Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has called on the Federal Government to release the full details of the tax cooperation Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Nigeria and France, warning that opacity around tax-related agreements could weaken public trust and institutional credibility.
In a statement on Wednesday, Obi said that while international cooperation in tax administration was not inherently problematic, such arrangements required a high degree of transparency because of their direct impact on public revenue and confidence in government.
“It is troubling that an agreement of this importance appears to have been concluded without the full terms being made public or a clear explanation of its objectives, scope and expected outcomes to Nigerians,” he said.
Obi stressed that engaging foreign expertise must be clearly justified, noting that government owes citizens an explanation of the specific gaps the MoU seeks to address, why those gaps cannot be handled locally, and the concrete benefits Nigeria stands to gain.
He pointed out that Nigeria already has a strong pool of qualified tax professionals, advisory firms and globally recognised consultancies operating within the country, arguing that lasting tax reform should focus on strengthening domestic institutions rather than prioritising external partnerships.
The former Anambra State governor said the concerns surrounding the MoU were amplified by Nigeria’s current economic challenges, including widespread poverty, youth unemployment and the heavy tax burden faced by small and medium-sized enterprises.
“With over 60 per cent of Nigerians living in multidimensional poverty and SMEs struggling under multiple taxes, policy attention should be on simplifying the tax system, closing revenue leakages and ensuring the prudent use of public resources,” he said.
Obi warned that any agreement or policy initiative lacking transparency, public confidence and clearly defined, measurable benefits could further erode trust in government.
He therefore urged the Federal Government to publish the full MoU with France, clearly outline its rationale and spell out the mutual benefits, particularly the tangible advantages for Nigeria.
“Leadership demands openness, accountability and a firm commitment to the interests of the Nigerian people. Decisions of this nature must always be guided by what best serves the nation,” Obi added.
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