Former Anambra State governor and Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has called on the Federal Government to ensure full transparency for all Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) related to tax administration.
In a statement shared on X, Obi responded to reports of a tax cooperation MoU between Nigeria and a French company, expressing concern that an agreement with direct implications for public revenue and data management appeared to have been concluded without full disclosure of its terms to Nigerians.
“It is therefore worrisome that an agreement of this significance appears to have been concluded without the full terms being made public, and without a clear effort to explain its objectives, scope, and expected outcomes to Nigerians,” Obi said.
While acknowledging that international cooperation is not inherently wrong, he stressed that agreements affecting taxation require greater openness due to their impact on citizens and institutions.
Obi emphasized that Nigerians deserve to know the objectives, scope, and expected outcomes of such agreements, particularly when they involve sensitive areas such as revenue systems and administrative capacity.
He questioned why external partnerships are prioritised without transparent explanations of the specific gaps they aim to address, why these gaps cannot be filled locally, and what measurable benefits Nigerians stand to gain.
Highlighting the availability of tax professionals, advisory firms, and internationally recognised consultancies already operating in Nigeria, Obi argued that sustainable reform should focus on strengthening local institutions and expertise rather than relying excessively on external arrangements.
He therefore urged the Federal Government to publish the full text of the tax cooperation MoU, clearly explain its rationale, and outline the mutual benefits, particularly what Nigeria stands to gain in practical terms.
