Bishop Mathew Kukah, the founder of The Kukah Centre, has voiced optimism that the contentious tax reform bills proposed by President Bola Tinubu’s administration could help address Nigeria’s long-standing issues of financial mismanagement, particularly among the elite class.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Morning Brief on Tuesday, Bishop Kukah emphasized that the Federal Government must ensure the reforms are tailored to foster national development and promote fiscal responsibility.
The tax reform bills, which are currently under review by the National Assembly, have sparked widespread debate across the country. While some critics argue that the proposed measures could unfairly target certain regions and exacerbate the financial struggles of many Nigerians, Kukah sees them as a potential turning point for the nation’s economic governance.
Reflecting on Nigeria’s challenges and potential, Bishop Kukah remarked, “Nigeria is a very energetic country with people that are so eminently gifted and are roaring to soar at any time. However, our problem is the inability of states to create enough gatherings to contain the energy, vision, and competing narratives of their citizens. This lack of competitive gatherings often spills over into violence.”
He acknowledged that the nation’s struggles often stem from systemic inefficiencies and the mismanagement of resources by a privileged few. Kukah expressed excitement about the tax reforms, despite initially knowing little about them, and revealed that he had begun educating himself on their implications. “Any form of reform at all must get this thoroughly dysfunctional country working again,” he said.
The bishop went on to highlight the irony of Nigeria’s resource-rich status juxtaposed with widespread poverty, stating, “The reforms should end the narrative of Nigerians living in a country that is so richly endowed but are spectators to the rascality and irresponsibility of the elites who continue to mismanage our resources.”
Kukah also described the reforms as a step toward addressing the chronic financial recklessness that has hindered Nigeria’s development for decades. Using a vivid metaphor, he lamented, “The irony of Nigerians living by the seaside and washing their faces with saliva reflects the paradox of our nation’s wealth and its mismanagement.”
Despite acknowledging the criticisms surrounding the tax bills, Kukah expressed hope that they would mark the beginning of a transformative journey toward improved fiscal responsibility and economic efficiency. He urged policymakers to focus on creating a fair and transparent system that benefits all Nigerians, particularly those at the grassroots level.
“This is the beginning of a very long journey of fiscal management and efficiency that can lead to the growth and development of the kind of country that we envision,” Kukah concluded. He called on Nigerians to engage in meaningful dialogue around the reforms, ensuring they become a catalyst for positive change rather than a source of further division.
Bishop Kukah’s comments underscore the broader national discourse on the need for systemic reforms to address Nigeria’s economic challenges. As the debate over the tax bills continues, his perspective adds a hopeful yet critical lens to the ongoing conversations about fiscal responsibility and national development.
