September 09, (THEWILL) – Wale Edun, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy and former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar have disagreed over alleged plans by the Federal Government to increase the rate of Value-Added Tax, VAT, from 7.5 per cent to 10 per cent.
On Sunday, Atiku said President Bola Tinubu, alongside his coterie of advisers, has resolved to raise the VAT rate from 7.5% to 10%, even as the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, has announced a soaring PMS price increase at the pump.
“This move unveils a new era of regressive and punitive policies, and its impact is destined to deepen the domestic cost-of-living crisis and exacerbate Nigeria’s already fragile economic growth, Atiku said, adding that “The relentless rise in taxes and interest rates has proven excessively onerous, debilitating businesses of all sizes and leading to job losses while intensifying the suffering of the poor. The manufacturing sector, in particular, has endured relentless strife since Tinubu’s ascendancy, with its contribution to the GDP diminishing by over 20% since December 2023, as reported by the NBS.
Minister Edun on Monday, denied Atiku’s claim.
According to the minister, the federal government as well as any of its agencies, would not go contrary to relevant tax laws, and according to the operating laws, VAT rate chargeable on goods and services remains 7.5%.
Stating further, he added that rather than increase taxes, the government recently ordered the stoppage of import duties, tariffs and taxes on rice, wheat, beans and other food items as a way of bringing relief to Nigerians.
“The current VAT rate is 7.5% and this is what the government is charging on a spectrum of goods and services to which the tax is applicable. Therefore, neither the Federal Government nor any of its agencies will act contrary to what our laws stipulate.
“The tax system stands on a tripod, namely tax policy, tax laws and tax administration. All the three must combine well to give us a sound system that gives vitality to the fiscal position of the government.
“Our focus as a government is to use fiscal policy in a manner that promotes and enhances strong and sustainable economic growth, reduces poverty as well as makes businesses flourish.
“The imputation in some media reports on the issue of VAT and the opinion articles that have sprouted from them seem to wrongly convey the impression that the government is out to make life difficult for Nigerians. That is not correct. If anything, the Federal Government has, through its policies, demonstrated that it is committed to creating a congenial environment for businesses to thrive.
“In fact, it is on record that the Federal Government, as part of efforts to bring relief to Nigerians and businesses, recently ordered the stoppage of import duties, tariffs and taxes on rice, wheat, beans and other food items.
“For emphasis, as of today, VAT remains 7.5% and that is what will be charged on all the goods and services that are VAT-able,” Edun said.
Sam Diala is a Bloomberg Certified Financial Journalist with over a decade of experience in reporting Business and Economy. He is Business Editor at THEWILL Newspaper, and believes that work, not wishes, creates wealth.
