Kaduna Assembly, Network Push for Inclusive Tax Dialogue, Review of 2020 Tax Law
By Uangbaoje Alex, Kaduna
The Kaduna State House of Assembly has agreed to collaborate with civil society groups to initiate a multi-stakeholder dialogue aimed at reforming the state’s tax system, with a focus on gender equity, fairness, and improved service delivery.
The development follows an advocacy visit by the Tax Justice and Governance Platform (TJ&GP) to key House Committees on Finance, and Local Government and Rural Development.
The visit, held on April 9, 2025, was led by Stephen Waya, Secretary of the Platform, alongside Samuel Akai, Lead of the Advocacy Committee.
During the engagement, the team presented findings from its Gender Responsive Taxation Analysis Report, which highlighted how current tax policies in the state may inadvertently deepen social and gender inequalities.
The Platform also introduced its Tax for Services Initiative, which advocates for increased transparency and accountability in the use of tax revenue to deliver tangible public services.
A key outcome of the meeting was the mutual recognition of the need to review the Kaduna State Tax (Codification and Consolidation) Law 2020, which the network argued no longer reflects present-day economic realities and social justice concerns.
“The time has come to reassess our tax framework to reflect inclusivity, equity, and responsiveness,” said the Network.
“Our aim is to ensure tax policies work for everyone—especially women, low-income earners, and marginalized groups who are often disproportionately affected by existing tax structures.”
In his response, the Chairman of the House Committee on Finance, Hon. Haliru Gambo, commended TJ&GP for its initiative and pledged to brief the Speaker of the House and garner the support of other lawmakers.
“We commend TJ&GP for this timely engagement. As we seek to improve revenue generation for sustainable development, it is critical that our tax laws are fair and reflect the needs of all citizens,” he said.
The Assembly also endorsed a proposed public awareness campaign to educate citizens on the benefits of tax reforms and promote transparency in fiscal governance.
TJ&GP pledged to coordinate a statewide stakeholder dialogue in the coming weeks, involving lawmakers, civil society organizations, local businesses, and community leaders.
The event will provide a platform to deliberate on the proposed reforms and identify best practices to make taxation in Kaduna more equitable and responsive.
This collaborative effort marks a significant step toward building a tax system in Kaduna State that is not only efficient but also inclusive and socially just.
