The Catholic Bishops of the Ibadan Ecclesiastical Province have called on the Federal Government to implement its recently enacted tax reforms with fairness, transparency, and a compassionate “human face.
The appeal was made in a communiqué issued on Tuesday following the bishops’ first provincial meeting of 2026, held at the Jubilee Conference Centre in Ibadan.
The statement was jointly signed by the Chairman of the Province, Most Rev. Gabriel Abegunrin, and the Secretary, Most Rev. John Oyejola.
The tax reforms, initiated by President Bola Tinubu’s administration and signed into law on June 26, 2025, took effect on January 1, 2026, and have since sparked mixed public reactions nationwide.
In the communiqué titled “Sustaining Hope and Strengthening Our Good Efforts,” the bishops acknowledged the government’s intention to improve the tax system but expressed concern that its rollout has caused widespread anxiety, especially among the poor.
“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,” they stated.
The bishops cautioned that economic policies lacking sensitivity could deepen social inequality and tension. They emphasized that taxation should not become an added burden on citizens already grappling with inflation, unemployment, and high living costs.
While urging patience from the public, the bishops stressed that such patience must be met with visible accountability from government institutions and tax authorities.
Beyond taxation, the religious leaders addressed Nigeria’s broader challenges, calling on all tiers of government to renew their focus on securing lives and property, providing basic healthcare, improving infrastructure, and fostering economic growth.
They particularly lamented the ongoing health workers’ strike, describing it as “tragic and unacceptable,” and warned that delays in resolution lead to “needless suffering and avoidable deaths.”
The communiqué also criticized the poor state of major roads, especially in the South-West, and noted perceived underperformance in some federal and state ministries.
Reaffirming the Church’s dedication to social justice, the bishops encouraged Nigerians to maintain hope and combine prayer with responsible citizenship, hard work, and respect for the rule of law.
“We have no other country but this,” the communiqué concluded.
