Issa Aremu, director general, Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies (MINILS), Ilorin, has called on Nigerians to support President Ahmed Tinubu on tax reform.

Aremu made the call in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, during a Group Cycling event for youths across the Ilorin metropolis as part of the activities to mark his 64th birthday.

According to him, Nigerians are free to criticise Tinubu’s policies but should be constructive.

He observed that there can only be sustainable good governance with enhanced public revenue which can be made possible through “Just and progressive taxation.”

Aremu commended the President for “audacity to make a change through controversial but inevitable reforms.

“You can agree or disagree with his policy choices but you cannot doubt President Bola Tinubu’s business-unusual policies.

“These policies are to reposition through reforms in all sectors of governance in accordance with the renewed hope agenda.”

The Director General expressed confidence that the National Assembly offers an open platform for improving the content of the proposed four tax bills.

He added that those opposing the reforms in the nation’s tax administration should proceed to the National Assembly and ventilate their views.

The DG also commended the clause that exempted workers on minimum wage as take-home pay from the tax net, explaining that exemptions should be further expanded to cover the working poor whose pay on account of inflation and Naira devaluation, had depressed their purchasing power.

He advised the President to be encouraged to accompany tax reforms with good governance reforms that will re-industrialise Nigeria, create decent work and banish poverty.

“Those who disagree with the tax reform bills should proceed to the National Assembly and make their positions known,” he said.

He disclosed that the arrangement is almost concluded by MINILS to hold a citizenship engagement with the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms to highlight the benefits of the proposed bills.

Similarly, Aremu appealed to organised Labour and employers of labour to partner with President Tinubu in ensuring payment of both minimum and living wages for workers

He added that a wage-led economic recovery plan backed by improved productivity was indispensable for sustainable development.

The D-G lauder Gov AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara for bringing development to the state.