The Catholic Bishops of the Ibadan Ecclesiastical Province on Tuesday urged the Federal Government to ensure that the ongoing tax reforms are implemented with fairness, transparency and compassion, warning that policies lacking a human face could worsen the hardship faced by millions of Nigerians.
The appeal was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the bishops’ first provincial meeting for 2026, held at the Jubilee Conference Centre in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The communiqué, titled “Sustaining Hope and Strengthening Our Good Efforts,” was signed by the Chairman of the Ibadan Ecclesiastical Province, Most Rev. Gabriel Abegunrin, and the Secretary, Most Rev. John Oyejola.
The bishops acknowledged the Federal Government’s intention to reform the nation’s tax system but expressed concern that the implementation had triggered widespread controversy and anxiety, particularly among the poor and vulnerable.
They said the reforms must be guided by fairness, transparency and accountability, stressing that the government should give the reforms a human face and allow the most vulnerable enough time to adjust before applying the full force of the law.
“The reforms must be guided by fairness, transparency and accountability. Government should give the reforms a human face and allow the most vulnerable among us the latitude to adjust to the new tax regimes before applying the full force of the law,” the communiqué stated.
The bishops warned that economic policies implemented without sensitivity could deepen inequality and fuel social tension, emphasising that taxation should not become an additional burden on citizens already struggling with inflation, unemployment and rising living costs.
While calling for patience from Nigerians, the bishops insisted that such patience must be matched with visible accountability from government institutions and tax authorities.
The clerics also reflected on Nigeria’s broader socio-economic challenges, urging governments at all levels to recommit to their primary responsibilities of securing lives and property, providing basic healthcare, improving infrastructure and creating an enabling environment for economic growth.
They lamented the prolonged strike by health workers, saying it had subjected ordinary Nigerians to unnecessary suffering and restricted access to essential healthcare services.
“This situation is tragic and unacceptable. Anything short of urgent intervention amounts to needless suffering and avoidable deaths,” the bishops said.
The bishops further criticised the deplorable state of major road networks linking cities, particularly in the South-West, and accused some federal and state ministries of underperformance despite ongoing reform initiatives.
Reaffirming the Church’s commitment to social justice, the bishops urged Nigerians not to lose hope but to complement prayers with responsible citizenship, hard work and adherence to justice and the rule of law.
“As pastors of souls, we call on Nigerians to resist cynicism and negativity. Prayer must go with good works. We have no other country but this,” the communiqué added.
The tax reforms were initiated by President Bola Tinubu’s administration and signed into law on June 26, 2025. The reforms took effect on January 1, 2026, and have since generated mixed reactions nationwide.
