By Our Correspondent

In a bid to strenghten the nation’s economy and give SME’s space to grow, the Federal Government has unveiled a tax reform package aimed at simplifying compliance, reducing the burden on small businesses, low-income earners, and strengthening Nigeria’s revenue system.

This was the basis of the senstization forum titled, “Tax reforms and compliance: Impact on Small and Medium enterprises in the South east held at the International Conference Centre, Enugu .

Making this disclosure to  participants at the weekend,Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement, Southeast, Bar. Mrs Chioma Nweze said that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is determined to make taxation fairer and more beneficial to ordinary Nigerians.

“Our women, especially market women, must understand why government collects tax, what government does with it, and how they should pay without exploitation.

“The president has removed fuel subsidy, unified the exchange rate, and increased allocations to states. These reforms will ensure more projects are delivered to benefit citizens,” she said.

Nweze emphasized that sensitizing women was deliberate, recalling that historical revolts such as the Aba Women’s Riot of 1929 were caused by unfair taxation.

“When women are informed, they carry the message to their families and communities. We don’t want exploitative practices to return; instead, women should be empowered to benefit from government initiatives,” she said.

Chairman of the Tax Appeal Tribunal, Southeast Zone, Bar. Chukwuemeka Eze explained that four new tax acts signed into law on June 26, 2025, now consolidate more than 20 scattered tax laws.

Eze noted that businesses with an annual turnover below N50 million are exempted from Companies Income Tax and Value Added Tax, while minimum wage earners will no longer pay personal income tax.

“This is progressive taxation. The rich will now pay more within their means, while the poor will be protected. The days when wealthy individuals paid little tax are gone,” Eze stressed.

He added that the reforms also introduced a Tax Dispute Resolution Mechanism that allows citizens to lodge complaints free of charge, with resolutions provided within 7–14 days.

Tax professional and Chartered Accountant, Mr. Innocent Chinyere Ohagwa, said the reforms were necessary to strengthen Nigeria’s fiscal base, describing SMEs as the “lifeblood” of the economy.

“SMEs account for more than 90% of businesses and nearly 60% of jobs in Nigeria. By removing multiple taxation and unfair levies, government is giving them space to grow, create wealth, and support economic diversification,” he said.

Dr. Zino Ugboma, representing the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), highlighted how tax revenues are being used to expand access to education.

He explained that undergraduates in universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education can now access tuition and living-cost loans, repayable only after gaining employment, two years post-NYSC.

“This is a direct way of showing that taxation is not just about collection, but also about giving back to the people,” Ugboma said.

The forum, which drew officials of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), women leaders, professionals, and community stakeholders, ended with a call for stronger collaboration to ensure the success of the reforms.

Participants, including Mrs. Nnenna Otuonye, commended President Tinubu for pushing a fairer system and urged Southeast residents to embrace compliance for economic growth.

By Emmanuel Ikpe

The people of Akwa Ibom State has been urged to continue to support the governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno and his government to continue to deliver dividend of democracy to the citizenry.

The Leader of Hausa Community, Akwa Ibom State, Alhaji Hassan Saduiki made the appeal while speaking with this reporter in Uyo recently, eulogizing the leadership qualities of the governor with regard to his policies, programs and drive in relationships to his Arise Agenda.

Alhaji Hassan who is also the Chairman BOT of Akwa Ibom State Council for Islamic Affairs who used the medium to congratulate Gov Umo Eno for winning the award of the best governor of the year 2025 conferred on him by the Nigeria Governors forum, noted that Gov Umo Eno is on the right track.

Alhaji Hassan said that the Hausa Community are very pleased to identify with Gov Eno following his peaceful disposition to governance and his ability to unite all segments of the state irrespective of political affiliation, ethnicity and religion.

Describing him as a unifieyer, Alhaji Hassan thanked Gov Eno for carrying the non-indigents along in his empowerment, programs and stated that his peaceful nature to the running of governance in the state has benefited the Hausa Community to carryout their business in the state without fear or intimidation.

He thanked government for providing them with a befitting and accommodating prayer house, as they are going about their businesses peacefully, adding that peace relative peace they are enjoying has given room for inter marriage between the Akwa Ibom people and the non indigenous people in the state.

He draw attention of the government to the need to construct the Mbak Ikot Oku Itam road trespassing the Nassarawa Market, and provide other amenities to boost standard of living in the community and environ.

He pledged continuous solidarity and support of the community to Gov Umo Eno, his government and the people of Akwa Ibom State

The leader of Hausa Community further noted that with the continuous peace enjoyed in the state, the Ibom Deap Seaport is going to be a reality, and it will further enhance present of investors in the State and economy of the state will be better.