A fresh rift has emerged within Nigeria’s influential northern political establishment over the direction of President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms. A group of prominent figures, calling themselves the Concerned Northern Elders, has publicly broken ranks with the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), throwing their support behind the country’s tax agency and the government’s “difficult but necessary” economic policies.
In a sharply worded statement, the breakaway group dismissed the NEF’s recent criticisms of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), describing them as a “misrepresentation” of the region’s true interests.
A ‘platform for grievances’
The dispute highlights the growing tension in Nigeria’s northern region—a powerful voting bloc—as the country navigates its most significant economic overhaul in decades. The Concerned Northern Elders, led by Nasir Manguno, claimed the traditional NEF had lost its “moral authority.” The group alleged that the forum had shifted from a “forum of wisdom” to a “platform for political grievances and sponsored opposition narratives.””Leadership and elder statesmanship must be rooted in integrity and national interest, not nostalgia for failed systems,” the statement read.
Backing the taxman
At the heart of the disagreement is the performance of the FIRS under its current leadership. While the NEF has previously voiced concerns over the agency’s direction, the “Concerned” faction praised its efforts to move Nigeria away from its historical dependence on oil.
The group highlighted several key achievements:Revenue Growth: Consistent over-performance of tax collection targets.Modernization: The use of data-driven technology to block “historic leakages.”Fairness: Ensuring that political influence no longer guarantees exemption from taxes. The elders argued that opposition to these reforms is largely driven by those “unsettled by efficiency and transparency.”
Context: Tinubu’s ‘Courage’
Since taking office in May 2023, President Bola Tinubu has introduced a series of high-stakes reforms, including the removal of a popular but costly fuel subsidy and the floating of the Naira.While these moves have led to a sharp rise in the cost of living and inflation, the Concerned Northern Elders insisted that the President had chosen “courage over convenience.” They argued that the administration inherited an economy weakened by “secrecy and selective compliance” and that revenue reform is central to building a functional state.”No country develops by shielding elites from responsibility or placing the burden of governance solely on the poor,” the group stated.
Regional politics
The elders also warned against what they termed the “politics of sabotage,” suggesting that recent criticisms were an attempt by opposition interests to “weaponize” the North against the government. The statement concluded with a firm rejection of the idea that Northern Nigeria is resistant to change:”The North is not against reform. The North is against failure, and it will not be dragged backward by voices sponsored to fear progress.”
The FIRS has recently entered into several Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) to harmonize data systems across government agencies—a move the elders say will eliminate duplication and boost efficiency. Neither the presidency nor the original Northern Elders Forum has yet officially responded to this latest statement.
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