The Northern Christian Youth Professionals (NCYP) has urged governors, traditional rulers, market women, and other key stakeholders in Northern Nigeria to support the Tax Reform Bill currently under consideration by the National Assembly.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja yesterday, NCYP Chairman Isaac Abrak called on Northern stakeholders to back the reforms, highlighting the opportunities they present for economic transformation in the region.
“It’s important to note that the perception of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Tax Reform Bill as a means to victimise the North is incorrect,” Abrak said.
“The reforms aim to create a conducive economic environment for growth and prosperity in our region.”
Abrak argued that the bill, when critically examined, favours the poor and the northern region, urging northern governors and elites to recognize the immense potential in their communities.
“Our region is rich in human capital and innovation. To unlock this potential, we must act decisively,” he said.
The NCYP leader outlined several strategies for northern development, including economic planning, addressing insecurity, comprehensive short-, medium-, and long-term strategy to boost local industries such as textiles, leather, confectioneries, and automobile production and empowering talent.
Abrak emphasised the role of the new Corporate Income Tax in revitalising local industries and fostering economic growth.
He also stressed the need for self-reliance, stating, “This is our moment to redefine northern Nigeria—not as a region dependent on federal allocations, but as a powerhouse of productivity and innovation.”
He urged northern states to contribute to the nation’s revenue base on par with their southern counterparts, advocating for unity and collective progress to ensure a brighter future for the region.
