RMAFC Has Right To Speak On Revenue Issues, Arewa Think Tank Says

The Convener of Arewa Think Tank, Muhammad Alhaji Yakubu, has defended the chairman of the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), Mohammed Shehu, against criticism over his recent comments on Nigeria’s fiscal and economic policies.

Yakubu said the criticism was misplaced, arguing that RMAFC was constitutionally established to oversee revenue mobilisation, allocation and fiscal relations among the three tiers of government.

He said the Commission’s mandate gave its chairman sufficient grounds to comment on policies and reforms with direct implications for revenue generation, revenue allocation and the Federation Account.

“Since when did the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission become an agency that is expected to remain silent on matters that directly affect revenue mobilisation and the allocation of the Federation’s resources?” he queried.

According to Yakubu, RMAFC’s interventions should be seen as part of its responsibility to monitor revenues accruing to the Federation and make recommendations on their proper and equitable distribution.

He recalled that the Commission had participated in national discussions on taxation, revenue allocation and fiscal reforms, including the 2025 public hearing on the tax reform bills.

Yakubu noted that Shehu, during the hearing, presented the commission’s position on the proposed reforms and called for adjustments to the distribution of Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue to subnational governments.

He argued that the chairman’s latest comments were consistent with the commission’s established responsibilities, particularly where proposed fiscal policies could affect the revenue available to the three tiers of government.

“What is the basis for attacking the chairman simply because he has spoken on an issue that falls within the fiscal responsibilities of the Commission?” he asked.

Yakubu maintained that RMAFC’s constitutional responsibility to monitor revenue accruing to the Federation Account and make recommendations on revenue allocation necessarily required the commission to engage in public discussions on policies capable of affecting its mandate.

He urged Nigerians and public commentators to distinguish between officials making pronouncements outside their institutional jurisdiction and those engaging on issues directly connected to their statutory responsibilities.

The Arewa Think Tank convener also cautioned against personalising institutional disagreements, saying public officials should be allowed to discharge their responsibilities without being subjected to attacks simply because their positions differ from those of individuals or interest groups.

He said constructive public debate remained important to the development of Nigeria’s fiscal system, particularly as the country continues to pursue reforms aimed at improving revenue generation, allocation and economic management.