NIGERIA: Peter Obi Calls For Transparency In Nigeria-France Tax Cooperation Agreement

By Onoja Baba, Nigeria 

Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has urged the Federal Government to publish the full terms of a recently signed tax cooperation Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with France, expressing concern over the lack of transparency surrounding the agreement.

In a statement posted on his verified social media platforms on Wednesday, Obi acknowledged that international collaboration is not inherently problematic but stressed that agreements affecting tax administration, revenue systems, and data management require the highest level of openness due to their direct impact on public trust.

He described as worrisome the fact that an agreement of such significance appears to have been concluded without making its full terms public or providing Nigerians with a clear explanation of its objectives, scope, and expected outcomes.

While stating that he is not opposed to engaging foreign expertise, Obi insisted that such partnerships must be clearly justified. He said the government should explain the specific gaps they are intended to fill, why those gaps cannot be addressed locally, and the concrete benefits to Nigerians.

Obi pointed out that Nigeria already has a strong pool of qualified tax professionals, advisory firms, and globally recognised consultancies operating locally, with the capacity to support tax reform and modernisation. He questioned why external partnerships are prioritised over strengthening and leveraging existing domestic capacity, arguing that sustainable reform should build institutions from within.

The former Anambra State Governor noted that these concerns arise amid significant economic hardship, with over 60 per cent of Nigerians living in multidimensional poverty, widespread youth unemployment, and small and medium-scale enterprises burdened by multiple taxes, while government borrowing continues to rise without commensurate gains in productivity.

In such circumstances, Obi said policy attention should focus on simplifying the tax system, closing revenue leakages, broadening the tax base fairly, and ensuring prudent use of public resources.

He warned that any agreement or policy initiative lacking transparency, public confidence, and clearly defined, measurable benefits and risks further eroding trust in government. He therefore called on the Federal Government to publish the full MoU, clearly explain its rationale, and outline the mutual benefits particularly the tangible advantages Nigeria stands to gain.

Obi concluded by emphasising that leadership demands openness, accountability, and commitment to the interests of the Nigerian people, and that decisions of this nature must always be guided by what best serves the nation.

As of the time of this report, the Federal Government had not issued any official response to Obi’s call for the publication of the MoU.