President Bola Tinubu assured on Thursday that the tax reform bills currently before the National Assembly will not increase the tax burden on poor Nigerians.

This is as the President has also promised to prioritise social investment programmes.

Bayo Onanuga, the president’s special adviser on information and strategy, said the President stated this in faraway Brazil at a meeting with Kristalina Georgieva, the managing director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

According to him, the president also assured that his administration will continue prioritising the welfare of the poor and most vulnerable even as the economic reforms bear fruit.

President Tinubu, while meeting with the IMF CEO, also acknowledged that the ongoing reforms have weakened the purchasing power of Nigerians, noting that “the administration will continue to provide social safety nets to cushion the unintended consequences.”

Tinubu congratulated the IMF chief on her election for a second term in office, even as he appreciated her continued support in implementing the reforms, calling for more institutional backing for stability and sustainable growth.

“We have started seeing positive results from our reforms, and the Nigerian people now understand the need for them, but we have to reduce the hardship that has resulted from the implementation.”

He emphasised the critical need for educational access.

“We have too many children out of school, and we know that education is a way out of hunger and poverty. That is why we are designing ways and incentives to keep these children in school, and we need your support for these kids who want to stay in school,” he told the IMF chief.

President Tinubu stressed that substantial resources must be invested to stimulate the much-needed infrastructural development in the country.

The president further noted that Nigeria is working on tax reforms to stimulate the economy further.

“We are engaging stakeholders and sensitising Nigerians to expand the economy’s tax base for inclusive developmental growth. We are doing this without necessarily increasing the taxes on our people who have already given a lot. We will require your support on this.”