, even below some poorer West African neighbors. They warned that continued governance failures could have severe consequences for democracy, security, and human development across the sub-region.
The opposition expressed particular concern that the government plans to introduce what it described as the most exploitative tax regime in Nigeria’s history, at a time when households and businesses are still struggling with the impact of fuel subsidy removal, currency depreciation, food inflation, and rising electricity tariffs.
“What the President is rolling out is not tax reform. It is an assault on the livelihood of ordinary Nigerians,” Igbawua said.
NOM criticized provisions requiring all adults of taxable age, including the unemployed, to file tax returns, and obligations compelling business owners to file returns for employees earning below taxable thresholds. They described the policy as ‘mindless’ in a country facing mass unemployment, poor digital infrastructure, and weak public institutions.
The group warned that small and medium-scale enterprises, already struggling in a difficult economic environment, risk collapse without meaningful government support.
“You cannot tax hunger. You cannot tax poverty. And you cannot tax people into prosperity,” the movement declared.
Beyond taxation, NOM accused the Tinubu administration of unprecedented state capture, secrecy, and corruption, alleging that public institutions are increasingly serving elite and family interests. They cited unresolved corruption cases, opaque agreements involving revenue agencies, and allegations against top regulators as evidence of a breakdown in transparency and accountability.
“Nigerians are being asked to pay more without being promised anything in return, no better hospitals, no better schools, no security, no jobs,” the statement said.
The opposition aligned itself with organized labour, praising the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) for resisting policies that have pushed millions deeper into poverty. They also commended opposition leaders who recently spoke out against growing authoritarianism and economic mismanagement.
In its demands, NOM called for the immediate suspension of the tax plan, nationwide consultations involving labour, civil society, professionals, small businesses, and state governments, and the introduction of strong social protection guarantees tied to any future reforms.
The group urged the government to prioritize taxing luxury consumption, excess profits, monopolies, and corruption rather than burdening low-income earners.
“Nigeria does not suffer from low taxation. Nigeria suffers from waste, corruption, mismanagement, and policy arrogance. You do not fix government failure by billing its victims,” the movement said.
NOM warned that implementing the tax plan without broad consultation would make the government fully responsible for any social and economic consequences, emphasizing that its position reflects growing national frustration rather than a threat.
“Nigeria is hurting, and the suffering people have limits. President Tinubu should let Nigerians breathe,” the opposition added.