The Northern Youth Assembly (Majalisar Matasan Arewa) has written an open letter to all National Assembly members of Northern extraction, calling on them to stop the proposed tax amendment planned by President Bola Tinubu, allegedly intended to please the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The group warned of the dangers of the tax reform, including the potential backlash from Nigerians.

The letter, jointly signed by Dr. Ali Idris Mohammed and Dr. Garba Abduljafiz, President and Secretary General, respectively, was made available to the press on Thursday in Kano.

The letter reads in part: ?The Northern Youth Assembly (Majalisar Matasan Arewa), on behalf of the 19 Northern States leadership of the Assembly, wishes to express our firm resolve as a united voice to convey our unequivocal rejection of the proposed tax reform bill put forth by the Tinubu administration.?

The letter further stated that, ?As representatives of Northern youth, we believe that this proposal, in its current form, will disproportionately affect the economic livelihoods and aspirations of our people, without considering the current economic reality in the country or any clear or potential benefits that may justify the impacts of the proposed bill on the lives of Nigerian citizens.?

It further emphasised their basis for rejecting the proposed bill, stating, ?Increased Economic Burden: the proposed tax reforms threaten to impose a greater financial strain on low- and middle-income earning citizens, who already grapple with economic challenges.?

Rather than spurring growth and opportunity, the reforms risk creating further hardship for the majority of Nigerians, particularly in the North, where poverty rates remain high and economic development lags behind other regions.

The group also highlighted that ?This bill does not provide viable solutions for one of Nigeria?s most pressing issues: youth unemployment. The Northern region suffers from particularly high rates of youth unemployment, and we find it deeply concerning that this reform prioritizes additional taxation over the creation of opportunities for economic inclusion and job creation.?

The Northern Youth Assembly stated, ?Our youth need support, not added barriers to economic participation.?

The group further addressed the impact on Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), adding that ?SMEs are the backbone of our economy and a crucial means of livelihood for millions of our citizens. The tax burdens proposed in this bill would stifle the growth of small businesses, making it harder for young entrepreneurs to establish and sustain their ventures. We believe that any policy affecting taxation must consider the welfare of SMEs and provide support mechanisms to foster their growth.? (Nigerian Tribune)

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