Catholic bishops of the Ibadan Ecclesiastical Province have urged the Federal Government to implement ongoing tax reforms with fairness, transparency and compassion, warning that policies without a human face could deepen the hardship faced by millions of Nigerians.
The call was contained in a communiqué issued on Tuesday at the end of the bishops’ first provincial meeting for 2026, held at the Jubilee Conference Centre in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
The communiqué was signed by the Chairman of the Ibadan Ecclesiastical Province, Most Rev. Gabriel Abegunrin, and the Secretary, Most Rev. John Oyejola.
The PUNCH reports that the tax reforms were initiated by the administration of President Bola Tinubu and signed into law on June 26, 2025. The reforms took effect on January 1, 2026, and have since attracted mixed reactions nationwide.
In the communiqué titled “Sustaining Hope and Strengthening Our Good Efforts,” the bishops acknowledged the Federal Government’s efforts to reform Nigeria’s tax system but noted that the measures had generated widespread controversy and anxiety, particularly among the poor and vulnerable.
“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 bishops stated.
They cautioned that economic policies imposed without sensitivity could worsen inequality and fuel social tension, stressing that taxation should not become an additional burden on citizens already struggling with inflation, unemployment and the rising cost of living.
While calling on Nigerians to remain patient, the bishops insisted that such patience must be matched with visible accountability from government and tax authorities.
Beyond taxation, the Catholic leaders reflected on the country’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 expressed concern over the prolonged strike by health workers, describing it as tragic and unacceptable, and said it had subjected ordinary Nigerians to needless suffering and restricted access to healthcare.
“This situation is tragic and unacceptable. Anything short of urgent intervention amounts to needless suffering and avoidable deaths,” the communiqué read.
The bishops also criticised the deplorable condition 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, encouraging them to combine prayer 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 bishops added.
