By Ibrahim Hassan-Wuyo
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 criticisms over recent pronouncements attributed to the Commission on Nigeria’s fiscal and economic policies.
Yakubu described the criticisms as misplaced, arguing that RMAFC is a constitutionally established body saddled with responsibilities relating to revenue mobilisation, allocation and the financial relationship among the three tiers of government.
He said portraying the Commission’s interventions on fiscal matters as an overreach of its mandate amounted to a misunderstanding of its constitutional responsibilities.
According to him, the RMAFC Chairman cannot reasonably be expected to remain silent on issues with direct implications for revenue generation, 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?” Yakubu queried.
He said the Commission’s interventions should be viewed within the context of its responsibility to monitor revenues accruing to the Federation and ensure their equitable distribution.
Yakubu noted that RMAFC had participated in national discussions on taxation, revenue allocation and fiscal reforms.
He recalled that during the 2025 public hearing on the tax reform bills, the RMAFC Chairman stated the Commission’s position on the proposed reforms and called for adjustments to the distribution of Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue to subnational governments.
Yakubu argued that, given RMAFC’s constitutional role in revenue allocation, its chairman could not reasonably be expected to remain an observer when policies or decisions have potential implications for the Federation Account.
He also recalled that Arewa Think Tank had previously defended RMAFC against what it described as misinformation concerning the Commission’s position on the Federal Government’s tax reform bills.
According to him, the group raised concerns in December 2024 over what it described as false information about RMAFC, stressing that the Commission had a constitutional mandate on revenue-sharing formulas, including VAT allocation.
Yakubu said the current criticism of the RMAFC chairman appeared to follow a similar pattern of what he described as attempts to misrepresent the role of the Commission.
“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.
He maintained that RMAFC was not an ordinary government agency whose activities could be separated from Nigeria’s broader fiscal architecture.
Yakubu said the Commission’s constitutional status gives it a distinct role in monitoring revenue accruing to the Federation Account and making recommendations on revenue allocation.
He added that those responsibilities naturally require the Commission to engage with national fiscal policies that could affect its mandate.
The Arewa Think Tank convener therefore urged Nigerians and commentators to distinguish between pronouncements outside an institution’s jurisdiction and legitimate institutional engagement required by its constitutional responsibilities.
He also cautioned against personalising institutional disagreements, saying public officials should be allowed to discharge their responsibilities without being subjected to what he described as unwarranted attacks whenever their positions differ from those of individuals or interest groups.
Yakubu said the RMAFC chairman should be assessed based on whether his interventions are consistent with the Commission’s mandate and the law, rather than political interpretations of his statements.
He stressed that Nigeria needs strong institutions capable of providing independent fiscal perspectives, particularly as the Federal Government implements reforms in taxation, revenue mobilisation and public resource management.
“The issue should not be whether the Chairman has spoken. The question should be whether what he has spoken about falls within the mandate of the Commission. If it does, then attacking him for doing his job is itself a misunderstanding of governance,” he said.
Yakubu urged critics of the RMAFC chairman to focus on the substance of the Commission’s positions rather than questioning its participation in fiscal policy discussions.
He reaffirmed Arewa Think Tank’s support for public institutions that operate within the law and contribute to national development, stressing that Nigeria’s fiscal challenges require informed institutional participation rather than attempts to silence constitutionally established bodies.
He added that the group would continue to defend public institutions whenever it believes their constitutional responsibilities are being misunderstood or portrayed as political interference.
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