Peter Obi raises alarm over Nigeria–France tax pact, calls for full disclosure

Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has urged the Federal Government to make public the full details of the tax cooperation Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Nigeria and France, warning that secrecy around revenue-related agreements could undermine public trust.

In a statement on Wednesday, Obi said international partnerships in tax administration were not objectionable in themselves, but stressed that any arrangement touching on taxation, data management and public revenue must be handled transparently and explained clearly to Nigerians.

“It is worrisome that an agreement of this magnitude appears to have been concluded without the full terms being made public, and without a clear explanation of its objectives, scope and expected outcomes,” Obi said.

He emphasised that while foreign expertise could be useful, government had a responsibility to justify such engagements by clearly stating the gaps they are meant to fill, why those gaps cannot be addressed locally, and the specific benefits Nigeria stands to gain.

Obi noted that Nigeria already has a robust pool of tax professionals, advisory firms and internationally recognised consultancies operating locally, arguing that sustainable tax reform should prioritise strengthening domestic capacity rather than relying heavily on external partnerships.

“Nigeria is not short of tax expertise. Reforms should be designed to build institutions from within,” he said.

The former Anambra State governor said the controversy surrounding the MoU comes at a time of deep economic strain, with more than 60 per cent of Nigerians living in multidimensional poverty, high youth unemployment and small businesses struggling under the weight of multiple taxes.

He added that rising government borrowing without corresponding improvements in productivity made it even more important for tax policies to focus on fairness, efficiency and accountability.

According to Obi, any agreement or policy initiative that lacks transparency, measurable benefits and public confidence risks further eroding trust in government.

He therefore called on the Federal Government to publish the full MoU, clearly explain its rationale and outline the mutual benefits, especially the tangible gains for Nigeria.

“Leadership demands openness, accountability and an unwavering commitment to the interests of the Nigerian people. Decisions of this nature must always be guided by what best serves the nation,” Obi said.