MSSN Warns Government Over Fairness of Tax Reforms, Rising Public Distrust

The Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN) has issued a strong caution to the Federal Government, stating that recent policy decisions—including impending tax reforms—risk deepening public distrust unless they are implemented with clear fairness, justice, and inclusivity.

The warning was delivered on Saturday by the National President of the MSSN, Mallam Tajudeen Mustapha, during the opening ceremony of the organization’s B-Zone Islamic Vacation Course in Ogun State.

Addressing thousands of delegates, Mustapha framed the criticism within Nigeria’s broader challenges, stating the nation is “grappling with multiple challenges ranging from economic hardship and insecurity to moral decline and leadership deficits.” He argued that policies perceived as unjust further weaken citizens’ faith in governance.

“Taxation itself is not the core issue,” Mustapha emphasized, “but rather the growing lack of trust in how public resources are managed.” He expressed concern that reforms raising questions of equity and sovereignty make citizens “sceptical and disengaged.”

The MSSN leadership stressed that responsible governance is mandatory, calling on authorities to ensure all policies are “guided by justice, transparency and accountability to regain public confidence.”

The event, described by B-Zone Amir Mallam Moshood Kolawole as the society’s flagship program, gathered participants from across southern Nigeria to reflect on pressing national issues, including moral weakening, economic pressure, and insecurity.

In a keynote lecture titled “We Are All Responsible,” Dr. Taofeek Abdul-Hameed, a senior academic and Islamic scholar, expanded on the theme of accountability. He stated that social injustice, corruption, and moral decay persist when individuals and leaders fail to act responsibly, adding that “silence in the face of wrongdoing amounts to complicity.”

Logistically, the event saw a significant turnout, with Chief Registrar Abdulrazak Yusuf announcing 10,158 registered delegates from the Edo, Delta, and Rivers axis—a number attributed to an improved online registration system.

The criticism from the influential student body comes amid national apprehension over a major tax overhaul signed into law by President Bola Tinubu in June. The reforms, described as the most comprehensive in decades, are set to take effect in January 2026 but have sparked widespread anxiety among citizens and critics who fear they could exacerbate current financial hardships, despite government assurances of long-term benefits.

The 115th Islamic Vacation Course runs until January 1 and serves as a major platform for spiritual reflection, leadership development, and civic engagement for Muslim students in Southern Nigeria.