The Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN) has cautioned the Federal Government that proposed tax reforms and other recent policy decisions could further erode public trust if concerns around fairness, justice, and inclusiveness are not properly addressed.
The warning was contained in a statement issued on Saturday during the opening ceremony of the MSSN B-Zone Islamic Vacation Course, held at the proposed permanent site of Al-Ummah University along the Ibadan–Lagos Expressway in Onigari, Ogun State.
Speaking at the event, the Society’s National President, Mallam Tajudeen Mustapha, noted that Nigeria is facing numerous challenges, including economic hardship, insecurity, moral decline, and leadership shortcomings. He stressed that policies perceived as unjust only deepen citizens’ loss of confidence in governance.
According to Mustapha, taxation is not the main problem; rather, it is the growing distrust in how public funds are managed. He expressed concern that reforms and agreements, particularly those related to taxation that raise issues of equity and sovereignty, tend to make citizens increasingly sceptical and disengaged.
The MSSN leadership emphasized that responsible governance is essential, urging authorities to anchor policies on justice, transparency, and accountability in order to rebuild public confidence.
Earlier, the Amir of MSSN B-Zone, Mallam Moshood Kolawole, described the Islamic Vacation Course as the society’s flagship programme, designed to encourage reflection on personal development and shared responsibility within society. He said participants from across southern Nigeria were brought together to address issues such as moral decline, economic pressure, insecurity, and the erosion of values, which demand collective and sincere action.
In his lecture titled “We Are All Responsible,” Dr. Taofeek Abdul-Hameed—Imam of the Muslim Community at the Federal Polytechnic, Ede, Osun State, and Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Ayede, Oyo State—stated that responsibility applies to everyone without exception. He warned that social injustice, corruption, insecurity, and moral decay thrive when individuals and leaders fail to act responsibly, adding that remaining silent in the face of wrongdoing amounts to complicity.
Abdul-Hameed further explained that accountability in Islam covers actions, speech, and inaction, noting that parents, leaders, youths, and professionals all share responsibility for the state of society.
Meanwhile, the organisation’s Chief Registrar, Abdulrazak Yusuf, revealed that 10,158 delegates registered across the Edo, Delta, and Rivers axis. He attributed the high participation to improvements in the online registration system introduced in the previous edition, while also acknowledging challenges with awareness that led some members to attempt physical registration.
The 115th Islamic Vacation Course, which runs annually from December 23 to January 1, remains a key platform for spiritual renewal, leadership training, and civic engagement among Muslim students in southern Nigeria.
It will be recalled that President Bola Tinubu signed a comprehensive package of tax reform laws into effect in June, representing the most extensive overhaul of Nigeria’s fiscal system in decades. The new tax regime, scheduled to commence in January 2026, has generated widespread concern and anxiety among Nigerians.
Despite assurances from the Federal Government that the reforms will strengthen fiscal policy and deliver long-term benefits, critics fear the new tax laws could worsen the economic hardships currently facing citizens.
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