Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, and a Northern advocacy group, the Arewa Think Tank, have thrown their weight behind the Tax Reform Laws introduced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urging residents, particularly youths, to embrace the reforms as a pathway to sustainable development.
The governor spoke through the Executive Chairman of the Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service (KADIRS), Comrade Jerry Adams, who represented him at a sensitization summit organized by the Arewa Think Tank on Tuesday in Kaduna.
Speaking on the theme, “The Benefits of the Renewed Hope Tax Reform Laws,” Governor Sani explained that the reforms are designed to streamline Nigeria’s multiple revenue sources into nine clearly defined and harmonized revenue lines.
According to him, the initiative will simplify tax compliance, reduce confusion, and significantly improve the ease of doing business, especially for youth-led enterprises and small businesses.
Addressing youths from across Northern Nigeria, the governor underscored their critical role in the success of the reforms, describing them as entrepreneurs, innovators, professionals, and community leaders whose understanding, compliance, and demand for accountability would determine the long-term impact of the tax policy.
“The summit is not merely about sensitisation; it is about empowerment and partnership. Tax reform must translate into tangible outcomes such as better roads, quality education, accessible healthcare, improved security, and expanded economic opportunities,” the governor said.
He noted that when citizens clearly see the link between taxes paid and development outcomes, public trust grows and voluntary compliance increases.
Governor Sani urged participants to use the platform to engage constructively, exchange ideas across states, and serve as ambassadors of responsible tax citizenship across the Northern region.
He also encouraged collective ownership of the development process, stressing that the workshop should deepen understanding and inspire collaboration among all stakeholders.
The governor reaffirmed the Kaduna State Government’s commitment to progressive tax reforms, youth inclusion, and inter-state collaboration aimed at strengthening governance and economic resilience in Northern Nigeria.
He expressed appreciation to the Arewa Think Tank, its partners, and participants for choosing Kaduna State as host for the sensitization summit.
Earlier, the Convener of the Arewa Think Tank, Muhammad Alhaji Yakubu, said the Tax Reform Laws present a unique opportunity for Northern states to become more innovative, economically self-reliant, and competitive.
According to him, the reforms would particularly enable states to responsibly harness solid minerals and other natural resources to drive development.
Yakubu noted that the reforms would also promote creativity and meaningful engagement with the Federal Government and the National Assembly on constitutional amendments that support resource-based development.
He said the reforms hold “huge fortunes and prospects” that would benefit future generations if fully embraced.
The Arewa Think Tank called on Northern political, traditional, and opinion leaders to patriotically support the reforms, urging state governments to leverage them to diversify their economies, strengthen internally generated revenue, and invest in education, healthcare, agriculture, solid minerals, and infrastructure.
The group reaffirmed its commitment to standing with President Tinubu on the implementation of the Tax Reform Laws and pledged to intensify public sensitization on the importance of taxation for national development.
According to the group, tax reform should be seen not as a burden but as an investment in a stronger, fairer, and more prosperous Nigeria.
Highlights of the event included a solidarity road show by youths who marched with placards bearing inscriptions such as: “On Tax We Stand with Nigeria’s Progress,” “We Stand with President Tinubu,” “Tax Is an Investment,” “Pay Tax, Build Nigeria,” “Tax Today, Better Tomorrow,” “Our Tax, Our Future,” and “Tax Is Progress,” among others.
