The pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has called on the Federal Government to suspend the implementation of the 2026 Tax Reform Act, scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026.

The organization hinged its call on content integrity, tax sovereignty, and fiscal governance

In a statement signed by Afenifere Leader, HRH Oba Oladipo Olaitan, and National Publicity Secretary, Prince Justice Faloye, the group also urged the Federal Government to withhold the presentation of the 2026 Budget pending a comprehensive review of Nigeria’s fiscal framework.

Afenifere raised allegations that the gazetted version of the Tax Reform Act differs from the version passed by the National Assembly as recently claimed by Rep. Abdulsammad Dasuki (PDP–Sokoto).

The group demanded an independent audit involving National Assembly committees and external auditors, warning that any proven constitutional breach must attract sanctions.

“The implementation of the Tax Reform Bill should be suspended until proven otherwise by both the National Assembly committee and external auditors. If found to be true those responsible for this grave constitutional breach must be held accountable and duly punished,” the group said.

The organisation further condemned reports that the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) outsourced the development and administration of Nigeria’s tax system to foreign entities, describing the move as a threat to national security and data sovereignty.

Afenifere warned that surrendering control of sensitive fiscal and personal data could expose Nigeria to economic exploitation.

The statement said, “These are extremely important data protection and national security issues, because a foreign nation administering our tax system gives the nation and its business class undue advantage to analyze and exploit our economic system.

“Both governmental and consumer data are gold mines to those in control or with unfettered access.”

Describing the outsourcing of tax administration as “economic recolonisation,” Afenifere drew parallels with Nigeria’s pre-independence struggle for fiscal autonomy, stressing that economic sovereignty was central to the nation’s independence movement.

The group also criticised the neglect of local content, saying, “Afenifere is confident that Nigeria has able Tax accountants, tax lawyers and information system developers that can build and efficiently manage our tax system, and if need be we can study and replicate any tax system including that of the French in Nigeria.

“Afenifere frowns at the practice in some Francophone African nations where permissions have to be sought in Paris for certain amounts of capital transfers. With the current high unemployment rate, our government should focus on local content and only when necessary like in rocket science, should we give jobs to foreigners. Taxation is not rocket science but social science.”

On fiscal management, Afenifere called for a National Economic Audit Emergency, citing revelations by the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, of a $20 billion revenue shortfall in 2025, despite earlier claims that revenue targets had been met. The group noted that only about N10.7 trillion was realised from a projected N40.8 trillion revenue for 2025, describing the variance as evidence of systemic failure in budget planning.

Afenifere also criticised the rising public debt, arguing that deficit financing has not translated into improved living conditions but has instead coincided with subsidy removals, rising energy and communication costs, and policies that deepen poverty.

The group reiterated its call for economic sovereignty, social welfare investment in housing, education and healthcare, and a halt to what it described as prebendalist governance practices.

The statement added, “Summarily, just as Afenifere has called for concerted efforts to improve national security, it is also calling for our continued economic sovereignty and prosperity.

“Afenifere calls for the review of the 2026 Tax Reform and continues the call for social welfarism in housing, education, health and economic liberating economic infrastructure, instead of prebendalist contracts to feed the boys.” (Daily Trust)