FG insists VAT remains 7.5%, debunks Atiku’s claim on plan to make life difficult for Nigerians

The Federal Government has refuted reports suggesting an increase in the Value-Added Tax rate from 7.5 per cent to 10 per cent.

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, in a statement on Monday, September 9, 2024, clarified that the current VAT rate, as stipulated in the country’s tax laws, remains at 7.5 per cent.

“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,” Edun affirmed.

He further explained the importance of maintaining a balanced tax system, emphasising that Nigeria’s tax framework is built on three key pillars- tax policy, tax laws, and tax administration.

“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,” the minister said.

Addressing concerns over government actions perceived as burdensome, Edun reassured Nigerians that fiscal policies are designed to promote sustainable economic growth and alleviate poverty, not to hinder them.

“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,” he stated.

“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 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,” Mr Edun said.

On May 8, Taiwo Oyedele, chairman of the presidential committee on fiscal policy and tax reforms, said there is a need to increase the VAT rate.

Atiku Abubakar, former vice-president, on September 8, criticised the proposed VAT increase

In a statement he circulated on Sunday, Atiku had claimed that “President Bola Tinubu, alongside his coterie of advisers, has resolved to raise the VAT rate from 7.5% to 10%, even as the NNPCL has announced a soaring PMS price increase at the pump.

“The increase in VAT is set to become the blazing inferno that will consume the very essence of our people.”

The former vice president further claimed that the “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.”

But the finance minister has now clarified that the former vice president’s and other critics’ claims are false and unwarranted.