Renowned clergyman and former Archbishop of the Methodist Church of Nigeria, Most Reverend Ayo Ladigbolu, has warned the Federal Government to approach the implementation of the new tax law with sensitivity, fairness and adequate public information.
Ladigbolu, who gave this warning at the South West Summit on Economic Restructuring and National Renewal held in Akure, called on the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), the Ministry of Information and the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to embark on a massive public engagement to educate citizens on the objectives and implications of the new tax regime.
In his article titled “A Reflection on Economic Restructuring and National Renewal,” the cleric urged Nigerians to remain patient and optimistic about the ongoing economic reforms initiated by the federal government.
He expressed strong confidence that the country would reap substantial benefits if the process was carried out with transparency and consistency.
Ladigbolu outlined the potential benefits of the reforms, including increased revenue generation for infrastructure development, improved electricity supply and a gradual transition to cleaner and more sustainable energy sources.
He noted that the country’s dependence on imported petroleum products could be significantly reduced through policy coherence, which in turn would protect the environment, strengthen local industries and encourage the use of gas-powered vehicles and cooking gas among households.
The retired archbishop also emphasized the need for inclusive dialogue between the government, the private sector and civil society, warning that any reform that lacks a human face and public trust could generate resistance from citizens.
“We must work together as one region, one people and one voice to secure the future of our democracy.”
In his keynote address titled “A new chapter in the annals of democratic governance of the South West Region”, the Chairman of the South West Summit Steering Committee, Dr. Akin Onigbinde, warned against allowing the summit to become a one-off event.
He urged that it be institutionalized as a statutory element within the South West Governors’ Cabinets to ensure continuity and measurable impact.
Onigbinde noted that the region’s biggest challenge is not external opposition but the risk of neglecting sustained dialogue between citizens and governments as a permanent feature of governance.
He stressed that the summit deliberations must be translated into concrete actions, demanding that government representatives produce evidence-based reports and be accountable for their commitments.
Onigbinde further charged participants to interact with public officials with respect and candor, insisting that active and sincere citizen participation remains essential for the growth and democratic renewal of the region.
For his part, the Director-General of the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission, Dr. Seye Oyeleye, emphasized the need for stronger collaboration among the southwestern states to accelerate regional growth and deepen citizen-government engagement.
Oyeleye urged leaders in the region to consolidate their efforts towards innovation, industrialization and infrastructure development, stressing that “the burden of regional progress is too heavy for a single State to bear.”